The city of Blaine, Minnesota, is starting a massive $750 million project to build a new entertainment and sports district. This new area will be built right next to the National Sports Center and is meant to bring more life, business, and visitors to the city. The goal is to create a fun place for people to stay, eat, shop, play, and relax—all in one spot. City leaders hope this new district will become the heart of Blaine, almost like a small downtown.

What the New District Will Include

The first phase of the project will bring a lot of new things to Blaine:

• A hotel with a restaurant and a food hall where people can try different kinds of food
• A multi-use stadium that can hold about 3,000 people for soccer games, concerts, and other events (expandable up to 5,000 seats)
• A sports complex that includes a golf simulator, indoor pickleball courts, and training areas
• A new parking structure and outdoor public spaces where people can walk, meet, or attend events
• Ten new lighted turf fields added to the National Sports Center for youth sports and tournaments

This is just the beginning—more phases are expected in the future.

Why Blaine Is Doing This Now

Blaine has been planning this project for several years. City leaders wanted to make better use of the land around 105th Avenue, which hasn’t been developed much and hasn’t attracted many visitors. In 2022, they approved a master plan and partnered with developers to start building something exciting. The idea is to create a place where people don’t just come for a sports event and leave, but stay to eat, shop, and explore. This could bring in a lot more money for local businesses and the city itself.

Who’s Paying for the Project?

The city says most of the funding will come from private developers. In other words, the companies building the hotels, shops, and stadiums are using their own money. The city of Blaine is only paying for things like roads, sidewalks, utilities, and park areas. That money will come from things like bonds and special financing programs (like Tax Increment Financing, or TIF), but not from regular taxpayer dollars. The goal is to create something big without raising taxes on local residents.

How the Community Feels About It

City officials are calling this a “legacy project”—something that will shape Blaine’s future for decades. Many people are excited because it will bring new jobs, activities, and businesses. They hope it gives Blaine an identity beyond just being a suburb. But not everyone is happy. Some small businesses and property owners near the area had to move or give up their land to make room for construction. While the city tried to work with them, some still feel pushed out. Even so, the city believes the long-term benefits will outweigh the short-term pain.