Community Corner
How Will the Gallery Flats Project Change Hopkins’ Downtown?
With retail space and 163 apartments between the two buildings, the project should bring many more people to the downtown.
The Gallery Flats project is quickly rising above Hopkins’ downtown.
Developer Klodt Cos. plans a two-building project that will have a total of 163 apartments—and create nine jobs, increase the tax base by $480,525 and leverage $24.4 million in private investment, according to the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
The project has its roots in the city’s purchase of the former Park Nicollet site on Eighth Avenue after the health care provider closed its clinic in 2009.
Eighth Avenue is central to the city’s long-term plans because of the Southwest Light Rail Transit stop planned just across Excelsior Boulevard from the corridor. The city wants to create an enticing “pedestrian seductive” streetscape that could lure light rail riders the few blocks over to Mainstreet.
The first building should be on the market close to April 1, 2014. The second should be done by September 2014.
With such a big project coming to the downtown, Patch wants to what you think it will mean? Will the extra people attract new stores and restaurants? Will local clubs and organizations have an energetic group of new members? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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