Mall of America plans $200 million expansion

Mall of America is moving ahead with plans for a $200 million expansion that would add a second hotel, more retail space and a medical office tower at the megamall.

The project would be another step in MOA's long-planned and oft-delayed expansion. A Radisson Blu hotel is currently under construction on the south side of the Bloomington mall. This expansion would take place on its north side.

"It's the next piece that we're trying to assemble and get financed and move forward with," said Kurt Hagen, senior vice president of development for mall owner Triple Five Group.

If those pieces fall into place, "We anticipate this will be in the ground next spring, about a year from now," Hagen said Friday, March 23.

Back in 2006, officials unveiled a huge expansion plan that would have doubled the size of the megamall, but that plan stalled. Now the strategy is to proceed in smaller steps.

Rochester's Mayo Clinic has formally expressed interest in joining the latest project, which could include 150,000 square feet of medical space, perhaps in a medical office tower. Hagen said both parties are "still exploring" what Mayo's presence would be.

"The building itself could be more than Mayo Clinic," Hagen said. "Mayo is focused on a wellness facility here. They're not focusing on a hospital."

The expansion also calls for another hotel. "Depending on the type and the brand of hotel we choose, that will help us determine the right room count," Hagen said.

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"We'd like to take it higher-end retail," Hagen said. "All these pieces kind of tie together - the flag and brand of the hotel, the services that Mayo is offering, and the type of retail this wing will cater to."

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Mall of America plans $200 million expansion