>
>One comment that has been repeated to concerned constituents in the area
is that the developer feels that in this location they can tap into
downtown hotel stays via the bus line. Well, I love my neighborhood, but
as a person who works downtown and occasionally travels on company business
I seriously doubt that people with expense accounts are interested in
staying at the AmericInn on Lake Street vs the array of downtown options.
------------------------------
And I'd have a hard time believing this motel could get on the second level
list of hotel space for large conventions--most of that would go to hotels
near the Airport--and usually there would be shuttles from those hotels
into downtown Minneapolis.
David do you know of some phone numbers of the American Inn
person to call about this to ask questions.
* The AmericInn person is John Kennedy, at
Americinn International LLC
18202 Minnetonka Boulevard, Wayzata, MN 55391
(612) 476-9020
The investor, Michael Fruen, owns a business in Plymouth called JTE, which I
think stands for "Joxxx Test Equipment" or something
>I think it is interesting that there is such a high degree of secrecy
>surrounding the proposal; it has been extremely difficult to get
information,
>and I don't like the patronizing attitude that some people involved have
>displayed.
>Related or not, the former owners of one of the properties required for this
>proposal received death threats prior to agreeing to sell their house.
This is a very serious charge. Have these death threats been investigated
by the police?
*Yes - the Lors did file a police report - the written death threat they
received allegedly gave physical descriptions of their children, and the times
that they left the house, and a date that they had to be out by. Again, though,
nobody has been convicted of anything in regards to this instance.
>It is also imprtant to note that the idea of a hotel has been presented
several
>times by Urban Ventures over the past six or seven years, and is voted
down by
>the residents every time. Such a use is also inconsistent with current
zoning,
>the small area plan, and the NRP plan.
Oh, the Urban Vultures as they are fondly known by some in the neighborhood.
**Yes - I've never really figured out who Urban Ventures represents - most of
their funding comes from suburban churches who feel they will save urban America
if they can instill white middle class values in the children.
>
>John Kennedy of AmericInn (franchisor)
>Mike Fruen, investor (franchisee)
>Basim Sabri (owner of much of the affected land)
>and Urban Ventures as (apparently) facilitators
>
>The plan for the same location that was brushed aside by Basim Sabri last
year
>after he purchased the land would have created at least 30 units of
affordable
>housing, become a center for neighborhood based ethnic art, and provided work
>space for several art-oriented entrepreneurs. I challenge Basim and the City
>officials to consider ways to revive that or similar proposals that
benefit the neighborhood instead of suburban speculators.
Hear, hear, David. I'd like to know this also. I thought city officials
were majorly interested in affordable housing..... So what's this with
opening up this Motel.
Eva Young
Central
8th Ward Voter
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