Breathe easy, IDS Center: The bid to build state's tallest tower was rejected

The IDS Center's status as the tallest building in Minnesota is safe.

A proposal to build an 80-story tower – 100-feet taller than the IDS – on the site of the former Nicollet Hotel in downtown Minneapolis has been thrown out by city planners.

According to the Star Tribune, the city took the unusual step of eliminating the development submitted by Alex Duval from the running before any public hearing, questioning Duval's experience, his ability to fund the project and his company's operating performance.

Duval Developments' bid was one of four submissions to the council for the former hotel block at 30 Third St. S., proposing a 900-foot tall tower complete with a 250-room hotel and 220 apartments opposite Minneapolis Central Library.

The Business Journal published a letter sent by Erik Hansen, the city's business development principal, to Duval, which shows the City had reservations about the developer's ability to see such a project through.

"It is difficult to determine if Duval Development has the capacity to complete the development," it reads. "No information is given to show previous experience of Duval in any of the comparable projects listed in the proposal."

What proposals are left?

It means that three developers are left in the running for the site: Doran Development, Mortenson Development, and United Properties, with a winner to be selected in April.

United has proposed a 36-story called "The Gateway," which would feature a Hilton hotel, 300 apartments and street-level retail, while Doran wants to build a 30-story residential tower with apartments, condos and a 6-story hotel.

Mortenson Development has proposed a 31-story complex with 273 apartments, a 171-room hotel, office space and a plaza.