New Brighton: City Seeks 'Plan B' For Northwest Quadrant

The project is about $12 million in the red and New Brighton is concerned about the future of 100 acres of land at the NW corner of Interstates 35W and 694. The plan is to turn old industrial sites into offices, hundreds of new homes, stores and parks. So far, $85 million has been spent on the project but spiraling environmental costs and and the recent pullout of a major housing developer have raised concerns among some officials. Newly elected Council Member David Phillips wrote a resolution in January recommending a task force to study the situation but Council Member Mary Burg thinks the focus should be on attracting developers instead of analyzing finances. Mayor Steve Larson declined to voice his opinion on the task force. Cleanup of contaminated areas has already cost the city millions and questions remain as to the land being safe for building homes.