Skepticism, Economics, and Regulations Choking Development in Minneapolis

Stringent zoning, high costs, and a culture of skepticism directed at developers have hampered efforts to introduce infill redevelopment into some of Minneapolis' most prime locations.

1 minute read

September 8, 2012, 9:00 AM PDT

By Andrew Gorden


Marlys Harris, of the MinnPost, outlines the reasons why development in Minneapolis is occurring at less than a snail's pace. Developers are simply finding development in the city too expensive, requiring extensive variances and time. "'Stop' may be Minneapolis' secret mantra," says Harris, who asks developers, planners, and land use experts for their opinions on the causes for the quagmire.

Unmitigated resistance from residents and public officials against anything new seems to be one such reason. "The attitude toward anything new seems to be negative at the outset," reports Harris. "Unless the developer is trying to put an abattoir in a residential neighborhood, maybe we should take a breath before taking a stand...The question should not be: How do we stop this, but how can we make it work for all of us?"

Perhaps stemming from this culture of skepticism is the city's strict zoning codes. "We should make the zoning code more flexible and expressive of what the city really wants built in that area," says Harris. "And, if no one wants to put up the specified development, well then, maybe the zoning is infeasible and needs to be changed."

Tuesday, September 4, 2012 in MinnPost

portrait of professional woman

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 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 Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

May 21, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Red SF Muni ticketing machine.

San Francisco Muni Raises Fares a Second Time

A 10–cent fare hike for adults is part of the agency’s plan to chip away at a growing budget deficit.

6 hours ago - San Francisco Examiner

Electric car charging station with several Chevy Bolts charging in parking lot of store in Bellingham, Washington

Electric Grid Capacity Could Hamstring EV Growth

Industry leaders say the U.S. electric grid is unprepared for the increased demand for power created by electric cars, data centers, and electric homes.

7 hours ago - GovTech

Top view new development riverside residential and commercial neighborhood with vacant land in Texas, USA.

Texas Bill Supports Adaptive Reuse in Commercial Areas

Senate Bill 840, which was preliminarily approved by the state House, would allow residential construction in areas previously zoned for offices and commercial uses.

May 21 - The Texas Tribune