Development Opportunity
Tentative Developer and Proposal
On Feb. 19, 2025, the St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority and on March 12, 2025, the Metropolitan Council authorized the designation of Flaherty & Collins as tentative developer of Central Station Block. Flaherty & Collins proposed to purchase Central Station Block to develop an estimated $130M mixed use project of 300 market-rate units and 10,000 square feet of ground floor retail along 5th Street. The conceptual plan includes two buildings, a 20-story tower on the northeast portion and six-story building on the southwest portion connected via a skyway over the tracks. Proposed unit mix are studios, one, two, and three bedrooms.
As part of the Tentative Developer Agreement, Flaherty & Collins has until Dec. 31, 2026, to advance milestones towards a development and purchase agreement. Milestones include hearing feedback from the community, confirming plans meet city regulations and TOD design, and securing financing for the project.
The Site
The Central Station Block Site (“Site”) is a 1.66 acre assemblage owned by Metropolitan Council and the City of Saint Paul HRA located in the heart of Downtown Saint Paul.
- The Site has potential for 578,000 SF as-of-right buildable space, with the potential for significant density bonuses making it prime for a mixed-use, transit-oriented development.
- The METRO Green Line bisects the Site with Central Station, connecting to Downtown Minneapolis via a 40 minute one-seat light rail ride. The Site is a regional bus hub and is directly adjacent to bike lanes and parking garages.
- The Site also sits at a central location in the City’s skyway network.
The Opportunity
The Site offers significant opportunities for a developer with experience and vision to create a catalytic, transit-oriented development.
- A highly transit accessible Site: There are few development-ready sites within the Twin Cities that are as comprehensively served by transit as the CSB Site.
- Signature, modern, building(s) with a mix of uses that adds to the vibrancy of downtown. The Site offers opportunity to create a unique amenity offering with maximized transit accessibility.
- Unique potential for a public-private partnership: The Metropolitan Council and Saint Paul HRA are highly committed to the successful development of the Site.
Key Dates
RFP Release: March 25
Questions Due: June 25, 5 p.m. CDT
Proposal Due Date: July 25, 5 p.m. CDT
Developer Selection: October 2024
Tentative Developer Deadline: December 31, 2026
"This one-of-its-kind development opportunity in the heart of downtown will spark Saint Paul's next phase of economic growth. I am excited about the chance to bring this block to life with a high-density development, active and pedestrian oriented ground level space and a seamless connection to transit."
— Rebecca Noecker, Saint Paul HRA Chair and City Council Member, Ward 2