After decades of uncertainty, the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant in Arden Hills is finally showing signs of a new future. Micro Control Company’s new headquarters has become the first new building to open at Rice Creek Commons, marking a major milestone in a redevelopment project that has faced environmental challenges, political disagreements and years of delays. From energy-efficient building features to plans for new roads and commercial spaces, here are six important details behind the transformation of this historic property.
Micro Control Company Opens the First New Building at Rice Creek Commons
After years of delays and planning, a long-vacant military property in Arden Hills has finally welcomed a major new building. Micro Control Company officially opened its 157,000-square-foot headquarters at Rice Creek Commons on October 14, 2026, marking the first new building to open within the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant redevelopment area. The opening brought together representatives from the company, Ramsey County, the City of Arden Hills and Ryan Companies, the developer behind the project. Micro Control Company manufactures test equipment for the electronics industry, and its new headquarters brings more than 300 jobs to the site, according to county officials. The company broke ground in April 2025, making the opening a significant milestone for a project that had been discussed for years. Although the new building occupies only a small portion of the larger property, its completion demonstrates that commercial development can move forward while officials continue working on plans for the rest of Rice Creek Commons.
The Headquarters Introduces Energy-Efficient Building Features
The new headquarters is notable not just for its size but also for the energy systems incorporated into its design. The building uses a high-efficiency geothermal heat pump system and relies almost entirely on electricity, with natural gas available for backup heating. Its rooftop is designed to accommodate solar panels, while electric vehicle chargers have been installed in the parking lot. These measures reflect the sustainability goals established for Rice Creek Commons, where officials envision development that reduces carbon emissions and limits dependence on fossil fuels. According to information published by the City of Arden Hills, the building is designed to be 55% more energy-efficient than a baseline building, with projected carbon emissions reductions of 98.8%. However, the project received waivers on certain original sustainability requirements, including aspects of its electrification, solar installation and electric vehicle charging provisions. The building therefore represents both progress toward the site’s environmental ambitions and a practical example of the challenges involved in applying demanding sustainability standards to a commercial project.
Ramsey County Bought the Former Ammunition Plant Property in 2013
The story behind Rice Creek Commons stretches far beyond the construction of a single office building. Ramsey County purchased approximately 427 acres of the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant from the federal government in 2013, beginning a long process to return the property to productive use. The military facility had manufactured ammunition, and decades of industrial activity left environmental contamination that required extensive investigation and cleanup. The site was designated a federal Superfund site in 1983, and remediation efforts eventually helped clear the way for redevelopment. Over the years, officials considered different possibilities for the land, including housing, commercial development, parks and even a potential football stadium. Those proposals did not lead to a comprehensive redevelopment, leaving much of the property vacant for decades. The current Rice Creek Commons vision calls for a mix of residential neighborhoods, businesses, shops, public spaces and trails. Micro Control Company’s new headquarters is the first major building to open under this broader effort, providing a tangible sign of progress after years of planning and environmental work.
Ryan Companies Is Developing a 40-Acre Commercial Parcel
One reason construction could move forward at Rice Creek Commons is that officials were able to advance a specific commercial parcel rather than wait for the entire redevelopment plan to be settled. Known as Outlot A, the approximately 40-acre property sits on the northern end of the larger site and was sold by Ramsey County to Ryan Companies. Micro Control Company’s headquarters occupies roughly 10 acres of that parcel, leaving approximately 30 acres available for additional commercial development. This arrangement gives Ryan Companies room to pursue further business projects while discussions continue over the future of the remaining land. The location also offers access to major roads, including Interstate 35W and Highway 96, which could make it attractive to employers seeking visibility and convenient transportation connections. County officials have expressed interest in bringing more businesses to Outlot A, potentially building an employment center that helps establish the area before larger residential and mixed-use projects take shape. The headquarters is therefore more than a standalone building. It is the first completed step in developing a commercial section of Rice Creek Commons that could eventually accommodate additional employers and economic activity.
Disagreements Between Officials Have Slowed the Larger Project
The opening of the new headquarters is a welcome development, but it does not mean the entire Rice Creek Commons project is ready to move ahead. For years, Ramsey County and Arden Hills struggled to reach agreement on key questions about housing density, affordable housing and the overall shape of the redevelopment. Ramsey County owns much of the property, while the city controls zoning, meaning both sides need to coordinate on important decisions. In 2023, the Joint Development Authority overseeing the project entered into a preliminary development agreement with Alatus for the larger California Parcel. Negotiations continued for months, but the parties failed to reach a final development agreement before the preliminary agreement expired on June 30, 2025. The breakdown led to a legal dispute and forced officials to reconsider how to move forward. By 2026, the Joint Development Authority was exploring a multiple-developer approach, which would allow different companies to develop separate parts of the property rather than relying on one master developer for the entire site. That strategy could provide more flexibility, although officials still need to resolve important questions about financing, housing and the timing of future construction.
New Roads and Infrastructure Could Unlock Future Development
For Rice Creek Commons to grow beyond its first office building, the site needs the roads, utilities and public infrastructure that future businesses and residents will depend on. Ramsey County is advancing plans for Rice Creek Boulevard, a major roadway intended to serve as the main route through the redevelopment area and connect County Road H with Highway 96. As reported in October 2026, site preparation for the road was expected to begin shortly, with construction scheduled for 2027. Other planned infrastructure work includes stormwater management systems, public utilities and regional trails. These improvements matter because developers generally need reliable road access, drainage and utility connections before they can build homes, offices, shops and other facilities at scale. The long-term vision for Rice Creek Commons includes a combination of residential neighborhoods, commercial spaces, public areas and a town center where people can live, work and spend time. Officials have also discussed the development’s potential to expand the local tax base and bring more employment opportunities to the region. The new headquarters has established an initial foothold, but the progress of these infrastructure projects and the selection of future developers will help determine how quickly the rest of the property takes shape.
