May 2021
New Partnership with Inland Development Partners in Lower Campus Sale
(St. Paul, Minn.) – Luther Seminary announces a new partner in the pursuit of the sale of lower campus, Inland Development Partners.
The seminary remains committed to selling the lower campus for additional mixed-use housing, including affordable housing, and is in a solid position as the search for the right buyers continues.
“We are pleased to work together with IDP as we pursue the sale of the lower campus,” said Robin Steinke, president of Luther Seminary. “We continue to believe the lower campus is a historic opportunity in the heart of the metropolitan area and the need for more housing is endorsed by community partners.”
IDP has decades of real estate development experience and will focus on the steps needed to obtain community and government support, create individual building sites through a thorough review of the infrastructure and unique attributes of the site, and will support Luther Seminary’s efforts to sell those parcels to the entities that will build on them.
“Our existing relationships in this category along with our experience working on large, complex projects with multiple entities will serve Luther Seminary well,” said Kent Carlson, Partner at IDP. “We’re happy to act as master developer to ensure a solution that meets the needs of the community.”
As this process continues, the lease of Stub Hall to Ramsey County for a temporary shelter to house people experiencing homelessness has been extended through May of next year.
Media Contact: Gita Sitaramiah, Director of Public Relations and Internal Communications Office: 612.330.1476
About Luther Seminary
Luther Seminary educates leaders for Christian communities across the country and around the world. An innovator in theological education, the seminary is committed to exploring leading edge approaches for Christian ministry, proclamation, and faith formation in a rapidly changing world. As one of the seven seminaries in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Luther Seminary has educated more than one-third of ELCA pastors, lay professionals, and leaders of many global Lutheran and ecumenical churches. Learn more at luthersem.edu.
About Inland Development Partners
Inland Development Partners (IDP) is the culmination of the talents and track records of real estate professionals Kent Carlson, Bob Cunningham, Steve Schwanke, and Tom Shaver. With more than 190 years of experience, successful developments mapped out in miles and a sheer enthusiasm for complex challenges, IDP transforms landscapes and communities through land development, site redevelopment and asset repositioning throughout the Twin Cities and the Upper Midwest.
November 17, 2020 – The SAPCC Land Use work group on the NSAP Luther-Seminary Development have been notified by Master Properties that the development is on hold due to planning complications resulting from the pandemic. We expect an update in December or January.
Master Properties Update & TIF District Request for Support
At the September 3, 2020, members of the St Anthony Park Community Council Land Use Committee, along with several neighbors living near the proposed Luther Seminary housing development, met virtually with Master Properties and the development team.
The working group associated with this project continues to work with the developers on some aspects of the project. We would like to see more affordable housing, street access to Eustis, and a final determination about what several smaller housing parts of the development will look like.
Overall, the working group believes that the developers have listened to the neighborhood and the proposed master plan reflects the neighborhood’s priorities. We recognize the difficulties that site presents and are pleased with the developers’ willingness to not have any surface parking and to maintain extensive green space. We also appreciate the ability that the public will have to move through the site and use much of the green space.
We recognize that meeting these neighborhood desires increases the cost of the infrastructure for the entire project. We therefore support the use of TIF funding to help with the cost of the infrastructure. The SAPCC Land Use Committee and the SAPCC Executive Committee both voted unanimously to support the creation of a TIF district and the use of TIF funding to assist in making the master development plan a reality. The City Council is expected to take action on this request soon.
Click Here to View Recording of 9/3 LUC Zoom Meeting
Click Here to View Site Plan Renderings from 9/3 Meeting
July 11, 2019 – Public Meeting Report
At the July 11, 2019 public meeting about the purchase and development of about 15 acres of Seminary land, members of the community were once again invited to hear more detailed plans from the development team: Master Properties (market rate housing), United Properties (senior housing), and CommonBond (affordable housing).
July 11 Meeting Comments & Questions
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January 10, 2019 – Public Meeting Report
By Melissa Pappas, Board Co-Chair
On a January 10th, 2019 the St. Anthony Park Community Council sponsored a community meeting and discussion of the proposed plan for development of the lower campus of Luther Seminary.
Over 150 interested neighborhood residents listened to a presentation from the team involved in the development of the site. Representatives were in attendance from Master Properties Minnesota, Simek Realty, United Properties, Motz Studios, Cunningham Group, and CommonBond Communities. Ward 4 City Councilwoman Mitra Jalali Nelson was also in attendance for part of the meeting.
The proposed plan for the area includes for-sale housing, market rate apartments, low income housing, and senior housing. There is also plenty of planned green space for walking and enjoying nature.
After listening to the plan, neighborhood residents asked questions and politely voiced their feelings about the development. Major concerns were how the new housing would change Breck Woods and the effects on the plants and animals that call that area home.
All in all, the meeting was very informative and many people had the chance to have their voices heard.
January 10 Public Meeting Comments & Questions