Woodbury Officials Give Positive Reviews on Plans for Former State Farm Campus

“This is going to be great for Woodbury.”

That was state Sen. Susan Kent’s reaction to concept plans for the former State Farm campus, as Miami-based Elion unveiled its vision for the 100-acre site Thursday during the annual Woodbury Business Classic.

See: Hotel, Grocery Store, Restaurant, Office Space: Concept Plans for State Farm Campus in Woodbury

Mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens said she was excited to see the plans and hear the “buzz” at the event.

The preliminary plans fit with what Woodbury wants to see at the site (places to work) and the planned development should bring high-end jobs to the city, Stephens said.

Councilman Paul Rebholz talked about Radio Drive being the “gateway” to the city and how plans for the site, dubbed the Woodbury Corporate Campus, are consistent with the city’s ideas for development there.

“We’re certainly excited to see new life at the property,” he said.

The idea for the hotel is a “great tie” with the other corporate development planned at the campus, Rebholz said, noting Woodbury’s access to major highways and airports.

He, too, talked about the development bringing jobs to Woodbury.

“A lot of people are tired of commuting to Minneapolis for work,” Rebholz said.

Washington County Commissioner Lisa Weik, who lives in Woodbury, pointed to the ongoing construction of Cabela’s across the street as a good sign for the area and was “cautiously optimistic” about the plans, considering a 2011 deal for the site fell through.

Woodbury Councilman Julie Ohs, meanwhile, said the drawings look “wonderful,” adding that if the concepts eventually come to reality, they should help surrounding businesses, as well.

“It’s an amazing location, right in the gateway to Woodbury,” Ohs said.

Previous Statements

Councilman Christopher Burns:

“I am excited to see this gateway area to have a new opportunity. Candidly, this property is the area I am asked about the most by our residents and I am glad that, preliminarily, it appears that we now have some very good news to share with our residents after several years of opportunities that never fully blossomed. I look forward to the future presentation to the council and to the new jobs it will bring to our community.”

Community Development Director Dwight Picha:

“We’ve made our initial review of the team’s concept plan for the site, and we are pleased that the plans generally respect the city’s vision for this gateway area.”

Mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens:

“The city is encouraged by Elion’s approach to the property. We’re excited to work with Elion and its team as it finalizes its conceptual design and takes it through the city’s approval process.”

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