Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
As the Greater East Side of Saint Paul’s most ambitious redevelopment in decades, The Heights is generating lots of excitement and curiosity. Whether you’re wondering about housing options, business opportunities, sustainability features or how to get involved, this FAQ section is here to help clarify what’s coming, how it works, and what it means for our community. If you don’t see the answer to your question here, Contact Us.
FAQ
About The Heights
What is The Heights?
The Heights is a 112-acre redevelopment at the former Hillcrest Golf Course. When completed, it will include up to 1,000 new homes, one million square feet of light industrial businesses and 20 acres of parks, trails, and green space.
Where is The Heights located?
The Heights is located in the Greater Eastside neighborhood of Saint Paul at 2200 Larpenteur Avenue E at the corner of McKnight Road N and Larpenteur Avenue E.
Who is in charge of The Heights redevelopment?
The Saint Paul Port Authority (SPPA) purchased the property after the City of Saint Paul led a community site plan redevelopment process. SPPA is the lead developer with Sherman Associates leading the development of housing. The City of Saint Paul is developing the City-owned park.
The Hillcrest Golf Course site was heavily contaminated. What did you do to cleanup the site?
One of the first and most critical steps for proceeding with redevelopment activities at The Heights was addressing the contaminated soil left behind by golf course operations. 110,442 tons of contaminated material were removed and safely disposed of, and remaining soils and air quality now meet strict residential safety standards.
Read more about the Redevelopment Story.
What is the timeline for completion at The Heights?
The Saint Paul Port Authority (SPPA) purchased the property in 2019 and began demolition and remediation activities in 2023. To view the redevelopment timeline, go to About Us.
FAQ
Available Land
What land is currently available for purchase at The Heights?
SPPA has land available ranging from 3 to 7 acres with options to combine sites. For more information, visit Industrial Development and/or email [email protected].
What type of businesses will be moving into The Heights?
The Heights commercial area will feature light industrial businesses. Light industrial properties use lower-impact production methods to make the products we want and need. Xcel Energy is the first business to break ground at The Heights with a new service center.
For more information, go to Industrial Development.
What are you doing to ensure traffic from The Heights businesses stays out of the residential neighborhood?
The City of Saint Paul has established a truck route to keep truck traffic out of the residential neighborhood. Trucks are limited to Larpenteur Avenue E and McKnight Road N and should not be using residential streets.
FAQ
Jobs
What types of jobs will be available at The Heights?
The Heights’ commercial area will feature light industrial businesses. Light industrial jobs are high-quality, good-paying jobs with a low barrier to entry when it comes to education and experience requirements.
For more information, visit the Industrial Development.
Where will local residents learn about jobs at The Heights?
SPPA is in partnership with the Eastside Employment xChange. The xChange will connect with The Heights’ employers to capture information about jobs, hiring processes and ideal job candidates. They will in turn partner with the employment agencies that work directly with residents to facilitate employer/employee matches.
Learn more about the Eastside Employment xChange.
FAQ
Housing
Will there be home ownership opportunities at The Heights?
Habitat for Humanity offers multiple options for affordable home ownership at The Heights.
Visit TC Habitat for more information and to sign up for updates about The Heights.
When will homes be available for purchase?
Emily Green is the realtor in charge of the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity homes. Email her at [email protected].
What type of rental opportunities will be available at The Heights?
Sherman and JO Companies will offer a mix of rental properties at The Heights including market rate, senior, workforce and affordable.
Visit The Heights Housing for more information.
Is there currently a waiting list for any of the housing at The Heights?
There is not currently a waiting list for housing. Visit The Heights Housing for all housing information.
When will housing be completed?
Each development partner has their own timeline for availability. Twin Cities Habitat has homes that will be available for sale soon. Visit TC Habitat for availability.
The rental properties are still in development. Visit The Heights Housing for updates.
FAQ
Construction
When will The Heights be completed?
Infrastructure at The Heights will be substantially complete by the end of 2025 with full completion in 2026. Vertical construction will take place over the next few years.
For a timeline of redevelopment activities, visit About Us.
What is currently happening with construction now?
You can read the latest Construction Update here.
To stay up to date with construction activities, sign-up for regular emails at Contact Us.
Are there road closures around the site?
You can read the latest Construction Update with road closures here.
To stay up to date with construction activities, sign-up for regular emails at Contact Us.
What will you do about traffic at The Heights?
The City of Saint Paul conducted an environmental review (Alternative Urban Areawide Review, or AUAR) for the The Heights, in accordance with State of Minnesota requirements, which was adopted on September 20, 2022 after the required comment period and an agency objection period.
As part of the AUAR, a traffic study was included and can be found starting on page 60 (Appendix D) available here: Appendices A to D.pdf (stpaul.gov). Additional documentation from the AUAR can be found here: The Heights.
District 2 held a Community Listening Session on this topic as well.
One of the outcomes was the City of Saint Paul established a truck route to keep commercial traffic out of the residential neighborhood. Trucks are limited to Larpenteur Avenue E and McKnight Road N and should not be using residential streets.
I have feedback about The Heights.
If you have feedback about construction or anything else pertaining to The Heights, SPPA has established a hotline number and email: 651-724-9292 | [email protected]
FAQ
Community Engagement and Parks
I’m a member of the Greater East Side community. Are there still ways to get involved at The Heights?
The Heights is currently under construction and development and does not have community engagement events currently scheduled. There will be future opportunities for the community to tour, apply for jobs, buy/rent homes, etc.
Sign up for The Heights e-newsletter to ensure you stay informed at Contact Us.
Learn more about SPPA’s previous Community Engagement activities.
Will there be a park at The Heights?
Yes, the City of Saint Paul will have a 5-acre park. It is currently in development.
For more information, visit City of Saint Paul Parks. It is part of the 20 acres of green space that includes trails, open spaces and both stormwater and wetland amenities. For more information, visit About Us.
Will there be a community center at The Heights?
There is not a community center planned for The Heights.
FAQ
Sustainability
What types of energy-efficient strategies will be implemented at The Heights?
The Heights prioritizes energy efficiency and sustainability with a range of innovative features, including a geothermal energy system to heat and cool buildings on the site.
SPPA established Design Guidelines with sustainable building standards and prioritizing energy-efficient appliances and building materials.
Visit Sustainability for more information and read our Community Engagement Work Group’s Sustainability Report.
What is a Geothermal Energy System?
Geothermal energy is heat derived from the Earth’s interior, specifically from the core and surrounding mantle. It’s a renewable energy source, as the Earth’s internal heat is constantly replenished by radioactive decay and other geological processes. This heat can be harnessed for various applications like heating, cooling and electricity generation.
The Heights is home to one of the most ambitious clean energy infrastructures in the region: a district-scale geothermal energy system designed to provide sustainable, carbon-neutral heating and cooling to buildings across the entire 112-acre site. For more information, visit Sustainability.
What types of solar will be at The Heights?
All large residential and industrial buildings will feature high-efficiency rooftop solar panels to harness the sun’s power and reduce long-term energy costs. Even our parking lots will pull double duty, generating clean energy through solar-covered structures. Visit Sustainability for more information.
Will there be charging stations at The Heights?
Yes, The Heights will include electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The Heights prioritizes EV infrastructure, with charging stations planned for both residential and commercial areas.
An example of EV integration: the new Xcel Energy service center will have 23 charging stations.
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