County invests $1.7M in five transit-oriented community projects
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners, acting as the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), has committed $1.7 million in funding through the Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) program to five projects that support vibrant, climate resilient, and community-driven development across Hennepin County.
Transit-oriented communities offer wide-ranging benefits, from helping mitigate climate change and making more efficient use of land to lowering the combined costs of housing and transportation. They also expand access to jobs and other key destinations, supporting more connected and equitable communities.
The projects selected reflect the county’s focus on community-supported development projects that benefit local businesses. The goal is to help great projects move forward that otherwise wouldn’t be economically feasible and help wealth generated by the developments stay in the communities where they are built.
Once completed, the projects are anticipated to deliver:
- $66 million in total investment value.
- 65,000 square feet of commercial space, including 30 affordable commercial spaces.
- 75 new or retained jobs.
- 61 new housing units, including 20 units affordable below 60% area median income (AMI).
- Redevelopment of four vacant sites, including three brownfields, plus repositioning of an underutilized building for community use.
The North Market 2.0 project will add space for small businesses at the North Market grocery store.
The 525 Mainstreet project will develop a vacant lot in Hopkins into a housing development.
2026 Hennepin County TOC-funded projects
The Ruckus
810 East Lake Street and 2941 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis
Organization: Neighborhood Development Center
Amount: $550,000
The Ruckus project will redevelop a vacant site at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and East Lake Street in Minneapolis that was damaged during the 2020 civil unrest. The project consists of a 30,000-square-foot community-innovation hub, featuring small business incubator space for local entrepreneurs. The project is expected to create 60 new jobs and will be served by both the METRO B Line and D Line BRT routes. Total project development costs are $28 million.
4400 Oliver
4400 Oliver Avenue North, Minneapolis
Organization: PJRopes Holdings, LLC
Amount: $300,000
The 4400 Oliver project will redevelop an underutilized site in north Minneapolis. The project will renovate a vacant commercial building into a mixed-use building containing 16 units of housing (15 of which will be affordable below 60% AMI), and ground-floor commercial spaces. The project is expected to create 35 new jobs and is served by both the METRO C Line and D Line BRT routes. Total project development costs are $11.5 million.
525 Mainstreet
525 Mainstreet, Hopkins
Organization: Footprint Development
Amount: $150,000
The 525 Mainstreet project will develop a currently vacant lot close to downtown Hopkins. The project will include 45 units of housing, including five units affordable below 60% AMI, and no on-site vehicle parking. The project is served by the planned METRO Green Line extension. Total project development costs are $10.8 million.
North Market 2.0
4144 Humboldt Avenue North, Minneapolis
Organization: Pillsbury United Communities
Amount: $500,000
The North Market 2.0 project will reposition and redevelop the existing North Market grocery store building located in north Minneapolis. The project will add commercial spaces for local small businesses, with the goal of serving as a community food hub. The project is served by the METRO C Line. Total project development costs are $1.02 million.
KMOJ Forever Home
2125 Lowry Avenue North, Minneapolis
Organization: Center for Communication and Development
Amount: $200,000
The KMOJ Forever Home project will develop a vacant site in north Minneapolis as the main office of the KMOJ radio station. The project will allow KMOJ to expand their programming and will include job training opportunities for individuals interested in careers in media/communications. The project is served by the METRO C Line. Total project development costs are $14.8 million.
Learn more
Transit Oriented Communities program