Biz beat: Company that runs electric grid begins construction on Eagan HQ

Construction began last week on the new headquarters of Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO) at Boulder Lakes Business Park in Eagan. The company, which runs the Midwest's regional electrical grid, has been in St. Paul for more than a decade but will relocate 90 employees to its new home in Eagan early in 2014.

The new facility will have about 60,000 square feet for offices, a conference and training center, a data center and a control room for MISO's electric transmission operation. About 35,000 square feet smaller than its facility in St. Paul, the new building will bring significantly lower maintenance and utility costs and efficiency gains with newer equipment, said Shone Richardson, MISO's director of supply management and corporate services.

Richardson said the company looked at several options before deciding to build a new facility. "Ultimately, Eagan met MISO's criteria in the most cost-effective manner," he said. Proximity to the airport and amenities for out-of-town visitors played a part in the decision, he said. MISO also needed to be the only occupant in the building in order to continue to comply with mandated security requirements.

Boulder Lakes is a 95-acre business park on Lone Oak Road southeast of Interstates 494 and 35E and Hwys. 55 and 149. The developer is Interstate Partners, a commercial real estate company with offices in Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago.

Bridal shop moving to Burnsville

Burnsville's Heart of the City is getting a new retail tenant.

Bridal Accents Couture, a longtime presence in Savage, is moving to 12501 Nicollet Av., the same building that houses Jo Jo's Rise and Wine.

Easy access to Interstate 35W was a primary reason for the move, Beck said. "I have people traveling to the store from all over," she said. "This will make it much easier for customers coming back and forth for shopping and fittings." Although she scouted other locations, Beck said the Heart of the City emerged early as a favorite choice.

Beck recently completed the purchase of the space, and remodeling is about to begin. She said she hopes to have the store open early in November.

Permits up in Lakeville

Lakeville continues to see a climb in building permits, with most of the construction activity focused on housing.

The city issued permits for 162 single-family homes with a total valuation of $47.2 million through the end of August. That compares to 84 single-family permits valued at $25.9 million for the same period last year.