It’s obvious to anyone passing by the former site of the Hermes floral business in Falcon Heights that the proposed development announced a year ago has yet to occur.
The 3.4-acre parcel on the south side of Larpenteur Avenue, just west of Snelling Avenue, has been cleared, but there’s no sign of the proposed apartment building, urban farm and food-distribution center.
CommonBond Communities was to build the affordable housing, but failed to receive the tax credits it required and backed out of the project. The developer of the “Food Hub,” the Pohlad Family Foundation of Minneapolis, is proposing to proceed with its portion of the initiative, pending approval by the City of Falcon Heights.
“We have had discussions with other housing developers who have shown interest, but have not secured a purchase agreement,” said Terry Egge, senior program officer with the foundation.
Presentations on the foundation’s plans for the northwest and southeast sections of the L-shaped site are scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 26, before the Falcon Heights Planning Commission and on Wednesday, Sept. 10, before the City Council.
