Ramsey County seeks to dissolve Rice Creek Commons board.

Byline: Brian Johnson

In another setback to the estimated $315 million Rice Creek Commons project in Arden Hills, Ramsey County said Wednesday it intends to dissolve the joint powers board established to oversee the redevelopment.

The move is the latest salvo in an ongoing battle between the county and the city of Arden Hills over density and other issues related to the development, which would bring 1,500 housing units, 1 million square feet of commercial space and other uses to the 427-acre site former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant site at the northeast quadrant of Interstate 35W and Highway 96.

Assistant Ramsey County Attorney Amy Schmidt said in a March 6 letter to the city that it has "become clear that the cooperative relationship contemplated by the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) is no longer functional and the JPA has failed in its essential purpose."

The county asked the city to agree to voluntarily terminate the Joint Powers Authority by March 19. If the city doesn't comply, the county "will pursue legal options to do so," the letter stated.

In early February, county officials triggered a dispute resolution clause in theRice Creek Commons joint powers agreement to enter intomediationwith the city. City officials said at a Feb. 25 council meeting and in prepared statements that mediation was "premature."

Arden Hills Mayor David Grant said...