Frequently Asked Questions

*Renderings subject to change

General

1. Who is JB Vang?

For over 40 years, JB Vang has delivered high-quality community driven developments that add to the fabric and vibrancy of the community in the areas of Education, Housing and Community Services.

2. When will the project be built?

The Hamm's Brewery project is tentatively slated to break ground in 2027, but is dependent on securing all funding sources before the timeline can be confirmed. We are currently working to secure the total funding package and working with the City through the approvals process. Check out our timeline posted here on the site to stay up to date.

3. How will this project bring amenities to the community?

Major components of the project plan include a commercial marketplace and site improvements that will add community gathering and green spaces. We welcome your ideas for amenities and programming to create public spaces that best serve the neighborhood.

*Renderings subject to change

Housing

1. How is this project addressing the community's housing needs?

The project plans to deliver 196 units of housing that will serve a range of housing needs. 

2. What type of housing will be built?

The project is currently planned with 110 units of family-friendly new construction housing that offers 1-3 bedroom units in the East End. The West End includes 86 artist loft style units in the historic brewery buildings, which will be primarily one bedroom and studio units.

3. What level of affordability will the housing offer?

All of the 196 housing units will be affordable, with a range of affordability levels form 30% to 60% Area Median Income (AMI).

4. What does it mean to say the housing is affordable?

Housing that is defined as affordable has a mix of units where the rent structure is based on the Area Median Income (AMI). The proposed housing in this development will have rents that are targeted at households with income that are 30%, 50% and 60% of AMI.

The current metro AMI is $124,200 annually for a family of four. The median income for Saint Paul, in 2023, was $73,055, for a family of four. 60% AMI for the metro is $74,500. This means that the median income in Saint Paul is just slightly under the qualifying 60% AMI. This housing development will benefit the current residents of Saint Paul, specifically our East Side Community.



Transit and Parking

1. How is this project transit-oriented development?

Transit-oriented development (TOD) aims to cluster residential, commercial, and employment areas within a convenient distance of transit stops to encourage walking, biking, and public transport as primary modes of transportation. This project is a short walk to nearby bus stops on Payne and Arcade. The plans for the future Purple Line BRT are close by. In addition, the city will be reconstructing Minnehaha and improving pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. There will be pedestrian walkways within the site and connections to the Bruce Vento Regional Trail. 

2. Where will residents of the apartments park?

The East End Apartments will have structured parking underneath the building. This will serve as the designated parking for residents of the East End and West End Apartments.

3. Where will customers that are visiting the site park?

Although not in the initial proposal, the current plans were redesigned to include an approximately 70-stall surface parking lot to accommodate customers for the businesses on site. There are additional surface parking stalls in the interior courtyard parking lot and on-street parking along Minnehaha. JB Vang has overflow parking available at their building at 800 Minnehaha, east of the site.

3. How much parking does the city require for a development like this?

In 2021, the City Council adopted Ordinance 21-27, eliminating minimum parking regulations in the City of Saint Paul. This change removed all required parking minimums across the city. At the time this change was adopted by the city, roughly 36% of Saint Paul’s land area was dedicated to moving or storing automobiles. Eliminating required off-street parking minimums for developments allows more opportunity for housing developments, incentivizes housing affordability, reduces carbon emissions, and reduces overall urban sprawl.



Community Involvement

1. What engagement has occurred with the community?

• JB Vang met with community members prior to submitting a proposal in 2022 to ensure it reflected community needs and priorities.

• The development team also relied on the statement of community priorities submitted by local organizations in preparing their proposal.

• JB Vang worked with LISC in 2024 to host four community workshops to gather feedback. Here is the final report from LISC summarizing the workshops.

• Other activities in the community included:

  • Tabled at 7th Street LIVE in 2024

  • Tabled at Art in the Hollow in 2023 and 2024

  • Attended various meetings with community organizations.

You can follow our events and meetings in the Timeline section.

We launched this website to share information and gather additional feedback from community members. We understand not everyone is able to attend meetings and we want to make the process as accessible and inclusive as possible. 

2. How can I get involved?

Click subscribe at the top of the page to receive email updates directly from the project team! We will be sharing information about upcoming meetings and events. You can also provide feedback here.