Next Phase For St. Paul Ford Plant: Demo

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP/WCCO) -- The nearly century-long history of the Ford Motor Co. plant in St. Paul will soon be erased.

Demolition starts Monday and is expected to last into next year. Decommissioning has already been underway for some time, with equipment being shipped to other Ford sites or recycled.

Once the demolition work is done, the city will be left with a sprawling 150-acre site on the Mississippi to redevelop.

Mayor Chris Coleman said the land is an opportunity.

"We envision a very bright mixed-use development with housing with jobs created on this site done in an environmentally-friendly manner in a sustainable fashion and perhaps using the most advanced techniques of any place in the world," Coleman said.

Ford hasn't sold the plant yet, but the city does plan to work with Ford Motor Company to ensure the right developer gets the property.

City officials said they don't have an exact timeline right now for the project, but do know the demolition will still be going on through 2014.

The St. Paul plant produced more than 6 million cars and trucks during its lifetime, including the Ranger pickup during the years leading up to its closure. The last truck rolled off the line in 2011.

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