Twin Cities Spreading

The Minneapolis-St. Paul region is spreading further south, according to a recent study, which shows that projected growth will require more than 50,000 new homes and millions of square feet of retail and office space.

1 minute read

September 29, 2008, 9:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"In Dakota County, 53,000 households are projected to be added from now through 2030, fueling demand for more commercial space -- and creating up to 58,000 new jobs."

"That means about 2,200 acres will be needed for new commercial and industrial space, according to research conducted for the county's Community Development Agency."

"The south metro county is continuing to grow as the "urban fringe" of the Twin Cities metro area expands farther into the county. Outer-ring suburbs will see the greatest growth and potential to support more retailers and industry, the report said."

"It points to the trend of big-box stores cropping up nationwide. Since 2000, more than a third of the commercial space added in Dakota County has been for big-box stores"

Friday, September 26, 2008 in Minneapolis-St.Paul Star Tribune

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 20, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A yellow, two-story building named Ferns with two American flags.

This MA town is drowning in its own sewage — and residents like it that way

Susan Murcott, a waste water expert, said if Carlisle didn't address their leaking sewage, the problem could turn “deadly.”

October 22, 2026 - Boston Globe

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

45 minutes ago - Grist

A texas bus drives down a multi lane road

With no reauthorization bill in sight, Texas slashes $6.6 billion from transportation budget

An official said the program may receive additional funding when a federal reauthorization bill passes.

1 hour ago - Midland Reporter-Telegram

People walk off a train in chicago

Chicago’s new transit authority has ‘unprecedented’ land development power

The Northern Illinois Transit Authority is allowed to buy and develop land for reasons unrelated to transit, a power that is fairly unique among transit authorities.

2 hours ago - Chicago Sun Times