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3 <br />Introduction <br />The TCAAP Joint Development Authority (“JDA”) with its partners Ramsey County <br />(“County”) and the City of Arden Hills (“City”) seeks a master developer of Rice Creek <br />Commons (“RCC”), a premier, regionally significant 427-acre site in the Minneapolis-Saint <br />Paul metropolitan region currently owned by the County. <br />The JDA was formed in 2012. It is a five-member joint powers board with representatives of <br />both the County and City. The JDA will be the public body responsible for interacting with <br />developers for the site and for final land use approvals and development agreements. As long <br />as development meets the master plan and redevelopment code requirements, the planning <br />and development agreement approvals will reside solely with the JDA. <br />Rice Creek Commons is located in Arden Hills, Minnesota, a short distance to both the <br />downtowns of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The site is located immediately east of Interstate <br />35W and north of Interstate 694 and U.S. Highway 10. Public sector partners are committed <br />to RCC’s success and are investing in improved access, site remediation, open space, and <br />energy resiliency. <br />Also known as the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (“TCAAP”), the County purchased <br />629 acres in phases over the last decade from the U.S. government with the goal of <br />revitalizing a long-dormant industrial area into a vibrant residential, commercial and retail <br />area. TCAAP was constructed during World War II to manufacture munitions for the U.S. <br />Army. By the spring of 2016, the site will be ready for redevelopment. The County has <br />invested in cleaning the site to residential soil reference values. <br />The JDA envisions RCC as a cohesive mix of residential and commercial neighborhoods <br />surrounding a town center; a unique community where young and old can live, work and <br />play. Two hundred and two acres along the north and east sides of the site are designated <br />for trails and open space. Ownership of this recreational and natural buffer will be retained <br />by the County (See Rice Creek Commons parcels exhibit). A 50-acre natural resources <br />corridor winds through the interior of the site, providing a natural amenity and regional <br />storm water treatment. A county Spine Road will connect County Road H and Highway <br />96. Additionally, 24 acres of active park space is planned internally on the site. This leaves <br />approximately 320 acres of developable acreage with approximately 50% commercial and <br />50% residential. A successful development will incorporate best practices for integration of <br />the natural environment, transportation/transit, recreation, and energy sustainability for its <br />3,000 new residents, 4,000 jobs, and the region as a whole. The site offers an extraordinary <br />opportunity to develop a walkable community by interconnecting local and regional trail <br />systems.