Stop The Presses: Star Tribune Announces Printing Plant Closure
After 38 years of printing newspapers at the corner of North 1st Street and 8th Avenue in the North Loop, the Star Tribune announced it is closing the massive facility at the end of this year.
The printing plant, which takes up more than a full block of 8th Avenue, has become a bit of a landmark in the neighborhood with its distinctive clock tower.
But as more people get their news online, the number of print subscribers has dropped dramatically. Officials at the paper say they’ve only been using about 18% of the plant’s capacity.
Instead, they’ll begin printing daily newspapers in Iowa — a move that will save the company “several millions” each year. Those who still want the print version will still be able to get it seven days a week.
When the plant was built in 1987, there was a bit of concern about how it would affect the emerging North Loop neighborhood, as you can see in the article below. But the architects added decorative touches to the design, including the tower, to help it blend into the surrounding historic warehouses.
The Star Tribune will put the building up for sale and we’ll have to wait and see who buys it before we know what’s next for this prime piece of real estate.
By Mike Binkley, North Loop volunteer
