Minneapolis achieved a construction milestone in 2014, when for the first time it issued $2 billion in new building permits in a single year.
The Star Tribune reports that two major projects—a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings NFL team and the city’s Downtown East redevelopment—accounted for about half of the total worth of the permits issued. About one third of the total permits issued were for more than 2,000 housing units, the vast majority of which will be multifamily dwellings.
More than 65% of the new permits were issued for projects in Minneapolis’s Ward 3, which encompasses the North Loop, Downtown East, the downtown riverfront, and northeast Minneapolis.
Doug Kress, the city’s director of development services, told the Star Tribune that the stadium project has sparked development in the surrounding areas. “There’s a lot of growth in Minneapolis in both downtown and our neighborhoods,” he’s quoted as saying. (Minneapolis ranks 16th as a metropolitan region in population in the U.S., with 3.42 million residents.)
This metro is looking for permit growth to continue in 2015. The Star Tribune reports that at least 10 projects around the city have received land-use approval. And portions of the Vikings stadium and Downtown East projects have yet to be permitted.
Mayor Betsy Hodges believes the permitting activity is evidence of a vote of confidence that investors, workers, business owners, and residents are giving to the city’s future. “I look forward to building on this momentum as we continue to attract new residences, businesses, and investment,” she told the Star Tribune.
Related Stories
| Apr 2, 2014
The new model of healthcare facility management
A growing number of healthcare organizations are moving to an integrated real estate model in an effort to better manage costs, respond to regulatory requirements, and support changes in patient care delivery.
| Apr 2, 2014
8 tips for avoiding thermal bridges in window applications
Aligning thermal breaks and applying air barriers are among the top design and installation tricks recommended by building enclosure experts.
| Apr 2, 2014
Check out the stunning research facility just named 2014 Lab of the Year [slideshow]
NREL's Energy Systems Integration Facility takes top honors in R&D Magazine's 48th annual lab design awards.
| Apr 1, 2014
The risks of mismatched fire-rated assemblies
Mismatched fire-rated glass and framing happens more often than you think. Failing to confirm that the tested and listed performance capabilities of the framing system match those of the glazing can create a financial nightmare for the entire building team.
| Apr 1, 2014
Planned global commerce center breaks ground near Phoenix
When completed, PhoenixMart will be one of the largest single-level trade centers in the U.S.
| Apr 1, 2014
Paints, coatings and sealants: Choosing products and procedures for best performance
This course covers life cycle assessment, color selection, emissions, durability, resilience, corrosion resistance, specification standards, and other critical aspects of choosing coatings for interior and exterior walls, ceilings, and roofs.
| Mar 31, 2014
Extreme conversion: Soaring Canadian church transformed into contemporary library
Even before the St. Denys-du-Plateau Church was converted into a library, it was an unusual building, with a towering nave designed to mimic a huge tent inflated by the wind.
| Mar 31, 2014
Tips for creating a competitive bid using codes and loads
Landing a project feels like winning a prize, sort of like finding that forgotten $20 bill in the pocket of a pair of jeans you haven’t worn in a while. But living on the “chance” of winning a job isn’t a great way to pay your electric bill. So, how do you swing the chances in your favor?
Sponsored | | Mar 30, 2014
Ontario Leisure Centre stays ahead of the curve with channel glass
The new Bradford West Gwillimbury Leisure Centre features a 1,400-sf serpentine channel glass wall that delivers dramatic visual appeal for its residents.
| Mar 28, 2014
Crazy commuting: British artist wants to construct 300-foot water slide on city street
Bristol-based artist Luke Jerram hopes that the temporary installation, once funded, will encourage the public to think about "how we want to use the city, and what sort of future we want to see.”