The old Star Tribune printing plant is a big part of that conversation. Legacy Investing, based in Arlington, Virginia, which also converted the Sleep Number building into a data center, agreed to purchase the 13-acre printing site.
“The thing I’m thinking about is the people in that neighborhood, and how do they most benefit from a potential development,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
Frey says there is an opportunity if done right. The comments Friday come as the city deals with a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall, while its tax base isn’t what it once was.
“I believe they need to be regulated. We need to make sure that we’re ensuring livability and health and safety for our communities,” he said. “Simultaneously, we should work to make sure that they can help drive down the taxes for everybody else.”
Frey says one of the key goals is making sure data center buildings do not become the sole use of the property, but rather a space the community can enjoy, such as a restaurant or event space.