ROSEVILLE, MN-Rottlund Cos., the developer of a proposed 80-acre first phase of Roseville's Twin Lakes project, has won the right to retain exclusive negotiating status with the city regarding the development proposal. The first phase calls for 730 housing units, 221,000 sf of office space, and 30 acres of retail and restaurants.

The project includes a big-box retailer, which industry insiders say is almost certainly Costco. Some residents have opposed the proposed redevelopment of the blighted property on 280 acres northeast of County Road C and Cleveland Avenue. A citizens group has sued the city and Rottlund to force further environmental review of the contaminated site. They worry about the impact of the project on adjacent Langton Lake Park, and argue there is no need for additional retail space in the area.

The project is considered by some in the commercial real estate industry as among the three largest development proposals in the Twin Cities, with the others being the Army Ammunition Plant in Arden Hills, MN, and The Lakes in Blaine, MN. Besides Rottlund, the developers include Dan Commers of Roseville Properties, John Johannson of Welsh Cos., and the Ryan Cos. of Minneapolis. They own much of the land.

In a 3-1 vote, the Roseville city council affirmed recently the development team led by the Rottlund Cos. met the deadline requirements. The vote authorizes the city to work with Rottlund on developing a term sheet outlining key provisions of a potential final agreement by April 25. A redevelopment agreement, or actual contract, would be completed by June 11.