Topgolf eyeing Woodbury for second Twin Cities location, report says

Mary Divine, Pioneer Press
Updated ·4 min read

Another Topgolf may be coming to Minnesota soon as part of a proposed development that could also include a family entertainment center called Main Event.

A source tells Axios, the digital news site, that the popular driving range and entertainment venue has its sights set on Woodbury. Topgolf opened its Brooklyn Center location in September 2018.

Axios reported Friday morning that Minneapolis real estate developer Ned Abdul plans to develop a nearly 14-acre parcel south of the former Hartford Life building at the southeast corner of the Interstate 94 and Interstate 494 interchange. A development map identifies part of the land project as “golf entertainment” with a proposed use of “outdoor golf driving range.” A source told Axios that Topgolf will be the user.

Also being proposed at the site: a family entertainment center called Main Event that will include bowling, laser tag, arcade games and games of virtual reality on a 4.8-acre parcel. Main Event is owned by Dave & Buster’s Entertainment.

Abdul, president of Minneapolis-based Swervo Development, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment. Swervo owns the Armory and the newly renovated Uptown Theater in Minneapolis, and is building the new amphitheater at Canterbury Park in Shakopee.

Topgolf officials on Friday declined to comment. The company just opened its 81st U.S. location in Rhode Island; it has 10 locations in other countries.

TopGolf in Brooklyn Center features golfing bays stacked three levels deep and more than 100 climate-controlled tee-off rooms. Golfers hit balls across a 215-yard driving range, and microchips in the balls instantly report the distance of each shot.

Based on the designs that have been submitted, Woodbury officials are confident that the proposed tenant is a “national golf brand,” said Eric Searles, Woodbury’s assistant community development director/city planner, but he could not confirm whether it is Topgolf.

“It is one of the major brands that are within the U.S., but we have not been able to confirm whether it is one flag or another,” Searles said. Woodbury officials have been actively working on attracting commercial recreations uses to the city, population 77,000, to add additional nightlife activities, as well as “play activities” for the community, he said.

Pending approval, the project would begin construction in 2024 with occupancy in late 2024 or early 2025, Searles said. The estimated cost of the project was not provided, he said.

The plans are being reviewed by city staff in advance of review by the city’s planning commission and city council; review dates for city council and planning commission have not been scheduled at this time, Searles said.

Both the golf entertainment use and Main Event would be “regional draws” to Woodbury, Searle said. “They would bring dollars into our community. That benefits the surrounding businesses and provides additional jobs within the community. We strive to be a full-service live-, work- and play-community, and these uses will add an additional layer of play opportunities for our residents to enjoy. It’s a real positive for our community.”

The Main Event location in Woodbury would be the first Main Event in Minnesota, he said. “It’s always exciting and an honor when commercial entities invest their first project in Woodbury,” he said.

Headquartered in Coppell, Texas, Main Event Entertainment operates 58 centers in 20 states across the U.S., according to the company’s website.

The proposed development, located on Bielenberg Drive, is adjacent to a future station for the Metro Gold Line, a 10-mile bus rapid transit line that will run between St. Paul and Woodbury and will provide transit opportunities for guests and employees, Searles said.

Construction on the Gold Line bus rapid transit project began in the fall of 2022; service is expected to start in 2025.

“There will be a station right at the entrance of the golf entertainment use,” Searles said. “We’re seeing strong activity adjacent to the Gold Line.”

City officials are reviewing plans for Washington County’s new $30 million central service center near the corner of Woodlane Drive and Guider Drive, just east of Interstate 494.

The new service center will replace the county’s building on Radio Drive in Woodbury. It will house the license and passport center, CareerForce center and elections polling center now located on Radio Drive. It also will offer services provided by Public Health, Community Services and Community Corrections.

Construction of the new $30 million center is slated to start in the spring of 2024 and be completed by summer 2025.

The specific location was chosen in part because of its proximity to the Gold Line. The Gold Line’s final stop will be a park-and-ride facility at Woodlane Drive, adjacent to the future service center.

Related Articles