St. Paul residents discuss future of former Ford plant

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - Over 70 community members showed up for the last of three public meetings where city planners laid out plans for the future of the St. Paul property once home to the Ford plant.

“The funny thing is when I left, I touched the paint building and said goodbye,” said Danny Sodickhausen, who worked at the plant and now lives nearby.

The City of St. Paul says the Ford Motor Company expects to have the 136-acre site ready for sale by 2018.
City officials hope construction on roads and buildings could start as early as 2020.

“As we look to redevelop the site, we have to make sure what uses makes sense today and that tends to be a mix of uses,” said Merritt Clapp-Smith with the city of St. Paul.

City planners say the site will be home to green space, residential and business spaces.