St. Cloud's most expensive building projects in 2022 include new apartments, hospital reno
Between January and October, St. Cloud has already issued permits for building projects worth more than those issued all last year.
Several apartment buildings, a fence at St. Cloud's prison and a hospital remodel are on this year's list of most expensive building projects so far in St. Cloud.
The City of St. Cloud has issued permits for roughly $197.19 million-worth of construction projects in that time frame, according to a Times analysis of building permit data. Last year, the city issued approximately $146.23 million over the course of the entire year.
These numbers for both years exclude permits issued for pools, demolitions, moving and signs.
The City has also issued more than double the number of permits (with those same exclusions) in 2022 so far than in all of 2021. There have been 126 commercial permits issued so far.
In St. Cloud, 21 construction projects valued at over $1 million were permitted between January and October, the most recent data as of Nov. 30. Waite Park had six projects valued at over $1 million, Sauk Rapids had two and Sartell had none. Sartell's public data only details permits filed through May. The City of St. Joseph's website containing data on building permits was inaccessible, and the city did not return a request for information as of Dec. 1.
Here are the 10 highest-value projects from 2022 (through October) in the St. Cloud area. All of them were built in St. Cloud.
10. The Cloud on Fifth
Location: 305 Fifth Ave. S
Estimated value: $4 million
According to documents filed with the city, 60 four-bedroom apartment units were altered to created 60 new two-bedroom apartments and 60 new one-bedroom apartments.
More:What were the most expensive construction projects in 2021 in the St. Cloud area?
9. Minnesota Correctional Facility - St. Cloud
Location: 2305 Minnesota Boulevard SE
Estimated value: $4.25 million
The prison received a permit to install new security fencing, a new "electronic perimeter intrusion detection system" and grading, landscaping, paving and drainage work associated with the new fencing.
8. Highbanks Plaza (former City Hall)
Location: 400 Second St. S
The former City Hall was demolished at the end of July and will become a new two-story office building that will house Bremer Bank and a café or coffee shop.
More:Old St. Cloud City Hall space to be demolished, Bremer Bank to take its place
7. Dayton Freight Lines
Location: 6308 Eighth Ave. S
Estimated value: $7.5 million
The City of St. Cloud approved a permit for Dayton Freight Lines to build a new truck terminal and fuel bay on Eighth Avenue South. The single-story building is set to include more than 18,000 square feet of dock space, an approx. 3,500 square-foot indoor fuel bay and almost 6,000 square feet for offices, a drivers room and a training room.
6. River Heights apartment building
Location: 1307 Lincoln Ave. SE
This new apartment complex is planned to house 40 apartments in a three-story building as well as a lobby, work room, meeting room and common room.
5. Anderson Trucking
Location: 725 Opportunity Drive
Anderson Trucking has planned a two-story addition of more than 17,500 square feet between both floors. It will add offices, conference rooms, storage and open office areas.
4. "Project Augusta"
While the purpose of this new building isn't clear from the building permit, it's described as a 162,000 square-foot single-story shell building with the project title "Project Augusta."
3. St. Cloud Hospital
Location: 1406 Sixth Ave. N
The fourth-floor surgical unit renovation at St. Cloud Hospital affects 25,000 square feet in the existing surgical care unit. The remodel changes the layout, with the new layout including 39 remodeled single-patient rooms and several staff support rooms. According to the building permit, the project will be done in multiple phases spanning about two years.
1. Sunny Ville Apartments (tie)
Location: 2405 and 2407 County Road 74
Estimated value: $15 million per location ($30 million in total split between two permits)
Two new apartment buildings are planned for along County Road 74. Both are three-story buildings with detached garages planned. One building will have 99 apartments, the other 110.