Developers hope project on site of former brewery can revitalize neighborhood

Schmidt Brewery
The site of the Schmidt Brewery in St. Paul is on track to become a mix of businesses and residences, with hundreds of affordable artist lofts and an art-themed miniature golf course.
MPR photo/Rupa Shenoy

The former site of Schmidt Brewery is on track to become a mix of businesses and residences, with hundreds of affordable artist lofts and an art-themed miniature golf course.

The Plymouth-based Dominium Development said it finalized today a deal to redevelop the site on the city's west end.

Joe Spencer, St. Paul's director of arts and culture, said he cannot imagine a better way to revitalize the long-dormant site than with artists.

"I mean it already is an artist community, but I think what we'll be able to do with this project is call more attention to it and let the world know this is really a hub of the arts community just like you have in Lowertown and just like you have at Raymond and University in the creative enterprise zone," Spencer said.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

St. Paul City Councilmember Dave Thune said he and others have been working for years to redevelop the 15-acre site. Work may begin as early as Monday, he said.

"This project has been sitting there begging to happen for so many years, and I think Dominium has been working on it for five or six years," Thune said. "And it's finally happened. So we're more than happy."

Thune said hopes the redevelopment will reassure homeowners in the area and invigorate local businesses.

• Follow Rupa Shenoy on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rupashenoy