Mall of America Expansion

Challenge

As Minnesota’s most valuable real estate asset and a global retail destination, the Mall of America (MOA) must continuously evolve to remain competitive in a rapidly shifting market. To support a $325 million expansion of its five million-square-foot facility, the MOA’s ownership group required substantial upgrades to the surrounding infrastructure. To realize this vision, they needed to seamlessly integrate new infrastructure into a highly complex urban environment – without disrupting daily operations or the experience of the 40+ million annual visitors. Meeting regulatory demands, accommodating increased utility and traffic needs, and protecting surrounding natural resources were all critical to the project’s success.

Solution

Over the past two decades, SEH has supported the MOA through a wide range of infrastructure projects, helping the team address challenges and unlock new opportunities for expansion. From the start, the focus was on removing technical barriers so the MOA could deliver a seamless, next-generation destination experience.

SEH worked with Triple Five Group to lead a complete redesign of Lindau Lane, a primary access road from the adjacent freeway. Lowering the roadway by approximately 20 feet allowed the Phase II mall expansion to extend north at the existing mall grade, helping maximize usable space without costly elevation transitions. An internal road network was also designed to accommodate vehicles, pedestrians, and mass transit, improving safety and circulation for both day-to-day operations and high-traffic event days. 

Utility Coordination and Extensions

To meet the MOA's expansion needs, SEH designed and extended new water and sewer infrastructure to support increased usage and long-term operations. The existing systems were not equipped to handle the scale and demands of the new development, which included additional retail, hospitality, and entertainment facilities. Early in the design process, the team conducted system assessments to identify capacity constraints and determine where extensions and upgrades were needed.

Close coordination with local, regional, and state agencies was critical to navigating regulatory requirements and preventing construction delays. SEH worked proactively with these stakeholders to secure permits, align with utility service plans, and schedule tie-ins to minimize disruptions. This approach helped ensure seamless integration of the new systems while maintaining uninterrupted service to the existing facility and nearby users.

Stormwater Management and Erosion Control

With the expansion came a significant increase in impervious surface area, leading to greater stormwater runoff. The team developed a comprehensive stormwater management system tailored to the site’s layout, soil conditions, and anticipated flows. This system was designed not only to manage peak runoff volumes but also to promote water quality through best management practices such as filtration and detention basins.

Erosion control measures were integrated into both the temporary construction and long-term site plans. By addressing erosion from the outset, the project team reduced environmental impacts and helped the client avoid future repair and maintenance costs.

The $8–$10 million infrastructure investment was foundational to the success of the MOA’s expansion. It enabled development without compromising essential services, supported the safe and efficient movement of people and goods, and positioned the site for future adaptability. Today, these systems continue to enhance daily operations at one of Minnesota’s most prominent retail and tourism destinations, contributing to its reputation as a forward-thinking and well-connected hub.