WSP city council takes action
on major development project

West St. Paul city council takes action on major development project
By Jake Spitzack | Staff Writer | November 2025

One of the largest development projects in West St. Paul history is slated to be approved by the city council the day this issue hits the streets. Proposed is the sale of the approximately 12-acre site at 150 Thompson Ave. E., formerly home to the YMCA, from the City of West St. Paul to Greco Properties. Greco plans to build two apartment buildings with a total of 457 market-rate units and 19 townhomes across three buildings, and build out the nearby vacant AutoZone building for a restaurant and other businesses. A new 2.5-acre city-owned park will also be created at the site, with a water feature, urban beach, playground, picnic shelter, community building, bandshell, lawn space, trails, gardens, public art and more. The city’s parks and recreation department chose the design following community feedback on seven proposed designs. Current estimates put the park project at nearly $6.7 million, which will be funded through $7 million in tax increment financing. The remainder can be used for improvements to other public infrastructure, such as street work for the proposed extension of Crawford Drive leading to the park.

The site plan and purchase agreement were originally expected to be approved on September 22 but were pushed back twice by the City due to staff needing more time to finalize documents. The City is now operating under a tight schedule to meet its bond obligation. Financing costs are expected to increase if Greco isn’t able to secure private financing by the end of the year, and if the purchase agreement doesn’t move forward by February 1, 2026, the city will need to find a way to pay off the $6.1 million it used in bond funds to buy the property in 2022.

Following approval, construction is expected to begin within a few months, starting with grading and site preparation. The new public park is expected to open in late 2028 in conjunction with the first phase of housing units.

Council approves pool renovation
The West St. Paul City Council recently approved a $218,840 contract with Damon Farber Associates to create renovation designs for the city pool and bathhouse at 92 W. Orme St., as well as the adjacent Poolside Park. Last year, the 70-year-old pool was found to need significant work to update operational systems and maintain safety. The renovation project is expected to cost nearly $2.2 million and will keep the pool operational for another 25 years. Work is expected to be completed in time for the pool to open for the 2026 season, with additional work being completed through spring 2027.