5th Avenue Live! Project Moving Forward, Despite Slow Economy

ST. CLOUD -- The developers of a $100 million project in downtown St. Cloud say the recession has had a big impact on them.  Brian Schoenborn is the spokesman for 5th Avenue Live!

He says the first phase of the multi-phase project was completed last fall, and so far that building is only about half-full.

The three businesses that are in that building right now are Campus Book and Supply, I-Beach, and Fantastic Sams.  The Holiday Pantry convenience store has also opened in that neighborhood.

The next phase of the 5th Avenue Live project is expected to move forward this spring.  Schoenborn says they are going to scale it back, including eliminating the parking ramp, and then bring the revised plan to the city council for their approval.

The block that will be developed is the West 200 block -- where the old Campus Book Store building currently sits.

And, if you drive down 5th Avenue in downtown St. Cloud you'll also find a lot of vacant buildings.  However, the developers of the 5th Avenue Live project says they're still working to change that as well.

Schoenborn says they're in the process of renovating the buildings in the block just to the north of Division Street.

Click on the audio player to hear our interview with extended comments from Brian Schoenborn: