The East Side Community Ownership Initiative is designed to preserve and support local commercial real estate ownership on St. Paul’s East Side by identifying, acquiring, and temporarily holding strategic properties. This creates site control while providing local businesses and organizations additional time to assemble the necessary resources and partnerships to purchase commercial property.

Eligible Businesses/Organizations

  • Must be registered and in good standing with the MN Secretary of State.
  • Must intend to owner-occupy at least one of the units of the property.
  • Must demonstrate community benefit. Ineligible businesses include vape shops, dispensaries, and liquor stores.
Properties Available for Sale

Eligible Properties

  • Property Type: Commercial real estate properties, including retail, office, and mixed-use (retail + residential). Excluding single & multifamily residential properties.
  • Property Location: St. Paul’s East Side, including the Payne-Phalen, Greater East Side, Battle Creek, and Dayton’s Bluff neighborhoods.
  • Special focus properties located in opportunity zones and small business corridors.

How it Works

If you are an eligible business/organization and have identified an eligible property, please complete the Strategic Acquisition Application.

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