Latest updates

Welcome Loffler Cos. to St. Louis Park! They recently announced they've moved their headquarters into the remodeled former Sam’s Club building. The company brings approximately 500 employees to the city and the future METRO Green Line light rail transit Louisiana Avenue Station area.

Future development of part of the parking lot on this property remains a possibility, as guided and zoned by the city following the land use and development study. 

Background

  • Aug. 27, 2018 — The city council approved an interim ordinance establishing a moratorium on the use and development of the building and lands located at 3745 Louisiana Ave. S. in St. Louis Park.
  • March 11, 2019— Presentation was given to council that provided a broad overview of the site context, environmental considerations, market considerations and proposed land use and development scenarios for additional analysis. Council discussed the information at the study session and directed staff to further analyze three of four proposed development scenarios.
  • May 28, 2019 — Presentation was given to city council, including the staff and consultant's evaluation of the three development scenarios and a recommendation regarding the land use. Following discussion, council directed staff to prepare a comprehensive plan amendment to guide the property for transit oriented development, and to provide recommendations regarding the zoning and other official controls that would support city goals and the mixed-use development scenario (option 3) for city council's formal consideration.
  • July 19, 2019 — City staff and the planning consultant presented the study background, city council direction and city staff's preliminary recommendations to the planning commission during a study session.
  • Aug. 8, 2019 — City staff and the planning consultant held a neighborhood informational meeting and presented the study recommendations and the land uses and zoning controls proposed by the city to regulate future development.
  • Aug. 21, 2019 — Planning commission held a public hearing on the former Sam's Club land use study recommendations and recommended approval of the changes to city council.
  • Aug. 26, 2019 — City council extended the moratorium on the Sam's Club property for up to 120 days.
  • Sept. 3, 2019 — City council changed the future land use designation of the property to transit oriented development in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, and contingent upon the Metropolitan Council's approval of the land use change, city council rezoned the northern half of the property to business park and rezoned the southern half of the site high-density multifamily.
  • Nov. 17, 2019 — The Metropolitan Council placed the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Amendment into effect, the moratorium was lifted and the site was rezoned a combination of business park and high density multifamily.
  • Jan. 13, 2020 —The city council reviewed a development concept for the site during the Jan. 13, 2020 study session. The proposal included repurposing and remodeling the existing retail building into office, manufacturing and lab space, including a two-story addition on the south side of the building; and a proposed five-story, 144-unit residential development on the southwest 1.75 acres of the 13-acre property with 10 percent of the units affordable at 50 percent area median income (AMI). That proposal did not submit formal applications.

Resources and documents