St. Paul Mayor Says Closing of Macy’s Provides ‘Opportunity’

ST. PAUL (AP) - The mayor of St. Paul says city planners are already working on potential reuses for the downtown Macy's store.

The department store chain said Thursday it will close six underperforming stores this spring, including the St. Paul location, which employs about 150.

Mayor Chris Coleman says the Macy's site will be one of four downtown light rail stops next year and has great redevelopment potential. Macy's recently repaid a $6.3 million loan the city provided for asbestos abatement and store improvements in 2001.

Macy's also plans to consolidate two stores at Ridgedale in Minnetonka into one expanded store next year.

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