>From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Posted-Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2000 09:07:47 -0500 (CDT)
>Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2000 10:06:21 EDT
>Subject: Can you put this statement on Mpls Issues-I tried but couldn't.
Thanks.
>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>X-Mailer: Windows AOL sub 106
>
>Subj: Many Rivers - answers to some of the questions raised, and a thank
you
>Date: 10/20/00 1:59:05 PM Central Daylight Time
>From: LisaKugler
>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>I'm the development consultant to the Many Rivers project, and have received
>a number of copies of discussions you have had about the project. Here is
>some of the basic info for the project as proposed to Minnesota Housing
>Finance Agency:
>87 units in two, four story buildings
>l level of underground parking, first floor of commercial space (9,000
>sq.ft.) in each building. At 1500 E Franklin, the commercial space would
be a
>day care center, with drop off facilities and off-site employee parking. At
>1400 E Franklin, the commercial space would be 3-4 businesses.
> There are three floors of housing above the commercial space. In both
>buildings, the totals are 51 3-bedroom units, 20 2-bedroom units, 10
>one-bedroom units and 6 efficiency units. Rents were proposed (0-3 bedroom)
>at $425,525,654 and 816, plus approx. $20-30 for electricity. These are
>considered affordable to 50% of the median income. ($36,000 for a family of
>4).
> The buildings are L-shaped, with the commercial space facing Franklin and
>4 floors of housing on the residential side. The interior of the L is a
fully
>enclosed, intensively developed courtyard with lots of playground equipment
>and seating areas. It is accessible via outside stair from three of the four
>housing floors, or by elevator. It is not accessible from outside the
>building. The courtyards are 88 x 88 (1400) and 75 x 79 (at 1500). Total
open
>space owned by the development is 13,069. Acknowledging that children will
>play in halls, the buildings are designed with wide interior hallways
(l0-12
>feet) to serve as inside streets, with durable walls and floors, windows
from
>the kitchens of the apartments into the hallway, and an open common area on
>each floor. We consider this substantial additional indoor play area.
> The project is oriented to local resources for additional open space and
>recreation. The buildings are located next to or l block from the grounds of
>the Minneapolis Indian Center, which include youth programs, a gym, a
>playground and at least 2-3 acres of open space. They are next door or l
>block from the Franklin Library which has many programs and 4 blocks from
the
>Phillips Pool and Gym. There are also two Minneapolis parks within longer
>walking distance. (6-10 blocks)
> The operating budget for the housing includes two staff jobs to supervise
>the playground, coordinate children's programming and make referrals and
>serve as liaison with near by programs.
> The design and density (almost 60 units/acre, if the Indian Center
open
>space is not included) makes the amenities: underground parking, elevator
and
>universal design (handicapped accessible), private courtyard and on-site
>staff to supervise children - economically possible. AIHCDC, in keeping with
>the desires of the Ventura Village Master Plan, did not propose to tear down
>existing housing to create surface parking or additional open space. This
>project is designed to serve working families who work near by or downtown
or
>can use the LRT line and to take advantage of existing recreation and
>shopping facilities.
> The request to MHFA is for deferred loan funds, not tax credits. This
>project is able to receive tax credits from its allocation of tax exempt
>bonds from MCDA.
> We will be happy to answer additional questions or share more of our
>philosophy about how to create supportive new housing for children and
>families in the city. Our sincere thank you for your interest and support.
>
>
Almost anything you do will be insignificant,
but it is very important that you do it.
-Mohandas Gandhi
