Oaks Station Place will be the first development to spring up along the Hiawatha Light Rail, if all goes as planned.
It's
an area where the city encourages higher-density development, which is
one reason why it's a good fit, according to James Schloemer, who is
part of the design team from
Kaas Wilson Architects in Minneapolis, that's working on the project.
The
mostly four-story building, which steps down a level in some areas,
will span two parcels near the 46th Street Station. It'll have 104
apartments, 8,500 square feet of first-floor retail space, a large
public plaza, and underground parking.
Design-wise, the building
takes cues from New York City's old-fashioned Forest Hills Gardens,
which is "an iconic transit-oriented community," near the Long Island
Railroad, according to information posted on the Kaas Wilson website.
It's a project that the developer,
Oak Properties, is fond of, according to Schloemer, who adds that, "The idea is to build a modernized project along the transit line."
Oaks
Station Place won't recreate Forest Hills, but its classical-styled
architecture, with a brick exterior, gable roofs, and skyway, will be
reminiscent of the historic building, he says.
Schloemer
says the developer wants to attract residents who can take advantage of
the light rail or any of the eight major bus lines that pass through
the area. A community car will also be on hand for building residents.
"They won't need to own a car," he says.
A public plaza
leading to the retail outlets will be accessible to residents, neighbors,
and light rail commuters for all kinds of outdoor activities.
The development team is
working with the city and the Standish-Ericsson Neighborhood Association
on the plaza to "ensure this site will be a valuable asset to the
neighborhood and surrounding community," he says.
Details such
as the project's budget are still being determined, but the proper city
approvals have come through, he says. Right now the developer and design
team are putting together a construction package for a building permit
while also still working out the land agreement with the Metropolitan
Council.
Schloemer says that judging by the popularity of the
developer's nearby Oaks Hiawatha Station complex, he expects the
project to do well.
The group hopes to start construction this fall.
Source: James Schloemer, design team, Kaas Wilson Architects
Writer: Anna Pratt