Hotel planned next to Eagan outlet mall

The company that manages the Saint Paul Hotel wants to build a four-story, 123-room hotel next to the outlet mall that's under construction in Eagan.

Morrissey Hospitality Cos. Inc. has proposed to buy a 0.9-acre site within the city's Cedar Grove Redevelopment Area at the intersection of Cedar Avenue and Highway 13. That's just a few minutes south of the Mall of America.

The proposed hotel site, next to the Twin Cities at Eagan outlet mall, would occupy half of a 1.8-acre rectangular development parcel where the city is building a parking garage, according to Eagan Community Development Director Jon Hohenstein. Morrissey would share the two-level, 1,543-space parking structure with the mall and help fund its construction.

Morrissey also manages a Grandstay Hotel & Suites in Luverne and a Crossings by Grandstay in Parkers Prairie.

Company officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

The hotel proposal will be discussed at a neighborhood meeting Tuesday night, then go before the Eagan Economic Development Authority on Dec. 3. The EDA will determine whether to authorize city staff to enter negotiations with Morrissey for a purchase agreement.

If the sale proceeds, Morrissey could submit its development application to the city in January and go before the Planning Commission and City Council in April. The property sale would likely close in June, paving the way for construction to start shortly after.

Paragon Outlet Partners broke ground on Twin Cities at Eagan in June. The 409,000-square-foot outlet mall is scheduled to open in August 2014 with more than 100 shops, including Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Brooks Brothers, Coach, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren and Nike.

Also, Apple Valley apartment developer Stonebridge Cos. is planning a 180-unit upscale apartment development on another parcel within the Cedar Grove Redevelopment Area.

Reported by:  Minneapolis | St. Paul Business Journal