Reuter Walton Development will build a 279-unit apartment complex at the northwest corner of University Avenue and Fairview Avenue in St. Paul, the current site of a Goodwill Industries parking lot. The project will span two seven-story buildings facing University Avenue.

Developer Nick Walton announced the deal on Friday, noting the affordable “workforce housing” development will be located along the Green Line transit corridor and priced for residents earning between 30 and 80 percent of area median income.

St. Paul Council Member Mitra Nelson said she met with the Hamline-Midway Coalition’s development committee on Thursday evening to review details, and “the initial impression seemed in line with a lot of what I hear community members asking for in terms of affordability.”

Reuter Walton has a purchase agreement with Goodwill Industries to buy more than three acres of land, though Goodwill employees will still be able to park at the site through a long-term lease arrangement.

“Our legacy has been to anticipate market demand and be ready to develop when opportunity and the right site is available,” Walton said in a written statement. “The Goodwill Headquarters redevelopment will provide much needed affordable and transit oriented housing for the city of St. Paul.”

The developer will apply in January for affordable housing tax credits through the city of St. Paul, with construction anticipated to begin in the fall of 2020. All other financing has been secured, according to Walton’s statement.