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Revitalization of St. Louis Park’s Historic Walker Lake District

Curt Rahman’s Perspective

A resident and business owner in St. Louis Park the past 35 years, Curt Rahman has never seen the city’s Historic Walker Lake district as vibrant as it is today.

“It used to be a ghost town at night,” Rahman said. “Now it’s constantly busy.”

Located in the city’s Lenox neighborhood around the intersection of Walker and Lake streets, the district was once the commercial center of St. Louis Park. In the late 19th century, lumber businessman and art collector T.B. Walker, founder of the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, led a group of investors that created the district as an industrial hub situated along the Minneapolis and St. Louis railways, according to the St. Louis Park Historical Society.

The district thrived until the nationwide economic crash of 1893, leaving development stagnant for roughly 50 years thereafter. Business growth sputtered and nearly tanked when the elimination of the streetcar in 1954 and the opening of strip malls in the late 40s and early 50s shifted development away from the area, according to city documents.

From an economic viewpoint, it was imperative to revitalize the city’s original commercial center to appeal to new business tenants and their customers, Rahman said.

“It was one of the first things people saw when they came to the city,” he said. “If it looked run and down, then that’s the impression people got of St. Louis Park.”

City’s Revitalization Efforts

Attempts were made to improve the district over the years, but the execution of those plans brought little success. The city shifted gears in 2018 and used recommendations from business owners to eliminate barriers that prevented commercial growth. The city rezoned the district, giving new property owners flexibility with how they could use some of the district’s historic buildings, including the use of shared parking. The city implemented a revitalization plan that included additional parking, bike lanes, public art, repaving roads and sidewalks, and upgrading some of the buildings.

It was a $6 million investment by the city, according to City’s redevelopment administrator Jennifer Monson.

“It’s the heart of St. Louis Park,” she said. “The high school is there. Central Community Center is there. It’s a hub of small business. We really wanted to preserve the character of the area and maintain its walkability.”

New Business Influx

Spencer Johnson, founder of Sota Clothing, purchased the Walker Building in 2018 and saw significant potential in the district due to its proximity to downtown Minneapolis and a growing number of young homebuyers in the area.

Luke Derheim, a partner at Craft & Crew Hospitality, opened The Block, a dog-friendly pub, in the district in 2019, attracted by its mix of industrial and residential spaces.

St. Louis Park’s demographics, with a majority of residents between 25 and 34 years old, also played a role in the decision of businesses to move into the area.

Positive Trajectory and Future Prospects

Multiple vacant spaces in the Walker Lake area have been filled, signaling a successful revitalization effort.

With the upcoming completion of Metro Transit’s Green Line light-rail extension stations near the district, increased traffic and further growth are expected in the area.

Curt Rahman, a key figure in the revitalization, continues to play a pivotal role in maintaining the district’s vibrancy and attractiveness to small business owners.

How AI legalese decoder can Help

AI legalese decoder can assist in analyzing and simplifying the legal language surrounding zoning regulations, property redevelopments, and commercial growth initiatives in the Historic Walker Lake district. By providing clear and concise translations of legal jargon, AI legalese decoder can help businesses, property owners, and city officials better understand the requirements and opportunities for revitalization efforts. This tool can streamline communication, facilitate collaboration between stakeholders, and ensure a smoother implementation of revitalization plans.

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