Jay Stroebel, City Manager, Brooklyn Park

In an interview with Invest:, Brooklyn Park City Manager Jay Stroebel highlighted the designation of a 250-acre biotech innovation district and the Blue Line light rail project as pivotal developments positioning the city for growth. He emphasized the city’s robust workforce development, and efforts to foster an inclusive community through strategic partnerships and resident engagement.

What were the key milestones for Brooklyn Park over the past year?

A few stand out. First, we’ve launched a planning process for our Northwest area, which includes 700 acres of undeveloped land. Within this, we worked with the Minnesota Legislature to designate 250 acres as a Biotech Innovation District. Brooklyn Park already has a strong presence of biotech and medtech firms, and we’re aiming to build on that to establish the city as a central hub for biotech in Minnesota.

Another big milestone is the progress on the Blue Line light rail project. Recently, we received municipal consent from all cities involved — Minneapolis, Robbinsdale, Crystal, and Brooklyn Park. The next step is securing a full funding grant agreement with the federal government. That’s a significant milestone.

Additionally, we’re expanding workforce development, which has historically included over 100 summer internships for older youth and young adults. We’ve also developed several career pathways programs. On the amenities side, we’re adding a $10 million expansion to the Zanewood Youth Recreation Center, and we’re partnering with Three Rivers Park District for a $40 million expansion of the Mississippi Gateway Regional Park on the Mississippi River. 

What achievements are you most proud of as city manager?

First, we’ve made significant investments in our parks. In 2018, a community-approved park bond referendum gave us the resources to expand and improve our park system, which was a huge win for the community. We’ve also seen substantial economic growth, especially along the Highway 610 corridor, with increased residential, commercial, and industrial development.

Additionally, we transitioned from a paid on-call fire department to a fully staffed, full-time fire department, which has greatly improved our fire and emergency medical services and response times. 

Workforce development has been another priority. We created a workforce development division through a partnership with the City of Brooklyn Center known as BrookLynk and established the Brooklyn Park Small Business Center to foster local business growth and job opportunities. Those are a few of the accomplishments I’m particularly proud of.

What gives Brooklyn Park a competitive edge, and which industries are driving growth in the city?

Brooklyn Park’s competitive edge largely comes from our established base of medtech and biotech companies, which creates momentum and makes us an appealing hub for similar businesses. Biotech and medtech are certainly our major growth drivers, but we’re also seeing expansion in clean manufacturing and healthcare. Recently, we’ve had new healthcare facilities open, like a heart surgery center and an orthopedic center. So, while biotech and medtech are prominent, a broader mix of industries is fueling growth here, making Brooklyn Park a dynamic place for investment. Our 700 acres of undeveloped land just 10 minutes from Downtown Minneapolis is a strategic benefit. This Northwest Area is one of the three largest development opportunities in the Minneapolis Saint Paul Region, along with Rice Creek Commons in Arden Hills and Highland Bridges in Saint Paul. 

What infrastructure projects are in line to support development in the city?

The planned light rail line is a significant attractor, alongside strong infrastructure like the Highway 610 corridor, which has been instrumental in supporting local and regional growth. Another major project was the construction of the 101st Avenue interchange at Highway 610 and Highway 169. This interchange provides essential access to the areas we’re aiming to develop, and it was built with a vision for spurring economic growth. It’s been a foundational addition to our city’s infrastructure in recent years.

How do partnerships with Hennepin County and the state of Minnesota help Brooklyn Park achieve its goals?

Our relationships with both county and state officials have been key to Brooklyn Park’s progress. For example, we collaborate closely with North Hennepin Community College, Hennepin Technical College, and Rasmussen College — important educational institutions for workforce development, particularly in the medical and nursing fields. Our state legislators were instrumental in securing the Biotech Innovation District designation, drawing inspiration from Rochester’s Destination Medical Center model. Hennepin County is also a major partner, expected to fund up to half of the Blue Line light rail project. These partnerships provide vital support for our city’s ambitions. We recently formalized a partnership with Greater MSP regional economic development partnership. 

How is Brooklyn Park engaging with residents and fostering trust in local government?

We’ve been actively engaging the community through our update to the Brooklyn Park 2025 strategic community plan, which was adopted in 2017. Given how much has changed since then, the City Council recently adopted a new community strategic plan to guide us into the next decade, with extensive resident input. We’re also incorporating public feedback into our Northwest Area planning process to ensure the community shapes how these areas develop. Both initiatives are key to keeping residents engaged and aligned with our city’s direction.

Are there any legal or regulatory changes you’re watching closely over the next few months?

The recent election results could have significant implications for us at the federal, state, and local levels. We’ve seen robust federal investment in Brooklyn Park, and we’re hopeful that this level of support will continue. How the political landscape shifts may impact funding and resources that are crucial to our city’s ongoing projects.

What is your outlook and what are the top priorities for Brooklyn Park over the next two to three years?

We’re optimistic about the coming years. A key focus will be the development of the Brooklyn Park Biotech Innovation District, along with the anticipated start of construction on the Blue Line extension. We’re also looking at redevelopment opportunities for some older areas in the city that need reinvestment.

In terms of community amenities, we’re likely adding three new basketball courts to our Community Center, and we’re excited for the opening of the Mississippi Gateway Regional Park. 

Workforce development and small-business support will also remain top priorities. With over 60% of our residents being people of color and more than a quarter born outside the United States, we’re committed to creating opportunities for all residents, especially around jobs and entrepreneurship. Building on our recent efforts, we aim to make Brooklyn Park a thriving, inclusive place for everyone.