Ramsey County, Arden Hills at odds over plan to create park on arsenal site

With an auction of the land looming, there is no consensus on the future of the undeveloped piece of prime suburban property.

By ALLIE SHAH, Star Tribune

Last update: October 20, 2009 - 11:50 PM

A plan to transform land in Arden Hills once used as a military arsenal into a regional park faces an uphill battle.

That was the sentiment expressed Tuesday during a meeting between the Arden Hills City Council and the Ramsey County Board to discuss the city's regional park proposal.

It was the first time the County Board had weighed in on the idea since it was endorsed by the City Council this past summer. Ramsey County is the regional park authority for the Arden Hills area, and the city must get the county to agree to acquire the land to make the park a reality.

But several commissioners were cool to the idea of acquiring up to 535 acres of the property from the U.S. Army. The former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant property (TCAAP) is the largest undeveloped parcel in the Twin Cities.

"I do not see this as needed in our portfolio of regional parks," Commissioner Janice Rettman said.

She also raised concerns about potential costs the county could incur to clean up the contaminated area. Although city officials say most of the available property has been cleaned to industrial standards, Rettman pointed out that the standards are higher for residential and recreational use.

Added Commissioner Tony Bennett, whose district includes Arden Hills: "This land, I think, would be much better having a developer come in and develop it."

Longtime vision

For years, city leaders favored a mix of commercial and residential development and green space for a 585-acre parcel just off Hwy. 10 and Interstate 35W.

That tract represents a large swath of the Ammunition Plant property, a roughly 4-square-mile site that was used for weapons manufacturing for more than 50 years.

Last spring, developer Ryan Companies pulled out of the deal, opening up other possibilities.

The Arden Hills City Council passed a resolution last summer supporting a plan that would use much of the land for a regional park. The vote was 3-1. Mayor Stan Harpstead, who was on vacation at the time, says he would have voted against it had he been there.

The resolution also called for the remainder of the 585-acre parcel to be used for "other compatible uses," such as a corporate campus.

Meanwhile, the Army and the General Services Administration are moving to hold a public auction of the 585 acres that have been deemed surplus. The auction is expected sometime next spring or summer, city officials said, and several potential buyers have already expressed interest.

During Tuesday's meeting, the County Board directed Greg Mack, the county parks and recreation director, to work with Arden Hills city staff to identify any viable parcels of land that should be considered as additions to the county's park system.

Ramsey County Board Chairwoman Jan Parker said it might make sense for the county to acquire some of the land for park use.

"I think what we're saying is the door is open for something, but not for all of it," she told Arden Hills officials.

Shoreview Mayor Sandy Martin, who attended the meeting, said the future of the Ammunition Plant property is of vital interest to her community. "We see great opportunities on this parcel, in particular for development," she said.

Allie Shah • 612-673-4488

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