Planners of ‘The Heights’ project in St. Paul hope to harness geothermal energy to provide heat, air conditioning [Video]

Right now, the site of the sprawling ‘The Heights’ project in St. Paul is a construction zone. But developers have big plans for the 112-acre location, on the city’s east side.

“So, we really want to create a spot for community, a place to live, a place to work, a place to play,” explains Kathryn Sarnecki, the Chief Development Officer with the St. Paul Port Authority. “A place that really pushes the envelope on how to create the next generation of sustainable communities.”

Those plans include a $400 million housing project, part of the $550 million redevelopment of the former Hillcrest Golf Club.

The project has several major goals, including the construction of 1,000 housing units, four light industrial buildings, and the creation of 1,000 manufacturing jobs.