The Metropolitan Council, which governs seven counties in the metro area, is nearing the end of a comprehensive planning process. Every ten years, the 189 communities overseen by the council are required to submit comprehensive plans that indicate each city’s long-term vision. The plans cover land use, transportation, parks and open space, housing, sewer and water, economic development, and more. The council is now in the midst of reviewing the submitted plans.
Cities around the metro face a variety of challenges. Larger cities like Bloomington are balancing huge retail and office developments with the needs of residents and commuters. Smaller cities like Rogers are working to attract businesses and build infrastructure while maintaining a sense of identity.
While we don’t yet know what the accumulated comprehensive plans will indicate about the metro area’s future and the outlook for commercial real estate, we decided to take a closer look at two cities that have completed their plans. These very different cities are facing challenges unique to each, but their issues point to larger trends that are playing out elsewhere in the Twin Cities.
—Jamie Swedberg
