Fort Snelling has been in the news recently for demonstrations calling attention to the history of ill treatment of Native Americans at the site. But behind the scenes, redevelopment of a less-known part of the fort complex is beginning after long years of neglect. The Star Tribune reports that the buildings at the Upper Post are being prepped for new life as residences, offices and possibly a hotel.
"The handsome yellow-brick buildings are still boarded up, the
overgrown fields creased by the wind like some verdant sea of grass.
"But after years of much talk and hand-wringing, the pieces are
falling into place to remake Fort Snelling's Upper Post --cousin to the
historic fort that attracts thousands annually--and the nearby
light-rail station area into a mixed-use, self-sustaining development
that also respects its storied past.
"The result would be a unique village atop the river bluffs, next to
the airport, that would include offices, shops, museums, even housing
and a hotel. Between old and new structures, up to 4 million square feet
might be available for development--about the size of the Mall of
America."
Read the full story
here.