The first phase, which is expected to be done in the fall ofnext year, will consist of 345 housing units and 65,000 sf ofretail space, and will cost anestimated $63 million. The four-storybuilding in the first phase will feature retail and restaurantspace on the ground level with housing above that. Theprojectincludes two parking structures, underground residential parkingand on-street parking.

The project is intended to create an environment friendly bothto cars and pedestrians, and will focus on a 2.5-acre centralboulevard and town green. St. Louis Park Mayor Jeff Jacobs says hethinks the project will "revitalize Excelsior Boulevard and becomeour Downtown, something we have not had in the past."

The project is another in a line of attempts by Twin Citiessuburbs to create a "downtown atmosphere" in a suburban shoppingand housing environment. The architects on the project areMinneapolis-based Elness Swenson Graham Architects Inc. Bor-SonConstruction Inc., Minneapolis, is the general contractor and GreatLakes Management will lease and manage the residential units.