Sponsor: Community & Economic Development
Title
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Second Amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreement for TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons Outlot A
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the second amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreement for TCAAP Outlot A with Ryan Companies, in a form approved by the County Attorney’s Office.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute and deliver, in forms approved by the County Attorney’s Office:
a. The deed conveying the Phase 1 Parcel (defined below) to the buyer under the Purchase and Sale Agreement; and
b. All other easements, covenants, declarations, and other agreements that are to be recorded at closing as contemplated in the Purchase and Sale Agreement (as amended).
3. Authorize the County Manager to approve, execute, and deliver the subdivision plat that is contemplated in the Purchase and Sale Agreement, in a form approved by the County Attorney’s Office.
4. Authorize the County Manager to approve, execute and deliver amendments that do not have a financial impact on the disposition of the Phase 1 Parcel, settlement statements and other closing documents, and other related real estate documentation associated with the sale of the Phase 1 Parcel, in forms approved by the County Attorney’s Office.
5. Authorize the County Manager, at the County Manager's discretion, to direct any Sustainability Savings (defined below) to either be returned to the County or invested in more sustainability measures, in accordance with the Purchase and Sale Agreement.
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Background and Rationale
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In 2013, Ramsey County purchased 427 acres of the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) property in the city of Arden Hills from the federal government for redevelopment and renamed the site Rice Creek Commons. TCAAP Outlot A, also sometimes referred to as the “thumb parcel” or “Rice Creek Commons Outlot A,” is a 40-acre, development-ready parcel noncontiguous to the main Rice Creek Commons/TCAAP development parcel, known as the “California parcel.” TCAAP Outlot A has frontage along I-35W with direct highway access from County Road H and is zoned for commercial/industrial use.
In 2023, the TCAAP Joint Development Authority (JDA) in collaboration with Ramsey County released a Request for Development Interest (RDI) for Rice Creek Commons/TCAAP Outlot A. After review and evaluation of proposals, the JDA and Ramsey County each recommended moving forward with Ryan Companies as developer for the site. On January 16, 2024, the Ramsey County Board approved and executed a Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA) with Ryan Companies for TCAAP Outlot A. This PSA had an expiration date of January 15, 2025.
In late 2024, Ryan Companies requested an amendment to the PSA to allow them to close on the land in phases. Staff and Ramsey County Attorney’s Office worked with Ryan Companies to extend the PSA to March 31, 2025, with no financial impact, through a first amendment. This provided time to draft a second amendment enabling phased development of TCAAP Outlot A. A closed session of the Ramsey County Board was held on March 18, 2025, where the Ramsey County Board reviewed the terms of this second amendment to the PSA.
Through this second amendment, TCAAP Outlot A will be subdivided into two parcels and sold to Ryan Companies in two phases:
• Phase 1 is a 9.82-acre parcel that will close by April 30, 2025. The subdivision plat will rename the Phase 1 parcel to “Lot 1, Block 1, Rice Creek Commons”. The purchase price for Phase 1 is reduced from $3,516,947.28 to $1.00 to support sustainability and clean energy measures in phase 1 that align with Rice Creek Commons-wide sustainability design guidelines approved by the JDA in January 2025 (the one-time “Sustainability Credit”). These renewable energy technologies include ground-source heat exchange wells and air-source heat pumps. If these measures cost less than the amount of the one-time Sustainability Credit, the savings (the “Sustainability Savings”) will be returned to County or, at the County’s discretion, invested in more sustainability measures.
• Phase 2 is the remaining 30.28-acre parcel. The subdivision plat will rename the Phase 2 parcel “Outlot A, Rice Creek Commons.” Closing will occur by December 1, 2025, with two options to extend by six months each with non-refundable deposits, for an outside closing date of December 1, 2026. The purchase price for Phase 2 remains consistent with the terms of the original PSA, at $7.30 per square feet, for a purchase price of $9,234,371.52.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☐ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Redevelopment of the former TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons site is an important project in terms of achieving the Ramsey County Board’s overall Prosperity Goal with regard to tax base development, job creation, affordable housing, and environmental remediation of brownfields. The RDI process included evaluation of proposals based on alignment with Ramsey County’s Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan and Equitable Development Framework. Ryan Companies is an active participant in Ramsey County workforce inclusion initiatives such as the CERT Connect Small Business Open House.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Information about the RDI for Outlot A was publicized through DemandStar, the Rice Creek Commons newsletter list, and the Community & Economic Development department newsletter list. The JDA receives consistent updates on the RDI process at their monthly Board meetings and work sessions, where the public is invited to learn more and give their input.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The purchase price for TCAAP Outlot A Phase 1 has been reduced from $3,516,947.28 to $1.00 to support additional sustainability and clean energy investment in the project. The purchase price for phase 2 will remain consistent with the terms of the original PSA, at $7.30 per acre, for a purchase price of $9,234,371.52. These land sale proceeds will be reinvested into the Rice Creek Commons development.
Last Previous Action
On January 16, 2024, the Ramsey County Board approved the Purchase and Sale Agreement with Ryan Companies for Rice Creek Commons Outlot A (Resolution B2024-016).
Attachments
1. Second Amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreement with Ryan Companies for TCAAP Outlot A
2. Final Plat - Outlot A