HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.09.12 PCAPPLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
REGULAR MEETING
September 12, 2024
Optional public access to the Webex meeting is below:
Online: logis.webex.com | Phone: (312) 535-8110
Meeting Number (Access Code): 2634 460 6988
Passcode: BCPC09122024
1. Call to Order — 7 p.m.
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
a. Motion to Approve Regular Meeting Agenda for September 12, 2024
4. Chairperson’s Explanation
The Planning Commission is an advisory body. One of the Commission's functions is to hold
public hearings. In the matters concerned in these hearings, the Commission makes
recommendations to the City Council. The City Council makes all final decisions in these matters.
5. Planning Items
a. Planning Commission Application No. 2024-011 (PUBLIC HEARING)
Applicant | Property Owner: Trinity International Fellowship | MINMOR LLC
Summary: Applicant Trinity International Fellowship is requesting
an ordinance amendment to Chapter 35 of the City Code
to allow for “places for religious assembly” as a
conditional use within the City’s Business Mixed-Use (MX-
B) zoning district. This request is associated with their
interest in purchasing 6010 Earle Brown Drive, which is
located within the aforementioned zoning district.
b. Opportunity Site Master Plan
Summary: Work on the Opportunity Site Master Plan commenced in
2019, and was intended to create a foundation for the
goals and priorities of the Opportunity Site by identifying
community conditions, concerns, opportunities, and
desired development benefits. This work was vetted
through extensive community engagement efforts, and
the Opportunity Site Infrastructure Framework, which is a
foundational component to the Opportunity Site Master
Plan process and outlines guidance regarding land use,
road networks, public space networks, and stormwater,
was adopted by City Council in 2021. This work pivoted
from the Master Plan to reviewing and informing the
design of the Phase I Opportunity Site through 2022. City
staff is requesting review and consideration of the final
PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
REGULAR MEETING
September 12, 2024
Optional public access to the Webex meeting is below:
Online: logis.webex.com | Phone: (312) 535-8110
Meeting Number (Access Code): 2634 460 6988
Passcode: BCPC09122024
Opportunity Site Master Plan, which is a guiding policy
document for future build out on the City’s Opportunity
Site.
6. Discussion
a. City Council Updates
b. Upcoming Planning Commission Applications and Development Updates
7. Adjournment
App. No. 2024-011
PC 09/12/2024
Page 1
Planning Commission Report
Meeting Date: September 12, 2024
Application No. 2024-011
Applicant | Property Owner: Trinity International Fellowship | MINMOR LLC
Requests: Ordinance Amendment (Text)
Map 1. Business Mixed-Use (MX-B) District Properties.
REQUESTED ACTION
Trinity International Fellowship (“the Applicant”) is a non-denominational Liberian ministry that is
requesting a text amendment to Chapter 35 of the City Code to allow for “places for religious assembly”
as a conditional use within the City’s Business Mixed-Use (MX-B) zoning district. In August 2023, City
Council held a work session with the Applicant and at that time, City Council expressed a general openness
to exploring an opportunity for religious assembly uses within the MX-B zoning district—refer to Exhibit
A.
Due to the nature of the request, a public hearing notice was published in the Brooklyn Center Sun Post
on August 29, 2024. Mail notifications were sent to all 36 property owners and physical addresses located
within the City’s Business Mixed-Use (MX-B) District—refer to Exhibit B. A public hearing notice was also
uploaded to the City’s website.
•Application Filed: 08/13/2024
•Review Period (60-day) Deadline: 10/12/2024
•Extension Declared: No
•Extended Review Period Deadline: N/A
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Page 2
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT (TEXT)
Background
In August 2023, City Council held a concept review of a proposal to allow for places for religious assembly
in the Business Mixed-Use (MX-B) District. City staff presented the proposal to City Council, identifying
points to consider regarding a proposed conversion of 6010 Earle Brown Drive from an office use to a
place for religious assembly, and potential impacts to other properties located within the MX-B District,
of which in part included parking and traffic concerns and considerations for the greater MX-B District—
refer to Exhibit C.
It should be noted that, prior to discussions on amending the City’s Code, City staff reviewed the property
of interest (6010 Earle Brown Drive) for opportunities to perhaps re-zone the property, as this would result
in lesser impacts to the greater Business Mixed-Use (MX-B) zoning district; however, the surrounding
properties are either similarly zoned (MX-B District), Commercial Mixed-Use (which do not allow for
“Places for Religious Assembly”), or a Planned Unit Development (i.e. the Lux Apartments and Ecumen
Prairie Lodge).
Map 2. Property of Interest (in red) and Adjacent Property Zoning.
Table 1. Current District Allowances for Places for Religious Assembly.
City staff also looked at similar uses in the MX-B District as the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized
Persons Act (RLUIPA) protects religious institutions against discrimination in zoning; however, the most
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similar public assembly type uses, such as event centers (accessory use only), movie theaters, amusement
centers, and fraternal lodges, etc. are not permitted in the MX-B District as a permitted or conditional use.
Rezoning the property of interest (6010 Earle Brown Drive) from its current zoning designation of MX-B
to one of the above zoning districts that allow for places for religious assembly (i.e. R1, R2, C, and I
Districts) would likely constitute “spot zoning,” which is prohibited within the state of Minnesota.
Although the definition of the term “spot zoning” can vary from state to state, Anderson’s American Law
of Zoning, 4th Edition cites spot zoning as, “the process of singling out a small parcel of land for a use
classification totally different from that of the surrounding area for the benefit of the owner of such
property and to the detriment of other owners.” As the above-mentioned districts are not in close
proximity or adjacent to the property of interest, it was determined that an ordinance amendment to the
entire Business Mixed-Use (MX-B) District would be the only path forward for the Applicant.
Per Section 35-71301 (Applicability), an amendment of the City’s Unified Development Ordinance may be
initiated by the City Council, Planning Commission, or a City property owner. In this particular case, the
Applicant has an interest in purchasing 6010 Earle Brown Drive, which is located within the City’s Business
Mixed-Use (MX-B) District, and obtained permission from Property Owner MINMOR LLC to apply for a
text amendment that would allow for “Places for Religious Assembly” as a conditional use within the
aforementioned MX-B District. It should be noted that “conditional uses” are generally permitted uses so
long as certain conditions are met with respect to the mitigating of potentially negative impacts on
neighboring properties for uses already permitted within a district.
ORDINANCE NO. ________
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 4013 ALLOWED USE TABLE OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING
PLACES OF RELIGIOUS ASSEMBLY IN THE BUSINESS MIXED-USE ZONING DISTRICT
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Article I. Brooklyn Center City Code, Chapter 35, Section 35-4103 Allowed Use Table is amended by adding the following
double-underlined language:
P = PERMITTED USE, C = CONDITIONAL USE, I = INTERIM USE, A = ACCESSORY USE
Residential Commercial/ Mixed Use Nonresidential
Use-Specific
Standards
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
M X-
N1
M X-
N2
M X-
C
TO D
C
MX-
B
I
O
PUBLIC, INSTITUTIONAL, AND CIVIC USES
COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL FACILITIES
Places for religious assembly C C C C C
(Strikeout indicates matter to be deleted, double-underline indicates new matter.)
Per discussions with the Applicant and Property Owner, there is no current purchase agreement in place.
Although a work session was held in August 2023 with the City Council to discuss the proposal, the
Applicant has spent the past year fundraising and working on plans for a potential buildout of 6010 Earle
Brown Drive. The Applicant would need to enter into a purchase agreement with the Property Owner
App. No. 2024-011
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Page 4
pending approval of the requested ordinance amendment to the MX-B District and receive separate
approval of a conditional use permit (CUP) for 6010 Earle Brown Drive in order to proceed.
The approximately 20,000-square foot building of interest was originally approved as a City-County
Federal Credit Union location and drive-thru under the then C2 (Commerce) District in 1988. The current
owners, MINMOR LLC (Minmor Industries), purchased the property of interest in 2008 for their business,
which primarily works in the printing, packaging, and promotions industries under its numerous
companies (i.e. Mello Smello, OlymPak, Kidcentives, Mission Nutrition, and Safety Stop). Given shifts in
the locations of their employees and operations, the building has been underutilized for a number of years
and has been for sale or lease off and on for the last few years.
In reviewing requests for ordinance amendments, certain amendment criteria shall be considered as
outlined under Section 35-71304 (Amendment Criteria). The Planning Commission and City Council shall
review the necessary submittal requirements, facts, circumstances of the proposed amendment, and
make a recommendation and decision on the amendment based on, but not limited to, consideration of
the following criteria and policies:
a.Whether there is a clear and public need or benefit;
b.Whether the proposed amendment is consistent with and compatible with surrounding land use
classifications;
c.Whether all permitted uses in the proposed zoning district can be contemplated for development
of the subject property;
d.Whether there have been substantial physical or zoning classification changes in the area since
the subject property was zoned;
e.Whether there is an evident, broad public purpose in the case of City-initiated rezoning proposals;
f.Whether the subject property will bear fully the UDO development restrictions for the proposed
zoning districts;
g.Whether the subject property is generally unsuited for uses permitted in the present zoning
district, with respect to size, configuration, topography, or location;
h.Whether the rezoning will result in the expansion of a zoning district, warranted by:
1)Comprehensive Planning;
2)The lack of developable land in the proposed zoning district; or
3)The best interests of the community.
i. Whether the proposal demonstrates merit beyond the interests of an owner or owners of an
individual parcel.
j.The specific policies and recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan and other City plans;
k.The purpose and intent of this UDO, or in the case of a map amendment, whether it meets the
purpose and intent of the individual district; and
l.If applicable, the adequacy to buffer or transition between potentially incompatible districts.
2040 Comprehensive Plan
The City’s Business Mixed-Use (B-MU) land use designation, which is in alignment with the City’s defined
MX-B zoning district, is brand new under the City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan, and is geographically
located along a portion of Earle Brown Drive, and north of Interstate 694 off Freeway Boulevard and
Shingle Creek Parkway. A Planned Unit Development zoned PUD/I1 and located off Parkway Circle is also
included within the B-MU designation. This designation, “guides for a mix of businesses, light industrial,
and supporting retail/service uses. This designation encourages redevelopment or development of
commercial, office, general business, and light industrial uses in coordination with supporting
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retail/commercial uses to encourage a more dynamic and connected experience for workers. This land
use does not plan for residential uses but may include limited live-work opportunities as established
through supporting official controls.”
Map 3. Business Mixed-Use (B-MU) Land Use Designation – 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
The Business Mixed-Use (B-MU) future land use designation is one of the five (5) land uses that are
identified for places of new or expected additional employment within the City of Brooklyn Center, with
the Business Mixed-Use (B-MU) land use designation anticipated to account for the greatest added
employment intensity (1,303) and 100% expected commercial or industrial usage across its 269 acres of
the City. Further, almost the entire B-MU land use designation is identified as a “potential area for
change.” As the City is predominantly a, “bedroom community,” with the overwhelming majority of lands
reserved for low density residential (e.g. R1 District), there are limited opportunities to add any major
employment opportunities with the exception of the following land use designations: Transit-Oriented
Development, Neighborhood Mixed-Use, Commercial Mixed-Use, Commercial, and Business Mixed-Use.
With that said, the City’s Commercial Mixed-Use (C-MU) and Business Mixed-Use (B-MU) land use
designations are identified within the 2040 Plan as “vibrant business centers” that are focused more
heavily on commercial, retail, office, and light industrial uses while continuing to emphasize the concept
of creating “experiences for the users.” The purpose is to promote and encourage businesses, commercial
users, retailers, etc. to plan for interconnected systems that result in a more active vibrant employment
center, and shift away from the traditional isolated campuses and strip mall concepts.
A key focus of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan is Chapter 5 (Community Image, Economic Competitiveness,
and Stability), which reinforces the City’s vision to commit to redefining, reimagining, and redeveloping
key areas of the community with plans to elevate Brooklyn Center to an economically competitive City
within the greater region. This is defined as the, “City’s ability to compete effectively for economic
development that creates jobs, brings and retains corporations, successfully incubates new businesses
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and services on a local, regional, national, and international scale.” It also references the ability of the City
to attract jobs and employment that serves its residents, and emphasizes opportunities to access
education, job skills matching, and an improved quality of life for all of its residents.
It is recognized that the City of Brooklyn Center contains a great number of entrepreneurs, with residents
who would like the opportunity to work where they live and with others who are passionate about making
the City a great place to build and grow a business. Much of the City’s identified Business Mixed-Use (B-
MU) land use designation is comprised of older stock light industrial type buildings constructed between
the 1960s and 1970s that may not initially generate the interest of today’s typical industrial user, who
requires higher clear heights, more square footage, and larger truck courts. While this may be viewed as
a disadvantage to the City with respect to its overall economic competitiveness, it also presents an
opportunity to re-envision and perhaps redevelop.
Unlike the broader region, in which the population continues to age rapidly, Brooklyn Center’s population
grew younger between 2000 and 2010, due to an increase in the number of persons aged 25 to 34.
Although the 2040 Comprehensive Plan noted a median age of residents as 32.8 (2016), the 2020 census
identified a median age of 32.4 in Brooklyn Center. Increases in the number of young families ultimately
place demands on schools, housing affordability, and the types of retail goods and services needed.
The American Community Survey (2018-2022) data on record identifies an employment rate of 68.6% for
residents of Brooklyn Center as opposed to a Minnesota-wide employment rate of 65.7%. Of those
civilians employed and aged 16 or older: 23.3% worked in educational services, health care, and social
assistance; 18.4% worked in manufacturing; and 11.6% worked in professional, scientific, and
management, administrative, and waste management services. The average commute of a Brooklyn
Center resident is 23.3 minutes, which is just slightly longer than the average commute of a Minnesota
worker. The 2040 Plan notes more than four (4) times as many residents work in Minneapolis than
Brooklyn Center. This is an important consideration in identifying the potential to capitalize on more local
residents returning to the City for work and accessing our younger labor pool and offering a greater work-
life balance by allowing more residents to live and work in Brooklyn Center.
While many residents and policy-makers may have historically pointed to “retail” as a prevalent industry
and job provider in the City of Brooklyn Center, the “production, distribution, and repair” (PDR) industry
sector provides the most employment opportunities in the community, and accounts for over 3,100 jobs
in the City. The 2040 Plan notes that this is an important industry to maintain in the community now and
into the future, and that the Future Land Use Plan specifically identifies, supports, and plans for land uses
that will continue to promote and maintain light industrial and manufacturing, and other similar
businesses.
The PDR industry in Brooklyn Center is trailed slightly by the “Educational and Medical Services”
(Eds/Meds) industry, which has been booming across the Twin Cities region. This is presented in the more
recent investments made by Medtronic, who employs over 1,200 people in Brooklyn Center. Their
property has occupied nearly 19 acres of land under the B-MU land use designation since the early 1970s
and recently went through expansions at each of its buildings in 2018 (dry room addition) and 2019 (chiller
plant addition). Their facilities at 6700 and 6800 Shingle Creek Parkway have since been re-
branded as Medtronic’s Energy and Component Center (MECC), and as they forward their vision as
a med-tech campus.
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Unified Development Ordinance | Mixed-Use (MX-B) Zoning District
MX-B Uses
Adoption of the City’s Unified Development Ordinance in January 2023 resulted in the retirement of the
City’s long-standing I1 (Industrial Park) District, and it was, for the most part, replaced with the City’s
Business Mixed-Use District. This new zoning district reflects the 2040 Comprehensive Plan in that the
purpose of the MX-B District is to, “accommodate land for a mix of business and light industrial uses, with
allowances for supporting retail/service uses. This designation encourages redevelopment or
development of commercial, office, general business, and light industrial uses in coordination with
supportive retail/commercial uses towards encouraging a more dynamic and connected experience for
workers.”
While the district’s predecessor, the I1 District, was very much a typical business park/light industrial
district, in that the uses were limited to manufacturing activities, wholesale trade activities, service
activities (e.g. veterinarian and animal hospitals, kennels, laundering, dry cleaning, and dyeing, and
contract construction), public transportation terminals, foundries, and textile mills, with retail permitted
via special use as an accessory use only, the new MX-B District strives to provide a wider range of uses to
the benefit of employers and employees in the area, while still maintaining its origins as a light industrial
district.
Section 35-4103 of the Unified Development Ordinance outlines “manufacturing, assembly, and
processing of products, “wholesale trade,” “foundries,” and “textile mills and mills products” as uses only
allowed or permitted by conditional use in the City’s MX-B and I Districts. The new MX-B District does
grant new flexibilities in use by allowing for non-residential educational uses like business and trade
schools (but excluding public and private elementary and secondary schools), medical and health uses,
brewpubs, micro-wineries and distilleries, restaurants, grocery stores, indoor recreational fitness (but not
amusement centers), and hospitality lodging; however, these uses function differently than a place for
religious assembly might in that they are oftentimes centered around service times, and oftentimes
operate outside of typical business hours (e.g. Monday through Friday, 8 to 5 p.m.), although the below
example provides mid-day services on Fridays.
Potential Impacts and Other Considerations
Places for Religious Assembly are currently permitted as a conditional use within the City’s R1 (Low Density
Residential), which comprises the greatest amount of land in the City, R2 (Medium Low Density
Residential), C (Commercial), and I (Industrial) zoning districts. The majority of existing religious assembly
uses are predominately located within the City’s R1 District. There is only one religious assembly use
located in the City’s I (General Industry) District, and in what was formerly a veterinary hospital turned
mosque at 4900 France Avenue North. Prior to this request, all places for religious assembly were required
primary vehicular access to be located on a collector or arterial street. This was, in part, a means to
manage traffic volumes on City streets as people arrive and leave prior to and following a service.
The aforementioned place for assembly use at 4900 France Avenue North, which City staff sees as the
closest example given its location in the City’s heavier industrial I District, is located on a dead-end cul-de-
sac and, although a parking and traffic study was provided as part of their special use application, with
plans to operate a shuttle given limited on-site parking, their conditions of approval are not being met
and City staff has noted on-street parking during service times, which constrains emergency vehicle access
to the property’s sole access, access to neighboring industrial businesses and residential homes, as well
as parking occurring off-site at the Xcel Transformer Station. As its location is not served by sidewalks, this
App. No. 2024-011
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Page 8
also forces members to walk in the City streets or across private properties (refer to Image 1 below):
Image 1. On-street parking at Location of Place for Religious Assembly in I (General Industry) District.
Assembly uses, such as religious institutions, tend to have higher parking demands than other types of
uses due to the nature of their visitors. Industrial uses by contrast tend to have low parking demands
relative to their square footage because these uses generally have lower employment densities, although
the 2040 Comprehensive Plan seeks to add employment intensity to the B-MU land use designation.
For example, places of public assembly, such as houses of worship (e.g. churches, mosques), theatres,
auditoriums (other than school auditoriums), mortuaries, stadiums, arenas, and dance halls require one
parking space for every three seats, or attendees, per Section 35-5506 (Required Parking Spaces) under
the City’s Unified Development Ordinance. Conversely, industry and wholesale uses, as are more typically
found in the City’s MX-B District, require one space for every two employees based upon maximum
planned employment during any work period or one space for each 800 square feet of gross floor area,
whichever requirement is greater. In the event the latter requirement is greater, adequate land area shall
be provided for the required off-street parking area, but improved space need only be provided according
to the employees’ ratio.
In reviewing the City’s existing MX-B District properties, it was noted that the majority of properties (in
terms of building square footage) are home to uses traditionally found in a business park/light industrial
district. These include: Medtronic, Endurable Building Products (aluminum deck systems), Hiawatha
Rubber, Reviva (remanufactured diesel engines/components), RAO Manufacturing (supplier of deep draw
formings, metal stampings, sheet metal fabrication, etc.), the former Metro Transit Reuter Bus Garage,
and the City’s Public Works Garage. The majority of these properties are located on minor roadways that
are intended to provide access for employees, trucking, and logistics, with loading docks, gated access, or
outside storage present. Although there are some properties that do not fit this description (e.g. multi-
tenant buildings off Earle Brown Drive, hotels and former Earle Brown Lanes bowling alley, which is
currently being converted to a Los Campeones Gym off James Circle North), these are the existing
conditions for many of the 36 properties within the MX-B District.
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Image 2. Existing Parking Conditions at Different MX-B District Properties.
Image 3. Example Conditions of Road Access within MX-B District.
There are certain barriers that would also require consideration in retrofitting industrial or office type
buildings or tenant spaces for “assembly” type uses as they require higher fire suppression standards than
other types of uses due to the congregation of people that occurs within buildings and the potential need
for exiting in case of an emergency. Conversion of a standalone building or tenant space would likely
constitute a change of use from the perspective of Building and Fire Code, and thus would trigger a change
of use from the perspective of the Building and Fire Code.
In the case of the few multi-tenant office buildings located off Earle Brown Drive and within the MX-B
District, their building type could restrict the location of a proposed place for religious assembly type use.
For example, on a 2B construction type building, an assembly use could not be located higher than the
third (3rd) floor.
In reviewing the standards for approving an ordinance amendment, the proposed amendment shall be
consistent with and compatible with surrounding land use classifications; whether the proposal
demonstrates merit beyond the interests of an owner or, in this case, interested party, for an individual
parcel; and the specific policies and recommendations as outlined within the City’s Comprehensive Plan
or other City plans.
Although this is not contemplated within this application, any applicant pursuing a conditional use permit
(CUP) for a “Places for Religious Assembly” use would further need to satisfactorily demonstrate that all
conditional use permit criteria as outlined under Section 35-7703 (Conditional Use Permit Criteria) has
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Page 11
been meet. These criteria include, but are not limited to whether: the establishment of the conditional
use will impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding property for uses
permitted in the district; that adequate measures have been or will be taken so as to provide
ingress, egress, and parking so designed as to minimize traffic congestion in the public streets; be in
accordance with the general objectives, or with any specific objective, of the City’s Comprehensive Plan
and Unified Development Ordinance; and not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other
property in the immediate vicinity for the purposes already permitted, nor substantially diminish and
impair property values within the neighborhood.
RECOMMENDATION
Based on the above-noted findings, and in response to Section 35-71304 (Amendment Criteria) of the City
Code, City staff recommends the Planning Commission recommend City Council denial of Planning
Commission Application No. 2024-011, which would amend Section 35-4103 (Allowed Use Table) of the
City Code of Ordinances regarding places for religious assembly as a conditional use within the City of
Brooklyn Center’s Business Mixed-Use (MX-B) zoning district.
If City Council were to grant an approval of the above-requested amendment to Chapter 35 (Unified
Development Ordinance), it would require any applicant, including the Applicant for Planning Commission
Application No. 2024-011, to submit a separate application for review and consideration of a conditional
use permit (CUP).
ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit A – Planning Commission Application No. 2024-011 plans and documents, submitted August
13, 2024.
Exhibit B – Public Hearing Notice, submitted for publication in the Brooklyn Center Sun Post, and dated
August 29, 2024
Exhibit C – Council/EDA Work Session Memo for Concept Review of 6010 Earle Brown Drive and
Discussion on Potential Changes to MX-B District to Allow for Places of Religious
Assembly with Select Exhibits, dated August 28, 2023.
Exhibit D – Map of City MX-B District Properties and Table of Property Information.
a. Whether there is a clear and public need or benefit;
Trinity International Fellowship stands as a beacon of light, radiating passion and purpose. Its
teachings encompass all aspects of life, empowering believers to apply the principles of the Gospel
and e ect societal change. With a deep-rooted desire to witness transformation and impact, the
ministry equips its members with the necessary tools to delve into the Word of God, fostering
profound understanding.
Trinity International conducts community outreach such as food assistance programs (at no-cost),
counseling, and youth programing, with the intent to support the community of Brooklyn Center at
large.
b. Whether the proposed amendment is consistent and compatible with surrounding land
use classifications.
While not a Permitted Use, Places for Religious Assembly provide community care, guidance and
connectivity. Trinity International Fellowship believes this support should not be limited to specific
areas in the community.
c. Whether all permitted uses in the proposed zoning district can be contemplated for
development of the subject property;
The proposed amendment is less restrictive. Therefore, all existing permitted uses in the proposed
zoning district will remain eligible on the subject property.
d. Whether there have been substantial physical or zoning classification changes in the area
since the subject property was zoned;
Planning for the project started in 2021. Since then, there has been a substantial zoning
classification change when the City of Brooklyn Center updated its Comprehensive Plan. Under the
previous city code, Places for Religious Assembly were permitted uses on this site.
f. Whether the subject property will bear fully the UDO development restrictions for the
proposed zoning districts;
If the Text Amendment is accepted by the City of Brooklyn Center, the subject property will be in full
compliance.
g. Whether the subject property is generally unsuited for uses permitted in the present
zoning district, with respect to size, configuration, topography or location;
While this property could be developed for permitted uses, per the UDO, Places for Religious
Assembly are not Permitted Uses in any zoning district and are only permitted as Conditional Uses
in R1, R2, C, and I Zoning Districts. Trinity International believes the City of Brooklyn would benefit
from allowing Places for Religious Assembly to be located amongst a diverse group of sites.
h. Whether the rezoning will result in the expansion of a zoning district, warranted by:
1) Comprehensive Planning;
2) The lack of developable land in the proposed zoning district; or
3) The best interests of the community.
Places for Religious Assembly provide spiritual guidance and support for the community. Trinity
International conducts outreach programs such as food assistance programs, counseling, youth
Exhibit A
programs with the intent to support anyone in the larger community regardless of religious belief.
Thus, the rezoning will result in strengthening support for the community.
i. Whether the proposal demonstrates merit beyond the interests of an owner or owners of
an individual parcel.
Trinity International Fellowship plans to invest millions of dollars in constructing a facility that has a
Sanctuary for services, gathering and meeting spaces for community use, spaces for youth ministry,
a food shelf to assist those in need, and o ices for ministry sta and community outreach. With
this, With the goal of aiding the poor, assisting the homeless, and promoting community
development, Trinity International Fellowship aims to be a pillar in the community for many years to
come.
k. The purpose and intent of this UDO, or in the case of a map amendment, whether it meets
the purpose and intent of the individual district; and
While not a Permitted Use, a Place for Religious Assembly will provide support to the neighboring
sites such as the residential district and hospital.
l. If applicable, the adequacy of a bu-er or transition provided between potentially
incompatible districts.
The proposed Amendment should not produce any incompatible districts.
From: Holly Burley <holly@vanmanab.com>
Sent: Friday, September 6, 2024 9:46 AM
To: Krystin Eldridge
Cc: Ginny McIntosh
Subject: RE: Trinity International - 6010 Earle Brown Additional Documents
Hi Ginny and Krystin,
A – Clear and Public need or benefit –
Beyond the benefits of fostering a religious community, Trinity International seeks to support the
Brooklyn Center community as a whole. We hear a lot about our communities facing significant
challenges such as food insecurity, mental health issues, and a lack of opportunities for youth. These
challenges disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including low-income families, individuals
with disabilities, and the elderly. According to Metcouncil, Brooklyn Center has a higher unemployment
rate than the Hennepin County average with those numbers on the rise. Metcouncil has also defined
Brooklyn Center as an area of concentrated poverty with over 50% are residents of color and having
significant income inequality in the past 10 years of reporting. Based on these data backed needs of the
public, Trinity International seeks to utilize their already established ministries of food assistance
programs, counseling, and youth programming as well as establish new ministries based on specific
needs and feedback of the Brooklyn Center community to help meet that need.
B – Whether the proposed amendment is consistent and compatible with surrounding land use
classifications
The proposed amendment for the building location is within the MX-B district and adjacent to
PUDMIXED, C, R1, R3, R5. While Places of Religious Assembly is not a permitted use in any of the zoning
districts, it is a conditional use in all surrounding zones. In addition, many of the uses in the proposed
Trinity International building align with MX-B permitted, conditional, or accessory uses. The building
would have features of permitted uses including non-commercial recreation, as well as food bank
related services that may be similar to grocery establishments. Conditional uses for MX-B that would be
similar include library and indoor recreation uses – especially for children and youth. Allowable
accessory uses of eating establishment, and banquet and conference spaces would also be accessory
uses within Trinity International with potlucks, community gatherings, and space for special event
including weddings, funerals, and similar services.
Thank you,
Holly
Holly Burley
Senior Architect, Vanman Architects and Builders
P 763.541.9552 | M 507.621.2192 | E holly@vanmanab.com
W vanmanab.com | A 6701 W 23rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55426
From: Krystin Eldridge <keldridge@brooklyncentermn.gov>
Sent: Friday, August 30, 2024 12:34 PM
To: Holly Burley <holly@vanmanab.com>
Cc: Ginny McIntosh <gmcintosh@brooklyncentermn.gov>
Subject: RE: Trinity International - 6010 Earle Brown Additional Documents
Hi Holly,
I am unsure how familiar you are with the project. We were looking through your submitted materials
for Planning Commission Meeting on September 12. For rezoning questions in particular (attached), we
are looking at a broader impact for the City and the Business Mixed Use districts. Can you expound on
how this use benefits the MX-B district, specifically A and B of the statement.
All the light purple areas are MXB. Let me or Ginny know if you need something else to help you with
these questions. Maybe you can add some examples of how it worked for other proposals?
I will not be in next week, but Ginny can help answer any questions you have.
Thank you,
Krystin Eldridge | Associate Planner
City of Brooklyn Center
6301 Shingle Creek Parkway | Brooklyn Center, MN 55430-219
Direct: 763.569.3316 | General: 763.569.3330
General Email: communitydevelopment@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us
www.brooklyncentermn.gov | keldridge@brooklyncentermn.gov
From: Julian Akogyeram <julian@vanmanab.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 2:02 PM
To: Krystin Eldridge keldridge@brooklyncentermn.gov
Cc: Ginny McIntosh <gmcintosh@brooklyncentermn.gov>
Subject: Re: Trinity International - 6010 Earle Brown Additional Documents
Krystin,
Any updates on the process?
Thanks,
Julian
From: Julian Akogyeram
Sent: Monday, July 22, 2024 4:12 PM
To: keldridge@brooklyncentermn.gov <keldridge@brooklyncentermn.gov>
Cc: Ginny McIntosh <gmcintosh@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us>
Subject: Trinity International - 6010 Earle Brown Additional Documents
Krystin,
Please see the attached.
The document called “Rezoning Statement” has the answers to the questions we discussed earlier. I’ve
also attached the Site and Grading Plans. The Plans and Elevations are too large to add to this email, so
I’ll send those separately.
Please let me know if you need anything else.
Thanks,
This email has been scanned for spam and viruses by Proofpoint Essentials. Click here to report this
email as spam.
Exhibit B
Council/EDA Work Session
DATE: 8/28/2023
TO: City Council
FROM: Dr. Reggie Edwards, City Manager
THROUGH: Jesse Anderson, Community Development Director
BY: Ginny McIntosh, City Planner and Zoning Administrator
SUBJECT: Concept Review for 6010 Earle Brown Drive and Discussion on Poten3al Changes to MX-B
District to Allow for Places of Religious Assembly.
Requested Council Acon:
- Consider a concept proposal for 6010 Earle Brown Drive, which would ulmately require an ordinance
amendment to the MX-B (Business Mixed-Use) District to allow for places of religious assembly, and
provide feedback.
Background:
Trinity Interna3onal Fellowship, a non-denomina3onal ministry based out of Liberia, has expressed interest
in purchasing 6010 Earle Brown Drive, which has long been home to MinMor Industries. The Subject
Property was originally approved for use as a bank and drive-thru in 1988, but was purchased by Minmor
LLC in 2008. The Subject Property has been marketed on and off for sale or lease for a few years now.
City staff and the architect working with Trinity Interna3onal Fellowship held numerous conversa3ons
surrounding the intended use of the Subject Property and poten3al impacts to the overarching MX-B
District. City staff outlined numerous concerns and considera3ons as part of these discussions. As City staff
determined there was no path forward for the use at the Subject Property under current City Code
provisions, the architect, in conversa3on with Trinity Interna3onal Fellowship, requested City Council weigh
in on the proposal in the form of a concept review work session.
Concept Review for 6010 Earle Brown Drive
The concept review process is an opportunity for the City Council to review a development concept prior to
a formal proposal from an applicant, and provide comments, ask ques3ons, and indicate whether or not the
City would generally be open to the project. Concept reviews also provide insight to City staff and the
applicant as to the City Council’s level of interest, and any specific concerns related to a project.
A concept review is considered advisory and is non-binding to the City and the applicant. No formal ac3on
can be taken at a work session, and the Council is not being asked to vote on the proposal. If the applicant
chooses to submit a formal applica3on to the City to proceed, it would be subject to the full City review
process, as with any other applica3on.
The Subject Property located at 6010 Earle Brown Drive was originally approved under Planning
Commission Applica3on No. 88019 as an approximately 20,000-square foot City-County Federal Credit
Union loca3on and drive-thru. At the 3me of approval, the Subject Property was zoned C2 (Commerce)
District—“financial ins3tu3ons” and “office buildings” were considered permiHed uses within this District.
Exhibit C
The staff report on file contemplated the parking requirements under this applica3on assuming a mix of
retail and office use for a total of 118 on-site parking spaces.
In 2008, MinMor Industries purchased the Subject Property. MinMor Industries provides print, design,
and manufacturing services and primarily works in the prin3ng, packaging, and promo3ons industries under
its numerous companies (i.e. Mello Smello, OlymPak, Kidcen3ves, Mission Nutri3on, and Safety Stop).
Given MinMor’s reduced office presence at this loca3on, the Subject Property has been for sale or lease off
and on for a few years now.
Trinity Interna3onal Fellowship provided a narra3ve (aHached), which notes an exis3ng membership of
between 180 to 250 members since opening their local chapter in 2018. The narra3ve further indicates
plans to purchase the Subject Property for use as a, “sanctuary for services, gathering and mee3ng spaces,
spaces for youth ministry, a food shelf to assist those in need, and offices for ministry staff and community
outreach.” Although there were conversa3ons about providing on-site daycare, no formal request was
outlined in the narra3ve. Further discussions with City staff outline plans to expand the exis3ng building
towards Highway 100 to allow for future membership growth. A mul3-phase expansion plan is included
with the memo as reference and further breaks down the poten3al usage of the building.
City staff reviewed the narra3ve and provided plans, which would accommodate an approximately 1,200
square foot sanctuary, bookstore, food shelf, office space, and group mee3ng rooms as part of an ini3al
Phase I remodel. As noted, the Subject Property was approved in 1988 with 118 on-site parking spaces.
Assuming an assembly use (1 parking space for every 3 seats/persons), the Subject Property would only
accommodate an addi3onal growth of likely less than 100 new members before minimum parking needs
would no longer be met on-site.
Assuming an exis3ng membership of 250, a minimum of 84 parking spaces would be required—this does
not account for parking needs for church staff (e.g. bookstore, office spaces, food shelf), other visitors, and
those receiving poten3al services. The total building occupant load outlined for the exisng building today is
noted as 426 occupants. If City staff calculated parking needs purely off occupant load and assumed 100%
assembly use (which is not the case), a minimum of 142 on-site parking spaces would be required to serve
the exis3ng building, which is 24 more parking spaces than are currently available.
The proposed full Phase II expansion as presented would more than double the building occupancy load
from 426 occupants to 928 occupants. Again, if City staff calculated off building occupant load and assumed
100% assembly use (again, which is not the case), a minimum of 310 on-site parking spaces would be
required if the building were expanded. The submiHed Phase II expansion plans again contemplate a
dedicated food shelf, book store, pastoral offices, group mee3ng rooms, a further expanded approximately
5,300-square foot sanctuary with stage, classrooms, and a basement dedicated for a children’s play area,
nursery, and classrooms (e.g. young children, pre-school, toddlers).
These parking concerns were relayed by City staff who noted constraints to the future use of the property
as envisioned. City staff further inquired on the Northern States Power (NSP) powerline that appears to run
along the Subject Property and noted that any proposed plans to expand would require addi3onal review
depending on the width of the easement and any restric3ons. Although there are two exis3ng curb cut
access points off Earle Brown Drive, City staff addressed concerns surrounding ingress and egress as the
Subject Property is located off the intersec3on of Earle Brown Drive and Summit Drive (4-way stop) and it is
assumed all traffic would be concentrated at this intersec3on given Earle Brown Drive is a loop road.
Amendments to MX-B (Business Mixed-Use) District | Other Considera&ons
“Places for Religious Assembly” are permiHed through approval of a Condi3onal Use Permit (CUP) in the
City’s R1 (Low Density Residen3al), R2 (Medium Low Density Residen3al), C (Commerce—Service/Office),
and I (General Industry) Districts. The majority of exis3ng religious assembly uses are predominantly
located within the City’s R1 Districts. Only one religious assembly use is located within the I District.
City staff reviewed the City’s Unified Development Ordinance (Chapter 35) and the only perceived path
forward for Trinity Interna3onal Fellowship to purchase the Subject Property and occupy the space for
religious assembly would be for the City Council to amend the Unified Development Ordinance to allow for
“places for religious assembly,” as it is currently prohibited as a use in the MX-B District. In keeping with the
other districts, City staff assumes the path would be via approval of a Condi3onal Use Permit.
City staff reviewed other poten3al op3ons, such as re-zoning the Subject Property; however, the property is
en3rely surrounded by other MX-B District-zoned proper3es. The MX-C (Commercial Mixed-Use) District is
located to the south of the Subject Property, off Summit Drive; however, this District also prohibits “places
for religious assembly” as a use. The only other alternately zoned proper3es are located across Earle Brown
Drive (i.e. Lux Apartments, Ecumen Memory Care); however, these proper3es are zoned PUD/Mixed
(Planned Unit Development/Mixed Use) District and were specifically approved for mul3-family/senior
housing uses. “Spot zoning” a property is generally prohibited.
The majority of the City’s MX-B District is located just north of Interstates 94/694 and off the intersec3on of
Shingle Creek Parkway and Freeway Boulevard, although there are also MX-B zoned proper3es off Earle
Brown Drive. City staff counted a total of 38 proper3es across the City that are zoned with the MX-B District
designa3on. Although some proper3es feature mul3-tenant type buildings, other proper3es have
standalone buildings. Many of the MX-B proper3es appear to be located off either loop roads (e.g. Earle
Brown Drive, James Circle North), or cul-de-sacs (67th Avenue North).
The MX-B District’s purpose, as outlined in the City’s Unified Development Ordinance, is to, “accommodate
land for a mix of business and light industrial uses, with allowances for suppor3ng retail/service uses. This
designa3on encourages redevelopment or development of commercial, office, general business, and light
industrial uses in coordina3on with suppor3ve retail/commercial uses towards encouraging a more dynamic
and connected experience for workers. This land does not plan for residen3al uses, but may include limited
live-work opportuni3es as established through suppor3ng official controls.”
PermiHed uses within the MX-B District include uses like: medical and health uses, animal hospitals,
commercial animal establishments, brewpubs, micro-wineries, and micro-dis3lleries, office uses, automobile
and truck repair and service sta3ons, manufacturing, assembly, and processing of products, ar3san
produc3on and sales, wholesale trade, and business/trade/post-secondary schools, but not public and
private elementary and secondary schools.
Assembly uses, such as places of religious assembly, tend to have higher parking demands than other types
of uses, such as industrial, which typically have lower parking demands rela3ve to the overall square
footage of building, due in part to lower employment densi3es. For example, “places of religious assembly,”
and other assembly type uses (e.g. theatres, stadiums, arenas, and dance halls) require, “1 parking space for
every three seats/persons.” Industry and wholesales uses require a minimum of one (1) space for every two
(2) employees based on maximum shiO or one (1) space for every 800 square feet of gross floor area.
Medical and dental clinics, which are permiHed in the MX-B District, require a minimum of three (3) spaces
for each doctor or den3st, plus one (1) space for every two (2) employees or one space for each 150 square
feet of gross floor area. Office buildings require a minimum of three (3) parking spaces for every 1,000
square feet of gross floor area.
Depending on the exis3ng use, the conversion of a building could also trigger a “change of use” under the
Building Code, which requires addi3onal considera3ons, including but not limited to: installa3on of panic
hardware, fire separa3on/protec3on measures, or installa3on of an elevator/liO (dependent on
occupancies).
Policy Considera&ons
The City Council is being asked to consider a concept proposal for 6010 Earle Brown Drive, which would
ul3mately require an amendment to the MX-B (Business Mixed-Use) District to allow for “places for
religious assembly,” which is currently prohibited within this District.
Issues for the City Council to consider:
Are there aspects of the site layout, architecture, or form of the presented site plan for 6010 Earle
Brown Drive (Subject Property) that are concerning to the Council?
Is the development plan in keeping with the City's 2040 future land use plan and long-range vision for
the area?
Approximately 5.02% of the City of Brooklyn Center has a 2040 future land use designa3on of
“Business Mixed-Use.” This does not include approximately 15 acres of land located at 1297
Shingle Creek Crossing (Former Sears property) that was recommended last year for a
recommended comprehensive plan amendment re-designa3on to Business Mixed-Use, which
would bring the total acreage under this designa3on to approximately 5.3%.
Does the proposed amendment to the MX-B (Business Mixed-Use) District forward the City's
strategic priori3es?
The City’s priority of “Resident Economic Stability” notes that the, “economic stability of
residents is essen3al to vibrant neighborhoods and to retail, restaurant, and business growth.
We will lead by suppor3ng collabora3ve efforts of educa3on, business, and government
sectors to improve income opportuni3es for residents.” Further, the City’s values statement of
“Opera3onal Excellence,” notes that the City will, “commit ourselves to deliver quality services
in a cost effec3ve and efficient manner. We will be good stewards of the limited resources made
available to use by the ci3zens we serve.”
Certain classes of property are considered “exempt” and are therefore not subject to
property taxes. These typically include, but are not limited to: religious uses (e.g.
churches/houses of worship), certain ins3tu3ons of public charity (e.g. 501(c)(3)
organiza3ons), schools (e.g. public, charter schools), cemeteries/burial grounds, and
property used for public purposes (e.g. City Hall, Fire Sta3on). It is important to note
that while a property may become “tax exempt,” the burden does not disappear—rather,
it is shiOed to other tax payers within the City.
Although there are other factors to consider and the poten3al impacts unknown at this
3me, in reviewing the City’s MX-B proper3es, it was determined that the majority of MX-
B District proper3es appear to be classified for tax rate purposes as “Industrial
Preferred” or “Commercial Preferred,” which tax at a higher rate than other property
types. Dependent on interest, there could be implica3ons to the overall tax base that
would need to be accounted for in future City budget years.
Budget Issues:
None to consider at this 3me; however, as noted above, there may be future implica3ons to the overall tax
base in the future.
Anracist/Equity Policy Effect:
Strategic Priories and Values:
Resident Economic Stability, Opera3onal Excellence
ATTACHMENTS:
Descrip3on Upload Date Type
City of Brooklyn Center Zoning Map - MX-B District 8/22/2023 Backup Material
Narra3ve_Trinity Interna3onal Fellowship 8/22/2023 Backup Material
Site Floor Plans_6010 Earle Brown Drive 8/22/2023 Backup Material
presenta3on 8/28/2023 Presenta3on
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Legend
City Boundaries
Shoreland Areas
Mississippi River Corridor Critical
Area (MRCCA) Districts
District Description (District Code)
River Neighborhood District
(CA-RN)
Separated from River District
(CA-SR)
Water
Zoning Districts
R1 : Low Density Residential
R2 : Medium Low Density
Residential
R3 : Medium Density
Residential
R4 : Medium High Density
Residential
R5 : High Density Residential
MX-N1 : Neighborhood Mixed-
Use
MX-N2 : Neighborhood Mixed-
Use
MX-B : Business Mixed Use
I : General Industrial
MX-C : Commercial Mixed-Use
C : Commerce - Service/Office
TOD : Transit Oriented
Development
O : Public Open Space
PUD/C1 : Planned Unit
Development/Commercial 1
PUD/C2 : Planned Unit
Development/Commercial 2
PUD/C1A : Planned Unit
Development/Office-Service
PUD/I1 : Planned Unit
Development/Industrial 1
PUD/R1 : Planned Unit
Development/Residential 1
PUD/R3 : Planned Unit
Development/Residential 3
PUD/MX-C : Planned Unit
Development/Commercial
Mixed-Use
PUD/MX-B : Planned Unit
Development/Business Mixed
Use
PUDMIXED : Planned Unit
Development/Mixed
PUD/TOD : Planned Unit
Development/Transit Oriented
Development
0 1
Miles
Source: MnGeo, Hennepin County
!I
Brooklyn Center Zoning Map
Brooklyn Center, MN
Shoreland and MRCCA Areas
March 2023
Trinity International Fellowship, a non-denominational ministry, has made a remarkable impact
since its establishment in 1999. With its mega central headquarters in Monrovia, Liberia, and
branches spanning across three different nations, the ministry has witnessed continuous growth,
boasting an impressive membership of over 12,000 active individuals. In 2018, a new chapter
began as Trinity International Fellowship planted its roots in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, where
it quickly gained traction and now serves a thriving community of 180 to 250 members.
The ministry's commitment to serving the community is evident as it seeks to expand its reach by
purchasing the property located at 6010 Earle Brown Drive. This campus will consist of a
Sanctuary for services, gathering and meeting spaces, spaces for youth ministry, a food shelf to
assist those in need, and offices for ministry staff and community outreach. With the goal of
aiding the poor, assisting the homeless, and promoting community development, Trinity
International Fellowship aims to make a lasting impact through the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Plans are underway to invest millions of dollars in constructing a facility that aligns with the
architectural vision and gains approval from the city council, further solidifying the ministry's
commitment to their mission.
One of the driving factors behind choosing Brooklyn Center as the ministry's location is its
vibrant diversity. Trinity International Fellowship thrives in the multi-cultural atmosphere,
embracing the richness that comes from various backgrounds and traditions. Since their arrival in
2018, the congregants have been actively involved in fellowship, helping those in need and
distributing food and clothing. Led by the dedicated Senior Pastor, Nyenatee S. Davis, who is not
only a minister but also a doctorate student at the University of Minnesota and a successful
entrepreneur, the ministry's impact extends beyond the Sunday sermons.
Trinity International Fellowship stands as a beacon of light, radiating passion and purpose. Their
teachings encompass all aspects of life, empowering believers to apply the principles of the
Gospel and effect societal change. With a deep-rooted desire to witness transformation and
impact, the ministry equips its members with the necessary tools to delve into the Word of God,
fostering profound understanding. Their success is not measured solely by numbers, but by the
countless souls won through their unwavering dedication. Trinity International Fellowship
humbly acknowledges that all the glory belongs to God alone, as it continues to shine brightly in
its pursuit of sharing the Gospel.
DN
DN
3012 SF
sanctuary
269 SF
storage
250 SF
stair
257 SF
security
360 SF
vest
59 SF
elev249 SF
bookstore
151 SF
stair 'c'
2017 SF
fellowship/reception
220 seats
250 SF
women's
247 SF
men's
305 SF
cafe
410 SF
food shelf
231 SF
mother's
107 SF
nursing
information
desk
coat hooks
mech
patio
trash
enclosure
COPYRIGHT 2022C
TRINITY INTERNATIONAL PHASE 2 -SITE - OPTION 'B'
PID Acres County Address ZIP Property Owner Associated Business | Use
211821110005 3.67 6000 Earle Brown Drive 55430 B R Romine Et Al Trustees Park Nicollet Brookdale Clinic
211821110011 3.05 6010 Earle Brown Drive 55430 MINMOR LLC
Minmor Industries (printing,
design, and manufacturing
services under Mello Smello,
OlymPak, Kidcentives, Mission
Nutrition, and Safety Stop
companies)
211821110002 4.22 6040 Earle Brown Drive 55430 Heccl LLC Multi-tenant office building
3511921110012 8.49 1600 67th Avenue North 55430
Bradley Fam Dynasty Trust Endurable Building Products
(Aluminum deck systems and
products)
3511921110013 3.9 1700 67th Avenue North 55430
Popehn Limited Partnshp Lllp Hiawatha Rubber (Rubber
Assembly/Components)| Reviva
(Remanufactured Diesel
Engines/Components)
3511921120002 9.28 6820 Shingle Creek Parkway 55430
Gki Industrial Mpls Llc Shingle Creek Commerce Center
(Multi-tenant)
3511921120008 5.2 6801 Shingle Creek Parkway 55430
Breit Henn Ind Owner Llc
Lallak's Delivery Services Inc |
C&D Granite & Quartz | North
Star Warehousing and Distribution
3511921140003 6.42 6530 James Avenue North 55430
Rao Manufacturing Co Hldgs Llc
RAO Manufacturing (supplier of
deep draw formings, metal
stampings, sheet metal
fabrications, welded assemblies,
and tank heads for use in air
compressor tanks, cryogenic
tanks, paint sprayers, floor
clearning equipment, small
engines & generators, filter
housings, fireplaces, etc.)
3511921140017 3.14 1600 Freeway Boulevard 55430 Zaina Properties Llc Quality Inn
3511921230001 7.53 2700 Freeway Boulevard 55430
Freeway Blvd Investors Llc
Multi-tenant building (Bizzy
Coffee Headquarters, Revolution
Screen Works, B& R Drapery and
Home Furnishings, Firenet
Systems, Inc.)
3511921420006 2.43 6445 James Circle North 55430 Kaswa Hospitality Inc Super 8
3511921430007 5.53 6300 Shingle Creek Parkway 55430 Tks Brooklyn Center Hldg Llc Multi-tenant building
3511921140005 1.39 6645 James Avenue North 55430 SEWA-AIFW SEWA-AIFW (non-profit)
3511921140006 2.08 6660 Shingle Creek Parkway 55430
Hrrj Properties LLC Interscapes, Inc. (architectural
woodwork), Glass Specialists, and
Global African Foods
3511921410020 8.57 1501 Freeway Boulevard 55430 Ph Minneapolis LLC FBI Regional Headquarters
3511921420010 1.28 1701 James Circle North 55430
CADD/Engr Supply Inc
CES Imaging (printing, scanning)
3511921420011 2.11 6415 James Circle North 55430 SIYA LLC Travelodge
3511921420012 1.01 6405 James Circle North 55430 SRODES LLC Denny's Restaurant
3511921430017 5.8 6160 Summit Drive 55430 Brooklyn Center Summit LLC Multi-tenant office building
3511921440003 6.27 6120 Earle Brown Drive 55430 EARLE BROWN TOWER LLP Multi-tenant office building
3511921140002 1.19 22 Address Unassigned 0 Rao Manufctring Co Hldgs Llc Vacant Lot (parking)
3511921140008 7.33 1800 Freeway Boulevard 55430
St Paul Fire & Marine Ins Co
Geneva Group (Manufacturer of
Hauler Racks and ProRac Systems)
3511921140014 2.46 1601 67th Avenue North 55430
G&J Steffens Ltd Partnership Zip Scanners (police scanners),
Mile Four (Organic chicken feed
and coop essentials), and Sound
Ceilings, Inc. (MN and Dakota's
largest stocking distributor of
Crane Composites and Marlite
FRP)
3511921140016 2.78 1700 Freeway Boulevard 55430
J M Grundtner Fam Rev Trust
Precision Inc. (manufacturer of
custom magnetic components and
assemblies for the electronics
industry), and Climate Makers,
Inc. (Building automation systems
for temperature control)
MX-B District Properties
Exhibit D
3511921410008 4.03 6440 James Circle North 55430
Beans And Juice Llc Los Campeones Gym (under
construction)
3511921410015 1.12 1600 James Circle North 55430 Zaina Properties Llc Quality Inn
211821110010 0.88 6020 Earle Brown Drive 55430 2269 Ford-Fs Ptnrshp Llp Kindercare
3511921120015 18.87 6800 Shingle Creek Parkway 55430 Medtronic Inc Medtronic (North Building)
3511921140007 2.14 6540 Shingle Creek Parkway 55430 6540 Shngle Crk Hld Llc Etal CenturyLink
3511921210002 6.48 6844 Shingle Creek Parkway 55430
City Of Brooklyn Center City of Brooklyn Center Public
Works Garage
3511921210003 8.52 6840 Shingle Creek Parkway 55430
Gki Industrial Mpls Llc
The Academy MN (MMA, Jiu-Jitsu,
Muay Thai), Tiny Footprint Coffee
(World's First Carbon Neutral
Coffee/training classes), and SCP
Distributors (swimming pool
supply)
3511921210004 15.5 6845 Shingle Creek Parkway 55430
Metropolitan Transit Area Former Martin J. Ruter Garage
(being used as office/bus
rodeo/training currently)
3511921240004 4.69 2400 Freeway Boulevard 55430
Bc2400 Llc Abco Auto Parts (recycled auto
part supply)
3511921410014 1.05 1601 Freeway Boulevard 55430 Skc Holdings Llc Jambo Africa
3511921410021 4.93 1601 James Circle North 55430
Economic Development
Authority of the City of Brooklyn
Center
Vacant Lot for Future
Redevelopment (former Olive
Garden and Cracker Barrel)
3511921440002 3.6 22 Address Unassigned 0
City of Brooklyn Center Parking Overflow for Heritage
Center
3511921440013 7.46 6155 Earle Brown Drive 55430 HRA City of Brooklyn Center Heritage Center
69TH AVE N
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9
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FREEWAY BLVD
59TH AVE N
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0
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SHINGLE CREEK PKWY
63RD AVE N
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65TH AVE N
SHINGLE CREEK
PALMER LAKEPALMER LAKE
SHINGLE CREEK
EBHC POND
Applicant | Property Owner: Trinity International Fellowship | Minmor LLC
Request: Ordinance Amendment
MX-B District Properties
6010 Earle Brown Drive (Applicant Property)
City of Brooklyn Center | 6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy | Brooklyn Center, MN 55430-2199 | (763) 569-3330 |
www.brooklyncentermn.gov
DATE: September 12, 2024
TO: Planning Commission of the City of Brooklyn Center
FROM: Ginny McIntosh, Planning Manager | Mike Thompson, Principal Urban Planner
(Bolton & Menk)
SUBJECT: Opportunity Site Master Plan Adoption
Recommendation:
Motion to recommend City Council adoption of the Opportunity Site Master Plan as the guiding policy
document for future build out of the Opportunity Site.
Background & Overview
The Opportunity Site represents one of the most important redevelopment sites within the City of
Brooklyn Center. Recognizing this, in 2019 City staff began working on a Master Plan for the approximately
80-acre Opportunity Site. From the beginning, this Master Planning effort intended to shift expectations
of development within the Opportunity Site to be more community-serving in process and outcomes. This
was anchored by a three-phase, multi-year engagement approach, with an intentional effort to deliver
community benefits. As such, the buildout of the Opportunity Site is to be guided by this Master Plan in a
manner that reflects a community-driven, proactive vision for new neighborhoods, transportation
systems, and public spaces.
The Master Plan provides guidance towards promoting a vibrant public realm, an accessible and
connected multi-modal transportation network, and a mix of housing choices for the Opportunity Site. It
envisions a new “downtown” for Brooklyn Center – one which is reflective of the many people and
cultures that call the city home.
The Master Plan faced several delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the murders and subsequent unrest
of George Floyd and Daunte Wright, and design uncertainties of the “Phase 1” development within the
Opportunity Site. Despite this, City Council and staff continued to progress key elements of the plan: In
July 2021, Council adopted the Opportunity Site Infrastructure Framework; in November 2022, Council
affirmed the Opportunity Site Public Realm Framework, which is included as an appendix to the final
master plan; in August 2023, staff reviewed with Council additional supportive appendices to the Master
Plan - a Community Benefits Template and Equitable Development Framework guide; and in October 2023
and March 2024 Council was provided updates and comment opportunities for the Master Plan.
Now, representing over four years of collaborative effort, City staff are presenting the Opportunity Site
Master Plan for city adoption. The adopted plan will be a policy document to be used by City staff, to guide
the future public and private build out of the Opportunity Site in a manner that seeks to deliver long-term
community benefits.
City of Brooklyn Center | 6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy | Brooklyn Center, MN 55430-2199 | (763) 569-3330 |
www.brooklyncentermn.gov
Master Plans
Master Plans provide guiding, authoritative, long-range visions for a defined area, while giving confidence
to private development as to the type of development that will be supported. Master Plans generally
establish a guiding vision and principles for an area, then ascribe (1) land development, (2) transportation
systems, (3) public infrastructure and (4) public realm/space guidance in support of this vision and
principles. Master plans are not intended to be unwaveringly prescriptive. Rather, they intend to convey
the long-term parameters and a framework in which an area should change within.
Opportunity Site Master Plan
The Opportunity Site Master Plan includes:
• Area visioning and guiding principles informed by a multi-year, multi- phased public engagement
process.
• A land use framework intending to foster a new inclusive, mixed-use downtown.
• A public realm network that anchors the site and provides places for all people.
• Supportive multimodal transportation and public infrastructure guidance.
• Future-oriented scenarios for opportunities on the city’s horizon, such as a new city hall and
transit readiness.
• Guidance for and alignment of the “Phase 1” development site.
Community-derived Guiding Principles of the Master Plan are:
• Create a vibrant and distinctive destination for the community and region.
• Embrace the growing diversity of the community.
• Consider sustainability in the design of development.
• Produce places that bring the community together.
Plan Engagement
The scale and reach of the Master Plan’s engagement exceeded that of any past effort in the City’s history.
To conduct this effort, staff facilitated a three-phased engagement approach:
Spring 2019 – Spring 2020: The initial phase of engagement centered on creating a foundation for
the goals and priorities of the Opportunity Site, by identifying community existing conditions,
concerns, opportunities, and desired development benefits. This phase included more than 1000
direct engagements related to the Opportunity Site Master Plan goals, principles, and vision via
four facilitated stakeholder workshops, several event pop-ups, the establishment of a
multicultural advisory committee, a podcast, open houses, social media, online survey, use of
local student liaisons, and updates to city leadership.
Spring 2020 – Winter 2021: The second phase of engagement unveiled and vetted the draft
Master Plan to ensure it aligned with community desires and sought to proactively mitigate
unintended consequences of future development. A series of community-convened, city-
convened, and community-organization convened meetings, use of a custom-made “meeting in
a box” toolkit for public-facilitate meetings, open houses, social media, online and paper surveys,
interactive online maps, and updates to city leadership. Each sought to vet the Master Plan
alignment with community desires and proactively mitigate unintended consequences of future
development.
Winter 2021 – Summer 2022: The third engagement phase pivoted from the Master Plan to the
Phase 1 Development Site, and the Entrepreneurial Marketplace (“EMP”). Unlike the prior two
phases, this engagement phase was rooted in a community-based participatory engagement
approach, in which eight local organizations facilitated outreach within their respective
City of Brooklyn Center | 6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy | Brooklyn Center, MN 55430-2199 | (763) 569-3330 |
www.brooklyncentermn.gov
communities. Each organization self-determined how they should conduct outreach to be more
responsive to the needs and expectations of their community members. Feedback gathered was
used to refine the Phase 1 development vision.
Supportive Appendices
To support Plan implementation, the Master Plan includes three appendices:
1. Public Realm Pattern Book: Guide for the thematic design of the public realm and streetscape
throughout the Opportunity Site
2. Community Benefits Agreement Template: Template for city staff to develop a community
benefits agreement with developers in the Opportunity Site, whenever public subsidy or
support is included with a project.
3. Equitable Development Framework: A functional tool to inform the design of development
and infrastructure in a way that considers design equity best practices.
Plan Adoption
Adoption of the Opportunity Site Master Plan will do the following:
• Affirm the community-driven vision for the Opportunity Site, its build out, and community benefit
expectations
• Provide an actionable policy document for city staff to utilize when pursuing and negotiating
development within the Opportunity Site
• Signal to the development community City and Community expectations for development from
the Opportunity Site, clarifying the development process and expected outcomes
Next Steps & Future Development Approvals
Adoption of this Master Plan does not guarantee development. Future development will still be required
to follow the standard city design review and approval process, prior to being issued construction permits.
To fully align with the Master Plan vision, development north of John Martin Drive may require an
amendment to the City’s Comprehensive Plan for the specific development parcel. These parcels are
currently zoned Commercial Mixed Use (MX-C); however, the densities and site design ranges envisioned
by the Master Plan do extend beyond those of the current MX-C zoning district.
Any Comprehensive Plan approval needs will be identified by city staff to prospective developers and
would be initiated by the developer as part of the development approval process. The amendment
process is required by the Metropolitan Council, and must occur before construction can begin. More
information on this process can be found in the Development Process Overview attachment.
Budget Issues
This item will have no immediate effect on the budget; however, the Opportunity Site Master Plan should
be referenced pending future build out of the Opportunity Site for consideration of potential City staffing
needs and budgeting.
Inclusive Community Engagement
The Opportunity Site Master Plan supports the community-driven development vision of the Opportunity
Site, allowing for on-going alignment with intended development goals.
Antiracist | Equity Policy Effect
These items seek to promote equitable, community-serving outcomes of development within the
Opportunity Site, as identified in the Opportunity Site Principles & Goals.
City of Brooklyn Center | 6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy | Brooklyn Center, MN 55430-2199 | (763) 569-3330 |
www.brooklyncentermn.gov
Strategic Priorities and Values
• Strengthen and diversify business development and housing
• Strengthen community and employee engagement in key decisions
• Maintain and enhance public places
Attachments
• Draft Opportunity Site Master Plan
• Attachments A and B: Areas of Possible Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Development
Application Process Overview
• City Council Resolution No. 2021-090 (Opportunity Site Infrastructure Framework to Guide the
Opportunity Site Master Plan)
DRAFT
Prepared for:
City of Brooklyn Center
Prepared by:
Bolton & Menk
Downtown Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site Master Plan
Brooklyn Center, MN
September 2024
DRAFT
Acknowledgements
City of Brooklyn Center Leadership
Mayor April Graves
Councilmember Marquita Butler
Councilmember Dan Jerzak
Councilmember Teneshia Kragness
Councilmember Kris Lawrence-Anderson
Table of Contents
Executive Summary – 3
Background – 8
Vision for a New Downtown – 18
Public Realm – 23
Access and Connectivity – 32
Neighborhoods and Economic Development – 42
Implementation – 54
City of Brooklyn Center Staff
Dr. Reggie Edwards, City Manager
Jesse Anderson, Community Development Director
Ginny McIntosh, Planning Manager
Krystin Eldridge, Assistant Planner
Liz Heyman, Public Works Director
Additional Thanks
Meg McMahan, former Community Development
Director
Alatus, LLC
Project for Pride in Living
Resurrecting Faith World Ministries
Ehlers Public Finance Advisors
NEOO Partners
Juxtaposition Arts
KimbleCo.
ACER
PAADIO
LIBA
BrookLynk
Members of the Multicultural Advisory Committee
LISC Twin Cities
Hennepin County
The Metropolitan Council
2Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota 2024
DRAFT
3Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Executive Summary2024
Executive Summary
4
DRAFT
Fiscal
Responsibility
Diversity and
inclusivity
Flexibility
Affordability
Health and
Wellness
Community
Pride
Environmental
Sustainability
Local
Benefit
Counteracting
Displacement
Interstate
4
9
4
Highw
a
y
1
0
0
Opportunity
Site
252
Shingle
Creek
Palmer Lake
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Executive Summary2024
Brooklyn Center is a city of the future. The population is rich with
diversity from around the world.
Brooklyn Center also brings strengths from its past. Its location is
accessible and connected. And people value its stock of affordable
housing with convenient access to jobs, shopping, services, and other
amenities.
Transitioning from the past to the future means transitioning spaces
and places built for a previous era that no longer meet current needs. It
also means addressing past and current practices that excluded some
people from benefitting from progress and opportunity, particularly
Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC).
This plan faced seismic shifts in process and timeline due to the
emergence of the COVID pandemic and the murders of George Floyd
and Daunte Wright. The importance of this plan and the build-out of
downtown took on a new importance in light of these events, and
the continued systemic inequalites faced by the city’s predominantly
BIPOC residents.
Redevelopment of the Opportunity Site is a once in a generation
opportunity for Brooklyn Center to seize control of its future, to
grow and change on it’s own terms and to celebrate all that is special
about the community. Rather than re-branding a community through
redevelopment, Brooklyn Center wants to grow in such a way that the
existing character is strengthened — not pushed aside for the sake
of attracting new development.
Brooklyn Center is a fully built-out city. As such, it relies heavily on
redevelopment to grow and enhance its revenues, which enables it to
invest in necessary services, infrastructure, and amenities which are
essential to improving the quality of life of its residents.
This project is also important, because it presents an opportunity for
the City to change the way it has done development in the past. With
land control and a strong position in the market, Brooklyn Center can
define the public benefits of redevelopment — on its own terms.
Purpose The Opportunity Site
Planning Process Goals
»Defined timeline to take advantage of development opportunity
»Consistent with City goals and principles
»Process is grounded in data and best practices
»Provides direct access and benefits for residents
»Authentic engagement to connect people with decisions
»Meaningful opportunities for the public to influence outcomes
»Transparency in decision making
Community Values Expressed in the Plan
Public Engagement and Community Input
The scale and reach of engagement for this Master Plan far
exceeded that of any past effort in City history. The City and its
partners facilitated a three-phased, multi-year engagement
effort guided by city-wide principles including authenticity,
transparency, and trust building. This included an iterative,
evolving approach responsive to the COVID pandemic, and
murders of George Floyd and Daunte Wright. Each of these
monumental events brought disproportionate impacts on
communities of color within and around Brooklyn Center.
Engagement, from the beginning, was intended to support
master plan visioning through an in-depth, inclusive process that
connected with diverse groups of people across the city.
Background
5
DRAFT
Main Street
BC Gateway Park
Parkway
Garden Street
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Executive Summary2024
Concepts that Organize the Site
Trail and park connections to the
expansive regional system1
Community anchors to create a core
to Brooklyn Center3
A spine to organize neighborhoods2
Local connections to make access to
Downtown easy4
Downtown Brooklyn Center will...
• ...be a place that represents all of what
Brooklyn Center is and can become.
• ...present people with an attractive place to
invest their time and energy in Downtown
Brooklyn Center as much for what it is as for
what it is near.
• ...contain a mix of uses that appeal to both
current and future residents, entrepreneurs, and
visitors of Brooklyn Center.
• ...have a significant amount of new medium and
high density housing that helps diversify the
City’s housing stock - allowing residents to stay
in Brooklyn Center and while attracting new
residents.
• ...be a place that nurtures local businesses
while also attracting new businesses that appeal
locally and regionally.
• ...generate value to the City by leveraging its
irreplaceable assets - proximity to the Park and
civic buildings, centrality to the City and its
people, and access to the region.
• ...provide benefits, opportunities, and
amenities that are accessible and affordable to
current Brooklyn Center residents.
The Plan for a New Downtown Brooklyn Center
6
DRAFT
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Executive Summary2024
Targets for the Planning
Process
»Documented of outcomes of
project-based engagement
»Completed and approved
Community Benefits
agreement (Appendix 4)
»Completed and approved
Equity Development
Framework (Appendix 5)
»Documented mitigation
measures for adverse impacts
and risk factors
Targets for Housing and
Residential Communities
»New housing units will be a
mix of affordable and market
rate, rental and owned, based
on recommendations for the
Opportunity Site Housing
Framework (Appendix 7)
»Housing framework and policies
regularly reviewed and revised as
development occurs
»Presence of housing types that
meet needs in community
»Availability of renter/homeowner
assistance for local households
»Development of housing types
that support mixed income
communities
»Identify and secure outside
housing funding sources to
leverage local investments
»Development of live-work units
to support small businesses and
home occupations.
»New housing includes walk up,
townhome, and similarly scaled
unit design
Targets for Economic
Development and
Employment
»Percentage and type of
affordable commercial space
for businesses
»Contractor hiring requirements
for construction phase of
projects, including DBEs
»Location of locally owned firms
within the project, including
small, start-up, and minority
owned enterprises
»Presence of incubator space
with accompanying supporting
services for small businesses
»Good jobs for residents of
the city, including needed
placement, training, and
retention services as applicable
Targets for Transportation
and Connectivity
»New off-road trail connections
through the site
»Transit readiness for future
transit services to the site, with
enhanced bus stop/bus station
facilities
»Pedestrian amenities
throughout the entire site
»Sustainable funding mechanism
established to maintain
infrastructure and public realm
Targets for Public Realm,
Public Spaces, and
Environment
»Access for residents to
recreational amenities
»Presence of multicultural-event
spaces that are affordable and
accessible to the community
»Programming for recreation,
culture, arts, youth activities,
etc.
»Public space design that is
reflective of a multicultural
community
»Funding mechanism for
constructing and maintain
public art, and support for
incorporating art in private
development (e.g. art
dedication fee)
Opportunity Site Master Plan Build-out Goals and Targets
*Totals are rounded for estimation purposes
*Phase 1 Alatus Development Site**Potential Development Site Within Current
MnDOT ROW (see page 43)
1*
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10
11
12
13**
Estimated Development Program
Estimated Residential
Program Densities Estimated Nonresidential Program Floor Areas
Block Area
(acres rounded)
Low*
(31 u/ac)
Average*
(80 u/ac)
High*
(130 u/ac)Square Feet of Retail Square Feet of
Employment
1
(Phase 1)15 743 743 743 30,000 - 40,000
(with EMP)-
2 1 31 80 130 --
3 1 31 80 130 --
4 5 155 400 650 5,000 - 10,000 -
5 3 93 240 390 10,000 - 20,000 -
6 3.5 109 280 455 10,000 - 20,000 -
7**7.5 75 600 975 10,000 - 20,000 -
8**5.5 55 440 715 10,000 - 20,000 -
9**3.5 35 280 455 --
10**2.5 25 200 325 --
11**3 30 240 390 --
12 16 ---200,000 - 400,000
13 4 ----15,000
TOTAL 70 1,382 3,610 5,385 75,000 - 130,000 200,000-400,000
7
DRAFT
Access and Connectivity
»Prioritizing pedestrians to create a walkable
community
»Creating a safe and connected bicycle network
»Comfortable and direct access to existing and future
transit.
»Ensuring vehicular access to Downtown from
throughout the City and region.
»Establishing a network of streets that enables people
to get around easily without the use of a car if they
chose.
Downtown Brooklyn Center will have a
transportation system that encourages
walking and biking, is well connected to the
region, and reduces the need to own a car by
providing safe, affordable, convenient and
accessible options.
Housing & Economic Development
»Life-long neighborhoods for new and existing
residents of Brooklyn center to call home.
»Centers and Nodes that combine uses to become
places to gather, a focus for local economic
development and designed to evolve over time
»Spaces that create opportunities for local
entrepreneurs and small businesses in the Downtown
»A range of buildings, development types, and land
uses on a simple block pattern
Downtown Brooklyn Center will feature
building and development patterns that are
compact, sustainable, and mixed - creating
nodes and neighborhoods for people to live
and enjoy at any stage of life
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Executive Summary2024
»An inclusive, accessible, welcoming, and dynamic
public realm that becomes a social and gathering
center for the entire City.
»An “inside out” City that attracts people to spend time
outside together throughout all seasons of the year.
»Recreational and leisure activities for all ages and
abilities
»Connecting to and leveraging the potential of
Centennial Park
»A green and active stormwater system that provides
health, recreational, and environmental benefits to all
Downtown Brooklyn Center will feature a
system of open spaces, streets, trails, and
pedestrian areas that promote healthy
living, social gathering, and environmental
responsibility.
Public Realm
Expected Outcomes of the Plan
The Parkway and Regional
Stormwater Park
Neighborhoods for new and existing
residents of Brooklyn CenterBC Gateway and new
greenspace destinations
FOCUS AREA 2 | Establish Developer
Agreements for Opportunity Site
Private Sector
»City and lender required reports –
environmental, survey, traffic, and geotechnical
»Community benefits and equitable
development evaluations (see Appendices 4 &
5)
Public Sector
»Public finance strategy
»Execution of developer agreements
»Infrastructure design plans and construction
for phase one needs – roads, utilities, lighting,
public realm
Community Partnership
»Complete systems planning and improvements
– stormwater, trails, transit
»Sustainable energy systems development –
scope dependent on viable systems
FOCUS AREA 1 | Complete Environmental
and Systems Planning and Design
Private Sector
»City and lender required reports –
environmental, survey, traffic, and geotechnical
»Plan development for submittal
Public Sector
»Regularly review and update area zoning,
infrastructure, and related policies
»TIF district determination and maintenance
Community Partnerships
»District stormwater approach with Shingle
Creek Watershed
»Regional park and trail connectivity
»City Hall relocation exploration
»District energy exploration
Development-Based Next Steps
DRAFT
8Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Background2024
Located at the geographic center of Brooklyn Center
and at the nexus of regional trails, roads, and natural
systems, Downtown Brooklyn Center will become a
new social, recreational and commercial hub for the
community. Most importantly, it will become a source of
community pride, a place of convergence that draws on
the remarkable spectrum of people who have chosen to
live in and invest in Brooklyn Center.
Background
9
DRAFT
Brooklyn Center recognizes that, historically,
development patterns have resulted in inequitable
impacts, particularly against BIPOC communities.
These impacts have resulted in harms, such as
displacement and exclusion from the benefits of
new investment. The City endeavors to reverse these
disparities and enhance equitable outcomes by working
towards a more responsible means of advancing
development.
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Background2024
10
DRAFT
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Background2024
Redevelopment of the Opportunity Site is a once in a generation
opportunity for Brooklyn Center to seize control of its future - to grow
and change on its own terms and to celebrate all that is special about
the community.
Brooklyn Center is a fully built-out city. As such, it relies heavily on
redevelopment to grow to enhance its tax base. This enables the City
to invest in necessary services, infrastructure, and amenities essential
to improving the quality of life of its residents. As of 2021, Brooklyn
Center residents carry one of the highest per-capita tax burdens of any
city in the Twin Cities metro.
This project is critical to the future of the city because it presents an
opportunity for the City to change the way it has done development by
bending the process towards outcomes that benefit more people in the
city. With land control and a strong position in the market, Brooklyn
Center can define the public benefits of redevelopment on its own
terms.
This Plan defines what the expected outcomes of redevelopment are
and how they can be translated into public benefits for the City. These
includes:
• Economic benefit/fiscal sustainability generated by increased tax
base
• Range of housing options that meet community needs
• Businesses that provide jobs and needed goods and services
• Accommodation of new places for local businesses and
entrepreneurs
• Community spaces and facilities for recreation, gatherings, events,
learning, etc.
• Parks, trails, and open space with social and recreational benefits
• Green and sustainable elements of buildings, site design, and
systems
• Community-cooperative oversight of the area as it develops
Purpose of RedevelopmentIntroduction History of the Site
Brooklyn Center is a City of the Future.
The population is rich with diversity from around the world. There are
also large numbers of children and youths who call the city home and
they will be future leaders in the years to come. Diversity is the city’s
strength and it is centered in this plan.
Brooklyn Center also brings strengths from its past. Its location is
accessible and connected, and people still value its stock of affordable
housing with convenient access to jobs, shopping, and services.
But the transition from past to future is not without challenges.
For the City, it means transitioning spaces and places built for a
previous era that no longer meet current needs. For the people, it
means addressing past and current practices that excluded some
communities from benefitting from progress and opportunity,
particularly people of color, people with low-incomes, and renters.
Rectifying this requires addressing the potential for displacement and
gentrification in the city.
The Opportunity Site project can’t meet every need. But it can
help. For Brooklyn Center, this means creating a new place that
strives to meet the needs of residents and workers, adds value to
the community, and becomes a source of community pride. For the
people, this means creating an accountable process that addresses
past problems and provides transparency, accountability, and benefit
to existing residents.
At one time, the Brookdale Mall area was a regional destination and
the retail/service lifeblood of the City’s economy. But shopping trends
changed dramatically at the beginning of the new century leading to
the closure of the mall in 2009. This had economic ripple effects across
the city. Since then, the City has been proactive in seeking to facilitate
a transition for the area, including redevelopment of Shingle Creek
Crossing and the purchase of land for the Opportunity Site.
The “Opportunity Site” is an predominantly vacant area comprising
approximately 80 acres of land between Bass Lake Road/County Road
10 and Summit Drive North, and Shingle Creek Parkway to Highway
100. Approximately 49 acres of this land is owned by the City. Since the
closure of Brookdale Mall and the loss of surrounding retail, the City
of Brooklyn Center has strategically acquired vacant commercial sites
and prepared them for redevelopment. While much of the Shingle
Creek Crossing area is built-out, the Opportunity Site area (despite a
2006 master plan) has yet to see any redevelopment. However, there
is now significant energy around a new development vision. General
guidance for the site is included in the City’s 2040 Comprehensive plan,
and recently adopted Unified Development Ordinance.
In 2022, the City entered into a Preliminary Development Agreement
with Alatus, LLC to master plan and develop 15 acres of the
Opportunity Site. Alatus and the City share a vision that includes
a dense, mixed-use, walkable “downtown,” with a mix of retail,
entertainment, and residential uses. Multi-family housing, and
employment uses intend to provide a vibrant mix of activity that
draws people to the area. A park and open space network anchors
the development providing regional stormwater capacity as well as a
recreation amenity.
11
DRAFT
Portraits of Brooklyn Center
Source: 2022 U.S. Census,
American Community Survey
5-year Estimates (2017-2022)
Born in Asia:
5%
Born in Latin America:
7%
Female:
50%
Asian:
14%
Black:
32%
Two or More Races or Some Other Race:
15%
White:
38%
Hispanic / Latino:
15%
Renters
34%
Born in Africa:
10%
Residents Born outside the US:
23%
Brooklyn Center Population:
33,109
Seniors age 62 and over:
14%
Youth Under age 18:
32%
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Background2024
The People of Brooklyn Center
12
DRAFT
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Background2024Background
A Public Driven Process
To truly create a vibrant and unique city center that serves all of Brooklyn
Center, a values-based approach was undertaken by the project team and
city staff. At the center was a community-driven engagement process
enacted with a commitment to bring authenticity, transparency, trust
building, and recognition of both long- and short-term wins. All this, while
understanding the site’s role within larger changes happening across
Brooklyn Center and the region. The resulting scale and reach of this multi-
phase engagement exceeded that of any past effort in the City’s history.
To conduct this effort, the City facilitated a three-phase engagement
approach spanning the visioning, planning, and implementation of the
Opportunity Site vision.
PHASE 1: Spring 2019-Spring 2020
The initial phase of engagement centered on creating a foundation for
the goals and priorities of the Opportunity Site by identifying community
existing conditions, concerns, opportunities, and desired development
benefits. Activities included: four facilitated stakeholder workshops, several
event pop-ups, establishment of a multicultural advisory committee, a
podcast, open houses, social media, online survey, use of local student
liaisons, and updates to city leadership. The more than 1,000 direct
engagements from Phase 1 directly informed the Opportunity Site Master
Plan goals, principles, and vision.
PHASE 2: Spring 2020-Winter 2021
The second phase of engagement unveiled and vetted the draft Master
Plan to ensure it aligned with community desires and sought to proactively
mitigate unintended consequences of future development. Activities
included: a series of community-convened, city-convened, and community-
organization convened meetings, use of a custom-made “meeting in a
box” toolkit for public-facilitate meetings, open houses, social media,
online and paper surveys, interactive online maps, and updates to city
leadership. These activities were purposefully conducted and evolved
in respect to the murder of George Floyd and Daunte Wright, the latter
of which occurred within the city, as well as the COVID pandemic that
brought disproportionate impacts on communities of color. Feedback from
Phase 2 directly informed Master Plan guidance around equity, housing
affordability, environmental expectations, traffic and roadway design,
financial prioritization, and desired community benefits.
Planning Process Goals
»Defined timeline to take advantage of present development
opportunities
»Consistent with larger city goals and principles
»Process is grounded in data and best practices
»Outcomes provides direct access and benefits for city residents
»Authentic engagement to connect people with decisions
»Meaningful opportunities for the public to influence outcomes
»Transparency in decision making
Guiding Principles
Four guiding principles emerged from the Phase 1 community workshops that
reinforce a sense of community pride in Brooklyn Center, and are the guiding
lens for this plan.
PHASE 3: Winter 2021-Summer 2022
The third and final engagement phase pivoted from the Master Plan to
specific development projects, specifically the Alatus Development Site
and the Entrepreneurial Market. Unlike the prior two phases, the specificity
of feedback necessary for Phase 3 led to a community-based participatory
engagement approach, in which eight local organizations facilitated
outreach within their respective communities. Each organization was
provided wide latitude on how they conducted outreach in order to be more
responsive to the needs and expectations of their community members.
During this Phase, the Alatus development team presented their site
vision and programming multiple times to both the engagement steering
committee, and smaller focus groups. These meetings covered topics such
as housing, financing, environmental assessments, and the development
process.
13
DRAFT
The Opportunity Site and its Surroundings
MinneapolisMinneapolis
RobbinsdaleRobbinsdale
PlymouthPlymouth
Maple GroveMaple Grove
FridleyFridley
RosevilleRoseville
Brooklyn CenterBrooklyn Center
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Background2024
Natural Systems
The Opportunity Site is located one
mile from the Mississippi River and
sits adjacent to Shingle Creek. Both
are part of regional recreational
systems that offer significant
amenities.
Neighborhoods
The area was developed in the
1960s when land uses were strictly
separated. As a result, the site
is separated from surrounding
neighborhoods by large parks and
highways.
Brooklyn Center in the Region The Opportunity Site in Brooklyn Center
Highways
The Opportunity Site is located along
major freeways and highways (I-694,
I-94, MN-100, and MN-252). It is
easily accessible from throughout
the region. This Plan recommends
leveraging these connections to
attract residential, commercial, and
recreation uses.
Trails
The Site is located at the junction
of two regional trails which connect
to the Mississippi River to the east,
and large parks and lakes to the
west, north, and south. The Plan
recommends leveraging these assets
and creating a new trail through the
Site.
Transit
Metro Transit recently opened the
C and D Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
Lines, both of which terminate at a
charging and layover station adjacent
to the Opportunity Site. This Plan
recommends long term exploration
of relocating the station in the
Opportunity Site and making it part
of a mobility hub that serves the area.
Local Roads
The Site has few local roads serving
it and through it. Redevelopment
of the Site will require considerable
new infrastructure in order for it to
be redeveloped.
14
DRAFT
The Opportunity Site in Brooklyn Center
The Opportunity Site is approximately 80 acres, about 61% of which
is owned by the City’s Economic Development Authority (EDA). While
this study focuses on the Opportunity Site, it took into consideration
a significantly larger area because of its close relationship to the
Opportunity Site.
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Background2024
Centennial ParkCentennial Park
County County Building / Building / LibraryLibrary
Brooklyn Brooklyn Center Transit Center Transit CenterCenter
Earle Brown Earle Brown Conference Conference CenterCenter
Bass Lake RoadBass Lake Road
Summit DriveSummit Drive
Jo
h
n
M
a
r
t
i
n
D
r
i
v
e
Jo
h
n
M
a
r
t
i
n
D
r
i
v
e
Sh
i
ngl
e
C
r
e
e
k Par
k
w
ay
Sh
i
ngl
e
C
r
e
e
k Par
k
w
ay
Earle Brown Earle Brown Elementary Elementary SchoolSchool
Brooklyn Brooklyn Center City Center City HallHall
Publicly Owned PropertiesPublicly Owned Properties
Existing conditions at the Opportunity Site, looking south
15
DRAFT
Affordability:
Housing, small business space, and
community events
Diversity and inclusivity:
Multicultural and welcoming
environment
Health and wellness:
Recreation, active living, public
safety, and health
Fiscal responsibility:
Using city resources to leverage
private investment
Flexibility:
Responsive to emerging opportunities
as they align with goals
Local benefit:
Ensuring that city residents are
direct beneficiaries
Community pride:
Creating a space that locals are
proud to share
Environmental sustainability:
Supporting long term
environmental health
Counteracting displacement:
Ensuring project does not price out
residents
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Background2024
Suburbs around the country have been finding themselves at the
center of regional changes — a trend further expanded by the COVID
pandemic that occurred in the middle of the planning process for
the Site. As inner ring communities, such as Brooklyn Center, are
re-discovered by the marketplace for their locational advantages,
many are faced with the dilemma about how to change and grow
in a way that benefits the existing community. Rather than re-
branding a community through redevelopment, communities such as
Brooklyn Center seek growth in such a way that existing character
is strengthened, not pushed aside for the sake of attracting
something new.
This project pays very close attention to guiding development in a
way that it serves those who have already chosen to live in Brooklyn
Center. While it undoubtedly will attract new residents and businesses,
its primary purpose is to help improve the quality of life for those who
call Brooklyn Center “home.”
To answer this question, the project spent considerable effort listening
to the existing community to better understand what inclusive
development means to them (refer to Appendix 6 for more details and
information on the public engagement process and results).
Between 2019 and 2022, the project had over 1,000 direct
engagements with residents and community stakeholders. While
participants were not asked to identify themselves directly, the
majority of participants were estimated to be people of color,
reflective of the minority majority composition of the city, which
remains one of its greatest strengths.
What Makes This Different
Community Values Expressed in the Plan
16
DRAFT
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Background2024
Project Goals
Brooklyn Center hosts a diverse population,
spanning a wide range of household incomes.
During the creation of its 2040 Comprehensive Plan
the City outlined several housing goals to provide a
critical lens under which Opportunity Site housing
is being assessed. These goals were further echoed
throughout the extensive community feedback
sessions, and two housing studies in 2022 by the
Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, and a the
Urban Land Institute.
These housing goals are a priority of the
Opportunity Site’s development, with the over
arching intent of protecting housing affordability
and access for all people. This includes a
commitment to providing a range of housing types
and price points while being mindful of potential
impacts regarding gentrification and displacement.
While there is currently no housing located
within the Opportunity Site, these concerns were
recognized throughout the planning process by
city staff, local stakeholders, and the entire project
team.
Early housing scans and known best practices,
discussed further in Appendix 7, suggest the need
to offer a diversity of housing types, locations,
ownership models, and styles. The Opportunity
Site presents a remarkable opportunity to pursue
this strategy while incorporating a range of housing
prices throughout. As findings from formal housing
studies are received, appropriate percentages of
housing affordability at varying household AMI
levels will be outlined and integrated into site
benchmarks.
Brooklyn Center carries a robust entrepreneurial
spirit driven strongly by its diverse populations.
Residents and business owners work hard every
day to make the city a great place to build and
grow a business. These groups were also among
those hit hardest by the COVID pandemic and
resulting economic impacts. This project, therefore,
presents a unique opportunity for the city to help
promote and grow local businesses, provide needed
goods and services, and grow jobs for residents.
As the city continues to grow, so too do the needs
for additional and innovative job and business
opportunities. Through the goals and subsequent
targets, shown at the right, Brooklyn Center intends
to leverage the Opportunity Site development
towards facilitating accessible, affordable, and
supportive business opportunities.
Targets for Economic Development and
Employment
»Percentage and type of affordable commercial
space for businesses
»Contractor hiring requirements for construction
phase of projects, including DBEs
»Location of locally owned firms within the
project, including small, start-up, and minority
owned enterprises
»Presence of incubator space with accompanying
supporting services for small businesses
»Good jobs for residents of the city, including
needed placement, training, and retention
services as applicable
Neighborhood and Housing Goals Economic Development and Employment Goals
Targets for Housing and Residential
Communities
»New housing units will be a mix of affordable
and market rate, rental and owned, based on
recommendations for the Opportunity Site
Housing Framework (Appendix 7)
»Housing framework and policies will be regularly
reviewed and revised as development occurs
»Presence of housing types that meet underserved
needs in community
»Availability of renter/homeowner assistance for
local households
»Development of housing types that support
mixed income communities
»Identify and secure outside housing funding
sources to leverage local investments
»Development of live-work units to support small
businesses and home occupations.
»New housing includes walk up, townhome, and
similarly scaled unit design
17
DRAFT
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota 2024
As local, regional, and national transportation
needs evolve, so too do the ways in which Brooklyn
Center should provide opportunities of equal
mobility for all residents. The Opportunity Site will
seek to support the attainment of City and regional
transportation goals while creating a multimodal
network to and through the Opportunity Site,
itself. This will include consideration of and
accommodation for transit, pedestrian, bicycle, and
new modes. It will also establish an entirely new
street grid network to facilitate comfortable and
safe mobility for all.
The public realm is the “community living room,” a
critical component of any thriving city. As Brooklyn
Center continues to grow and develop its public
realm, the Opportunity Site is oriented around
a series of cornerstone public spaces at varying
scales and functions. Each space will continue to
promote city values of celebrating and embracing
community diversity, accessibility, and affordability,
all the while connecting to the larger surrounding
public space network.
Public Realm, Public Space and
Environment Goals
»Access for residents to recreational amenities
»Presence of multicultural-event spaces that are
affordable and accessible to the community
»Programming for recreation, culture, arts,
youth activities, etc.
»Public space design that is reflective of a
multicultural community
»People-focused design that is walkable and
bikeable
»Incorporating art, culture, and community
identity into the site
»Development is green and sustainable in design
»Inclusion of an indoor/outdoor market space
»Funding mechanism for construction and
maintenance public art, and support for
incorporating art in private development (e.g.
art dedication fee)
Transportation and Connectivity Goals
»Safe, attractive, and convenient access to
pedestrian, bicycle, and transit systems
»Ability to walk, bike, or ride transit to jobs,
education, cultural resources, and shopping
»Convenient parking facilities, including
accommodation of bicycle and pedestrian
access
»Attractive, comfortable, accessible transit
facilities are available
»Presence of wayfinding and systems
information for all modes, as appropriate
»Development promotes traffic calming and
pedestrian safety
»Accessible to all residents through a Universal
Design approach
»Design and development reflect distinct
identities of local cultural heritage
»New off-road trail connections through the site
»Transit readiness for future transit services
to site, with enhanced bus stop/bus station
facilities
»Pedestrian amenities throughout the entire
site
»Sustainable funding mechanism established to
maintain infrastructure and public realm
Public Realm, Public Spaces, and Environment Goals Transportation and Connectivity Goals
Background
DRAFT
18Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Vision2024
Vision for a New Downtown
19
DRAFT
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Vision2024
Vision for a New Downtown Brooklyn Center
Located at the geographic center of Brooklyn Center and at nexus of
regional trails, roads, and natural systems, Downtown Brooklyn Center
will become a new social, recreational and commercial center for the
community. It will become a source of community pride as it draws on
the remarkable spectrum of people - diverse in background and age -
who have chosen to live in and invest in Brooklyn Center.
The Downtown will evolve gradually over time, both in response
to market forces as well as shaped by the public vision for a new
Downtown. The Plan proposes a mix of uses and spaces that create
neighborhoods and nodes of activity. These places within the
Downtown will allow new and existing residents of Brooklyn Center to
gather, recreate, work, and live.
Downtown Brooklyn Center will...
• ...be a place that represents all of what Brooklyn Center is now
and can become.
• ...be a place where people choose to invest their time and energy
in as much for what it is as for what it is near.
• ...contain a mix of uses that appeal to both current and future
residents, entrepreneurs, and visitors.
• ...have a significant amount of new medium and high density
housing that helps diversify the City’s housing stock - allowing
residents to stay in Brooklyn Center while attracting new
residents.
• ...be a place that nurtures local businesses while attracting new
businesses that appeal locally and regionally.
• ...generate value to the City by leveraging its irreplaceable assets
— proximity to the park and civic buildings, centrality to the City
and it’s people, and access to the region.
20
DRAFT
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Vision2024
Trail and park connections
between the Site and its
surroundings will create
recreational and public space
amenities for Downtown.
Connections will provide
access to regional systems
and will organize the shape of
development within the Site
Though the Downtown will
have a significant amount of
housing, it will also contain
mixed-use nodes around
which nonresidential uses
will cluster. These nodes will
have community anchors that
compliment eachother.
A pair of spines — one
pedestrian-oriented and one
multimodal street — will form
the core of the downtown
neighborhoods with small
parklets, community spaces,
and active street fronts
throughout
Downtown will be locally
accessible with improvements
to surrounding streets,
bridges, and intersections.
The Downtown street grid
will extend into surrounding
areas providing many local
connections for residents
in Brooklyn Center to get
Downtown.
Community anchors to create a core to
Brooklyn Center
Two spines to organize neighborhoods Local connections to make it easy to get to
Concepts that Organize How the Site will be Developed
Trail and park connections to the expansive
regional system1 3
2 4
21
DRAFT
E
E
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Vision2024
Places in Downtown Brooklyn Center
Main Street
Neighborhoods
Garden Street
BC Gateway Park
Parkway Street
A
A
B
C
C
D
D
B
22
DRAFT
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Vision2024
Neighborhood and Economic
Development Features
• Small blocks that support a range of
development patterns and densities
• Between 1,500 and 2,300 new housing units
that proivde a full spectrum of housing options,
including market-rate and affordable rental and
ownership options.
• Two new neighborhoods with neighborhood
parks and amenities at their core and a Garden
Street linking them
• Commercial development that is regionally
attractive while helping to grow local businesses
• Approximately 100,000 to 150,000 square feet
of nonresidential space
• John Martin Drive featuring restaurant and
live-work buildings
• Full-service urban grocery stores or markets
• A 20,000 square foot Entrepreneurial
Marketplace that supports and incubates local
businesses
Main Features of the Plan
The Vision for redevelopment of the Opportunity
Site is to create a new and real downtown for
Brooklyn Center. Like many suburban communities
developed in the 1950s and 1960s, Brooklyn Center
grew quickly and without an identifiable center.
This pattern occurred because land was inexpensive
land, suburban lifestyles became fashionable, and
regional access for vehicle travel was made easier
through highways. There was no recognized need,
at that time, for a center of commerce, social life,
recreation or government. Instead of developing
outward from a center, the community grew east to
west as an extension of North Minneapolis.
This Plan proposes to redevelop the geographic
center of the City with a mix of uses that create
a center of commerce, recreation, social life, and
government, all integrated with new housing. This
new downtown will be accessible, welcoming,
active, and an embodiment of the best of what
Brooklyn Center can offer its residents and the
region. It will fulfill existing and emerging needs of
the city and it will become a place of pride.
Downtown Brooklyn Center will become a
connection point for the city and its existing and
future assets. It can become a starting point to
address the broader challenges of Brooklyn Center
and a model for how other communities can use
redevelopment to address their most pressing
needs.
Access and Connectivity Features
• A transportation system that reduces the need
to own a car by providing safe, affordable, and
convenient alternatives
• Streets that are designed with comfortable
sidewalks, robust landscaping, and minimal
parking
• A mobility hub that offers convenient
connections between BRT lines, a Park and
Ride, bicycle facilities, and vehicle facilities.
• Complete pedestrian and bicycle connectivity
within the Downtown and beyond to connect to
the rest of the City
• Readiness for emerging transportation
technologies, such as an AV circulator, drop off
zones, and micro mobility,that reduce the need
to use a single-occupancy vehicle for many trips
within the Downtown.
Public Realm Features
• Recreational opportunities for people of all ages
and abilities to support healthy lifestyles.
• Public spaces that encourage people to socialize
and to be outdoors throughout all seasons
• A green and active stormwater system that
provides health, recreational, and environmental
benefits
• Paths and trails that connect internally as well as
to surrounding park and amenities
• A pedestrian-scaled “Garden Street” lined
with lower density housing, that connects the
Downtown internally
• A Parkway multimodal street offering the
primary vehicle through-access with additional
access to trails and public amenities, while
connecting the Downtown internally
DRAFT
An inclusive and accessible system of open spaces, trails
and pedestrian ways that promotes healthy living, social
gathering, and environmental responsibility
23Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Public Realm2024
Public Realm
24
DRAFT
Public Realm Summary
»An inclusive, accessible, welcoming, and dynamic public realm that
becomes the social and gathering center for the entire City.
»An “inside out” City that attracts people to spend time outside
together throughout all seasons of the year.
»Recreational and leisure activities for all ages and abilities.
»Connecting to and leveraging the potential of Centennial Park
»A green and active stormwater system that provides health,
recreational, and environmental benefits to all.
Downtown Brooklyn Center will feature a system of open spaces, streets, trails, and pedestrian areas that promote
healthy living, social gathering, and environmental responsibility.
Downtown Brooklyn Center’s public realm will become the backbone
of the district and an extension of surrounding natural areas,
parks, and trails. It will consist of spaces and buildings that enable
community pride, healthy living, social gathering and environmental
responsibility. The public realm will consists of parks, streets,
sidewalks, plazas, and greenways.
The public realm in the Opportunity Site include the spaces that are
owned and shared by the community. As such, the public realm carries
a high responsibility to ensure accessibility, inclusion, equity, and an
overall welcoming posture. This will take many forms, including artistic
installations that represent the diversity of the community and spaces
that are welcoming and accessible.
An inclusive Downtown is one in which people from across the
community can come and feel welcome. In gathering ideas for the
Opportunity Site’s public spaces, inspiration from across the world
was gathered and studied to guide how the people from all walks
of life come together, socialize, celebrate, and express themselves
freely. They belong to the public and they embody the ideals of the
full community. As such, public spaces in the Opportunity Site will
be open, free, and easy to reach. They will facilitate socializing and
gathering, and they will represent and reflect the diverse culture of the
community.
Having cherished public spaces that are inclusive is an opportunity for
the community to celebrate itself.
The Master Plan employs the following strategies to help promote a
public realm that it inclusive, accessible, and welcoming:
• The proposed street grid and park system of are connected to
other public streets and parks. This intends to define Downtown
as an integrated part of the City, not an inaccessible or exclusive
enclave.
• The Garden Street and Parkway will stitch together the
Opportunity Site’s many public spaces, including plazas, a large
stormwater park amenity, and multimodal facilities interspersed
amidst high-quality streetscape.
• Main Street is a lively public street lined by restaurants and
shops, many of them locally owned and operated. In addition to
traditional storefronts, Main Street will have opportunities for
small businesses to thrive in pop-up vendor kiosks, food trucks,
micro retailing, and other low cost spaces.
• Downtown will be notable for its abundant public art and the many
placemaking opportunities throughout its many public spaces.
Private property will also be encouraged to utilize local artists to
enliven their projects and the Downtown overall.
• An indoor/outdoor entrepreneurial market - the Entrepreneurial
Market Plaza (EMP), will incubate and support local businesses.
The City will partner with an organization that can provide
operational management for the EMP, and business support to
small local businesses to help them succeed. A public-facing plaza
will be located outside the EMP, and anchor the Garden Street.
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Public Realm2024
Public Realm — Overview
25
DRAFT
Ramblas in Barcelona
Walking Street in Phuket, Thailand
Neighborhood Park
A small neighborhood park will be located
in the northeast corner of the Opportunity
Site. The passive park space will offer a
smaller recreation focal point, and anchor
the north end of the Garden Street.
Greenway Trail
A linear Greenway through the site will link
the Downtown to the regional trails and
serve as an important link in the stormwater
system. The greenway will form the edge of
the Regional Stormwater Park.
Garden Street
Small parklets (one per block) are located
along the neighborhood Garden Street. The
parklets are designed for young children
and caregivers. Amenities will include
community gardening spaces and small
play equipment.
Gateway Park
The southwest edge of the Opportunity
Site will include an active park space that
bridges the Garden Street to the EMP
Plaza. The space will be located along
Shingle Creek Parkway and serve as a
connection to Centennial Park.
Regional Stormwater Park
Over 60% of the Opportunity Site’s
stormwater needs will be serviced by a
regional pond system that includes trails,
plazas, and natural plants. This stormwater
park will also provide be a recreational
amenity and habitats for native wildlife.
EMP Plaza & Flex Street
At the intersection of the Garden Street
and Parkway, the EMP Plaza is on the
north edge of the EMP marketplace. The
plaza will have space for market activities,
small and medium sized gatherings, and
“spillover” space into the adjacent private
flex street, or public Gateway Park.
An inclusive, accessible, welcoming and dynamic public realm that becomes a
social and gathering center for the entire city.
Broad Street in Monrovia, Liberia
Zócalo in Oaxaca, México
Tianguis in Mexico City Hidden Night Market
Downtown will celebrate the
diversity of the community with
a series of accessible public
spaces in which all residents of
Brooklyn Center are welcome to
participate in the social life of
the City — to meet both familiar
faces and strangers.
Parklets
Parks
Plaza
Greenway
Regional Stormwater Park
Main Street Pedestrian
Walkway
D
E
F
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Public Realm2024
A
B
C
A
D
E
E
BC
F
F
26
DRAFT
Design a Living Room, Not a Sitting Room1
2
3
4
5
6
Foster Small Group Interactions
Celebrate Slowing Down
Build in Sensory Variety
Promote Unique but not Illegible
Set Positive Rules
Principles and Examples of Designing
Inclusive and Welcoming Spaces
Successful public spaces that feel inclusive and
welcoming to a broad cross section of people are often
actively programmed and managed. Well managed
spaces create both community and place value.
Whether public or privately owned, they help create
authenticity and sense of local flavor - a important
defining feature of the Downtown.
Recreational and leisure activities for all ages and abilities
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Public Realm2024
27
DRAFT
An “inside out” city that attracts people to spend time outside
together throughout all seasons of the year.
Downtown will promote healthy living and an active civic life by creating a variety of outdoor spaces
that are comfortable and pleasant throughout all seasons of the year.
Flexible Gathering and Playspaces
Simple open spaces accommodate large
gatherings and celebrations and serve as
simple passive playspaces
A
Small Spaces within Large Spaces
Intimate spaces are within and adjacent to
large spaces, allowing them to contract and
expand as needed
DOutdoor comfort
Awnings, canopies, and indoor/outdoor
spaces provide protection from the
elements throughout the year.
B
Active Ground Floor Uses
Open spaces are animated with ground
floor uses that are public and active
throughout the day and week.
C Indoor/Outdoor Spaces
Buildings with large openings onto public
spaces create flexible areas that contribute
to a safe and active public realm year
round.
E
E
A
B
B
B
C
C
D
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Public Realm2024
Deep retractable awnings and
sunshades allow outdoor spaces to
be semi-enclosed during the colder
seasons while offering protection from
the harsh summer sun.
Winters can be celebrated with outdoor
activities and seasonal shelters
28
DRAFT
A Downtown designed with winter (and fun) in mind
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Public Realm2024
Principles and Examples of
Designing for and Enjoying the
Winter
Winter GardensWinter Accommodations
»Bright colors to offset darkness
»Deciduous trees allow sun to reach
habitable areas in the winter
»Evergreens block winter wind
»Winter gardens to create indoor
microclimates
»Narrow, not broad towers to allow
sunshine to penetrate down to the
sidewalk and other public spaces
»Lighting that is pedestrian scaled, a
warm color, and glare-free
»Parks that have southern exposure
and are protected from winds
»Patios that can be converted to
winter play areas or skating rinks
»Deep and retractable canopies to
protect sidewalks from rain and snow,
but allow sunlight to penetrate
»Temporary enclosed structures such
as enclosed gazebos or clear igloos.
Articulated walls and step backs that
prevent harsh winds from impacting
pedestrians on sidewalks
»Spaces for public fire pits and
warming huts
Winter Recreation
29
DRAFT
Passive Park
Opportunity-Driven Park Space Design
Major public investment as part
of the Phase 1 Opportunity Site
Redevelopment, for public space in the
regional stormwater pond, EMP Plaza,
and Parkway streetscape design.
Unlike other redevelopment sites with
established blocks and road networks,
the Opportunity Site is a blank slate.
Rather than use the lack of existing
framework to be overly prescriptive,
the city intends to use this Master Plan
as a guideline to inform final build-out
design.
One component of this will be the
final arrangement and design of the
Gateway Park and Neighborhood
Park.
While the Gateway Park intends to
be active and event-oriented, the
Neighborhood Park may be a larger
space to accommodate entrepreneurial
activities such as Farmer Markets,
Makers Nights, or civic gatherings.
Should a future city hall be built in this
area (see pg 47), this larger park should
consider physical and programmatic
connections to the building.
As build-out occurs, the city will
work with prospective developers
on finalizing exact development
site and roadway alignments that
support the strongest park design
and programming outcomes for the
Opportunity Site.
Passive Park
Activated Park
Farmers Market / Plaza
Active / Programmed Edge
Active Greenway
Alternative Market Plaza
Linear Park - South
Gateway Park Neighborhood Park
Cornerstone Park
Linear Park - North
Park Programming and Design Framework
Downtown will feature
a trio of complementary
parks. The Stormwater
Park will be interwoven
with the designed
stormwater pond
system, while Gateway
and Neighborhood
park designs will be
opportunity-driven to
reflect development
realities and City
resources.
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Public Realm2024
B
B
A
A
30
DRAFT
Connecting to and leveraging the potential of
Centennial Park
The Plan
recommends
highlighting
Shingle Creek as a
natural amenity,
and providing more
active features and
trail connections to
enhance access.
A new shared
use trail through
the interior of the
Opportunity Site
will provide bike
and pedestrian
connections
to adjacent
neighborhoods and
regional trails.
Potential Parks Design in Downtown
Area Park Improvements
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Public Realm2024
Park improvements to enhance the natural features
of Shingle Creek
Regional Recreation Attraction
(see following page)
D
E
B Potential expanded recreation center
A Potential wetland enhancements with boardwalk,
trails, and ecological improvements
Interior Bike and Pedestrian Trail
Connects bikes and peds through the
Opportunity Site
C
Regional Trail Access
Connecting to Twin Lakes Regional Trail
and West Mississippi River Regional Trail
DBGateway Mini Park
Creates “bridges” through
greenspace into Downtown
A
A
A
B
A Enhanced Intersections and
Crossings
Safer cross points between Downtown
and Shingle Creek Regional Trail, with
access to Centennial Park
D
C
C Gateway mini park, within the DowntownShingle Creek Shingle Creek ParkwayParkwayCentennial Centennial ParkPark
C
C
B
A
D
Centennial Centennial ParkPark
31
DRAFT
A green and active regional stormwater system that provides
health, recreational, and environmental benefits to all
Downtown will feature a
regional stormwater system
that manages rainwater
throughout the district while
also serving as a recreational
and aesthetic amenity for
residents and visitors.
A Garden Street with rain gardens
The north south pedestrian spine will
contain rain gardens on every block with
center drainage. These will also serve as
small green spaces along the street.
Neighborhood streets with
stormwater drainage
Neighborhood streets in the Downtown
will have enhanced stormwater drainage
collectors and conveyors.
Linear stormwater parkway and
greenways along the edge of the
large greenspace
A 50’ greenway and stormwater feature
is proposed along the multimodal spine
road. This space can be used to convey
water through a treatment train before
it enters the regional ponds. The space
will also be used for the shared use
trail connecting regional trails to the
Opportunity Site.
Stormwater Drainage
Greenway and
treatment train
Garden Street “green
street”
Regional Stormwater
System
DA
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Public Realm2024
A
D
C
B
C
B
Regional Stormwater Park
A three-pond regional detention and
treatment feature will serve approximately
60% of the Opportunity Site’s stormwater
management requirements. A series of
trails and plazas will weaving between
the ponds, offering a health-oriented
feature. Native plants will support habitat
restoration. Once treated, water will be
conveyed back to Shingle Creek.
Phase 1 Conceptual Development,
and Regional Stormwater System
DRAFT
Downtown Brooklyn Center will have a transportation
system that encourages walking and biking, is well
connected to the region, and reduces the need to own
a car by providing safe, affordable, convenient and
accessible options.
32Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Access and Connectivity2024
Access and Connectivity
33
DRAFT
Access and Connectivity — Overview
»Prioritizing pedestrians to create a walkable community
»Creating a safe and connected bicycle network
»Ensuring vehicular access to Downtown from throughout the
City and the region.
»Establishing a network of streets that enables people to get
round easily without the use of a car if they chose.
Downtown Brooklyn Center will have a transportation system that encourages walking and biking, is well
connected to the region and reduces the need to own a car by providing safe, affordable, convenient and accessible
options.
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Access and Connectivity2024
Creating strong access to and connectivity within the Downtown
is essential to creating a healthy, prosperous and unique area. The
transportation system for the Downtown is designed to balance
modes of travel (bike, transit, walking, and cars) so the Downtown
is easy to get to but also enjoyable to spend time. Over time, the
Downtown will offer the opportunity to reduce the need to own a
car because the transportation system within Downtown and its
connections to outside downtown will be convenient, safe, connected
and affordable.
The transportation system will support a healthy lifestyle for residents
by ensuring all internal trips are feasible by foot or bicycle, and the
Downtown has access to regional trails that connect throughout
Brooklyn Center.
Streets in Downtown will have a graduated hierarchy to support
varying intensities of urban activity. Wider streets will support
regional attractions, while narrower streets will form the core
to neighborhoods. All streets, regardless of width or adjacent
development, will have wider than average sidewalks, safe crossings
and streetscapes with a unique sense of character, rhythm, and
comfort.
Access and Connectivity Summary
Downtown will be well connected to all of Brooklyn Center and to the
region through improved bicycle, transit and vehicular connections.
For example, the Plan recommends surrounding regional trails are
routed through the downtowns, and the nearby BRT Terminal is
relocated to within the Downtown.
The proposed Plan also considers and incorporates quickly evolving
technologies that impact how people circulate through cities and
move from place to place. Features such as a mobility hub that
provides connections between modes, dynamic curbs that can be re-
programmed daily, and embracing micro mobility (scooters, etc) are
some of the ways in which this Plan anticipates a future transportation
system that gradually becomes more technologically advanced.
34
DRAFT
Prioritizing pedestrians to create a walkable community
Safe crossings of Shingle Creek
Parkway
Re-striped, narrowed, and painted
intersections along Shingle Creek Parkway
will reduce the pedestrian crossing distance
by as much as 30%. Additional features
such as a pedestrian countdown timer, a
leading light, and well marked crosswalks
will reduce barriers and increase the safety
of crossing shingle Creek Parkway.
The pedestrian network in
Downtown Brooklyn Center
is designed to provide access
to daily needs within walking
distance of all residents and
visitors.
Slow Zone at Dam Square in Amsterdam Painted Intersection
Scramble Intersection Widened sidewalks
Garden Street: A street that is shared equally between pedestrians, cars, and bikes.
C
Full pedestrian network with
sidewalks on every block
Every street will have 6’ sidewalks on both
sides, wide enough for a person pushing a
stroller to pass an individual in a wheelchair
without discomfort.
Slow Zones that prioritize
pedestrians
Slow zones at key crossing locations
of The Parkway will create a seamless
connection between the developed areas
of Downtown and the park along its
eastern edge.
CA
Garden Street Spine
The north south street in between Shingle
Creek and The Parkway will be a “Garden
Street” in which Pedestrians, bikes, and
cars share the space between buildings.
The street will curve gently to create
usable greenspaces, rain gardens, and
parklets.
D
D
B
B
A
D
B
B
B
B
B
C
C
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Access and Connectivity2024
Slow Zones
Tabled Intersections
Scramble Intersection
Pedestrian Only
Shared Street
Pedestrian Trail
A
35
DRAFT
Creating a safe and connected bicycle network
Re-purposed bridge across
Highway 100
MnDOT is considering the closure of the off
ramp from Highway 100 onto John Martin
Drive. The John Martin Drive bridge over
Highway 100 may then be repurposed as
a bike-/pedestrian-only facility, and the
Twin Lakes Regional trail could be rerouted
through the Site. These outcomes would
require City ownership of the bridge and
coordination with Three Rivers Regional
Park District.
Dedicated off-street trails through
the community
Off street trails connect the two
neighborhoods and Main Street via linear
greenway.
Improved connections across
Shingle Creek Parkway
A bike bridge across Shingle Creek Parkway
connects the Downtown to Centennial
Park.
Two-way bike lanes on Shingle
Creek Parkway
A separated bike lane for commuter
and non-recreational riding enables
trails within the Parks to be shared with
pedestrians.
Modifications to existing bike
bridge
Adding an extension to the existing ped/
bike bridge across Highway 100 can
provide improved connections to the
Regional Stormwater Park in Downtown.
By connecting to regional trails
and providing safe streets and
appropriate support facilities,
cycling can be an efficient,
healthy, and environmentally
friendly means of transportation
for many people.
Primary / Separated
Secondary / Shared
Commuter Lane
Bike Racks and Corrals
A C
D
EB
A
C
B
E
B
D
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Access and Connectivity2024
Twin Lakes Twin Lakes
TrailTrail
North Mississippi North Mississippi
River TrailRiver TrailShingle Creek Shingle Creek
TrailTrail
36
DRAFT
Ensuring vehicular and transit access to Downtown from
throughout the City and the region.
Existing Transit Center
The exiting transit center is located
adjacent to Bass Lake Road and serves as
the terminus to the C- and D-Line BRTs,
which originate at downtown Minneapolis
and the Mall of America station,
respectively.
Relocated Transit Center
Relocating the transit center to the
intersection of John Martin Drive and
Shingle Creek Parkway would enhance
access to both the park and the public
services of the Hennepin County
Service Center / Brookdale Library.
As Development occurs, the City will
continue to engage with Metro Transit
around future transit opportunities.
Public Parking
Explore opportunities for more public
parking in multiple locations to encourage
drivers to park once and walk between
destinations while in the Downtown
Downtown will be easy to
get to from throughout the
region. With public garages, a
mobility hub, and strategically
located pick-up zones, arrival to
Downtown will be convenient
but will not impact the design of
pedestrian focused spaces.
722
D-L
i
n
e
Local Bus
BRT
Transit Center
Potential Future
Relocated Transit Center
A
A
C
B
B
B
AV Circulator in Jacksonville, FL
C
C
C
T
T
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Access and Connectivity2024
Micro-Mobility
37
DRAFT
Establishing a network of streets that enables people to move
around easily, and without the use of a car if they choose.
Each of the streets in
Downtown will be designed to
ensure safety, accessibility, and
comfort for all.
Shingle Creek Parkway
Main Street (Waterside Ave)
Garden Street (Song Ave)
The Parkway (Bdote Boulevard)
Neighborhood Streets
Neighborhood Street
Neighborhood streets will be designed as slow and safe streets whose primary
purpose is to be a comfortable and shared environment for pedestrians,
bicyclists, and drivers. The curb to curb area will be programmed with two
way traffic, and parallel parking on both sides. Beyond the curb, street trees
will help buffer a shaded 6’ sidewalk. Buildings will be set near the back of the
sidewalk with patios, stoops, and porches to create a comfortable pedestrian
environment.
Names for each of the Neighborhood Streets can be found in Appendix A.
6 �
setback walk
6 �
walk
8 �
boulevard
8 �
boulevard
8 �
parking
8 �
parking
11 �
66 �
travel
11 �
travel setback
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Access and Connectivity2024
38
DRAFT
Streets in Downtown Brooklyn Center
The Parkway
The Parkway will be the multimodal “spine” through
the center of the Downtown. The road will consist of a
generously buffered shared use path, sidewalk, on street
parking, and two travel lanes. The 10’ boulevard will be
transit ready for anticipated future transit along the
Parkway. The Plan recommends a 70’ easement along its
south edge for stormwater retention and light recreation,
while establishing a greenway adjacent the stormwater
park, and urban manufacturing area.
The Parkway will be called Bdote Boulevard, which means
“Confluence” in Dakota. More details on street names can
be found in Appendix A.
10 � 6 � 10 � 9 � 11 �
80 �
11 � 9 � 10 � 10 �
setback walk buffer parking travel travel parking buffer trail linear BMPs stormwater pond
Stormwater Infrastructure Wetland Habitat
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Access and Connectivity2024
39
DRAFT
Main Street
Main Street/John Martin Drive will be designed as a
pedestrian- and retail-oriented street where cars are
considered guests. The sidewalks are extra wide, and
the center median can be used for kiosks, food trucks,
or short term parking. Amenities such as public
art, bike racks, fixed and moveable seating, and
ample shade trees will create an environment that is
pleasant for businesses and residents and visitors.
Main Street will be called “Waterside Ave”, a
reference to the open air Waterside Market in
Monrovia, Liberia. More details on street names can
be found in Appendix A.
Lancaster Boulevard, Lancaster, CAGeorgia Street, Indianapolis, INWaterside Market, Monrovia, Liberia
Streets in Downtown Brooklyn Center
10 �
furnishing
10 �
furnishing
11 �
travel
11 �
travel
24 �
76 �
parking / plaza
10 �
path
10 �
path
5 �
plan�ng
5 �
plan�ng
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Access and Connectivity2024
40
DRAFT
Streets in Downtown Brooklyn Center
Garden Street
The Garden Street is the pedestrian-oriented twin to
the Parkway, and will run between the Parkway and
Summit Drive. Intended to be a “shared street”, it will
be a slow speed, curbless pedestrian priority street
lined by townhouses and lower density residences.
The travel lane for vehicles may be serpentine
to make room for greenspace, rain gardens, and
parklets. The Garden Street will also utilize an
“inverted crown” design that channels stormwater
into the center of the street for collection — a
common approach in curbless streets.
The Garden Street will be called Sông Ave, which
means river in Vietnamese. More details on street
names can be found in Appendix A.
Examples of Garden Streets
Curbless streets and spaces give visual cues that cars are
guests in the space - they share the space with pedestrians,
cyclists, and others who use the street for non-motorized uses.
Often “garden streets” contain small playgrounds, community
gardens, or places to sit. Other terms for Garden Streets are:
»Living Streets
»Woonerfs
»Curbless Streets
»Shared Streets
»Yield Streets
»Play Streets
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Access and Connectivity2024
setback setback
11 �
walk
11 �
walk
12 �
shard use lane
12 �
50 �
shard use lane
41
DRAFT
MnDOT Right of Way and Future Impacts
MnDOT owns a sizable portion
of right of way (ROW) at the
south central portion of the
Opportunity Site. As the city
continues to negotiate the long-
term use and ownership of that
land, there are several potential
impacts and opportunities for
the Downtown should MnDOT
turn over ROW ownership.
Existing MnDOT ROW
Future City ownership of the MnDOT ROW
would allow for significant improvements
to circulation and potential relocation of
the northern stormwater pond to allow for
multimodal connections and additional
development potential.
Potential Redevelopment
Redevelopment potential within or
around the ROW could be rethought
towards a more cohesive and connected
development pattern.
Highway 100 Ramps
The ramps to/from John Martin Drive
would be removed, as they are redundant
to those at Summit Drive and Bass Lake
Road. The Highway 100 off ramp to Bass
Lake Road would remain, but not provide
direct access into the Opportunity Site.
Future of the John Martin
Drive Bridge
MnDOT is considering the closure of the
off ramp from Highway 100 onto John
Martin Drive. The John Martin Drive bridge
over Highway 100 may then be repurposed
as a bike-/pedestrian-only facility. The
Twin Lakes Regional trail is rerouted along
this route, and the intersection with the
on-ramp becomes an all-way stop. These
outcomes would require City ownership
of the bridge and coordination with Three
Rivers Regional Park District.
A
A C
DB
D
B
C
57th & Logan
Redevelopment Site
Stormwater
Park
Alatus Phase 1
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Access and Connectivity2024
Alternative 1
MnDOT right of way, ramps, and the John
Martin Drive bridge stay as-is.
Alternative 3
MnDOT right of way and ramps are removed,
John Martin Drive and bridge are realigned, and
the stormwater park green space expands.
Alternative 4
MnDOT right of way and ramps are removed,
John Martin Drive is realigned and the bridge is
removed. The stormwater park is expanded, and
an access road is provided for development on
the southeast portion of the Opportunity Site.
Alternative 2
MnDOT right of way and ramps are removed
and become an additional development
site. John Martin Drive, the bridge, and the
stormwater park remains as-is.
DRAFT
Building and development patterns that are
compact, sustainable, and mixed — creating
places for people of all types to live and enjoy
at all stages of life
42Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Neighborhoods and Economic Development2024
Neighborhoods and Economic
Development
43
DRAFT
Neighborhoods and Economic Development - Overview
Downtown Brooklyn Center will feature building and development patterns that are compact, sustainable, and
mixed - creating nodes of mixed use activity and neighborhoods for people to live and enjoy at any stage of life
Neighborhoods and Economic Development
»Life-long neighborhoods for new and existing residents of Brooklyn
center to call home.
»Centers and Nodes that combine uses to become places to gather, a
focus for local economic development, and designed to evolve over
time
»Spaces for creating entrepreneurs and small- and mid-sized
businesses in the Downtown
»A range of buildings, development types, and land uses on a simple
block pattern
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Neighborhoods and Economic Development2024
The Plan for Downtown Brooklyn Center creates a series of simple
blocks defined by a hierarchy of streets. The blocks will contain the
mixture of buildings that contribute to a vibrant downtown. The Plan
anticipates approximately 3500 households and up to 200,000 sf of
nonresidential uses clustered in three locations. Additionally, several
hundred thousand square feet of employment manufacturing could be
introduced in the southeast of the Downtown.
While building a district with density is essential to accomplish many
of the goals of the Plan, density alone is not the goal. Rather, a vibrant
and livable center where all city residents can gather and be welcomed
should be the intent of the Opportunity Site build-out. The Plan,
therefore, pays close attention to the types of uses and the pattern of
buildings that will eventually occupy the blocks in the Downtown.
Housing and Neighborhoods
Brooklyn Center is a built-out community and in need of additional
housing of all types. The City was built quickly with almost all housing
constructed in the 1950s through 1970s. As a result, there is a narrow
range of housing available to residents, particularly new units or units
with more than three bedrooms. This limits residents’ ability to stay
in the community as they age through different stages of life or grow
in household size. Therefore, this Plan seeks to fill an existing housing
need in the community by suggesting multiple housing types, price
points, and ownership models.
Depending on the market, the Opportunity Site could see between
2,000 and 4,000 new housing units on the site. The Plan encourages
a range of housing types and tenures — ranging from tall apartment
buildings to low-rise townhouses, and ownership units to rental units.
Non-traditional ownership models such as cooperatives and land
trusts are also encouraged.
A strong residential component to Downtown is important because it
creates demand for a variety of uses and the provision of goods, and
services. The presence of a strong residential component also helps
create a place that can be broadly owned and cared for, rather than a
place that is patronized primarily by visitors.
Economic Development
A strong Downtown requires a variety of uses that serve local and
regional needs, use that are active throughout the day and week, and
use that are compatible and adjacent to each other.
While housing is anticipated to be a strong component of the
Downtown, the Plan proposes three “nodes” of concentrated
commercial and civic activity for economic development and
employment. One of the nodes will begin to take shape in the Alatus
Phase 1 development. The Plan does not define the specific character
of the other two nodes; rather it is anticipated that the City will allow
them to evolve over time and adjust to opportunities as the arise.
As build-out occurs, the Plan envisions the southeast segment of the
Opportunity Site as an urban manufacturing or “maker space” for
small- and mid-sized businesses. This area will anchor a jobs base
for the Opportunity Site, with public-facing retail along the edge,
connecting the residential core with this employment edge.
44
DRAFT
Creating life-long neighborhoods for new and existing
residents of Brooklyn center to call home.
Three neighborhoods, flanking Main
Street and the Parkway, will each be
home to several hundred residents.
The neighborhoods will have a mix of
housing, ranging from small units to
larger flats, owner-occupied and renter-
occupied units, and affordable to market
rate rents.
Variety of housing for all stages of life
Multiple housing types and sizes help create a multi
generational community of homeowners and renters.
This allows people of all incomes and in all stages of life
to find a safe and stable home.
Neighborhood friendly streets
Streets will be narrow and pedestrian friendly. They will
have a modest amount of on street parking for visits to
neighbors and shops.
Small neighborhood services and goods
Small nonresidential uses, such as coffee shops and
small groceries will be distributed in the neighborhood.
This will create gathering places and it will put daily
needs within the reach of residents.
Oriented to parks
Each neighborhood will have a neighborhood park
in the middle or edge. The park will be small, serving
primarily the neighborhood, and will have places for
rest and gentle recreation.
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Neighborhoods and Economic Development2024
A
C
D
B
A
C
D
B
Housing for all stages of life
Brooklyn Center aspires to diversify its housing stock so
people can stay in the community throughout all stages
of their lives. This usually (but not always) follows a
“scaling up” and a “scaling down” process. Generally, this
means smaller unit (1-2 bedroom) housing for individuals
and couples early or late in life, and larger (3+ bedroom)
housing for groups or families living together.
This plan recommends providing the types of housing
not historically prevalent in Brooklyn Center — quality
deeply affordable rentals (30-60% AMI), and quality
market rate multi-bedroom rental and ownership units.
More details on the Housing Framework for the
Opportunity Site can be found in Appendix 7.
Traditional “Housing Lifecycle”
Neighborhood
45
DRAFT
Nodes that mix uses to become places to regularly gather, focus local economic
development, and remain dynamic over time.
Designing for flexibility and sociability
Main Street and Phase 1 will be a flexible space,
able to host a variety of events, from markets, to
concerts and festivals.
Activating Public Spaces
Extra wide sidewalks will accommodate outdoor
cafes and restaurants, as well as ample amenities
such a street trees, seating, bike racks and public
art.
Creating comfortable sidewalks, year
round
The buildings along Main Street will have
features such as retractable facades and upper
floor patios with heaters and shading that allow
them to be active throughout the year.
Downtown will feature several
areas of commercial, retail,
and civic activity, connected to
adjacent areas, that residents of
Brooklyn Center and the region
will help activate throughout
the week and the year.
Ev
e
n
i
n
g
u
s
e
Ev
e
n
i
n
g
u
s
e
Mix of uses, mix of people, mix of
times.
Public spaces serve as places for people of
different backgrounds and experiences to
informally mix. Strong public spaces provide
locations for all people to formally and informally
gather, relax, and recreate. By strategically
locating public spaces in relation to areas active
day and night these spaces become more active
and vibrant throughout the entire day.
Da
y
t
i
m
e
u
s
e
Da
y
t
i
m
e
u
s
e
Public Public spaces with spaces with crossover crossover use and use and social social gatheringgathering
Design Features of Downtown’s Nodes
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Neighborhoods and Economic Development2024
Node 1: Phase 1
»EMP Business Incubator and Plaza
»Event Center with service retail
»700-800 units of housing
»Stormwater Park
»Space for outdoor markets, performances,
and gathering
»Shared use path greenway
Node 2: Main Street
»3-6 Restaurants
»Spaces for 2,000-5,000 sq ft retail
»Space for outdoor markets, performances,
and gathering
Node 4: Hennepin County Regional
Center
»County library, district court, DMV, and
Services Center
»Shingle Creek Regional Trail
Node 5: City Center and Park
»City Hall
»Community Center
»Centennial Park
»Shingle Creek Regional Trail
Node 3: Neighborhood Park
»Passive park and recreation space at the
center of housing developments
»Shared use path greenway
Node
A place where several uses are
combined to create activity
throughout the day and into
the evening. Nodes may
contain uses that are both
local and regional, as well as
basic goods and services.
Node 1Node 1
Node 2Node 2
Node 3Node 3
Node 4Node 4
Node 5Node 5
46
DRAFT
Phase 1 Redevelopment Site
A development team led by
Alatus is planning and designing
for the first phase of Opportunity
Site redevelopment. The Phase
1 concept intends to introduce
hundreds of units of housing
at various price points, a small
business incubator, and a
conference center.
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Neighborhoods and Economic Development2024
Site 1: Multifamily Housing and Business
Incubator
Site 2: Conference Center
Site 3: Multifamily Mixed-Income Housing
Sites 4–7: Multifamily Housing
Phase 1
Phase 1 Development Site
In 2019, Brooklyn Center entered into
partnership with a development team led
by Alatus LLC to plan, design, and construct
“Phase 1” of the Opportunity Site. The 15 acre
public-private-partnership project anchors
the southwest corner of the Downtown, and
anticipates hundreds of units of market rate
and affordable housing, the “EMP” business
incubator, and a conference center with
service retail.
Phase 1 will also provide foundational public
transportation and stormwater infrastructure
for the Opportunity Site, including the
Parkway and regional stormwater ponds and
park.
The proposed Phase 1 development site, looking north
from Bass Lake Road and Shingle Creek Parkway
The Flex Street, with the EMP to the right, and Event
Center to the left
The view from Shingle Creek Parkway, looking east into
the heart of the Phase 1 siteImages courtesy of Alatus LLC
47
DRAFT
Future City Hall
A new city hall building can
leverage development interest
of the Opportunity Site, while
serving Brooklyn Center
residents through a more
centralized location and by
coordinating civic development
with private development.
Existing City Hall
A
A ALT 1: City hall on the northwest corner of “Block 9”, at the intersection
of Shingle Creek Parkway and Summit Dr, integrated with mixed-use
development.
A
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Neighborhoods and Economic Development2024
Brooklyn Center City Hall
Long desired, a larger and more modern city hall would facilitate community connection and help
deliver a more efficient services to Brooklyn Center residents. The existing facility does not sufficiently
meet needs of the city today — particularly concerning access and circulation, staff office space, and
meeting space for both staff and public meetings.
The Opportunity Site presents a future opportunity for a new city hall, either as a public / private
partnership or as a standalone facility.
ALT 2: City hall on the northwestcorner of “Block 9”, at the intersection of
Shingle Creek Parkway and Summit Drive as a stand alone building/use.
Columbia Heights City Hall integrated
with new mixed-use development.
Shakopee City Hall
48
DRAFT
Creating Opportunities for Entrepreneurs and Small
Businesses in the Downtown
Pop-up micro retailing
Proposed EMP location within the Phase 1
Development Site
Courtesy of Alatus, LLC
Kiosk
Micro retail
Storefront
Truck
Business Opportunities on Main Street
Main Street will be designed to make space for a variety of different retail types and sizes. It will be
anchored on the ends by larger regional or community wide attractions that generate foot traffic - an
important ingredient for success of any street-facing business.
Entrepreneurial Market Plaza (EMP)
Brooklyn Center’s diverse micro-business community has long
expressed the need for affordable, flexible business space that
offers technical and programmatic assistance. Recognizing
this, the Plan recommends creating a 10,000 to 20,000 square
foot small business incubator. The global marketplace concept
intends to center entrepreneurial opportunities for BIPOC-,
woman-, and immigrant-owned businesses. The EMP is
planned for the Phase 1 development site.
This space should be operated by an entity that specializes in
small business development and support. The entity would
provide specialized support in finance, marketing, accounting
and human resources to small business operators. The EMP
will have a strong street presence in the Downtown, with
an attached plaza space for events to “spill out” from the
building, or host standalone events. The Plaza’s location at the
intersection with the Parkway will help establish a key activity
node for high foot traffic.
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Neighborhoods and Economic Development2024
Small structured retail spaces
Mixed UseMarket tent Truck Micro
retail
Cottage
retail
Mercantile
The Entrepreneurial Downtown
Most businesses become successful through
a graduated process that carefully balances
cost with exposure. Very few businesses
succeed by signing on to a multi year lease
in their infancy. Downtown Brooklyn Center
therefore will support and incubate small
businesses with the following strategies.
»Support an entrepreneurial marketplace
»Co-locate small businesses that need foot traffic
with larger generators of foot traffic.
»Create spaces in the Plan that are designed for
venders, food trucks, and other forms of micro-
retailing.
»Encourage commercial and mixed-use
developers to build flexible ground floor spaces
that can be scaled according to business needs.
»Encourage developers to provide small and cost
attainable space for small businesses.
»Market and promote the Downtown with
events that attract people into the Downtown
throughout the year.
»Support live-work spaces in the residential areas
of the Downtown.
Downtown will feature spaces, buildings,
and organizations that support the
growth of local small businesses.
Cultivating these businesses will be a
defining quality of the Downtown.
49
DRAFT
North End Market Plaza
The plan envisions entrepreneurial activities
generally concentrated along the Market
Street and within the Phase 1 Development
Site. Alternatively, the northwest corner of the
Opportunity Site could provide another location
for public gathering of entrepreneurial activities.
A market plaza, located in the location of the
vacant Target, could provide an centralized
gathering place, as a bookend to public space in
Phase 1. Additionally, it would offer an outdoor
place of commerce for a planned small business
venue in the Shingle Creek Strip Mall.
If well located and designed, this plaza could
also double as a civic plaza and gathering space
adjacent a future city hall.
To ensure a successful plaza, careful design
attention should be given to appropriately
size and locate the plaza, offering a series of
smaller spaces within the plaza that different
activities can occur within. Similarly, a market
and civic plaza should consider plaza edges to be
activated, are easily accessible, and offer highly
visible sight lines into and out of the plaza.
Market Plaza Alternatives
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Neighborhoods and Economic Development2024
A ALT 1: Locating a future market plaza at the terminus of the
Garden Street, could also provide a centralized location for
entrepreneurial activities, gathering, and civic events.
A
Potential Future City Hall
Gard
e
n
S
t
r
e
e
t
Shingl
e
C
r
e
e
k
P
a
r
k
w
a
y
Market Plaza Alternative
Shingle Creek Crossing
Strip Mall
City-Owned Property
Shingle Creek CrossingShingle Creek Crossing
Strip MallStrip Mall
Restaurant DepotRestaurant Depot
North End Market Plaza ConceptOpportunity SIte North End Ownership
50
DRAFT
Urban Manufacturing and Employment
Re-introducing employment
uses, particularly small- and
medium scale manufacturing,
within the Opportunity Site
is a chance to spur economic
development, provide good
paying jobs near housing, and
supports a greater mix of uses
within the Downtown. Critical to
the success of employment uses
will be thoughtful design that is
cohesive and complementary to
the adjacent TOD district, and
design that leverages Downtown
amenities.
DESIGN
Orientation of site so trucks access regional
roadways
Two (multi) story light industrial buildings
wherever possible
Rooftop community solar and micro grid
Pervious pavement to encourage infi ltra-
tion
Businesses with public interface located at
activity nodes that face the neighborhoood
Clear and simple pedestrian connections to
the neightbohood
Support transit access along the neighbor-
hood seam
Green edge for stormwater, trails, habitat
public art and other shared amenities
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Living wage jobs with low barrier to entry
Higher than average job density (minimum 25 jobs/acre)
Local hiring and local job development
Incubator / Accelerator / Collaboration space for small business and start ups
Net Positive tax base
COMMUNITY BENEFITS OF MODERN LIGHT INDUSTRIAL INTEGRATED WITH A NEIGHBORHOOD
A
A
C
C
E
E
G
G
B
B
D
D
F
F
H
H
Site is oriented so trucks access regional
roadways without needing to drive
through the TOD district
Businesses and supportive retail with a
public interface are located at activity
nodes that face neighborhoods
Multistory buildings, whenever
appropriate, to maximize site efficiency
Clear, visible, and simple pedestrian
connections into and across the
manufacturing district are available from
surrounding neighborhoods
Rooftop solar grids created opportunities
for sustainable “closed loop” systems
Transit readiness and access are
developed for broader employee and
patron access
Pervious pavement and BMPs encourage
infiltration and mitigate pollutants from
runoff
Green edges that promote stormwater
sustainability, and amenitize the “seam”
edge of the manufacturing district
Blending urban manufacturing with a neighborhood
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Neighborhoods and Economic Development2024
Creating an urban manufacturing uses within a TOD district requires
attention to use-type as well as site and building design. This leads to a more
cohesive transition to and from the adjacent TOD district.
»The public entrances of buildings are human scale, oriented north along the Parkway,
and when appropriate, reflect similar designs and materials from the surrounding
TOD district.
»Vehicle and truck access is focused to the east and west allowing the north edge along
the Parkway to remain pedestrian oriented.
»A soft northern and western edge or “seam”, that creates a natural transition from
residential and retail uses into the manufacturing area. This may be done with
landscaping, public art, and loading public-facing supportive retail on the north edge
of the manufacturing district
51
DRAFT
Housing along the Garden Street
The Garden Street presents a
unique opportunity to create
a pedestrian-focused spine
connecting the north and south
ends of the Opportunity Site.
As a shared street with walk-
up residential units, the garden
street is both a connector and
a destination for community
gathering, recreation, and
relaxation. Townhome units
can also create opportunities
for home ownership and lower
barriers for first-time or lower-
income home buyers.
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Neighborhoods and Economic Development2024
Housing along the Garden Street will include low or medium profile walk-up residential units with street-facing amenity space and
activated ground floors. Housing could include owner- and renter-units, and live/work units.
Garden Street
52
DRAFT
Multiple building types and development intensities on a
standard block pattern
The Downtown will have a
series of similarly (though not
identically) sized and shaped
blocks that make up the general
urban fabric. The pattern creates
a series of developable blocks
that are small enough to be
pedestrian friendly, but large
enough to have multiple building
types on each block.
Multiple Building Types on each
Downtown Block
31 *
Units/acre
40
Units/acre
60
Units/acre
80
Units/acre
130
Units/acre
Low Intensity
Medium Intensity
High Intensity
Low Intensity
High Intensity
Medium Intensity
* Minimum density in MX-C district is 10 units per acre
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Neighborhoods and Economic Development2024
Guidelines for Developments of a
Downtown Brooklyn Center Block
»Blocks are between 2.5 and 5 acres,
block faces should not exceed 500
feet.
»Buildings are oriented towards the
perimeter of the blocks with all
parking either in the middle of the
block or to the side of buildings.
» Parking should be shielded from the
sidewalks and structured whenever
possible.
»Each block face should have multiple
entries to create as much activity on
the front of the building as possible.
»Ground floor residential units are set
back from the sidewalk no more than
10 feet to create a small garden or
patio
»Interior courtyards and passages are
encouraged; however, they should
not detract from creating active
sidewalks and a well defined street
space
»Nonresidential uses are set on or
within 10’ of the front property line.
53
DRAFT
11
44
55
6633 88
77 101099
1111
1212
1313
22
*Totals are rounded for estimation purposes
** Densities based on MX-C zoning
Anticipated Densities
1*
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10
11
12
13 **
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Neighborhoods and Economic Development2024
* Block 1 includes all five blocks of the Phase 1 redevelopment site
** pending future MnDOT ROW outcome, and roadway alignment decisions
Estimated Development Program
Estimated Residential
Program Densities Estimated Nonresidential Program Floor Areas
Block Area
(acres rounded)
Low*
(31 u/ac)
Average*
(80 u/ac)
High*
(130 u/ac)Square Feet of Retail Square Feet of
Employment
1
(Phase 1)15 743 743 743 30,000 - 40,000
(with EMP)-
2 1 31 80 130 --
3 1 31 80 130 --
4 5 155 400 650 5,000 - 10,000 -
5 3 93 240 390 10,000 - 20,000 -
6 3.5 109 280 455 10,000 - 20,000 -
7**7.5 75 600 975 10,000 - 20,000 -
8**5.5 55 440 715 10,000 - 20,000 -
9**3.5 35 280 455 --
10**2.5 25 200 325 --
11**3 30 240 390 --
12 16 ---200,000 - 400,000
13 4 ----15,000
TOTAL 70 1,382 3,610 5,385 75,000 - 130,000 200,000-400,000
DRAFT
54Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Implementation2024
Implementation
55
DRAFT
Opportunity Site Suggested Targets
The public process around this plan emphasized
the need for accountability throughout the
development and implementation of the plan.
While this can be complex in the context of a
multi-year, multi-stage build-out, it is important to
identify how projects will be held to the standards
developed through this plan. In particular, there
is concern that the development’s benefits accrue
to Brooklyn Center residents and stakeholders,
including diverse groups that in the past been
excluded from benefits and/or disproportionately
shouldered adverse impacts.
The targets for this plan are still in development
through the community-driven process. However,
the following are provided based on engagement
to date – with the recognition that they are likely to
change based on further input.
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Implementation2024
Targets for the Planning
Process
»Documented of outcomes of
project-based engagement
»Completed and approved
Community Benefits
agreement (Appendix 4)
»Completed and approved
Equity Development
Framework (Appendix 5)
»Documented mitigation
measures for adverse impacts
and risk factors
Targets for Housing and
Residential Communities
»New housing units will be a
mix of affordable and market
rate, rental and owned, based
on recommendations for the
Opportunity Site Housing
Framework (Appendix 7)
»Housing framework and policies
regularly reviewed and revised as
development occurs
»Presence of housing types that
meet needs in community
»Availability of renter/homeowner
assistance for local households
»Development of housing types
that support mixed income
communities
»Identify and secure outside
housing funding sources to
leverage local investments
»Development of live-work units
to support small businesses and
home occupations.
»New housing includes walk up,
townhome, and similarly scaled
unit design
Targets for Economic
Development and
Employment
»Percentage and type of
affordable commercial space
for businesses
»Contractor hiring requirements
for construction phase of
projects, including DBEs
»Location of locally owned firms
within the project, including
small, start-up, and minority
owned enterprises
»Presence of incubator space
with accompanying supporting
services for small businesses
»Good jobs for residents of
the city, including needed
placement, training, and
retention services as applicable
Targets for Transportation
and Connectivity
»New off-road trail connections
through the site
»Transit readiness for future
transit services to the site, with
enhanced bus stop/bus station
facilities
»Pedestrian amenities
throughout the entire site
»Sustainable funding mechanism
established to maintain
infrastructure and public realm
Targets for Public Realm,
Public Spaces, and
Environment
»Access for residents to
recreational amenities
»Presence of multicultural-event
spaces that are affordable and
accessible to the community
»Programming for recreation,
culture, arts, youth activities,
etc.
»Public space design that is
reflective of a multicultural
community
»Funding mechanism for
constructing and maintain
public art, and support for
incorporating art in private
development (e.g. art
dedication fee)
56
DRAFT
Implementation Framework
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Implementation2024
The Implementation Plan is focused on key elements as determined
by the City of Brooklyn Center. The approach is divided into three
categories of strategies detailed below: private sector, public sector,
and community partnership.
Private Sector : led by private sector development and investment;
city role focuses on support, collaboration, review, and approval
in response to private sector initiative (e.g. new commercial and
residential development, land assembly, development partnerships).
Considerations include:
• Profitability and potential gaps needing subsidy
• Consistency with community goals and context
• Public-private partnerships
• Defining and supporting community benefit
Public Sector – led by the city and consistent with typical public role;
while additional resources may be needed, there is a relatively defined
path toward implementation (e.g. new roads, sewer, parks, trails, basic
governmental services). Considerations include:
• Prioritizing infrastructure improvements
• Funding and timing of improvements
• Balancing cost and innovation
• Maintenance and useful life
Community Partnership – a project or initiative that involves finding
new ways to work together creatively to achieve something that
is unique and adds value to the community. Successful community
partnerships will include:
• Identifying project champions and leads
• Developing an implementation approach
• Fund-raising and building support
• Identifying who will own and maintain facilities
This Implementation Plan provides an overall summary of the key
elements of implementation along with goals, identifies milestones
known at this time, notes interdependencies and identifies challenges.
Individual Implementation Plan focus areas will be tracked in greater
detail on an individual project basis. Where this is overlap between
categories, tasks will be associated with the lead agency, and
coordination with others will be noted.
On-Going Work & Impacts
The master planning process identified the need for continued in-
depth studies to inform not only the Opportunity Site redevelopment
strategy, but also overall city policies and practices.
It is important to note that much of this work will extend beyond the
completion of the master plan, however, the work can be scheduled
to allow for outcomes that are needed to inform opportunity site
development, and city wide process improvements.
Equity: The city is exploring a range of tools, including an equity
development framework (see Appendix III), to assess impacts of
the Opportunity Site on the well-being of community members,
particularly minority and historically underrepresented groups.
Housing Affordability, Displacement, and Gentrification:
Interrelated with equity, an assessment should be conducted on the
potential impacts of development on current and future housing
affordability and availability city-wide.
Health: The master plan suggests best practices in health-promoting
community design towards maximizing public health outcomes.
Pending future funding, a formal Health Impact Assessment could
provide additional guidance on site build out, and open new avenaues
for project funding.
Environment: Impacts on the environment are a significant
consideration of the Opportunity Site’s vision. The City is
considering an alternative urban area wide review (AUAR), a flexible
environmental assessment tool that addresses the impacts of multi-
phase redevelopment scenarios and offers possible mitigation
strategies.
Traffic: The impact of the development upon current traffic flows
and expected new traffic generation is being utilized to inform new
and updated mobility infrastructure. Additionally, the Site’s traffic
assessments take into consideration opportunities for future transit
and multimodal service and connectivity.
Financial Analysis: A series of assessments of the City’s financial
position were conducted early in the master planning process, to
establish as preliminary understanding of how the city might address
subsidies, costs, and revenue sources. As development occurs, these
models should be updated to reflect new development impacts.
57
DRAFT
Implementation Focus Areas
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Implementation2024
Key Focus Areas Timing Goals and Objectives Community Benefit
1) Continue to engage the
community
Ongoing »Establish regular communication channels to provide and gather input from the community
at major development milestones
»Clearly summarize feedback and communicate back to the community
»Community stakeholders have influence in their community
»Developments benefit the community and are appropriate for their use and
enjoyment
2) Complete environmental
reviews and systems assessments
As Development
Occurs
»Meet all local, state, and federal requirements
»Pursue enhanced systems and facilities through community partnerships
»Improved public services and public realm, including environmental
sustainability and management of impacts of development
»Support for catalytic change that can generate multiple community benefits
»Coordination with developers and jurisdictions to improve outcomes for all
3) Establish developer agreements
for the Opportunity Site
2025-2026 »Mutually supported agreement that achieves multiple private and public goals
»Clear understanding of roles relating to funding and implementation
»Development that has broad public support and achieves community
4) Develop communication
strategy and materials for on-
going Opportunity Site messaging
2025-2026 »Create a communications strategy and collateral materials to ensure the community and
key stakeholders:
»Are informed and in the know
»Understand benefits
»Know how to engage
»Know of opportunities
»Possible impact to overall city brand
»Opportunity to incorporate local partners and services in project
»Public messaging around community priorities
58
DRAFT
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Implementation2024
FOCUS AREA 1 | Continue to Engage the Community
Major Activities Project Team Timing &
Coordination
Results and Deliverables Additional Resources
Required
Community Benefits
Private Sector
Provide neccessary materials to review
and vet development proposals, required
studies
Developer in coordination with
City
Prior to entitlement process Community-reviewed and City-approved
building plans and studies
None Information and understanding of Opportunity Site
build out and specific development updates
Ongoing tenant and property
management
Developer After opening of development properties Ongoing property management None Well maintained property that meet community
needs
Public Service
Property inspection and monitoring City After opening of phase one development Ongoing compliance None Well maintained property
Periodic public communication
and updates on Opportunity Site
development milestones, events
City in close coordination with
developers, property owners
As development occurs Public awareness of Opportunity Site
build out process, milestones
None Information and understanding of Opportunity Site
build out and specific development updates
Community Partnership
Participation and feedback on general
communications, development review,
and project updates
Public organizations, local
stakeholders
As development and communication
occurs
Public awareness of Opportunity Site
build out process, milestones
None Information and understanding of Opportunity Site
build out and specific development updates
59
DRAFT
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Implementation2024
Major Activities Project Team Timing &
Coordination
Results and Deliverables Additional Resources
Required
Community Benefits
Private Sector
City, and state required
assessments – e.g.
environmental, survey, traffic,
geotechnical, etc
Developer, with review and coordination
by the city
Prior to entitlement process Required reports and findings, potential
mitigation identified
Possibility of collaboration on broader
scope of review for district-level
assessment
Identification and mitigation of site issues and
project impacts
Public Sector
Comprehensive Plan
Amendment
City Prior to development approvals Amended Comprehensive Plan that
reflects master plan land use vision
None Alignment of city policies with community-
expressed master plan
Complete site analysis over and
above developer baseline – e.g.
AUAR
City, with developer and other jurisdiction
coordination on joint effort
Prior to entitlement process Technical reports and findings Identification of additional funding for
studies
Identification and addressing site issues and
project impacts; support for district-level
improvements
Future City Hall determination City with financial consultant Coordination with master planning to
confirm location and plan integration
Determination of potential to relocate
city hall/community center
Resources for study, design, and
implementation
More accessible and public-serving city hall
Partnerships
Traffic analysis related to
Highway 100 ramps
City in coordination with MnDOT Coordination with timing of MnDOT
improvements, potential ramp removal
or reconfiguration; development impacts
Traffic study and recommendations,
beyond scope required for development
MnDOT participation in study and
implementation
Addressing traffic flow and safety issues; possible
benefit to Opporunity Site layout and connectivity
District stormwater approach
with Shingle Creek
City in coordination with watershed Coordination with watershed approval
of development applications; Prior to
entitlement process
Regularly updated stormwater modeling,
to be attached to watershed permit
applications
Identification of additional funding for
implementation
Enhanced stormwater and open space
improvements; environmental resiliency
Regional park and trail
connectivity
City in coordination with Three Rivers
Park District
Prior to infrastructure construction;
coordination with Three Rivers Parks
District on connection locations
Trail connections from the Opportunity
Site to Shingle Creek Regional Trail
Identification of additional funding for
implementation
Enhanced and safer multimodal service and
connectivity
Future transit service within the
Opportunity Site
City in coordination with Metro Transit Prior to infrastructure construction;
coordination with Metro Transit on
internal routes and stop locations
Internal Opportunity Site transit service
along the Parkway
Metro Transit participation in study and
implementation
Enhanced and safer multimodal service and
connectivity
FOCUS AREA 2 | Complete Environmental Reviews and Systems Assessments
60
DRAFT
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Implementation2024
Major Activities Project Team Timing &
Coordination
Results and Deliverables Additional Resources
Required
Community Benefits
Private Sector
Development Plan submittal Developer, with review and coordination
by the city
Prior to entitlement process Site plans and all required elements None Community opportunity to review and provide
feedback on development plans
Construction of phase one
development
Developer, with review and coordination
with the city
Initiated by 2025 (anticipated)Project complete, certificate of
occupancy
Identification of additional funding for
implementation
New housing, jobs, tax base, community
revitalization, etc.
Public Sector
Public finance strategy City with financial consultant Prior to development agreement Input into developer agreement None Appropriate use of public resources
Adopt Opportunity Site
Community Benefits Agreement
Template
City 2025-2026 Template for guiding the creation of
community benefits agreements; project
outcomes serve the communty
None at this time
Infrastructure plans and
construction for phase one
needs – e.g. roads, utilities,
lighting, public realm
City in collaboration with developer By the completion of phase one
(anticipated 2025-2026)
Site infrastructure design necessary to
support phase one, future Opportunity
Site build out
Identification of additional funding for
implementation
Strong and relient public infrastructure to support
development and meet public needs
Public Subsidy determinations -
e.g. TIF districts
City, with financial consultant Prior to entitlement process Approved public subsidy notes None Identified funding for site improvements that
benefit the community
Community Partnership
Community feedback on
development proposals,
community benefit agreement
City in collaboration with local partners,
stakeholders
Prior to entitlement process Enhanced site design to support
community and master plan goals;
informed public that has knowledge of
project developments
None Development supports community vision;
engaged and empower community
FOCUS AREA 2 | Establish Developer Agreements for Opportunity Site
61
DRAFT
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Implementation2024
FOCUS AREA 4 | Develop Communications Strategy and Collateral Materials For Opportunity
Site Build Out
Major Activities Project Team Timing &
Coordination
Results and Deliverables Additional Resources
Required
Community Benefits
Private Sector
Meet with city and local
stakeholders to review and
vet development proposals,
required studies
Developer, with assistance from City Prior to entitlement process Community-reviewed and City-approved
building plans and studies
None Promote consistency with master plan vision
Public Sector
Develop site-specific
development materials to
advertise developable parcels
City 2025 Marketing material outlining key parcel
information
None, unless product needs to be more
specific to phase one development
Promote consistency with master plan vision;
development of targeted parcels
Develop public communication
materials for conveying
information during project
milestones
City 2025-2026 Unified branding and marketing materials
for use in external communications of
project milestones
Identification of additional funding
for implementation; establish
communication channels
Information and understanding of Opportunity
Site build out and specific development updates
Community Partnership
Convene project stakeholders
and potential partners to
communicate project details
City in coordination with developer,
community organizations
As development occurs Review and distribution of
communication materials
To be determined Promote culturally responsive dissemination of
information and understanding of Opportunity
Site build out and specific development updates
62
DRAFT
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Implementation2024
Potential Funding for Community Projects
Program Description Max Award Solicitation Timing
Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP)For local road construction or reconstruction projects with local, regional, or statewide significance that
cannot reasonably be funded through other revenue sources. The LRIP funds must be used outside Trunk
Highway right-of-way and do not require a set local match.
County/State Aid City - $1,000,000
Small City/Township - $750,000
Fall
Regional Solicitation For locally initiated projects that meet regional transportation needs in the seven-county metro area.
Funding categories include Roadways Including Multi modal Elements, Transit and Travel Demand
Management (TDM) Projects, and Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities (including Safe Routes to School
(SRTS)).
Varies widely by funding category Every 2-years
Local Partnership Program (LPP) Intended to pay for a portion of the Trunk Highway eligible construction costs of the project and up to 8%
of the construction engineering costs (for inspection, contract administration, surveying and materials
testing as applicable, based on the Trunk Highway eligible costs. Locally led projects that are not large
scale enough to be led by MnDOT.
$710,000 April
Transportation Economic Development
(TED)
To fund construction, reconstruction, and improvement of state and local transportation infrastructure in
order to; create and preserve jobs, improve the state’s economic competitiveness, increase the tax base,
accelerate transportation improvements to enhance safety and mobility, and promote partnerships with
the private sector.
$10,000,000 June
Transportation Economic Development
Infrastructure (TEDI)
To fund public infrastructure construction that provide economic and employment benefits $500,000 June
Corridors of Commerce For the construction, reconstruction and improvement of trunk highways, for projects not already in the
State Transportation Improvement Program, to provide additional highway capacity on segments where
there are currently bottlenecks in the system and improve the movement of freight and reduce barriers to
commerce.
n/a Varies as program is funded
Minnesota Highway Freight Program
(MNHFP)
For infrastructure and operational improvements to US highways, and improving safety, security,
efficiency and resiliency of freight transportation. All public roads, are eligible for this money.
n/a Varies as program is funded
Infrastructure for Rebuilding America
(INFRA) -
To improve major highways, bridges, ports, and railroads around the country to better connect
communities, and to enhance safety and economic growth.
n/a September
Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage
Development (BUILD)
To repair, rebuild, and revitalize significant surface transportation infrastructure projects with a significant
impact in their local or regional communities including roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports or inter modal
transportation.
$25M November
Department of Employment (DEED) Funding for Business Development, Community Development, Infrastructure, and Site Clean-up and
Redevelopment projects that result in economic growth.
Varies with each program category Varies with each program
category
63
DRAFT
Downtown Brooklyn Center Master Plan Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Implementation2024
John Martin Drive and a
new Main Street
The Parkway and Regional
Stormwater Park
BC PlazaGarden Street
Vision for a New Downtown Brooklyn Center
Located at the geographic center of Brooklyn
Center and at nexus of regional trails, roads, and
natural systems, Downtown Brooklyn Center will
become a new social, recreational and commercial
center for the community. It will become a source
of community pride as it draws on the remarkable
spectrum of people - diverse in background and
age - who have chosen to live in and invest in
Brooklyn Center.
The Downtown will evolve gradually over time,
both in response to market forces as well as
shaped by the public vision for a new Downtown.
The Plan proposes a mix of uses and spaces that
create neighborhoods and nodes of activity. These
places within the Downtown will allow new and
existing residents of Brooklyn Center to gather,
recreate, work, and live.
APPENDIX A PUBLIC REALM AND ART FRAMEWORK
1 Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site | Art Integration Strategies | 12.9.22
Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site
Art Integration Strategies
Juxtaposition Arts
2 Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site | Art Integration Strategies | 12.9.22
The Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site will be a new, 80 acre
urban neighborhood at the former site of the Brookdale Mall.
The City of Brooklyn Center, contracting with Bolton and Menk,
envisioned that the public realm for this new neighborhood –
including streets, stormwater infrastructure, and park space –
would integrate artwork in a cohesive way and reflect the
Brooklyn Center community.
This report establishes a theme that can be strategically
integrated into street design, street furniture, and public art.
The theme also sets a naming scheme for the new streets.
The art integration strategies were developed by the
Environmental Design Studio at Juxtaposition Arts. The
“Enviro” studio is a non-profit based in North Minneapolis that
hires youth apprentices to work on professional design projects
throughout the Twin Cities. Two of the youth apprentices on
this project live in Brooklyn Center. The Enviro studio is led by a
licensed architect and an urban planner.
Overview | Background & Objectives
Overview | Unifying Theme for the Public Realm
3 Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site | Art Integration Strategies | 12.9.22
The Brooklyn Center City Council chose the theme of
“Confluencia” to unify street design, street furniture, and public
art pieces throughout the Opportunity Site. “Confluencia,” or
confluence in Spanish, uses the metaphor of rivers flowing
together to represent the coming together of Brooklyn Center’s
many cultures.
The Council chose “Confluencia” as a representation of the
diversity of the Brooklyn Center community, and to celebrate
Shingle Creek, which flows next to the Opportunity Site shortly
before its confluence with the Mississippi River.
This report presents strategies for integrating the “Confluencia”
theme into street names, street furniture, and public art to
create a new urban neighborhood that is unique to Brooklyn
Center. It also includes perspective views of of the theme
applied holistically to the public realm.
Multilingual Street Names
4 Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site | Art Integration Strategies | 12.9.22
Multilingual Street Names | Site Plan
5 Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site | Art Integration Strategies | 2.27.23
Starting with the “Confluencia” theme,
we developed street names that relate
to water and coming together. We then
translated the street names into some of
the most commonly spoken languages
in Brooklyn Center.
The street names for the Opportunity
Site align to the use of the street. For
example, Bdote, which means
confluence in Dakota, is the name for
the parkway that will collect traffic from
all the streets in this new neighborhood.
Native speakers of the respective
languages in Brooklyn Center were
consulted, including high schools
students at Park Center and Brooklyn
Center High School.
Multilingual Street Names | Signs
6 Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site | Art Integration Strategies | 12.9.22
Multilingual street names will require
additional information for people to
fully understand and appreciate them.
The design of street signs is tightly
regulated, so we propose adding artistic
signage to the post to give additional
information.
This artistic signage would tell the
language of of the street name, its
English translation, and its original
spelling, as well as pronunciation.
7 Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site | Art Integration Strategies | 12.9.22
Street Furniture
Street Furniture | City Standard
8 Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site | Art Integration Strategies | 12.9.22
DuMor 165-series bench
DuMor receptacle
Dero bike hitch
Brooklyn Center currently has a
standard set of street furniture pieces.
We propose integrating the
“Confluencia” theme into the street
furniture by modifying some of the
existing pieces and adding some
custom pieces. This will mitigate some
of the increased maintenance costs
while adding unique pieces that set the
Opportunity Site apart.
Philips lamp post
Street Furniture | Confluencia
9 Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site | Art Integration Strategies | 12.9.22
DuMor 165-series bench
DuMor receptacle
Dero custom bike rack
Brooklyn Center currently has a
standard set of street furniture pieces.
We propose integrating the
“Confluencia” theme into the street
furniture by modifying some of the
existing pieces and adding some
custom pieces. This will mitigate some
of the increased maintenance costs
while adding unique pieces that set the
Opportunity Site apart.
Philips lamp post
(with banners and pole wrap)
Landscape Forms ‘Lakeside’ Planter
Gateway Sculptures
10 Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site | Art Integration Strategies | 12.9.22
11
Gateway Sculptures | Design Process
Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site | Art Integration Strategies | 12.9.22
Most residents and visitors to the
Opportunity Site will arrive through one
of three prominent intersections. We
used the “Confluencia” them to design
gateway sculptures for these
intersections to welcome people and
establish the identity for this unique
neighborhood.
Youth apprentices in the Enviro studio
used sketching and physical models to
develop two concepts for the gateway
sculptures. The first concept is a
stand-alone sculpture placed along the
roadway. The second concept is an arch
that bridges across the roadway.
Gateway Sculpture | Stand-alone Sculpture
12 Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site | Art Integration Strategies | 12.9.22
Gateway Sculpture | Archway
13 Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site | Art Integration Strategies | 12.9.22
“Confluencia” streetscapes
14 Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site | Art Integration Strategies | 12.9.22
15
lamp wrap
and banners
custom
bike racks
new planter type
confluencia
shade structure
artistic
fountain
confluencia
pavement
patterns
“Confluencia” Streetscapes | Wakpa Boulevard from John Martin Drive
Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site | Art Integration Strategies | 12.9.22
16
“Confluencia” Streetscapes | Wakpa Boulevard from Shingle Creek
gateway
sculpture
lamp wrap
and banners
custom
bike racks
shade
structure
patterned bands in sidewalk
and bike path
Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site | Art Integration Strategies | 12.9.22
APPENDIX B COMMUNITY BENFEFITS TEMPLATE
Opportunity Site Master Plan
Appendix B – Community Benefits Agreement Template DRAFT
I. Intro
The buildout of the Opportunity Site is intended to be a collaborative endeavor between the City and developers
who seek to join the City in improving quality of life for all who call the Brooklyn Center home. To ensure
equitable distribution of the benefits of development and to minimize unfavorable consequences to the
community, the City of Brooklyn Center requires the use of a Community Benefits Agreement for all new
development within the Opportunity Site that includes public subsidy or participation, including but not limited
to: land write downs, fee waiver, city sponsored grants, TIF, and tax abatement..
A Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) is a legal contract between the City of Brooklyn Center (via the City’s
Economic Development Authority) and the development team of a private development project, that lays out
how the proposed development will deliver a series of benefits to the broader community. CBAs are legally
binding documents signed by both the City and the developer, which both entities can enforce. The City views
these documents as the culmination of collaborative negotiations and partnership between the city and
development team to realize the goals of the Opportunity Site as outlined in the Opportunity Site Master Plan
[link once ready].
Towards this end, the City has created this CBA development tool with a template collection of community-
identified benefits that City Staff and the development team can appropriately tailor on a project-by-project
basis.
II. CBA Development and Approval Process.
The City recognizes that not all listed benefits are practical or necessary for every development project.
However, it is the expectation that city staff and the development team partner in good faith to mutually
identify a reasonable set of community benefits that can be delivered by the project. A CBA is required for any
project that includes public subsidy or public participation. A draft CBA is necessary for any development
application sent to the city to be considered “complete”.
Creation of a draft CBA will be conducted by city staff on behalf of the City’s Planning and Housing Commissions.
A joint meeting of the Commissions to review and approve a draft CBA is necessary to include the CBA with the
development team’s development application. The City Council will then have final review and approval power
as part of the standard development review process.
Upon City approval, the CBA will go into effect and be enforced according to the conditions outlined in the CBA.
CBA Template Tool Overview
I. Select and Customize Benefits
Each CBA should be crafted in a well-balanced manner that leverages the private investment of a development
project towards meeting City and community goals, while respecting the position and capacities of any one
project.
To these ends, city staff and the development team should consider the following when identifying and
negotiating project benefits:
1. What is the anticipated project use type and programming?
a. Consider project land use type(s), anticipated residential units, anticipated commercial intensity and
jobs, project footprint and scale, economic impacts, location within the opportunity site, developer
background and history,
2. How does the project intend to meet expressed local goals and policies? How can it be leveraged to more
explicitly reflect these goals and policies?
a. Consider guidance from the Comprehensive Plan, Opportunity Site Master Plan, the Opportunity
Site Public Realm Plan (JXTA).
3. How does the project meet City/local development and design standards? How can it be leveraged to
exceed the standards?
a. Consider policies such as the Unified Development Ordinance and the TOD Zoning district.
4. How does the project intend to reflect community values? How can it be leveraged to more explicitly
reflect these values?
i. Diversity and Inclusivity
ii. Affordability
iii. Health and Wellness
iv. Fiscal Responsibility
v. Flexibility
vi. Community Pride
vii. Environmental Sustainability
viii. Local Benefit
ix. Counteracting Displacement
5. How feasible are desired benefits? Will the development team be able to deliver identified benefits?
Which benefits are “non-negotiable” expectations for this project?
a. Consider questions such as:
i. Burden. Is delivery of the benefit overly burdensome?
ii. Proportionality. Is the scale of the project proportional to benefit?
iii. Feasibility. Are selected benefits feasibly produced by the developer?
iv. Compatibility/Reality. Are selected benefits realistic/compatible with similar projects?
Using the CBA Template Tool
1. Complete the Project Summary section below.
2. Review and select benefits based on project type, context, and other considerations.
3. Customize selected benefits as appropriate.
4. Once confirmed, integrate selected benefits into formal CBA document(s). An example template is provided at
this end of this tool.
It is anticipated that the review, selection, and customization of benefits will be an iterative process during the planning
and design process of a development project. As such, collaborative completion of this CBA Template should be seen as
part of the project planning & design phase of the development project.
Project Summary
Project Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Project Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Development Team: _______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Project Program Summary: ___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Public Subsidy or Involvement Summary: ________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
CBA TEMPLATE
This Project Name Community Benefits Agreement ("[Project CBA]") is made and executed on this [Date], by and between the City
of Brooklyn Center as defined herein (“BC”) and [Developer Name], as defined herein ("DEV") (COM and DEV each a "Party", and
collectively the "Parties"), for the benefit of the residents of Brooklyn Center, as related to the construction by
[Developer/Contractor] of a new product/project (the "Project") on a portion of the Project Site (as hereinafter defined).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, DEV, through its coalition members, has identified a number of significant needs of residents in the vicinity of the Project
Site and more broadly residents of Brooklyn Center; and
WHEREAS, the [Developer/Contractor] will build the [Project] on a portion of the X-acre Opportunity Site located at [Address] (the
"Project Site"); and
WHEREAS, BC and DEV desire to address some of the significant needs of local residents through this Project CBA.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises and mutual covenants and agreements herein set forth, DEV and BC do
hereby agree to execute this Project CBA as follows:
I Definitions
1 Affordable housing
2 Deeply affordable housing
3 Area median income (AMI)
II Responsibilities
1 Category 1: Housing and Residential Communities
2 Category 2: Economic Development and Employment Opportunities
3 Category 3: Transportation and Connectivity
4 Category 4: Public Realm, Public Space, and Public Life
5 Category 5: Sustainability, Resilience, and the Natural Environment
III Monitoring, Timelines, and Enforcement
IV BC Support Obligations
V Expenses/Terminations
APPENDIX C EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
1
Opportunity Site Master Plan
Appendix C – Equity Development Framework DRAFT
I. Overview of Equity Development Framework
The Brooklyn Center Opportunity Site is 80 acres in the heart of the city, and the future location
of a new downtown. Much of the site is publicly owned, meaning that the City of Brooklyn
Center is a major stakeholder on new development in this area. The City deeply engaged the
public during the Master Plan visioning and planning process, with the aim to establish a
development process that delivers substantial public benefits. Through this, the City of Brooklyn
Center aims to achieve equity and inclusivity within the Opportunity Site land use, parks and
open space, and access and mobility.
Land use and Infrastructure play a foundational role in promoting and ensuring equity. Equitable
and inclusive design is community focused, and considers what features stakeholders need to
thrive.
The buildout of the Opportunity Site is intended to be a collaborative endeavor between the
City and developers who seek to join the City in improving quality of life for all who call the
Brooklyn Center home. To ensure equitable distribution of development outcomes and to
minimize unfavorable consequences to the community, the City of Brooklyn Center requires the
completion of this Equity Development Framework for all new development within the
Opportunity Site that includes public subsidy or participation, including but not limited to: land
write downs, fee waiver, city sponsored grants, TOF, and tax abatement.
Centering equity and inclusion expectations at the outset of the development process intends to
yield better outcomes for everyone involved. This tool therefore provides a community-
informed framework towards ensuring new development is an integral piece of progress for
those who have historically been excluded from decision-making processes, suffered disparities
in health and wealth, and given few to no opportunities.
II. Framework Purpose
This Equity Development Framework is an actionable process of assessing private development
projects through the lens of the Opportunity Site Master Plan Principles, and practices of
equitable development and environmental justice.
This framework is intended to be used primarily by city staff for evaluating a proposed
development project within the Opportunity Site, during the design process. However, it is
expected that the Framework is a collaborative and iterative process with prospective
developers. It should be expressed to prospective developers that the equity framework will be
used to assess development projects.
The Equity Development Framework is to be included for City consideration with development
applications in the Opportunity Site.
2
III. Private Development Expectations
To ensure new development furthers the City and Master Plan vision of the Opportunity Site, all
development is expected to adhere to the following expectations:
• Land Use: Land use in the Opportunity Site is primarily guided as Transit Oriented Development
(TOD). The TOD district supports opportunities for transit-supportive and transit-oriented
development, development patterns that supports walking, biking, and vibrant pedestrian
activity.
• Open Spaces: Open spaces in the Opportunity Site contribute to and integrate with a systems-
approach of the public realm, streets, trails, plazas, parks, and pedestrian areas. These spaces
must be inclusive, and promote healthy living, gathering, social gathering, and environmental
responsibility. New private spaces must connect to the larger system, while creating an “inside
out” community that allows for year-round outdoor usage.
• Access and Connectivity: Access and Connectivity within the Opportunity Site contributes to a
multimodal transportation system, is well connected to the region, and reduces the need to own
a car by providing safe, affordable, convenient, and accessible options. Development shall
prioritize pedestrians by supporting a safe and comfortable environment to walk and bike.
IV. Opportunity Site Goals for Equity & Inclusion
To ensure new development furthers City and Master Plan goals of equity and inclusion in the
Opportunity Site, all development is expected to adhere to the following expectations and
values. These values form the basis and organization of the framework.
• Livability: Livability is a combination of acknowledging the past and present harms, while
working to create a better future for all. The intersection between livability and development can
become the bedrock for restorative, regenerative, and healthy outcomes of historically
marginalized people; promotes inclusion and belonging; and places intention and focus on the
community through history, power and wellness.
• Community Power and Engagement: Equitable engagement and power come from practices
where those community members most affected, connect with and co-create the planning and
design outcomes. Community members should include BIPOC communities along with
immigrants, low-wealth people, renters, families, those with disabilities, senior citizens, and
other historically marginalized communities.
• Economic and Land Use: Equitable economic development must include and prioritize
opportunities like local investment, ownership, and access to quality jobs , to drive long-term,
community wealth building. Upward mobility and economic justice helps economic resiliency and
strength of marginalized communities and businesses through a stronger economy at the local
and neighborhood levels.
• Housing: Affordable, quality, and stable housing is a fundamental element of just and sustainable
housing practices. When people have the housing they need, they can better make important
choices regarding food, health and wellbeing, childcare, and education without sacrificing
livability or quality of life.
3
• Transportation: Physical connections to the greater community through a diversity of modal
options are important to provide residents options to navigate across the neighborhood. As such,
all development should be oriented to all forms of movement, including public transit, walking,
bicycling, and micromobility.
• Environment: Equitable environmental practices must include protecting and supporting the
land, water, and air. Environmental justice and community health must be a priority of new
development, with the goal to promote, sustain, and regenerate the health, wellbeing, and
thriving of people and places.
V. Using the Framework Card
Step #1: Fill out the Project information page. Then turn to page 5.
Step #2: Customize each Equitable Development Category’s categories according to the project,
as not all criteria may apply. Tailor this Framework to be relevant to your specific purpose(s) and
location within the Opportunity Site. Feel free to take notes in empty spaces and add, change, or
put NA (not applicable) that do not apply to the project.
Framework assessment criteria is separated into “Process” and “Outcome” steps.
Step #3: Use the “Glossary” section to clear up any questions of content or definition.
Step #4: Hold conversations with your group around each category , and include notes for
comments or recommendations for each applicable category to inform design or project
outcome revisions. It is expected that this Framework tool may be completed iteratively, and
multiple times prior to a development application submission.
Step #5: Upon final completion of this Framework, City staff will include the completed
framework with their formal staff report for a development application. While there is no
specific “threshold” of Framework completion, City Planning Commission and Council will
consider Framework comments as they consider a development application.
4
Project Information Section
Project Name _____________________________________________________________
Location of Project _________________________________________________________
Lead or Primary Developer ____________________________________________________
Developer Contact Information _________________________________________________
Other Key Stakeholders _______________________________________________________
Brief Description of the Project _________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Public Investments (committed and/or anticipated)
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Developer/applicant anticipated community benefits
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Comments Summary
• Summarize key comments and recommendations from each applicable section used below
Category Summary of Comments & Recommendations
Livability
Community Power &
Engagement
Economic & Land Use
Housing
Transportation
Environment
5
EQUITY DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
LIVABILITY
Process Considerations Outcome Considerations
The project has taken proactive steps with
community leaders to understand local histories, and
cultural and environmental assets of the area to
repair, honor, and integrate these legacies with an
anti-displacement lens into the project and
development process.
The developer is committed to co-creating a set of
mutual agreements at the start of the project and
has committed to accountability measures and long-
term neighborhood relationship building beyond the
design and construction of the project to address
any negative outcomes and embrace community
ideas.
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Building from history gained from community and
research, the developer has worked with community
leaders and government agencies to understand the
current demographics, languages, natural and human
assets, and other key features of the project area to
ensure development enhances the valued attributes
of the area and aligns with the vision of historically
and systemically marginalized people most impacted
by the project.
The project design integrates physical or
programmatic elements that enhance networks of
community care and encourage social interaction
and belonging by creating or restoring spaces for
residents to connect, heal and build power with
each other.
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
The project design seeks to establish or enhance
welcoming and inclusive community access to green
spaces and public gathering areas to enhance the
physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of current
residents.
The project considers opportunities for community
ownership of material and natural assets, including
housing and retail units.
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
6
Community Power and Engagement
Process Considerations Outcome Considerations
The developer involves local historically and
systemically marginalized community members
during the ideation phase of and throughout the
planning and implementation processes to establish
and ensure priorities and criteria guide the project.
Project design promotes social connectedness for a
stronger community- social connections, education,
health, arts, culture, and safety.
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
The developer is working with the community to
identify potential negative impacts and the planning
process and project is actively oriented to avoid or
mitigate those potential harms before the project is
finalized or construction begins.
Development connects to, highlights, and respects
community characteristics, local history, points of
interest, and key features.
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Project information, materials, and meetings are
communicated and available in real time in multiple
formats, presentation styles, and languages that are
representative of the impacted community.
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
7
Economic and Land Use
Process Considerations Outcome Considerations
Local community is given preference when hiring
consultants, contractors, and developers for project.
New capital or investment opportunities are created
to promote small business development,
arts/cultural-based businesses, and entrepreneurial
opportunities,
especially BIPOC-, immigrant-, or women-owned
businesses. Lease agreements give priority to
neighborhood business opportunities.
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
The project will ensure that there is a community-
supported plan to maintain neighborhood
affordability and avoid cultural and physical
displacement.
Design contributes to distinct identities of local
cultural heritage through the
presence, preservation, or addition of architectural
assets, utilizing principles of Universal Design where
able and appropriate.
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
The project involves or supports a diverse range of
businesses and enterprises owned by people of color
to sustain a strong economic base and provide job
opportunities for the community. Economic impacts
are data-driven, and show anticipated positive
economic outcomes driven catalyzed by the project.
Project uses local workforce/education programs to
connect residents to long term employment within
the project and any business, organization, or
property management company occupying the final
development.
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
8
Housing
Process Considerations Outcome Considerations
The project positively reflects local housing needs as
outlined in the Opportunity Site Housing Policy.
Project increases the number of affordable units to
people at 30% - 50% of Area Median
Income.
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Developer commits to make units attainable via
reasonable screening criteria and security deposits,
and does not discriminate based on a resident’s
source of income.
Project supports a range of household types or life
stages that are dignified, safe, and designed with
durable materials. All new or renovated housing is
built or retrofitted with energy efficiency to reduce
utility bills for the residents, and is free from
environmental hazards.
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Developer commits to respectful and relational
management practices that create safety from
landlord harassment, including advance notice and
right to cure for any resident facing eviction, and a
stated just cause for the non renewal of any lease.
Housing is located near amenities (health and social
services, transportation, education, and quality job
opportunities) that promote walkability, livability,
and community.
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
9
Transportation
Process Considerations Outcome Considerations
Development minimizes car-oriented design by
providing and increasing safe, attractive, and
convenient access for pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and
car sharing systems.
Presence of GPS, other wayfinding systems, and
mapping information for pedestrians, bicyclists, and
transit users is provided. Transit information must
be available in the
predominant languages used in Brooklyn Center,
with multi-language signage.
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Surface parking is limited, and all parking facilities
accommodate bicycle daily use and secure storage
and do not limit access of pedestrians.
The project supports public realm and streetscape
quality by including features such as as shade trees,
trash cans, places to sit, and pedestrian-scale
lighting.
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
When located adjacent transit stops, clear and safe
connections to transit is provided.
Building frontage design contributes to a safe,
accessible and welcoming neighborhood
streetscape by adding green spaces and public art,
including public art created by local community
artists.
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
10
Environment
Process Considerations Outcome Considerations
Developer demonstrates an understanding of
environmental justice and knows the local historical
impact of environmental racism and takes direction
from historically and systemically marginalized
people to ensure a new legacy of environmental
sustainability, economic prosperity and social vitality.
Both new development and repairs and
improvements of existing structures use
environmentally responsible, resource- and energy-
efficient materials that support the health of the
environment, local economy and the project’s
occupants and users. In addition to using
environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient
materials, both new
buildings and buildings identified for renovation
meets or exceeds Minnesota’s Sustainable Building
2030 Standards to measure and track energy and
water consumption.
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Development promotes or maintains access to public
green space with clear and safe physical and/or visual
connections.
Development not only remediates past pollution
and meets environmental standards on clean air,
water and soil, but actively restores and improves
environmental systems and habitats in the project
area. The project landscaping uses native plants and
grasses, while removing and/or discouraging
invasive plant species, utilizing integrated, visible
stormwater BMPs where possible.
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Development is aligned with state, regional, and local
climate resiliency goals and takes measures to reduce
adverse climate impacts. The project creates
opportunities for green industry to thrive in Brooklyn
Center.
Building and public space design reflects distinct
identities of local cultural heritage through the
presence, preservation, or addition of architectural
assets.
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
Applicable (circle one): Y N N/A
Comments & Recommendations
VI. Glossary and Resources
11
o links to city resources and dev app forms
o Opp site links
Terms
▪ Affordable
• Affordable housing is defined as when a household spends 30% or less of its
monthly income on housing costs.
▪ Area Median Income (AMI)
• The median income for a specific area, which means that half of the people there
earn above that, and half earn below. Income categories included: Extremely low
income = 30% AMI; Very-low income = 50% AMI; Low-income = 60% AMI; and
moderate income = 80% AMI
▪ Accessibility
• In Minnesota, at least 5% of rental units that are Type A must be accessible per ANSI
A117.1 Section 1003 of the 2020 Minnesota Accessibility Code.
▪ Community Members
• Includes community-based organizations, neighborhoods, and cultural groups.
▪ Community Engagement
• Community engagement involves residents or stakeholders, especially those who
are excluded and isolated, in collective action to create a healthy community.
Impacts of effective community engagement may include community healing,
reclaiming a healthy identity, reconnecting with culture and spirituality, building
relationships, and embracing individual and collective power.
▪ Community Wealth Building
• Community wealth building aims at improving the ability of communities and
individuals to increase asset ownership, anchor jobs locally, expand the provision of
public services, and ensure local economic stability.
▪ Community Power
• True decision-making power is given to communities that live, work, or have cultural
connections to the land in the areas that will be impacted by the project.
▪ Cultural Heritage
• An expression of the ways of living developed by a community and passed on from
generation to generation, including customs, practices, places, objects, artistic
expressions and values. Cultural Heritage is often expressed as either Intangible or
Tangible Cultural Heritage.
▪ Displacement
• Developers, banks, and government start to re-invest in disinvested neighborhoods,
new and different businesses open, and higher income households move in. Current
lower income residents can no longer afford housing and/or lose businesses and
cultural resources that were important to the character and social networks of their
communities.
▪ Economic Justice
12
• Encompasses the moral principles which guide us in designing our economic
institutions. To free each person to engage creatively in the unlimited work beyond
economics, that of the mind and the spirit.
▪ Environmental Impact
• Possible adverse effects caused by a development, industrial, or infrastructural
project or by the release of a substance in the environment.
▪ Environmental Justice
• Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all
people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the
development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws,
regulations, and policies.
▪ Equity
• Just and fair inclusion where all can participate and prosper.
▪ Equitable Development
• Happens when low-income communities and communities of color participate in
and benefit from investments that shape their neighborhoods and regions, creating
healthy, vibrant communities of opportunity.
▪ Green Industry
• Green industry does not harm the environment and provides products or services
related to renewable energy, increased energy efficiency, clean transportation and
fuels, agriculture and natural (water) resource conservation, and pollution
prevention or environmental cleanup.
▪ BIPOC
• Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
▪ Living Wage
• The amount of income needed to provide a decent standard of living. It should pay
for the cost of living in any location.
▪ Livability
• The sum of the factors that add up to an individual, family, and/or community’s
quality of life - including the built and natural environments; economic prosperity;
social stability; equity and capital; educational opportunity; and cultural,
entertainment and recreation possibilities.
▪ Public Sector
• Government-controlled organizations, infrastructure, services, and efforts.
▪ Private Sector
• Organizations, services, and efforts owned, controlled, or managed by private
individuals or enterprises.
▪ Restorative
• Restorative development explicitly acknowledges and seeks to repair the harms of
structural racism through projects that proactively redirect power and benefits to
historically and systemically marginalized communities to heal on their own terms
and define their own futures.
▪ Regenerative
13
• Regenerative development intentionally seeds processes and practices that create
health, wealth and community power in ways that are renewed, cultivated and
sustained over time.
▪ Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
• Transit-oriented development creates compact, mixed-use communities near transit
where people enjoy easy access to jobs and services.
▪ Universal Design
• Universal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all
people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or
specialized design.
▪ Upward Mobility
• The capacity or facility for rising to a higher social or economic position.
ATTACHMENT A - OPPORTUNITY SITE MASTER PLAN APPROVAL
Areas of Possible Comprehensive Plan Amendment
The Opportunity Site’s zoning
is currently divided by John
Martin Drive. To the south
is zoned Transit Oriented
Development (TOD), and to
the north is Commercial Mixed
Use (MX-C). These designations
followed the guidance of the
City’s Comprehensive Plan.
To support the creation of
a vibrant, connected future
downtown, the Opportunity
Site Master Plan envisions
the MX-C areas north of John
Martin Drive to be allowed to
develop at densities allowed
by, and site design standards
required by, the TOD zoning
district.
If a prospective developer is
interested in building at these
higher densities, the Master
Plan would provide the City
policy guidance to support
these efforts. However, the
developer will need to follow
both the City’s standard
development approval process,
AND submit a Comprehensive
Plan Amendment request to
the Metropolitan Council, as
outlined on Attachment B.
Shi
n
g
l
e
C
r
e
e
k
P
a
r
k
w
a
y
Bass Lake Rd
Hennepin Co.
Regional Center
Jo
h
n
M
a
r
t
i
n
D
r
.
Summit Ave
Hw
y
1
0
0
= Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
= Commercial Mixed Use (MX-C)
CURRENT
ZONING
ENVISIONED AS URBAN
MANUFACTURING
Step 1
Applicant prepares a
pre-application form.
Step 2
Project meeting with
applicant & city staff.Step 3
Applicant submits
required application,
including: floor plan/
architectural, registered
land survey, site plan,
elevations of all sides,
landscape plan, utilities/
erosion, grading, and
lighting.
Step 9.2
Allow 60 days for
adjacent jurisdictions to
review the Amendment
request
Step 9.3
City staff submit the
Amendment request
to the MetCouncil.
MetCouncil has 15
days to determine
completeness.
Step 9.4
MetCouncil staff have
up to 60 days to review
the Amendment
Request.
Step 4
Application reviewed by
the City Development
Team. If deemed
complete, staff reports
are completed, legal
notice and publication
as required. Revisions
may be requested.
Step 6
Staff presents report.
Applicant must be
present for Planning
Commission Meeting.
Step 8
Applicant is present at
City Council meeting
when report is
presented.
Step 7
Planning commission
sends recommendation
to City Council.
Step 9
Council provides
conditional approval,
and directs staff to
submit a Comprehensive
Plan and Zoning Map
amendment to the
MetCouncil.Step 9.5
Once approved,
City staff amend the
Comprehensive Plan
and Zoning Map, and
the development
Application proceeds.
Step 5
Applicant receives
reports, project
scheduled for Planning
Commission
Step 9.1
Prepare Comprehensive
Plan Amendment Form,
and materials; Ensure all
required environmental
reviews are complete.
Step 10
Begin building permit
process.
ATTACHMENT B - OPPORTUNITY SITE MASTER PLAN APPROVAL
Development Application Process With Comprehensive Plan Amendment
DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL PROCESS
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
AMENDMENT PROCESS
The Master Plan envisions some areas of the Opportunity Site to be allowed to develop at densities higher than what
is currently allowed in the area’s Commercial Mixed Use zoning. If a developer is interested in building at these higher
densities, they will need to both follow the city’s standard development approval process, AND submit a Comprehensive
Plan Amendment request to the Metropolitan Council. This request will come after conditional city approvals, which will
also direct to city staff to prepare and submit the amendment request with the developer.
Member Graves introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO.2021- 90
RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN OPPORTUNITY SITE INFRASTRUCTURE FRAMEWORK
TO GUIDE THE OPPORTUNITY SITE MASTER PLAN
WHEREAS, the Opportunity Site Master Plan (Master Plan) will be amulti-phased planning
document initiated in 2019, to vision the future redevelopment of the area known as the
Opportunity Site in Brooklyn Center, and will include a technical assessment of the physical
elements of the site, community engagement, feasibility analysis and implementation plan, and;
WHEREAS, a master plan is a big picture, values -driven plan crafted to guide future
development of a specific area. Master plans are not intended to provide specific details on
specific development projects, and often consist of two primary components:
1. An infrastructure framework that comprises the physical layout of the area with land use,
roads, parks, trails, stormwater, utilities, and related elements, and;
2. An implementation fi°amework that identifies how the physical elements will be delivered
and what they are intended to achieve. This component may include development goals,
community benefits, financial feasibility, zoning regulations, and short and longer -term
action steps.
WHEREAS, the Opportunity Site Infrastructure Framework ("Infrastructure Framework") is
a foundational component to the Opportunity Site Master Plan process, as it outlines guidance
regarding land use, road network, public space network, and stormwater system, and;
WHEREAS, the Infrastructure Framework is critical for preserving and progressing the
Opportunity Site Master Plan process because:
The absence of cohesive site -wide policy guidance severely limits the City from aligning
private property reuse or redevelopment in the Opportunity Site with city and community
goals through the development review process;
The Infrastructure Framework ensures consistency of sitde infrastructure planning —
particularly land use, roadway, public space, and stoirnwater systems —which will result
in opportunities for more connective, efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective systems;
It leverages and supports momentum from Three Rivers Park District, which has
committed to a 4 acre "mini -regional park" within the Opportunity Site, and has amended
their parks and trails master plan to include the project. Three Rivers Park District has
also incorporated the park in their 2024 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Engagement for
the park, is scheduled to begin in 2021,
City guidance on site -wide land and infrastructure use will aid city staff in their ongoing
conversations with MnDOT over the future use and ownership of MnDOT held right-of-
way (ROW) at John Martin Drive;
The Infrastructure Framework supports implementation of the City of Brooklyn Center's
2040 Comprehensive Plan, upon which the master plan is based,
It will provide a context in which to focus and continue community engagement efforts
around the future of the Opportunity Site.
WHEREAS, the Infrastructure Framework is based on input from community engagement
focused on community priorities for the site, as well as the physical and geographic realities
of the area, and;
WHEREAS, the Infrastructure Framework is not a final layout of the physical infrastructure
elements, but rather a guide to inform the continued community engagement efforts, as well
as the study, design and engineering of the physical infrastructure elements, and;
WHEREAS, the City of Brooklyn Center expects continued community engagement, which
will inform elements of the Opportunity Site Infrastructure Framework and help refine technical
details of the site infrastructure, and;
WHEREAS, the City of Brooklyn Center affirms and commits to continued public
engagement around the future Opportunity Site Master Plan, which will help refine and guide
development goals, community benefits, financial feasibility, zoning regulations, and short and
longer -term action steps.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Brooklyn
Center as follows:
l . The Opportunity Site Master Plan Infrastructure Framework shall be used as the guiding
yet flexible framework in which to progress planning efforts of the Opportunity Site.
The City and its partners shall continue engagement and refinement of all elements of the
Opportunity Site Master Plan.
July 12, 2021
Date
City Clerk
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member
Ryan
and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof:
Butler, Graves, Lawrence -Anderson, Ryan
and the following voted against the same: None
whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.