Mall of America officials fought — and won — to keep Bloomington from releasing data the city has on the shopping center's parking ramp counts.

Why it matters: The public records fight is a window into the close but complicated relationship between the suburb and its economic engine.

• Entities tied to MOA ownership sued the city last month while, at the same time, asking for $55 million in public subsidies for a proposed water park next to the mall.

The latest: Mall of America said it waived the lawsuit after city officials reversed their decision last week and withheld the data after all.

Catch up fast: Axios Twin Cities requested data on vehicle traffic counts at MOA ramps before and during the pandemic for a story back in December.

• The city had ruled the data public, but three entities tied to MOA filed for a temporary restraining order in Hennepin County District Court, arguing the data is a trade secret.

The intrigue: Mall officials disclosed in the lawsuit that they spent millions of dollars on a sophisticated wayfinding system that uses cameras and sensors to track, monitor and count traffic.

• It shares this data with the city of Bloomington for traffic management purposes, according to the complaint.
• The complaint also showed that the mall and city have signed confidentiality agreements as they hammer out big economic development deals.

What they're saying: City Clerk Christina Scipioni said the mall was able to demonstrate that the data met the elements of trade secret classification.

Mall spokesperson Dan Jasper said the data is confidential and that an "injunction was needed to protect our proprietary information."

What's ahead: The mall and city continue to move forward on the water park project and were close to a significant step this week, according to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

• "The city has been longtime development partners with Mall of America and continues to appreciate a positive working relationship with them," Scipioni wrote in an email to Axios.

Housing starts in St. Paul fell by 80% from November to January, after voters approved a strict rent control ordinance in the city, according to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

State of play: Mayor Melvin Carter is pushing for a carve out from the rent control policy for the first 15 years after a building is constructed.

What they're saying: "We have two projects with 260 units where the capital stack [funding sources] was all put together and ready to go, but when the ordinance passed those investors went away," Kou Vang, president of JB Vang Real Estate, told MinnPost.

The other side: Tram Hoang, director of policy & research at the Housing Justice Center, told Axios that city leaders need to stay strong and not weaken the policy.

• "We see this in every city that passes any progressive housing policy: a short-term pause in development permits as developers adjust to the new reality, but also as they see how much pressure they can create to force elected officials to change or weaken the policies that have just been passed," she said.

🍩 Soga Mochi Donut, a new kiosk in St. Paul's Dragon Star Oriental Foods, is the state's first shop serving donuts made out of (you guessed it) mochi! (Pioneer Press)

⚾ The Twins home opener is back on for April 7 against the Seattle Mariners now that the MLB lockout is over. (Axios Sports)

⚖️ Minnesota public defenders could go on strike in less than two weeks over a contract dispute. (Fox9)

🗳️ Former Hormel CEO Jeff Ettinger is running for the DFL nomination in the upcoming 1st Congressional District special election.

• The full field of candidates is growing quickly ahead of the March 15 filing deadline. (Mankato Free Press)

😷 Masks are no longer required in city-owned buildings in Minneapolis and St. Paul. (Star Tribune)

Need an (EV) charge in the Twin Cities? You've got options.

State of power: There are about two dozen free stations where drivers can "fuel" up their electric vehicles in the metro, according to U.S. Department of Energy data.

The catch: While all the stations are technically free, some are reserved for business patrons or monthly parking customers.

What's ahead: Minnesota is set to get up to $68 million in federal funds over the next five years to expand its charging network statewide.

Interactive map.

⚽️ Get the ball rolling. Check out these openings from our Job Board.

1. Business Development Manager at Amerilab Technologies inc.

2. Remote Digital Content Marketing Strategist at Brafton

3. Corporate Communications Consultant at Vanco.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a Job.

🌴 Pretend the cold is over at tomorrow's Escape the Winter Party, an all-day warm weather celebration at Minneapolis Cider Co. Tropical attire is encouraged, but bring a coat. Free.

🍀 Celebrate St. Paddy's Day early this Sunday at An Irish Day of Dance in St. Paul, featuring Celtic music, dancing and vendors. $5.

🧊 Bring your bowling balls and three teammates to ShamROC Ice Bowling tomorrow for a competition on ice. $50 per team.

Need an activity to pass what we hope is one of our last winter weather weekends?

• Why not do some pre-spring cleaning and unclutter your space?

Why it matters: We're overstuffed. And all that stuff often brings a lot more stress than joy, our colleague Erica Pandey wrote in Axios' new Finish Line newsletter this week.

Yes, but: Don't just throw it all out. There are dozens of ways to sell or donate your stuff.

• Try the Freecycle Network or the Buy Nothing Project.
• Local second-hand stores, including TurnStyle for clothes and home goods, Half Price Books and Once Upon a Child, will buy gently used items.
• Or just donate to Goodwill or Salvation Army.

🏁 Want more tips like this? Sign up for Finish Line to end your day with an insight-packed two-minute read.