If you want to see a recently constructed modular home that came on a
truck in 4 pieces, one was recently constructed at 455 Madison Street
NE.
I think most people on this list will be pleasantly surprised at the way
it looks. It is a two story very similar to many arts and crafts homes
that were built 90 to 100 years ago. The fact is many modular homes
don't necessarily have to look like a mobile home turned sideways on the
lot.
Another advantage to a modular home is that the construction impact on
the surrounding properties is much less than with stick built (i.e.
traditionally built) homes. This is especially critical in Minneapolis
where virtually all new construction is infill development on narrow 40
to 45 foot lots. With a modular home you can dig the foundation on
Monday and have a house up by Friday. Next door neighbors really like
that.
Modular homes are comparable in cost to stick built but due to the fact
that they go up much faster, holding costs can be much less. If people
are interested in hearing more about modular homes, I suggest you call
Dan Ellness or Carolyn Olson at the Greater Metropolitan Minneapolis
Housing Corporation. I'm sorry I don't have their direct number here at
home.
Dean E. Carlson
East Harriet
Ward 10
Barbara Lickness wrote:
> I work in Phillips and am aware that there is a
> modular home between 28th and 27th Street on
> Bloomington Avenue.
>
> The issue in Phillips was not that it was a modular
> home, it was the design of the home. The home was
> turned sideways with the primary entrance to the home
> on the side as opposed to facing the street. A
> variance is needed for it to remain like this. The
> Fire Department expressed concerns that the distance
> between the entrance and the neighboring fence is so
> narrow, they question their ability to access the
> house in an emergency. Nonetheless, there is a city
> policy stating that the primary entrance must face the
> street. I can't remember whether the region approved
> the variance request or not.
>
> In the Ventura Village region of Phillips, they are
> working to bring modular homes into the neighborhood.
> In addition, they are working to bring in a modular
> manufacturing group in as a business.
>
> The difference here is that Ventura Village developed
> a Master Land Use Development Plan for the entire
> region. This plan included design elements for nearly
> every type of structure planned in the region. When
> developers come to Ventura Village they are given the
> plan. They are also told that if they agree to
> develop according to the plan, they will receive
> regional support. If they choose not to, they will
> not receive a recommendation from Ventura Village.
> Since the completion of the plan, there have been
> several projects approved with developers agreeing to
> develop in accordance with the Ventura Village Master
> Plan. Some of the developers are non-profits, and
> some are for-profit.
>
> The other three regions of Phillips are also working
> to develop Master Land Use Development Plans for their
> regions in addition to the Elliot Park,Whittier,
> Stevens Square and Loring Park neighborhoods. This
> will give all of them a very strong tool in focusing
> NRP Phase II spending and will be a good instrument to
> leverage additional investment into these
> neighborhoods.
>
> The point of this long story is that if neighborhoods
> take control of their development opportunities in a
> well constructed cohesive plan that has full
> neighborhood buy in, then it gives potential
> developers a much better focus in proposing
> development projects, including modular houses.
>
> Modular homes can be produced with any variety of
> design elements. I have seen some really nice ones.
> I have also seen really bad ones. If a neighborhood
> can hand a developer design guidelines, most of them
> will be happy to adhere to it.
>
> Barb Lickness
> Whittier
> Ward 6
>
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