Originally published in the Park Bugle, June 2026.
One of St. Anthony Park’s most familiar neighborhood institutions is preparing for a major transition.
At its May meeting, the St. Anthony Park Community Council (SAPCC) Land Use Committee hosted representatives from HealthPartners for an initial public presentation on plans to redevelop the longtime Como Clinic site near Como Avenue and Eustis Street. HealthPartners Vice President of Real Estate, Planning & Construction Alan Kranzo outlined project timelines, design concepts, and the vision for a larger new facility to be constructed just north of the current clinic site.
After nearly 70 years of service at its current location, the Como Clinic will eventually be replaced with a significantly larger facility offering expanded medical services. Construction is currently anticipated to begin this summer, with the new clinic expected to open in fall 2027. HealthPartners representatives shared that the existing clinic will remain open throughout construction.
According to HealthPartners, the future clinic will expand services available within the neighborhood, including primary care, urgent care, pediatrics, dentistry, cardiology, endocrinology, OB-GYN services, advanced CT and MRI capabilities, and a new TRIA Orthopedics Clinic and Urgent Care.
The Como Clinic holds a unique place within both the neighborhood and Minnesota healthcare history. Originally opened in 1957 as part of the former Group Health system, the clinic helped launch what would eventually become HealthPartners and has served generations of patients and families in St. Anthony Park and surrounding communities.
The presentation drew strong interest from neighbors and committee members, reflecting both the importance of the clinic within the community and the scale of the proposed redevelopment.
During the meeting, neighbors and committee members asked questions about traffic flow and access onto Como Avenue, pedestrian safety, landscaping, watershed impacts, sustainability features, and how the proposed parking structure may interact with the surrounding neighborhood. The largest area of discussion centered around the parking structure itself, including its placement, visibility from nearby streets, and how vehicles would move through the site. Early plans discussed at the meeting included approximately 250 parking spaces, with structured parking incorporated into the redevelopment.
HealthPartners representatives shared that multiple traffic and access concepts had been explored during the design process. Representatives also noted ongoing conversations with Lutheran Social Service regarding possible shared access coordination between nearby properties to help minimize traffic impacts and improve circulation in the area.
Questions were also raised about future uses for the existing clinic site, which HealthPartners indicated could eventually be sold for redevelopment following completion of the new facility. Neighbors also asked whether the new clinic would include a pharmacy, and HealthPartners representatives indicated that a pharmacy is not currently planned as part of the redevelopment.
Following the presentation, committee members and neighbors continued a broader conversation about how the redevelopment could fit within the character of St. Anthony Park. Community members discussed opportunities for public art, expanded green space, artistic bicycle racks, and other neighborhood-oriented design elements. Several attendees also expressed interest in sustainable design features such as additional tree planting, dark-sky friendly lighting, and the possibility of solar infrastructure as part of the redevelopment.
While committee members acknowledged the complexity involved in designing a modern medical facility of this scale, several neighbors expressed that they wished there had been opportunities for earlier community engagement during the design process.
“The discussion reflected how much people care about this site and its future within the neighborhood,” said Allan Torstenson, Co-Chair of the Land Use Committee. “People recognize the importance of the clinic and the services it provides, while also wanting to ensure that a project of this scale fits thoughtfully into the surrounding community.”
The meeting also highlighted the important role neighborhood engagement can play in large redevelopment projects that may significantly affect surrounding areas. Committee members emphasized the value of continued communication and opportunities for community feedback as plans continue moving through the review process.
Committee members appreciated HealthPartners’ willingness to attend the meeting and begin conversations with the community as plans continue moving forward.
As review of the redevelopment continues, the Como Clinic project is expected to remain an important topic of neighborhood discussion in the months ahead.
Residents interested in following the project can attend future SAPCC Land Use Committee meetings or visit sapcc.org/ for updates.