Brooklyn Center Receives $3.5M in Met Council Grants for Opportunity Site

The city of Brooklyn Center has tried to redevelop the so-called “opportunity site” for almost 20 years. Recently, the city received two Metropolitan Council grants totaling $3.5 million to help in that effort.

The grant money will be used for phase one of redevelopment. The initial phase project covers about 16 acres, located at the northeast corner of Shingle Creek Parkway and Bass Lake Road. The existing Ocean Buffet restaurant and nearby parking lot would be turned into an event center, three separate apartment buildings, a childcare center, and wellness and barber suites.

Phase I of the Opportunity Site will be redeveloped into businesses and housing.

Two Livable Communities Grants from the Metropolitan Council will help attract diverse entrepreneurs and affordable housing.

“The $1.5 million with Met Council is specifically for the entrepreneurial market, which is targeting the BIPOC women and immigrant entrepreneurs,” said City Planner Ginny McIntosh. “The $2 million grant funding award is specifically for 60 units of affordable, deeply affordable housing.”

Phase one of redevelopment will likely cost between $250 million and $300 million. The city of Brooklyn Center approved up to $30 million in public assistance to offset the costs of constructing public infrastructure, delivering affordable housing, and providing other community benefits within this redevelopment.

Construction is anticipated to begin in the spring and summer of 2023.

Brooklyn Center