A developer wants to transform Eden Prairie’s vacant Office Depot building into a Planet Fitness and build a new Starbucks coffee shop in the corner of the parking lot.
Why it matters: The plan would repurpose a large, vacant building, revitalizing the property’s retail services and taxes paid to local governments.
TOLD Development Co., which owns the property along Leona Road at Flying Cloud Drive – across Leona Road from Best Buy – won a 7-0 endorsement of the project Monday, Aug. 26, from the Eden Prairie Planning Commission.
TOLD plans to accommodate Planet Fitness’s needs by demolishing part of the roughly 33,000-square-foot Office Depot building, leaving about 18,500 square feet for the new tenant.
As a second phase, TOLD would build a 2,450-square-foot drive-thru Starbucks coffee shop across the parking lot, next to the intersection of Flying Cloud Drive and Leona Road.
Another corner of the property, nearest Cub Foods, can potentially host a small retail business but will be left vacant for now, TOLD’s Trent Mayberry told the commission.
Founded in 1992, Planet Fitness reported in January that it has 2,575 fitness centers across the U.S. and in several other countries.
Here’s what else you should know about the proposed redevelopment:
- City council review of the proposal is the next step.
- The plan would “right-size” the Office Depot building for Planet Fitness’ needs, said Mayberry, but it would also get a new facade and more windows.
- Mayberry acknowledged that landscaping on the Office Depot site has deteriorated. He said the green space would be improved as a result of the project.
- Planning commissioners encouraged the developer to keep working on the parking lot plan so the circulation of cars would be safe and convenient. That includes special attention during construction to avoid disrupting the neighboring retail center, which includes Qdoba restaurant and Caribou Coffee.
- The city has already issued building permits for demolition inside the Office Depot building.
- Commissioners were positive in their comments about the plan. “I think it’s a good addition to the city,” said John Kirk.
Detailed plans for the redevelopment are on the City of Eden Prairie website.
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