Ramsey County Board Approves Purchase and Sale Agreement with Ryan Companies for 40-acre parcel at Rice Creek Commons
Arden Hills, Minn. (Jan. 16, 2024) – The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a $12.7 million purchase and sale agreement with Ryan Companies US, Inc. for “Outlot A,” a 40-acre parcel adjacent to Rice Creek Commons in Arden Hills, formerly the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP). Outlot A is zoned for commercial use under the City of Arden Hills’ TCAAP Redevelopment Code.
Alatus, LLC continues to serve as the lead developer of the main 390-acre Rice Creek Commons redevelopment area. A preliminary development agreement with Alatus was approved in December 2023.
Ryan will offer Outlot A as build-to-suit property that can accommodate 400,000 to 600,000 total square feet. Development possibilities include a corporate campus, a research and development center, life science offices, or manufacturing and distribution facilities alongside on-site retail and restaurant space.
“Today’s vote advances our vision for creating economic prosperity and building an inclusive economy at Rice Creek Commons,” said Ramsey County Commissioner Nicole Frethem, who serves on the Joint Development Authority (JDA) and represents District 1, including Arden Hills. “Ryan Companies presented a development scenario that will spark economic development and return these 40 acres to productive use, which is incredibly important to growing the tax base in our fully developed county. They also demonstrated a clear commitment to partnering with us on our energy goals to ensure the development is sustainable and climate forward.”
The JDA – a group of elected officials from Ramsey County and the City of Arden Hills that oversees Rice Creek Commons redevelopment – issued a request for development interest for Outlot A in April 2023. Six firms submitted proposals. An evaluation team consisting of county and city staff reviewed the proposals and presented three for consideration to the JDA in October. JDA members unanimously recommended that Ramsey County move forward with the Ryan Companies proposal.
“We’re pleased the Ramsey County board selected Ryan Companies to serve as our development partner for Outlot A,” said JDA Chair Jon Wicklund. “We’ve consistently heard from the Arden Hills community about the importance of creating stable, well-paying job opportunities at Rice Creek Commons. Ryan Companies’ plan is expected to bring hundreds of quality jobs to the north metro and will set the tone for a vibrant, thriving development.”
Located alongside Interstate 35W, Outlot A offers convenient visibility and access to both downtown Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The parcel will connect to the Rice Creek North Regional Trail for bicycle and pedestrian access. Ryan also expects to incorporate green space and outdoor gathering areas throughout the development to align with the JDA’s energy vision for Rice Creek Commons, which prioritizes clean energy, carbon neutrality and climate resiliency.
“Outlot A is destined to become one of the most attractive build-to-suit sites for regional and/or national headquarters,” said Peter Fitzgerald, vice president of real estate development, Ryan Companies. “It’s rare to have a 40-acre site in a metro area that checks all the boxes for employers. The adjacency to outdoor amenities, accessibility and visibility from major freeways, and proximity to the densely populated Ramsey and Hennepin counties, makes Outlot A highly desirable and likely unmatched anywhere in Minnesota.”
The agreement between Ramsey County and Ryan includes a due diligence period of up to 15 months.
The sale of Outlot A is a major milestone for Rice Creek Commons, and the JDA expects continued progress toward developing the full site in 2024. A top priority is addressing the significant infrastructure investments necessary for a robust, sustainable development. Ramsey County plans to request $25 million in funding from the Minnesota Legislature this session to build stormwater infrastructure and construct the main public roadway that will connect County Road H and Highway 96.
The total future development value of Rice Creek Commons is estimated at $1 billion.
About Rice Creek Commons
In 2013, Ramsey County purchased a 427-acre parcel of the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) from the U.S. government to clean up, redevelop and return the property to the economic engine it once was – this time as a nation-leading, climate-forward and equitable community with homes, businesses and retail. The site was renamed Rice Creek Commons in 2014.
The JDA’s vision for the site is to create economic prosperity, build an inclusive economy, have a long-term sustainable development and develop an energy-forward community by providing much-needed housing at a variety of income levels – including affordable housing – and creating well-paying jobs.
Work to clean up the site – formerly the largest contaminated site in Minnesota – has been completed. The site was cleaned to residential standards, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency have removed the site’s soil and surface water from the state and federal Superfund lists. The U.S. Army will continue to operate the existing groundwater cleanup system as needed.