The Penfield
Location: 101 E 10th St, St. Paul, MN
Nominated by: City of St. Paul, Planning & Economic Development
The Penfield is one of the first market rate mixed-use projects constructed in downtown Saint Paul in 20 years. The housing redevelopment project is a perfect example of a brownfield redevelopment site with a portion of the site contained asbestos, contaminated soil and bedrock close to the surface. The City of Saint Paul stepped in as the developer after initial plans for a condo project went cold in 2010 and The Penfield apartment project couldn’t be developed privately. The project covers an entire city block bounded by 10th, Minnesota, 11th and Robert streets and will have 254 apartment units and a 27,500 sq. ft. Lunds grocery store.
After demolition, contaminated soil needed to be cleaned-up and the bedrock found near the surface of the property posed some geo-technical challenges. The Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development provided a grant for contamination cleanup and funding was also obtained from the Ramsey County Environmental Response Fund. The remediation action plan called for removal of an underground storage tank and 23,283 tons of contaminated soil and rock. A vapor barrier and a sub-slab passive venting system were installed under the building in addition to the removal of asbestos from the old Public Safety Building.
The State Historic Preservation Office approved demolition of the historic Public Safety Building via a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Saint Paul which required the city to complete a historic documentation of the building, complete three local historic designation studies for other downtown buildings and complete the design and installation of a historical interpretive display for the Public Safety Building. Community members that participated in the planning process for redevelopment of the site strongly encouraged the city to retain the historic façade of the Public Safety Building.
The Penfield broke ground on June 25, 2012 and was completed in December 2013. The construction of the market rate housing project resulted in $20.5 million of direct labor or 200 construction jobs.
This transit-oriented development project is located one block from the 10th and Cedar station of the Green Line light rail transit line. Through the incorporation of public art and a Lunds grocery store, this site has become a prime example of brownfield redevelopment where a mixed-use development can spur future redevelopment all along the light rail line in downtown Saint Paul.
The Penfield is LEED Silver certified in conjunction with Minnesota’s 2030 Energy Efficiency rating. In addition to the construction elements required for silver certification, there is a 12,000 square foot green roof. The City of Saint Paul will be monitoring the green roof’s impact on storm water runoff and heat island moderation.
All units are equipped with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and an island in the kitchen. Property amenities include: an outdoor swimming pool, fire pit, grills, large green roof patio area, sauna, fitness room, club room, dog wash, a dog area on the roof, and lobby with a drop-off area.
Project Financing:
- Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
- Ramsey County
- Saint Paul HRA
Project Partners:
- AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust Fund
- Dougherty Mortgage
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- St. Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority
- Metropolitan Council
- Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development
- Ramsey County