Newport’s 36-Acre Transformation: A New East Metro Gateway

Developers just unveiled plans for a major thirty-six acre project in Newport, positioned directly north of Bailey Road and just minutes from Woodbury. The proposal brings a blend of residential, industrial, and retail energy to one of the east metro’s most underdeveloped corridors — and it marks the beginning of a much larger regional vision.

United Properties is proposing two industrial facilities totaling nearly three hundred thousand square feet. These modern buildings would anchor the site and support job growth across the east metro. Alongside them, Saint Paul-based Real Estate Equities is planning a one hundred seventy-two unit apartment complex designed to introduce new housing options to a historically low-inventory area.

And yes, the plan also includes a brand new Kwik Trip on the southeast corner of the site, an addition many locals will welcome.

A Strategic Piece of a 280-Acre Vision

The land is currently owned by Bailey Nurseries and represents one of the first large phases of a long-term redevelopment effort. The broader plan spans roughly two hundred eighty acres across Newport, Maplewood, and Woodbury, creating a connected growth corridor along Bailey Road.

If approved, construction could begin as early as summer 2026, bringing new jobs, fresh housing supply, modern infrastructure, and increased tax revenue to the east metro.

A Meaningful Shift for Smaller Suburbs

Mixed-use projects like this are becoming more common across the Twin Cities, but seeing them emerge in smaller suburbs like Newport signals a meaningful shift. Communities on the edge of major suburban hubs are becoming the next frontier for thoughtful redevelopment, especially as demand continues to push outward from places like Woodbury, Cottage Grove, and the I-94 corridor.

Some residents will love the added convenience, retail access, and economic activity. Others may prefer to keep Newport quieter and more rural.

Where Do You Stand?

Would you like to see more mixed-use developments come to east metro suburbs like Newport, or do you prefer the small-community feel to remain intact?

Follow along for more Twin Cities development updates — and send me a message if you want a home near where the next wave of growth is headed.