St. Paul Sears Site Set for Housing and Park Redevelopment
The Rondo Community Land Trust plans to replace the former 17-acre parking site with new homes and public space.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Commercial
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The Rondo Community Land Trust is moving forward with a redevelopment plan to transform the 17-acre former Sears site in St. Paul. This effort, supported by a $50,000 grant from Ramsey County, aims to replace long-standing surface parking with new housing and park space.
Why it matters
The project seeks to provide new housing and park land for the local community, specifically aiming to support descendants of residents displaced during the construction of Interstate 94. It also transitions a large, underutilized parcel back into a productive, neighborhood-focused footprint.
The Rondo Community Land Trust purchased the 17-acre property for $10.8 million in March 2026. Ramsey County has provided a $50,000 grant to support initial site planning efforts.
The players
Rondo Community Land Trust
A mission-driven organization focused on housing affordability and restoring community stability for families displaced by historic infrastructure projects.
Ramsey County
The local government authority that oversees regional infrastructure planning and economic development grants for St. Paul.
The details
The development strategy focuses on restoring the street grid to break the large parcel into smaller, more walkable city blocks. This approach replaces the existing 17-acre surface parking lot, which has been vacant since the Sears store closed in 2019. Future plans include a mix of new apartments, single-family homes, parks, and a community venue.
Timeline
1963: The original Sears store opened at the site.
2019: The store closed, and the area began operating as surface parking.
March 2026: The Rondo Community Land Trust purchased the 17-acre site.
The Home Front
This development represents a major effort to reclaim urban land previously severed by the construction of Interstate 94. It marks a shift from large-scale commercial site holdings toward community-centered housing and public green space.
Local neighbors should look for upcoming community engagement opportunities to provide input on the proposed housing and park designs. Residents interested in the future housing inventory should monitor official land trust announcements regarding eligibility and development timelines.
The takeaway
The Rondo Community Land Trust is working to turn a former commercial site into a residential and public hub for St. Paul families. Interested residents can follow the land trust’s progress as they begin the initial site planning phase.
Further reading
For more updates on regional developments, visit the Commercial section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Star Tribune.
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Should local communities convert abandoned commercial sites into new housing and public space?
