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cityofardenhills.org • Jan/Feb 2025 • 1 <br />The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents Jan/Feb 2025 <br />Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP): A Look Back at 2024 <br />Rice Creek Commons (RCC) remains a <br />centerpiece of progress and vision for <br />the City of Arden Hills. Below, you’ll <br />read a recap of some key efforts and <br />milestones achieved over the past <br />year. <br />California Parcel Development <br />The Joint Development Authority <br />(JDA) approved a preliminary <br />development agreement with Alatus <br />to remain the developer for the <br />approximately 380-acre California <br />Parcel with the intention that parties <br />reach a final development agreement <br />by June 30, 2025. The City and <br />County met regularly with Alatus over <br />the course of the year to advance <br />development plans. <br />The City Council held two work <br />sessions to review and discuss plans <br />for future park developments and the <br />potential purchase of the 1.6-acre <br />civic site. This site is located at the <br />east end of the Town Center, south <br />of Main Street, and adjacent to the <br />Natural Resources Corridor. <br />Outlot A Development <br />Ramsey County executed a purchase <br />and sale agreement with Ryan <br />Companies for Outlot A, the 40-acre <br />shovel-ready parcel in the northern <br />part of Rice Creek Commons. This <br />area is zoned for commercial, <br />industrial, and retail development. <br />Ryan Companies is actively working to <br />develop specific plans for Outlot A. <br />Expanded Housing and Affordability <br />The City Council approved zoning and <br />comprehensive plan amendments <br />to increase housing density at Rice <br />Creek Commons, allowing for an <br />additional 500 units, bringing the <br />total to 1,960 housing units. At least <br />20% percent of these units will be <br />designated as affordable, available <br />to families earning 60% or less of the <br />Area Median Income (AMI). <br />Clean Energy Policy <br />The Rice Creek Commons Clean <br />Energy Analysis Report, prepared by <br />consultants Ever-Green Energy and <br />LHB, was completed in November <br />2024. The report outlines potential <br />options for clean energy solutions to <br />power the site, including geothermal, <br />solar, and community district energy <br />systems. It also identifies strategies <br />for minimizing building energy <br />use and incorporating additional <br />sustainability measures throughout <br />the development. <br />In alignment with these findings, <br />the JDA adopted the following clean <br />energy policy: “Rice Creek Commons <br />seeks to be an all-electric, carbon-free <br />development, and the JDA directs <br />staff to identify steps to implement <br />this policy and provide updates to the <br />JDA.” <br />Sustainability Commitments <br />The JDA instructed staff and the <br />Rice Creek Commons energy <br />consultant to pursue LEED for <br />Communities certification for the <br />project. This globally recognized <br />standard establishes benchmarks for <br />energy efficiency and sustainability. <br />Achieving this certification will guide <br />the project in meeting its ambitious <br />energy and environmental goals <br />while ensuring accountability through <br />independent third-party verification. <br />Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) <br />The City updated the AUAR for <br />the site, which is a hybrid of the <br />environmental review processes. This <br />planning tool evaluates how different <br />development scenarios might impact <br />the community’s environment before <br />construction begins and outlines <br />how to mitigate these impacts. This <br />document is required to be updated <br />every five years. <br />State Bonding Efforts <br />To support public infrastructure on <br />the site, Ramsey County sought state <br />bonding assistance in 2024. While <br />a bonding bill was not passed by <br />legislators, this request remains a <br />top priority for the County. Efforts <br />to secure state funding will continue <br />during the next legislative session. <br />Advancing Infrastructure Design <br />Ramsey County finalized an <br />engineering contract for the design <br />and related infrastructure of the <br />Spine Road, the future County road <br />that will run through the site, with <br />Kimley Horn and Bolton & Menk <br />as joint collaborators. This design <br />phase of the project is expected to <br />last around 18 months and is an <br />important piece in preparing the site <br />for vertical construction. <br />The accomplishments of 2024 and <br />progress from previous years have <br />laid a strong foundation for the <br />ongoing development of RCC. But <br />there is still more to be done! Visit <br />ricecreekcommons.com to stay <br />informed and track RCC’s progress.