Overview: The Aragon
The Aragon will provide new affordable apartment homes in East Saint Paul.
Our Current Vision:
- The Aragon is a proposed apartment building designed with a mix of up to 53 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom units.
- A majority of the building will provide workforce housing at a range of income levels ranging between 30% to 60% Area Median Income (AMI). AMI represents the middle income of all households in a specific area, meaning half of the area’s households earn more and half earn less than the AMI.
- Located on the border of the Eastview and Conway neighborhoods close to the church of St. Pascal Baylon in East St. Paul Residents will get to experience the rich cultural heritage and city amenities of the East Side.
- The Aragon is supported by the shared vision and passion of over 100 congregations and faith communities throughout the Twin Cities metro who believe that all people should have a home.
Frequently asked questions about The Aragon
What is The Aragon?
The Aragon is designed to be up to a 53-unit building with a mix of 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom units. A majority of the building will provide workforce housing at a range of income levels ranging between 30% to 60% Area Median Income (AMI). AMI represents the middle income of all households in a specific area, meaning half of the area’s households earn more and half earn less than the AMI.
These apartment homes are for families earning around $49,000 (two-person household) or $75,000 annually (four-person household). 13 units will serve families or individuals with barriers to housing stability due to a disability or history of homelessness.
What is Beacon?
Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative is a non-profit affordable housing developer and owner/operator. We have worked in the Twin Cities for over 20 years. We currently own and operate 24 properties for over 1,000 residents in the metro – including in St. Paul, Minneapolis, Edina, Plymouth, and Hopkins. These buildings serve youth and young adults, families with children, and single adults with barriers to housing stability. We are also a collaborative of faith communities and work with area congregations to build the community support needed for affordable housing.
What types of housing does Beacon operate?
Beacon offers a range of affordable housing and services to meet the needs of vulnerable members of our community. Beacon apartments and townhomes help bring affordable choices to renters who make 60% or less of the area median income (AMI).
What supportive services will be available at The Aragon?
The Aragon onsite supportive services provider will be Solid Ground, a White Bear Lake–based organization. Solid Ground is an award-winning nonprofit whose proven, holistic approach helps families build the strong foundations they need to emerge from homelessness into a brighter future. Solid Ground will provide on-site staff to help residents strengthen their physical and mental health, access job and education opportunities, improve financial literacy, and build parenting skills. Beacon has a long track record of supporting residents facing housing barriers by helping them find success in achieving housing stability.
Who will live at The Aragon?
All apartment homes will serve households with incomes less than $75,000 annually for a family of four. Approximately one out of four apartments will be affordable to two-person households with incomes at or below $29,820 annually.
Why does East St. Paul need these homes?
Affordable housing is generally in short supply in the Twin Cities, including in St. Paul. In its 2040 comprehensive plan, the City indicated a need for at least 600 homes affordable at The Aragon’s upper guideline and another 800 homes affordable at its lowest.
Families who choose to live at The Aragon will enjoy the same community amenities that attract so many to the East Side, including the rich cultural heritage of East St. Paul, access to transit, retail, and dining, and strong and vibrant community schools.
How did Beacon engage the community in this plan?
Beacon worked with St. Pascal Baylon (the congregation selling the land, which is located across the street) to host a community engagement meeting that over 75 people attended. Beacon staff also attended the district council meeting on June 10 and November 4. Staff are planning another community engagement session at St. Pascal Baylon on November 12. Beacon staff attended National Night Out in the neighborhood and had many individual conversations. Our staff is always ready to answer community questions and welcomes conversations. Please direct questions to info@beaconinterfaith.org.
How will The Aragon impact parking in the neighborhood?
We know parking has been a concern in our conversations with neighbors. The City of St. Paul does not have a minimum parking requirement. Our design considered various factors including location, access to public transportation, and building size. The design will balance adequate parking while preserving as much green space as possible—an important consideration in urban developments. This said, given the parking concerns raised at the Zoning Committee and Planning Commission, we worked with our architect and engineers and found an opportunity to add approximately 15 stalls. We plan to incorporate additional parking, pending City staff approval.
How will the property be managed?
Beacon partners with professional property management companies at each of our properties. Property management ensures that the property is managed with quality and care. The property manager for The Aragon will be selected closer to the building’s opening date.
