urbanMSP

So Mankato is coming back from the recession nicely. In addition to the gigantic Wal-Mart Distribution Center that will finally start on the east edge of town next summer, there's going to be a project starting downtown that's going to redevelop an entire block into an apartment building, a parking ramp and an office tower. It's nice to see that the construction boom isn't just limited to the metro.

From the second linked article:

The city, with assistance from a state grant, is largely financing a $4.9 million parking ramp and surface lot to serve the complex, and the EDA indicated support for tax-increment financing to cover much of the city’s share.

It's sad to see that, even while the market continues to not support new parking in urban areas, the government steps in to add it anyway. Even so, despite the parking inclusions, this is probably a big gainer for Mankato, on the whole. From GoogleMaps aerials, it looks like this is largely replacing surface parking anyway.

By the way, Mankato has a nice little skyline going there.

Looks like they're taking out a couple junky one-story buildings on the other side of Front from the main development for a surface parking lot. Based on my experience, I find it really hard to believe that anyone ever has to park more than a block away from their destination in Downtown Mankato. But these buildings aren't exactly anything to cry over, and it could effectively serve as a cleared and consolidated lot for future development (not that these are in short supply here either). Overall this is a great deal for Mankato, and the more actual buildings on Riverfront the better.

Dang! When did Mankato get so cool?

Rendering video of the office project:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rlaQK7O1jE

Complete with lens flares!

Nice looking building. Will it be the tallest in town?

I don't know actual heights for any of these buildings, but the new tower will be 7 floors, while the Hilton Garden attached to the Civic Center and an apartment building nearby are each 9 floors. So, probably not, unless the office building has pretty high ceilings.

Also, the soybean refinery has some pretty tall structures. The smokestack there very well might be the tallest thing in town.

It is good that Mankato is doing what they can to keep their downtown alive.

calling Nate Hood? nmhood to the thread?

One Small Step for Walkability — One Giant Leap for Mankato. https://streets.mn/2014/03/12/one-small- ... mankato-2/

Verizon to add 160 jobs in Mankato.
http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/m ... nkato.html

F&C covers Downtown Mankato development: http://finance-commerce.com/2014/09/on- ... velopment/

Oh, cool, there's a second office building planned now. Great!

Nice looking collection of new buildings.

Nice. It is important for greater Minnesota to have healthy regional centers like Duluth, St.Cloud, and Mankato.

Going down 169 this weekend I was one of the new office buildings on the DT side of the river. Looks like it is pretty well topped off and are now working to get the exterior cladding on it.

They're adding a fifth floor to the multi-use building on Front Street. Awesome.

Getting close on another building go up in downtown Mankato.

[February 2, 2015

The Bridge Plaza seven-story tower is closer to becoming a new landmark on the near north side of downtown Mankato.

"We've gone through much of the city process. There's just a couple meetings left. The design I can say is 98-percent done. The pricing is done. I've got a good budget put together. I'm on that budget. I'm committed to that budget. And right now, there are three quality tenants. It's one good-sized tenant away from breaking ground and starting construction," says Developer Mike Brennan.]

http://pro.ktoe-am.tritonflex.com/commo ... &is_corp=1

Rendering:

http://www.bridge-plaza.com/wp-content/ ... dering.jpg

That's great! That lot's been a eyesore for a decade at least.

Hey, so just learning about this. I don't know if anyone else here is from Mankato, but if you end up discussing anything, I can try and help. I live here and have pretty much talked to every developer in town.