St. Paul police to lease space in former Macy's building downtown

The St. Paul Police Department plans to join the Minnesota Wild as one of the tenants of the former Macy's building downtown.

Developers are overhauling the building at Wabasha and 6th streets, and expect to complete the renovations by fall. Police want to start using the space this fall, according to a resolution approved by the City Council this week.

The council gave the department the green light to lease space in the building for 15 years. That will cost the city about $5.7 million, according to the resolution.

A police investigative unit will use the space, police spokesman Steve Linders said.

The resolution said the city and the building's developers — the St. Paul Port Authority and Hempel Cos. — will make one-time financial contributions to help build out the police space.

City staff did not provide more details on the contributions, as they still are finalizing the lease agreement.

The Police Department will be the third tenant to lease space in the building, which has been vacant for years. The Wild was the first tenant and another company, which is not ready to make the announcement publicly, also agreed to rent space, Port Authority spokeswoman Andrea Novak said. She said there will be more tenant announcements in the next few weeks.

Developers have said the building will include a mix of offices, retail, parking and medical space.

Jessie Van Berkel • 612-673-4649