Former New Brighton School Demolished to Make Way for Housing

Aug 27, 2019 In the Community

Although neighbors have had concerns about density throughout the planning process, city officials have cited the need for more affordable housing in the city and are overwhelmingly in support of the project, dubbed Midtown Village.

The new development will consist of a four-story, 204-unit affordable senior apartment building built by Dominium, and 53 townhomes built by Pulte Homes on the site of the former elementary school, to the north of Old Highway 8 between Eighth Avenue and the railroad tracks.

On adjacent land south of Old Highway 8, Dominium has proposed a four-story, 154-unit affordable family apartment building.

The teardown of the former school is one of three steps taken over the last few weeks to pave the way for the sale of the city-owned land to Dominium and Pulte. After a $3 million investment in the project by the city, New Brighton stands to bring in roughly $3.6 million from the deal.

On July 23, the city council approved a final site plan for the townhome portion of the development.

On Aug. 13, following a mandatory public hearing where no residents addressed the council, the city also conditionally approved two nearby roadway changes that will facilitate the development.

Seventh Avenue will be converted into a dead end with a hammerhead turn-around, constructed by Dominium, at its southern end where it abuts the former elementary school site.