Bennett Lumber Site

What had initially been planned as new housing on an active lumberyard, plans fell through in late 2006.

The project as planned would have rehabilitated the existing brick building on the northeast corner of Dupont Avenue and the Midtown Greenway, incorporating the structure to create 8 residential condo units. Bennett Lumber would have relocated its exterior storage to its current retail store block (west side of Fremont) and better utilize on-demand delivery.

Sherman Associates, the project developer, submitted a Tax Increment Financing application to the City of Minneapolis in summer 2006 hoping it would be approved so that construction could start in spring 2007.

Ultimately, the project's applications to the City of Minneapolis were withdrawn by the developer. Some insiders said it was the combination of expensive real estate, a slower condo market, and a cool reception by city officials for the public financing.

In May 2007, the current property owner applied for demolition permits for the three buildings on the east side of Dupont Avenue north of the Midtown Greenway. The brick building facing the Midtown Greenway is considered a "historical resource" and would require a more thorough analysis before receiving a demolition permit. The owner later withdrew the permit for the older brick building. Demolition of the remaining two began in early May. Plans for the site are unknown at this point and the staff person overseeing the demolition permit at the city's department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) said that no applications have been made for a use after the demolition.

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October 8th, 2006: The project has officially been called off. The developer has withdrawn their application with the city and have canceled their purchase agreement for the property.

Developer: Sherman Associates, Inc.
Architect: Elness Swenson Graham (ESG) Architects
Status: Dead

Current Zoning: I1 & I2
Proposed Zoning: I1 & I2 + IL (Industrial Living Overlay)
Current Use: Industrial
Proposed Use: Residential
Proposed Height: 45 - 50' (will not exceed 56')
Current Parking: 0
Proposed Parking: 96 underground (Phase I) & 134 underground and 42 above ground (Phase II)
Parking Requirement: 178
Housing Units/Type: 74 (Phase I) & 102 (Phase II) / Condo

• Rubenstein, Aaron. "Bennett Lumber Becomes The Remodeler's Choice and Sherman Redevelopment in Question." Uptown Neighborhood News Oct. 2006.
• Gilyard, Burl. "Sherman Plans New Housing Project on Bennett Lumber Site." Finance & Commerce 8 Dec. 2005.