Next week, Habitat for Humanity will hold the official groundbreaking for its new headquarters building in St. Paul.

Located at 1954 University Ave., adjacent to the Central Corridor Green Line light rail, the new building is expected to open next year. The centrally located headquarters "will allow Twin Cities Habitat to serve tens of thousands of local families with its programs and services in the coming decades," the non-profit housing developer said in a statement.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman will be on hand for the May 9 event, as well as officials from Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and the group's local and international board, and Sunrise Bank.

AND, SPEAKING OF GROUNDBREAKINGS, soil was tossed Wednesday in honor of the $45 million Midway Village senior housing complex being developed by Episcopal Homes of Minnesota. It, too, is located along the Central Corridor light rail line on the site formerly occupied by Porky's Drive-In.

The project will feature seven stories and more than 180,000 square feet of senior housing, community amenities and retail space.

Episcopal Homes claims it represents the largest investment to date along the light-rail line, which will "provide unprecedented mobility for our residents. It will allow them to embrace life more fully than ever before," said Episcopal Homes President and CEO Marvin Plakut, in a statement.

Habitat for Humanity Headquarters

Janet Moore covers commercial real estate for the Star Tribune.