184 Acre Mixed Use Development Proposed In Woodbury Near Bailey Road
A massive piece of land in the Twin Cities east metro could soon be transformed into housing, retail, and business space.
Bailey Nurseries, a Minnesota plant wholesaler founded in 1905, is exploring plans to redevelop approximately 184 acres of land that stretches across Woodbury, Newport, and Maplewood. The proposal represents one of the largest potential development projects currently under consideration in the east metro.
What Is Planned For The Woodbury Portion
According to an environmental assessment worksheet filed with the city, the Woodbury section of the property could include:
• Up to 360 residential units
• Roughly 89,600 square feet of retail space along Bailey Road
• Approximately 660,400 square feet of business park development
This mix of uses would create a new neighborhood that combines housing, employment space, and retail services in one area.
For Woodbury, a city that has seen significant population growth over the past two decades, projects like this help provide new housing options while also attracting businesses and services.
Development Already Starting In Newport
Parts of the larger Bailey Nurseries property are already moving forward.
Developers United Properties and Real Estate Equities are planning projects on a 36 acre parcel in Newport, including:
• Two industrial buildings
• An apartment building with more than 172 units
• A new Kwik Trip gas station and convenience store
Construction on that portion is expected to begin this spring.
New Life Academy Expansion
One of the first visible changes on the Woodbury side may come from New Life Academy, a private Christian school located next to the property.
The school is expected to expand onto roughly 29 acres, potentially adding:
• Baseball fields
• Soccer facilities
• Pickleball courts
• Outdoor recreation areas
This addition could create a large new athletic and recreation hub serving both students and the surrounding community.
What This Means For The East Metro
If the full project moves forward, it would bring hundreds of homes and significant commercial space to the area.
For nearby communities like Woodbury, Cottage Grove, and Lake Elmo, this type of development can have several impacts:
• Increased housing supply
• New retail and service businesses
• Additional job opportunities
• Greater demand for nearby amenities and schools
Because the land spans three cities, development will likely occur in phases over time. Early estimates suggest the Woodbury portion alone could take two to five years to fully take shape.
Meanwhile, plans for the Maplewood portion of the property could take 10 to 15 years before development begins.
Large sites like this are becoming increasingly rare in the Twin Cities metro, which is why projects like this often attract strong interest from developers.
If you want updates on new developments, housing trends, and community growth across Woodbury, Afton, Stillwater, and the east metro, keep following along.
And if you are thinking about buying or selling in the Twin Cities, feel free to reach out anytime.
