[Mpls] Snow shoveling and the MCDA

[Karen Forbes]

I wanted to pass on our block's ongoing frustration with the vacant lot at 3424 Columbus Av, which I discussed on this list last fall.  As a brief reminder, our block's wish was to have this MCDA owned property to be purchased by PRG and have an affordable house built there.  The MCDA at the last minute decided to sell the lot to a private party.  The MCDA and the City Council both ignored our petition with over 20 signatures, our numerous phone calls and personally addressing whatever committee was deemed the responsibility of deciding this property's fate.  I would like to give an update on this property on our block.  It is now February 2001, six months since I appeared at the City Council committee and the lot remains vacant and is still owned by the MCDA.  In that six months as we all know, more than a couple feet of snow has fallen and the MCDA has not shoveled their sidewalk even once this past winter.  A couple of weeks ago I called MCDA staff member, Daryl Hall to inform him of the neglect on their part of not shoveling the sidewalk. I asked the question of why did someone have to call them to ask them to shovel the snow from their sidewalk.  Mr. Hall became a bit defensive and did assure me that he would take care of the situation, even though it was it was not in his job  description.  To Mr. Hall's credit, the very next day I saw the MCDA truck with the six foot plow on the front and a person with an ice pick on the property ready to take care of the job.  After a few minutes the truck became stuck on the sidewalk and needed to be towed.  Needless to say the sidewalk has yet to be shoveled.  The same day I called MCDA to report the neglect I also called public works about the sidewalk.  What they said was that they have had a problem with MCDA owned properties and getting the snow removed.    This situation brings many questions to my mind.  First, is using a truck with a six-foot plow to shovel a sidewalk reasonable and legal?  The six- foot plow is much wider than the sidewalk so if they had not gotten stuck as they did, they ran the risk of damaging property.  Another question I have is why do neighbors have to call the MCDA and tel them to abide by a city ordinance of removing snow form their property?  Why is the MCDA not held to the same standard as any other property owner?  Frankly, I am infuriated that this inept organization is allowed to squander our tax dollars.  I suppose if the MCDA was a private company we would be bailing them out.   Karen Forbes Central Neighborhood