South Loop District

Four overarching goals provide a framework for achieving the District's vision.

Build on the District's unique mix of assets.

• LRT and bus transit
• Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport
• Regional highways
• National Wildlife Refuge
• Mall of America
• Bloomington Central Station

Transform the District's densities and character from suburban to urban.

Accelerate the District's development.

Establish and promote the District as a branded place emphasizing sustainability, quality, safety, and comfort.

 Creative Placemaking is an emerging field that works to build vibrant, distinctive, and sustainable communities through the arts. It engages artists and others in building social fabric and local economies while making physical, place-based improvements, leveraging the distinctive character and creative and cultural resources of each place.

• More about creative placemaking

Over the next 40 years, two-thirds of Bloomington's growth potential will be realized in the South Loop District. Put simply, the vision for South Loop is to transform the District from suburban to urban. The vision includes mixed land use that supports additional streets to enhance circulation; higher densities of jobs and homes close to four light rail stations; and sustainable development practices that save money and support growth.

A commitment to sustainable development is the foundation of the South Loop District Plan. The Plan describes the City's approaches to transit-oriented site design, storm water management, South Loop's interface with the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and energy efficiency.

 South Loop's got it. The district is adjacent to MSP airport. The Hiawatha Light Rail line runs through its heart. It is home to the Mall of America, one of the most visited destinations in the nation. It sits next to two of the region's arterial highways. Its south and east borders provide access to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge's wooded bluffs, welcoming meadows and peaceful marshlands.

The Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau is the marketing arm for Bloomington, Minnesota, and aggressively markets the city, area attractions, and the surrounding communities to visitors around the world.

• Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Bloomington Port Authority coordinates orderly commercial and industrial development throughout the City. Its current efforts are concentrated on the McGough transit-oriented development, Mall of America Phase II and the South Loop Development Area.

• Bloomington Port Authority

The Bloomington Theatre and Art Center/Artistry and the City of Bloomington embarked on a project to promote Creative Placemaking in the South Loop District with project partners including the Mall of America, McGough, Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau, and others. The initiation of this work was supported through a National Endowment for the Arts grant.

• More about Creative placemaking

Bloomington is a community that people seek out as a place to live, conduct business and recreate. We have achieved this status by creating vibrant, safe, welcoming neighborhoods and by working together with our neighbors to promote the fun and vitality of community life.

• City of Bloomington

By putting the customer first, Hennepin County employees work every day to achieve our mission, vision and goals. We strive to improve our services through proactive, innovative public stewardship.

Since opening in 1992, the Mall of America has revolutionized the shopping experience and become a leader in retail, entertainment and attractions. Mall of America is one of the top tourist destinations in the country as well as one of the most recognizable brands.

• Mall of America

The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning agency serving the Twin Cities seven-county metropolitan area and providing essential services to the region. The Council is committed to environmental stewardship, sustainable solutions, and reduced energy use.

• Metropolitan Council

Metro Transit is the transportation resource for the Twin Cities, offering an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains and resources for those who carpool, vanpool, walk or bike. Each weekday customers board Metro Transit buses and trains about 250,000 times.

• Metro Transit

Not more than 10 miles from downtown Minneapolis, the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1976 to provide habitat for a large number of migratory waterfowl, fish, and other wildlife species threatened by commercial and industrial development.

• Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge