Gertens plans to expand its sprawling Twin Cities facility

Gertens’ sprawling complex in Inver Grove Heights, Minn., might grow even bigger, TwinCities.com reported.

The family-owned garden center and nursery wants to add 250,000 square feet of greenhouse space on its land south of the retail center. The expansion would be done over several phases and stretch a number of years.

Plans call for the new greenhouses to be built on 6 acres of existing planting fields. The land is among 46.8 acres that Gertens owns in a commercial area south of Interstate 494 and east of U.S. 52, according to plans submitted to the city.

The company is asking the city council to rezone the 6 acres to allow for the greenhouse expansion. The request should go before the council Feb. 28.

Gertens is one of the city’s largest employers. According to its website, it has more than 80 full-time workers, 10 certified nursery personnel, five landscape designers and several master gardeners and horticulturalists.