The City’s Community Development Department is responsible for overseeing land use regulation, commercial  redevelopment and housing.  Helping guide the department in these areas is the City Council, Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), and Planning Commission.

The Department has seen many redevelopment and housing accomplishments in recent years.  Included is the construction of Cedar Point Commons, the first phase of redevelopment along Highway 77.  City Bella, a retail and residential building, opened in September 2004 at the corner of Lyndale Avenue and 66^th Street.  Other notable projects in the past few years include Kensington Park (Lyndale and 77^th) and Woodlake Centre (66^th and Lyndale).

In addition to the many new townhomes and condominiums, the Department has focused on improving the City’s stock of older single family homes.  The City has encouraged home remodeling by coordinating what has become one of the most successful remodeling fairs in the Twin Cities.  There are also financing options through the HRA to those looking to improve or remodel.