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TCAAP Background and History
Background
The Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) and the Arden Hills Army Training Site (AHATS) comprise nearly 2,370 acres in the northern third of Arden Hills. The TCAAP site and its history as an ammunition manufacturing facility play a significant role in the incorporation and development of Arden Hills.
Chlorinated solvents were discovered in New Brighton groundwater wells in 1981. The TCAAP site was placed on the Federal National Priorities (Superfund) list in 1983. Since that time, extensive environmental investigation and remediation has occurred.
The TCAAP site was largely decommissioned in the 1980's. The site was divided and used as follows:
- 1,500 acres west of Lexington Avenue - Arden Hills Army Training Site (AHATS)
- 173 acres - MnDOT, Ramsey County/Arden Hills Public Works Facility, City Hall
- 112 acres - Rice Creek North Regional Trail
- 585 acres - Declared surplus by the General Services Administration (GSA) in 2002
In November 2012, the City Council approved a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with Ramsey County that established the goal of remediating 427 acres of the surplus TCAAP land and returning the property to productive use. Ramsey County has been responsible for acquisition and remediation of the land. The City has been responsible for developing the Master Plan for the redevelopment.
TCAAP Historical Timeline
| 1850 | Settlers begin farming the land. |
| 1941 | The federal government acquires 2,370 acres for the manufacture of small arms ammunition. Property owners had 30 days to vacate. The plant was fully operational in 1943. In 16 months and at a cost of $73 million, 300 buildings, 40 miles of electric and telephone wire, 83 miles of sewer, and 37 miles of road and railroad were constructed. At its peak, 26,000 people worked at TCAAP. |
| 1951 | The City of Arden Hills was incorporated. The TCAAP site was included within the City's boundaries so that when the site was decommissioned, it would be provided with municipal services and governance. |
| 1976 | Ammunitions operations cease. |
| 1981 | Solvents are discovered in New Brighton groundwater wells. |
| 1983 | TCAAP is placed on the Federal National Priorities (Superfund) list. |
| 1987 | The U.S. Army begins cleanup with oversight from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. |
| 1991 | Remedial investigation work is completed. |
| 1994 | The U.S. Army announces its intention to declare a portion of TCAAP as excess federal property. |
| 1995 | Congressman Bruce Vento appoints the TCCAP Reutilization Committee. The TCAAP Framework Plan (the "Vento Plan") is prepared to determine the future re-use of the site. |
| 2002 | The General Services Administration (GSA) declares 585 acres surplus to the federal government's needs. Through a Request for Proposals process, the City begins working with Ryan Development and its partners on a redevelopment plan (the "Ryan Plan"). |
| 2009 | The Ryan Plan was withdrawn due to economic infeasibility in the aftermath of the Great Recession. The City and Ramsey County consider designating TCAAP for park and open space use. |
| 2011 | Ramsey County works with the Minnesota Vikings who consider TCAAP as a potential stadium site. The State Legislature ultimately chooses a stadium site in Minneapolis. |
| 2012 | Ramsey County approves an Offer to Purchase 427 acres from the GSA for a net purchase price of $4.9 million. Ramsey County secures a fixed-price demolition and remediation contract in the amount of $22,645,000 which includes remediation to a residential standard. The City and Ramsey County enter into a Joint Powers Agreement. |
| 2013 | Ramsey County purchases TCAAP. The City hires Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. to complete a Master Plan, Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR), and Regulation & Policies. |
| 2014 | The City approves the AUAR and Master Land Use Plan for the TCAAP site. |
| 2015 | The City approves the TCAAP Redevelopment Code and an amendment to the 2030 Comprehensive Plan based on the City's vision and goals for the redevelopment. |
| 2016 | The JDA selects Alatus, LLC as the Master Developer for the site. The City approves amendments to the TCAAP Redevelopment Code and the 2030 Comprehensive Plan to help facilitate the redevelopment plan proposed by Alatus. |
| 2017 | Construction on new interchanges at I-35W and County Road H and County Road I are completed. A new roadway connecting County Road H and County Road I on the north end of the TCAAP site is completed. |