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Canterbury Park Proposes $400 Million Redevelopment Plan
A conceptual site rendering for the proposed Canterbury Commons.

© Stantec
Canterbury Park Proposes $400 Million Redevelopment Plan

SHAKOPEE, MN—NOVEMBER 26, 2017—Canterbury Park officials unveiled a preliminary $400 million redevelopment plan last week during a local city council meeting. The proposal would relocate half the racetrack's horse barns to make way for a new development.

A $100 million luxury apartment complex, upscale townhomes, a 55+ housing co-op, an extended stay hotel, water park venture and full-service boutique hotel is part of the proposal.

"It’s a great catalyst for bringing in the rest of the development," Canterbury Park Holding Corporation President and CEO Randy Sampson said.

The project will also include office space to attract high-end jobs and businesses to Shakopee.

Canterbury Park will create the public infrastructure necessary to bring tenants to the area for a variety of ventures including new restaurant options, specialty retail, community gathering spaces, family entertainment venues and more.

The total private investment in the project would be around $300 million to $400 million.

"Every piece of our concept is something that revolves around actual conversations that we’ve had with potential developers," Canterbury Park Media Relations Manager Jeff Maday said. "This is a well-thought out plan."

The city's comprehensive zoning plan will have to be amended, which requires the support of a super-majority of the council. The council is scheduled to vote on the amendment next month.

"I think this is a great opportunity for Shakopee and I think it’s a tremendous opportunity for Canterbury," Shakopee Mayor Bill Mars said.

Canterbury Park, which includes live Quarter Horse racing yearly, draws more than 1 million visitors annually for racing, cards and other events.

Canterbury Park intends to race 70 days in 2018. Officials submitted a request to the Minnesota Racing Commission seeking approval of a schedule that would begin Friday, May 4 and conclude Sept. 15 for Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing (see related story).