New developments on the Superior Plating site, and a tower proposed for the Nye's block - both in northeast Minneapolis:

Peter Chmielewski, vice president of development for Lennar Multifamily Communities, said the company made a down payment on the purchase of the Superior Plating site, and on Feb. 7 submitted its formal notice to proceed with its mixed-use development on a once-polluted site in northeast Minneapolis

The company hasn't yet closed on the land, but expects to do so in the coming months and plans to start construction before the end of the year. In the meantime, "We are proceeding on this project at full speed as if we already own the land," said Chmielewski. Lennar is making a big splash in the Twin Cities. In addition to the Minneapolis project, the company is developing luxury apartments in Edina and Bloomington. The two-block site at the corner of 1st and University avenues is being sold by an entity called First and University LLC, which recently completed a lengthy remediation project.

The site was the longtime home of Superior Plating, which vacated the premises several years ago. After proposals by several other developers, Lennar and the project designer, ESG Architects, got an enthusiastic endorsement for their plans from the Nicollet Island East Bank Neighborhood Association in January. The first phase of the project will include 253 luxury rental units, most of them in an 18-story tower, and 22,184 square feet of commercial space.

Also this week, the Nicollet Island East Bank Neighborhood Association board voted 13 in favor, 3 opposed and 3 not voting on a resolution to accept the recommendations of a task force that recently reviewed a proposed high-rise apartment tower on the site of the Nye's Polonaise Room. The project, which is a joint venture between the restaurant owners and Minneapolis-based Schafer Richardson, will include a 30-story apartment tower atop commercial space that will including two of the original Nye's buildings. An estimated 225 to 250 people attended the meeting, including many who are concerned that the height and scale of the project could have a negative impact on the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic church next door.