Village at Mendota Heights Considers Options for Empty Lots

It's been seven years since the opening of the $60 million Village at Mendota Heights.

Though retail is thriving and the senior housing complex boasts a waiting list, some condos and townhouses still have not sold, and it's seeming unlikely that more townhouses will be built as initially planned on the village's three empty lots.

The city of Mendota Heights is taking it's time in deciding how to deal with the vacancies, discussing a small medical office building or a family style restaurant, according to the Star Tribune.

"We're under no pressure to sell," Mayor Sandra Krebsbach told the paper.

The Star Tribune has more on the possibilities for the site.

Fefercorn's development agreement allowing his firm to buy the lots from the city has long since expired. That means Mendota Heights is looking for takers, and city officials say they already have heard from potential buyers with a variety of ideas for developing the sites.

"The city is in the process of developing a plan to actively market the site to determine the best use for this property," said City Administrator Justin Miller.

United Properties believes the Village would be an ideal location for one of its Applewood Pointe senior cooperative housing complexes, according to Brian Carey, an executive vice president of the Bloomington-based development firm. United has built seven in the Twin Cities since launching the concept, geared for "active seniors," in 2004.

Carey said United has presented some preliminary concepts for a building with up to 64 units and that they "have been warmly received by city staff." A city spokesman confirmed United has shown the city a site plan for the vacant parcels but said it's still too early for anything to be brought before the City Council.

Read more on the Star Tribune's website or read Mendota Heights Patch's November 2011 report on the Village development.