Woodbury MN Real Estate BlogRecently posted or modified blog postshttps://www.livinginwoodbury.com/blog/Copyright LivingInWoodbury.com2017-08-04T10:24:08-07:00tag:livinginwoodbury.com,2012-09-20:3021Woodbury a Top Place to Live in the U.S.<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/613/image/WoodburyCityHall.jpg" alt="Woodbury City Hall" title="Woodbury City Hall" style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" width="475" height="317" />If you’re fortunate enough to already live in Woodbury, chances are you’re well-aware of how special of a place it can be to call home. But with so much growth and development happening all over town, Woodbury is also starting to get some national attention that is helping solidify its place among the top places to live in the entire country. <br /><br />According to a recently released study by Time Money, Woodbury is now considered to be the 11th best place to live in the U.S., largely because of its low unemployment rate, low property taxes, relatively quick commute times, and countless other reasons that all help make it a pleasant place for any suburban home buyer in Minnesota to consider. <br /><br />During a brief analysis of Woodbury, which noted the city’s average commute time is just 29 minutes, its unemployment rate is just 3.6%, and its property tax rate is just $3,542, the city’s fabulous Bielenberg Sports Center was also referenced as a community highlight, which just underwent a $22 million renovation and expansion. Other factors for Woodbury’s high ranking include its highly-touted school system and of course they city’s thriving healthcare and wellness industry, which provides jobs to thousands of local residents. 2016-11-08T13:05:00-07:002017-08-04T10:24:08-07:00Barker Hedges Grouptag:livinginwoodbury.com,2012-09-20:3020Costco Coming to Woodbury Photo provided by City of Woodbury<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/613/image/WoodburyCostco.png" alt="Woodbury Costco" title="Woodbury Costco" style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; float: right;" width="379" height="213" />
After a few construction delays and even a little controversy, it appears national wholesaler Costco is finally coming to Woodbury—officially. Plans for the new 163,500 square foot store were actually announced all the way back in December of last year, but due to the building site potentially impacting a wetland nearby, the Ramsey-Washington Watershed District recommended the company make a variety of changes to the development, which will not only include the store once finished, but also an expansive parking lot and also a Costco gas station. <br /><br />Initially, the Ramsey-Washington Watershed District proposed Costco reduce the store’s size, build a parking ramp, and even eliminate the gas station altogether. But after careful consideration, Costco instead elected to revise its initial application to the city and move the store to the west side of the building site rather than develop its east side, which would essentially reduce any negative impact the project would have on the wetland. <br /><br />Unfortunately for Costco, the new plans were required to go through the development and approval process all over again, which was the primary reason for the on-going delay. But after a series of changes, and probably a few headaches along the way, Costco’s new plan has officially been passed by the Woodbury City Council and construction is finally set to begin for the new store, which will be located near the intersection of Tamarack Road and Weir Drive. <br /><br />Woodbury’s new Costco is expected to make its debut in the fall of 2017. 2016-11-08T12:52:00-07:002016-11-08T13:14:29-07:00Barker Hedges Grouptag:livinginwoodbury.com,2012-09-20:3019Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit Extending East to WoodburyPhoto Provided by Metro Transit<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/613/image/MetroTransit.png" alt="Gold Line Extension" title="Gold Line Extension" style="float: right;" width="383" height="383" />
Woodbury is undoubtedly one of Minnesota’s fastest growing cities, which means improved transportation continues to be a top priority for city officials. Last month, another step was taken in the right direction when it comes to adding additional transportation options for local residents, as the proposed Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit extension into Woodbury was finally approved. <br /><br />According Woodbury Mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens, the primary goal behind the Gold Line extension is give the city an even stronger connection to St. Paul and the rest of the Twin Cities, which will undoubtedly boost the local economy and give residents easier access to jobs, shopping, dining, entertainment, and countless other amenities the Twin Cities Metro Area has to offer. <br /><br />Although the new bus route isn’t expected to be completed until 2023, it will be the Twin Cities’ first BRT route to travel along dedicated lanes, which will make for safer, more efficient service. For now, the plan is to have the Gold Line start at Union Depot in St. Paul and run east through Maplewood, Landfall, Oakdale, and finally end in Woodbury. But a final decision relating to route specifics is still up in the air. In any case, similar to other Twin Cities transit systems, busses will be scheduled to arrive at stations throughout the day, and even as frequently as every 10 minutes during peak hours.2016-11-08T12:35:00-07:002016-11-08T12:47:31-07:00Barker Hedges Grouptag:livinginwoodbury.com,2012-09-20:3018CityPlace Takes Shape as New Retailers Make Debut<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/613/image/CityPlace.jpg" alt="CityPlace Woodbury" title="CityPlace Woodbury" class="img_box_left" width="427" height="350" />Photo provided by Elion Partners.
The mega mixed-use developed dubbed CityPlace has been in the works since crews first broke ground all the way back in 2014, and now that 2016 is nearing an end, the project is finally starting to take shape. Just a few months ago, construction for CityPlace’s second phase wrapped up, which was topped off by a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome some of the development’s newest anchor tenants.
CityPlace, which is being developed by Kraus-Anderson and Florida-based Elion Partners, now occupies the 100-acre site that was once the former office campus of State Farm Insurance—a location that has been vacant since the company left Woodbury over a decade ago. <br /><br /><br />Despite all the buzz, construction for CityPlace isn’t yet completely finished, however current and committed retail tenants at Woodbury’s spectacular new shopping plaza already include Nordstrom Rack, La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings, Wedding Day Diamonds, Sur La Table, Mattress Firm, Chuck & Don’s, and also a Verizon Wireless store. <br /><br /><br />In addition to all the shopping, the list of restaurants and eateries at CityPlace is also growing and currently features Caribou Coffee, Einstein Bagels, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Pie Five Pizza, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, and Café Zupas; but look for that roster to continue to expand as development continues. <br /><br /><br />In all, CityPlaza has already acquired close to 20 new businesses, with some of those making their official debut in the state of Minnesota. Last year, Elion also announced plans to revamp the site of a 400,000 square foot office building already located on the CityPlace grounds, which when finished, will be transformed into a fabulous new multi-unit office park that will be anchored by TRIA Orthopaedic Center. Other tenants at CityPlace include a huge Whole Foods location and a beautiful new 116-room Residence Inn by Marriott, which is expected to be finished sometime next year along with the rest of the new CityPlace development. <br /><br />2016-11-08T12:12:00-07:002016-11-08T12:34:32-07:00Barker Hedges Group