Plymouth To Purchase Hotel for Transit Stop, Redevelopment
The city of Plymouth is spending $4.5 million to buy a hotel near two busy highways. Elected officials say the purchase will help with redevelopment and transit plans.
The Red Roof Inn is located at 2600 Annapolis Ln. N., near the intersection of Highway 55 and Interstate 494.
On Tuesday, Nov. 26, the Plymouth City Council approved plans to buy the Red Roof Inn and demolish the hotel over the winter.
When the existing hotel is demolished, the city expects that a Metro Transit Park-and-Ride to be built at the site. It would also clear the way for other redevelopment.
“I think in this case it’s really necessary,” said Council Member Catherine Cesnik. “That area really needs help, and I think providing an anchor point where developers know that they can invest in this area, that the city is going to be taking care of it, will really help attract redevelopment for that corner.”
The decision to purchase the site comes as Metro Transit is considering an all-day transit route with service running in the Highway 55 corridor between Minneapolis and Plymouth.
“So this will give the ability to — if you want to stay for a game, you want to stay for, and be able to [have] drinks or whatever, meet friends downtown — and be able to come out here without having to drive downtown, you’re going to have that ability to do that,” said Mayor Jeff Wosje.
Currently, that corridor only has express bus service, with buses running at peak hours.
The move could open up access to high-paying jobs along the corridor.
“We have lots of manufacturing jobs in Plymouth that pay well,” Wosje said, “So it’s also, a big part of that is supporting our business community and making sure they stay strong.”
Metro Transit is also considering a bus rapid transit line in the Highway 55 corridor.
