The radio station's board of directors has approved the design and budget for four-story addition to its existing studios and offices at 7th and Cedar streets. The glassy building, designed by HGA architects of Minneapolis, will stretch north of the radio station's headquarters.
To make way for the construction, East Ninth Street will be closed and, by late 2005, a new building will replace 480 Cedar, the former headquarters of the St. Paul Public Housing Agency. It will be linked to Minnesota Public Radio's current 25-year-old building, where remodeling is planned through 2006.
The expansion, in planning for five years, will consolidate the station's 300 employees, now dispersed in three buildings, and allow room for growth. The existing headquarters, built in 1979, will be renovated after the addition is done.
The city sold Minnesota Public Radio the building for $7.9 million, and the agency has moved to another building on 11th and Wabasha streets. The city of St. Paul loaned $3.3 million to the project, which will be forgiven if 100 employees are added in the next 15 years.
Although MPR had considered a couple dozen other sites in the Twin Cities, expanding its current building allows existing studios and space to be reused. Also, the presented headquarters is close to the Fitzgerald Theater, where Garrison Keillor and other radio personnel hold performances.
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