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Paperback Exchange to reopen 2 years after devastating flood

The 50-year-old bookstore was destroyed in 2025 after a city water main break.

News

A long-running south Minneapolis bookstore destroyed by a city <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="water main break" data-vars-click-url="https://www.southwestvoices.news/stories/paperback-exchange-bookstore-a-loss-for-now,141103" data-vars-content-id="a08f6c77-6664-4e99-b0cd-1ec806f9ed20" data-vars-headline="Paperback Exchange to reopen 2 years after devastating flood" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.southwestvoices.news/stories/paperback-exchange-bookstore-a-loss-for-now,141103" target="_blank">water main break</a> last year has finally found a new home — literally.Driving the news: Paperback Exchange will reopen in a converted single-family house near its original location next spring.<ul><li>The shop, which opened at 50th and Penn in 1975, boasted more than 150,000 titles before a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="burst pipe flooded" data-vars-click-url="https://www.startribune.com/after-dark-chapter-flooded-minneapolis-bookstore-works-to-turn-page/601227409?utm_source=gift" data-vars-content-id="a08f6c77-6664-4e99-b0cd-1ec806f9ed20" data-vars-headline="Paperback Exchange to reopen 2 years after devastating flood" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.startribune.com/after-dark-chapter-flooded-minneapolis-bookstore-works-to-turn-page/601227409?utm_source=gift" target="_blank">burst pipe flooded</a> its building in February 2025.</li></ul>

Gang task force proposal gains traction and stirs anxiety

Police in multiple suburbs have tied a recent string of gun violence to Somali American gangs.

Representatives of around 40 Twin Cities law enforcement agencies will meet with state officials this week to discuss growing calls for a regional police response to gang violence.Why it matters: Residents and city leaders are clamoring for solutions after police in multiple Twin Cities suburbs tied an alarming string of gun violence to Somali American gangs.

Hourcar shutting down car sharing service

The nonprofit faced a $1.1 million deficit and couldn't crawl out

Car-sharing service Hourcar is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shutting down" data-vars-click-url="https://hourcar.org/news/sunset" data-vars-content-id="55865822-0f80-4eab-a70e-510ca95f2817" data-vars-headline="Hourcar shutting down car sharing service" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://hourcar.org/news/sunset" target="_blank">shutting down</a> on Oct. 15 after a 20-year run in the Twin Cities. Why it matters: Hourcar allowed people to ditch their own vehicle in favor of a low-cost alternative, but a financial crunch prompted the nonprofit&#x27;s board of directors to end the service.

Rising diesel prices strain Minnesota school bus budgets

Some districts are cutting bus routes as soaring diesel costs add to existing financial pressures.

Education

Rising fuel prices are squeezing already cash-strapped Minnesota school districts. Why it matters: Some districts are consolidating or reducing routes to cut costs, disrupting student and family routines.

Dick's Sporting Goods planning mega store in Maple Grove

The two-level House of Sport concept is heavy on interactive features.

Business

Dick&#x27;s is planning one if its large, experiential House of Sport stores in Maple Grove, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="documents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.maplegrovemn.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/10732?fileID=30921" data-vars-content-id="819a2d37-1ffc-4ef0-b258-2f84992768f1" data-vars-headline="Dick&#x27;s Sporting Goods planning mega store in Maple Grove" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.maplegrovemn.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/10732?fileID=30921" target="_blank">documents</a> submitted to the city. Zoom in: The two-level, 100,000-square-foot store would be part of a larger development near Highway 610 and Maple Grove Parkway. <ul><li>The proposal also calls for a Golf Galaxy store, a Chick-fil-A and a 7 Brew drive-thru coffee shop. </li></ul>

Retail roundup: Crunch Fitness to flex into former Lunds & Byerly's in St. Paul

Crunch Fitness and Foss Swim School will fill the former Lunds in St. Paul's Highland Park hood.

Real Estate

A Crunch Fitness and Foss Swim School are coming to St. Paul&#x27;s Highland Park neighborhood.Why it matters: The additions to the Highland Village Shopping Center on Ford Parkway will fill a high-traffic anchor store spot that has sat vacant since Lunds &amp; Byerlys moved to the neighboring Highland Bridge redevelopment in 2022.<ul><li>A nail salon and a Chase bank are also slated to join the complex, per signage at the site. </li></ul>

Office-to-apartment conversions heat up

The projects will bring hundreds of new residents to the downtowns.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="yearslong effort" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/01/31/minneapolis-office-apartment-conversion-tricky-big-floors" data-vars-content-id="1123b446-02a0-477b-af7e-6b918a8d2a9e" data-vars-headline="Office-to-apartment conversions heat up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/01/31/minneapolis-office-apartment-conversion-tricky-big-floors" target="_self">yearslong effort</a> to turn office buildings into apartments is finally breaking through this summer, with three projects bringing hundreds of new residents downtown.Why it matters: The conversions — two in Minneapolis and one in St. Paul — will provide a boost to local businesses that have long depended on office workers who are spending more time at home.

What becomes of Target Center if the Wolves move?

A new Timberwolves arena wouldn't just replace Target Center — it could reshape downtown Minneapolis.

As the Timberwolves/Lynx <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="search for a new home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/07/timberwolves-lynx-new-owners-arena-location-options" data-vars-content-id="622f3372-2560-4245-98cb-7c5849cd846a" data-vars-headline="What becomes of Target Center if the Wolves move?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/07/timberwolves-lynx-new-owners-arena-location-options" target="_self">search for a new home</a>, the debate will soon heat up over what to do with the Target Center and its $53.5 million debt balance.Why it matters: This is a big and important piece of downtown real estate, and what to do with it should have developers, elected officials and urbanists dreaming.<ul><li>It will also become a key piece in the negotiations between the city of Minneapolis and team owners if they work out a deal for a new downtown arena.</li></ul>

St. Paul's Midway Marketplace could be poised for a comeback

Two new potential tenants have lined up for space in a complex where vacancies have mounted.

After years of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mounting vacancies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/10/17/midway-neighborhood-allianz-field-crisis-homelessness" data-vars-content-id="21def72b-9b0d-4349-b327-c58b368415a7" data-vars-headline="St. Paul&#x27;s Midway Marketplace could be poised for a comeback" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/10/17/midway-neighborhood-allianz-field-crisis-homelessness" target="_self">mounting vacancies</a>, a shopping complex in St. Paul&#x27;s Midway neighborhood appears poised for a comeback.Driving the news: A banner announcing an 80,000 square-foot indoor playground &quot;coming soon&quot; to the Midway Marketplace appeared last week on the former Herberger&#x27;s store, which has sat empty since 2018.<ul><li>Axios&#x27; messages to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lululand Adventure Park" data-vars-click-url="https://lululandadventurepark.com/" data-vars-content-id="21def72b-9b0d-4349-b327-c58b368415a7" data-vars-headline="St. Paul&#x27;s Midway Marketplace could be poised for a comeback" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://lululandadventurepark.com/" target="_blank">Lululand Adventure Park</a> have yet to be returned, but the banner promises an arcade, augmented reality (AR) games and trampolines.</li></ul>Catch up quick: A company <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="with ties to the grocery chain H Mart" data-vars-click-url="https://mspmag.com/eat-and-drink/foodie/h-mart-korean-asian-grocery-supermarket-st-paul-mn/" data-vars-content-id="21def72b-9b0d-4349-b327-c58b368415a7" data-vars-headline="St. Paul&#x27;s Midway Marketplace could be poised for a comeback" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mspmag.com/eat-and-drink/foodie/h-mart-korean-asian-grocery-supermarket-st-paul-mn/" target="_blank">with ties to the grocery chain H Mart</a> recently bought other parts of the shopping complex that, until recently, housed a Cub Foods and an At Home store.<ul><li>It&#x27;s yet not clear whether the popular Asian grocer is actually moving in.</li></ul>Friction points: Vacancies at the Midway Marketplace have fueled neighborhood concerns about crime and trash.<ul><li>Conditions there have also invited <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deeper questions" data-vars-click-url="https://streets.mn/2025/09/18/why-the-midways-suburban-design-is-killing-its-commercial-future/" data-vars-content-id="21def72b-9b0d-4349-b327-c58b368415a7" data-vars-headline="St. Paul&#x27;s Midway Marketplace could be poised for a comeback" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://streets.mn/2025/09/18/why-the-midways-suburban-design-is-killing-its-commercial-future/" target="_blank">deeper questions</a> about whether a car-centric, suburban-style shopping complex is a good fit for an urban transit corridor.</li></ul>Zoom out: Construction is progressing on an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="office building and hotel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/10/14/what-s-going-up-next-near-mnufc-s-stadium" data-vars-content-id="21def72b-9b0d-4349-b327-c58b368415a7" data-vars-headline="St. Paul&#x27;s Midway Marketplace could be poised for a comeback" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/10/14/what-s-going-up-next-near-mnufc-s-stadium" target="_self">office building and hotel</a> near neighboring Allianz Field.<ul><li>Minnesota United FC owner Bill McGuire is also now leading <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redevelopment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.stpaul.gov/news/redevelopment-former-cvs-site-advance-saint-pauls-midway-neighborhood" data-vars-content-id="21def72b-9b0d-4349-b327-c58b368415a7" data-vars-headline="St. Paul&#x27;s Midway Marketplace could be poised for a comeback" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.stpaul.gov/news/redevelopment-former-cvs-site-advance-saint-pauls-midway-neighborhood" target="_blank">redevelopment</a> of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="now-bulldozed Midway CVS" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWCIIxIjlfZ/" data-vars-content-id="21def72b-9b0d-4349-b327-c58b368415a7" data-vars-headline="St. Paul&#x27;s Midway Marketplace could be poised for a comeback" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWCIIxIjlfZ/" target="_blank">now-bulldozed Midway CVS</a> lot.</li></ul>

A decade without a major shopping center is squeezing Twin Cities retailers

Retail rents in the Twin Cities are growing faster than anywhere in the U.S.

Development

It&#x27;s been nearly 10 years since a large-scale shopping center opened in the Twin Cities, and despite a growing appetite for more space, there are no imminent plans for another. Why it matters: Retailers and restaurants looking to open shop are feeling the pinch. A recent JLL report says Twin Cities retail rents last quarter grew by 6.7% year-over-year, the largest hike in the nation.

Rare condo building begins pre-sales in Southwest Minneapolis

The 15 units in the building are listed between $800,000 and $1.5 million

A long-anticipated apartment development at the corner of 50th Street and Lyndale Avenue in Southwest Minneapolis has pivoted to condominiums. Why it matters: For-sale condos <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="have been rare" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/08/03/few-condos-twin-cities" data-vars-content-id="80ea45eb-28cb-4507-ad3a-d41626813b5a" data-vars-headline="Rare condo building begins pre-sales in Southwest Minneapolis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/08/03/few-condos-twin-cities" target="_self">have been rare</a> in the Twin Cities, especially outside downtown.

Minneapolis council to consider data center pause as downtown interest increases

Developers are beginning to see building data centers in vacant office towers as a tool to inject value back into underused downtown properties.

The Minneapolis City Council will decide Thursday whether to pause new data center development for a year.Why it matters: Developers are beginning to see <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="building data centers in vacant office towers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/19/how-data-centers-could-help-revive-downtowns" data-vars-content-id="e377b655-7271-4d0c-aa70-c835ea0dc38a" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis council to consider data center pause as downtown interest increases" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/19/how-data-centers-could-help-revive-downtowns" target="_self">building data centers in vacant office towers</a> as a tool to inject value back into underused downtown properties.<ul><li>But some council members want stricter rules in place before more projects move forward, citing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="concerns about electricity and water use" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/01/21/minnesotas-data-center-boom-concerns-electrical-supply" data-vars-content-id="e377b655-7271-4d0c-aa70-c835ea0dc38a" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis council to consider data center pause as downtown interest increases" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/01/21/minnesotas-data-center-boom-concerns-electrical-supply" target="_self">concerns about electricity and water use</a>.</li></ul>

Report warns of growing housing shortage

The Twin Cities has fallen short of housing production goals three straight years

The Twin Cities didn&#x27;t build nearly enough housing units last year to keep up with demand, an ongoing trend that&#x27;s contributing to rising rents and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="home prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/17/median-metro-home-price-reaches-400k-for-first-time" data-vars-content-id="88837c34-0bee-4a37-a8fc-cd9c68242851" data-vars-headline="Report warns of growing housing shortage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/17/median-metro-home-price-reaches-400k-for-first-time" target="_self">home prices</a>. By the numbers: Metro builders produced 12,161 units in 2025, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2026/twin-cities-region-misses-its-housing-marks" data-vars-content-id="88837c34-0bee-4a37-a8fc-cd9c68242851" data-vars-headline="Report warns of growing housing shortage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2026/twin-cities-region-misses-its-housing-marks" target="_blank">report</a> out Friday morning from the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank. <ul><li>That&#x27;s well below a goal of 18,000 units per year set by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Itasca Project" data-vars-click-url="https://itascaproject.org/wp-content/uploads/Itasca-Housing_Affordability_Report_September_2020.pdf" data-vars-content-id="88837c34-0bee-4a37-a8fc-cd9c68242851" data-vars-headline="Report warns of growing housing shortage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://itascaproject.org/wp-content/uploads/Itasca-Housing_Affordability_Report_September_2020.pdf" target="_blank">Itasca Project</a> as a key metric for maintaining housing affordability in the metro area.</li></ul>

Historic James J. Hill Library re-opens after renovation

Most of the library's 500,000 books remain

The historic James J. Hill Reference Library overlooking downtown St. Paul&#x27;s Rice Park has re-opened as Avalon event center following <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a $5 million renovation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2021/06/17/james-j-hill-reference-library-st-paul-buyer-peter-remes" data-vars-content-id="f61fe7d0-ab25-49bf-a7f8-53a1f23dabf9" data-vars-headline="Historic James J. Hill Library re-opens after renovation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2021/06/17/james-j-hill-reference-library-st-paul-buyer-peter-remes" target="_self">a $5 million renovation</a>.Flashback: The railroad tycoon built the library as a gift to the city, but died before its 1921 opening. <ul><li>For nearly 100 years, his family operated it as a working reference library before closing in 2019 due to operating losses. The George Latimer Central Library on the other side of the building has remained open to the public. </li></ul>

Development 🏗️

Dick's Sporting Goods planning mega store in Maple Grove

Retail roundup: Crunch Fitness to flex into former Lunds & Byerly's in St. Paul

Office-to-apartment conversions heat up

What becomes of Target Center if the Wolves move?

St. Paul's Midway Marketplace could be poised for a comeback