At its March 14 meeting, the HRA voted unanimously to terminate negotiations with United Properties, which had proposed building market-rate rental apartments on the city-owned property. The decision came after the authority reviewed a revised offer in closed session and determined it didn't align with the city's housing priorities.

The 5146 Eden Avenue site, a former public works facility, has been under consideration for redevelopment into a mixed-use property that could include housing, a restaurant, and green space. The HRA had previously been negotiating with United Properties but ultimately decided the company's market-rate rental proposal wasn't the right fit.

"I don't want to see luxury town homes here," Commissioner Jackson said during the meeting. "The concept of affordability is very important for the site. It's publicly owned and we have a really severe need for affordable ownership opportunities." The board emphasized a preference for "missing middle" housing—moderately priced homes that serve working families—over luxury developments.

Moving forward, the HRA will seek new development partners and has signaled interest in exploring different ownership models. Commissioner Risser suggested the authority consider leasing the land rather than selling it outright, which could give the city more long-term control over affordability. The board also confirmed it will maintain its existing contract with Jester Concepts for a freestanding restaurant on the site.

The authority plans to issue new requests for proposals with updated criteria emphasizing attainable ownership housing, senior cooperatives, and contiguous green space. The decision reflects a shift in focus from maximizing profit on the city-owned land to prioritizing public benefit and addressing Edina's shortage of affordable housing options.