St. Cloud Downtown Plan 2045: Five Riverfront Sites Targeted for Redevelopment
St. Cloud has a new roadmap for its downtown — and it comes with five specific sites already targeted for major transformation.
The city released its draft Downtown Plan this week, laying out a 2045 vision centered on the Mississippi River.
The goals include:
- Strengthening the riverfront connection
- Adding mixed-use development
- Creating more housing at every life stage
- Positioning downtown as a regional destination in central Minnesota
The Five Sites to Watch
The most significant parcel is the 10.2-acre Stearns County campus near Second Street and Seventh Avenue.
County operations are expected to relocate by 2029. Once they do, the site opens for a mixed-use district with:
- Housing
- Commercial space
- Civic uses
- Green areas
The plan describes it as a potential new anchor for the entire downtown.
The 6-acre Best Western Plus Kelly Inn property at 100 Fourth Avenue South is another headline site.
The vision includes:
- A hotel
- A music hall
- A multipurpose arena
All positioned on a riverfront parcel with a connection to the existing River’s Edge Convention Center.
If executed, this would be one of the most visible changes to the St. Cloud skyline.
The remaining three sites include:
Northwest Riverfront (2.65 acres):
- Hotel with skyway access to the convention center
- Market-rate riverfront housing
East Riverbank (3.6 acres near Riverside Drive):
- Mixed-use building
- River-facing restaurant
- Rooftop space
Lady Slipper lot (2 acres at 198 Seventh Avenue South):
- 5-story commercial building
- Parking
- Accessible green space
What Comes Next
The city plans to issue requests for developer qualifications on multiple sites, including:
- Stearns County campus
- Lady Slipper lot
A public open house is scheduled for April 22 at the River’s Edge Convention Center.
The City Council is expected to formally consider the plan in June.
Why This Matters for Minnesota Real Estate
Downtown revitalization plans like this signal long-term investment in a city’s core.
Key impacts typically include:
- Increased density
- Expanded housing options
- Stronger commercial activity
Riverfront development, in particular, tends to lift neighborhood values in surrounding submarkets over time.
St. Cloud sits at the center of a regional market that includes Stearns and Sherburne counties, making this a key area to watch for buyers tracking growth corridors in Minnesota.
Thinking about buying or selling in the Twin Cities? Let’s talk.
Text Darin Bjerknes at 612-702-5126 or DM on Instagram @darintheminnesotan.
