The sale of Star Tribune land that is slated to be the site of an ambitious mixed-used development was delayed Friday, but is still expected to close within 30 days.
Minneapolis-based Ryan Cos. plans to build a $400 million mixed-use development on five blocks adjacent to the new $1 billion Vikings stadium. Now owned by the Star Tribune Media Co., the site includes the company's headquarters building, which eventually would be demolished, and surface parking.
The Downtown East project calls for more than 1 million square feet of office space for about 5,000 employees of Wells Fargo & Co., up to 400 residential units, retail shops, a parking ramp and a public park.
The sale of the land was expected Friday. But Rick Collins, Ryan vice president of development, said details still needed to be worked out in a complex development deal and bond issue that is part of the project's financing plan.
"While we've achieved a great majority of our objectives in the approvals we need, we have not been successful in completing all the documents required for funding to take place to allow us to close," Collins said.
Star Tribune spokesman Steve Yaeger confirmed that the land deal should be completed within 30 days. The Star Tribune plans to move its operations to another downtown location in 2015.
The bulk of the Downtown East project — about $350 million — will be privately financed. The city of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority will fund the rest.
The city has agreed to issue up to $65 million in bonds to build the 1,600-space parking ramp that will be used by Wells Fargo employees, the public and stadium-goers, plus the nearly two-block public park.
