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BlaineBiz.com - BizConnect
Development Spotlight: 9927 Ulysses Street Commercial Building Businesses are moving into the brand new 4,063 square foot commercial retail building on the corner of 99th and Ulysses Street. General Contractors of Minnesota designed the new space to accommodate two new restaurant/ retail spaces including one with a drive through lane. The building has a modern architectural design featuring wood paneling and stone. In August, Planet Smoothie and Great Steak opened in Suite 100. This shared space offers cheese steaks and a wide array of smoothies and smoothie bowls to hungry customers. Micholandia is expected to open in Suite 110 sometime this fall. Micholandia will serve ice cream, drinks, shakes, smoothies, and Mexican inspired snacks.
Blaine Recognized as a Top 50 City for Small Businesses The City of Blaine was recognized in the July issue of Site Selection Magazine as a top city for small businesses. Cities across the United States are considered, and top performing cities meet several criteria including a growing population, highly educated workforce, laborfriendly commute times, favorable tax climate, easy access to capital, and widespread broadband access. Blaine made the listing along with three other Minnesota cities: Maple Grove, Lakeville, and Eagan. If you are looking for a great place to start or grow your small business, Blaine is the perfect place for you. With its businessfriendly environment, strong economy, and access to transportation and talent, Blaine has everything you need to succeed.
Northtown Mall is Sold to New Owner In mid-August, the sale of Northtown Mall closed and 4th Dimension Properties took ownership. Northtown Mall has approximately 654,000 square feet of leasable space which is currently around 87 percent occupied. 4th Dimension Principal, Feliz Reznick, is considering the development of lots around the perimeter of the mall and attracting new tenants within the mall to increase foot traffic and help Northtown thrive. Headquartered in Hollywood, Florida, 4th Dimension Properties has sole ownership in three other malls and co-owns 17 malls across the country.
Highway 65 Improvements Funded How to Prepare for Business Disruption Highway 65 improvements, from 97th Avenue to 119th Avenue, have been fully funded with construction expected to start in 2025. Businesses and those who shop along the corridor will experience some impacts as traffic is rerouted to other major roadways throughout the City. It’s important for businesses and customers to stay up to date on construction happenings. Businesses can connect with the City and begin to create a strategy to keep customers visiting during construction.
Preparing Your Business for Road Construction One Year Ahead of Construction • Attend public meetings related to the construction project to become aware of updates, plans and timeline for this project. Connect with key contacts at the City and MnDOT and share with the project team on how to best contact your business. • Stay connected with the project team and inform project staff of any unique needs of your business such as upcoming events, access needs, questions, or concerns. • Request to be included on any public email lists that may be created for the project. • Identify and list concerns about access, parking, deliveries, and other logistical elements that may impact your business. • Begin to think about temporary signage and other need-to-know information to help customers and other businesses in the project footprint. • Brainstorm a promotional campaign for your business or the businesses in your area. • Look for opportunities for partnerships, promotions, and resources that extend beyond your business by discussing with other businesses, local business groups, and local government. Businesses and customers can follow the project at BlaineMN.gov/ThriveOn65.
BizConnect Online BlaineMN.gov/NotifyMe
Blaine BizConnect online is a monthly newsletter delivered directly to your inbox that will keep you up to date on development happenings in the City of Blaine. From commercial to industrial to residential, Blaine is one of the fastest growing cities in the Twin Cities metro area and always has new and exciting projects on the horizon. Sign up online at BlaineBiz.com/NotifyMe, choose BlaineBiz Update.
