With all of the discussion about affordable
housing on the list (especially the project at
53rd
and Lyndale) I have been somewhat surprised at the lack of discussion
about Plymouth Congregational Church�s Lydia House project at
19th
and LaSalle. For those who may not be familiar with the proposed
project, Plymouth Church is proposing to convert the former LaSalle
Nursing Home into a 40-unit residence of supportive housing. On the
surface, of course, is sounds like a wonderful project, and it is, except
for the fact that there are 16 such group facilities within a quarter
mile.
As one who attends Plymouth Church this project has personally been a
very difficult one for me to sort out -- nearly paralyzing. The
need for this type of facility is so very real, yet too great a
concentration of these kinds of residences can cause harm to a
neighborhood. The city in fact passed a law that requires a
quarter-mile between these types of supportive housing residences.
The purpose of that law is to avoid this very kind of
hyperconcentration. Lisa Goodman and Jim Niland both support giving
the church the necessary waiver to proceed. The Stevens Square and
Wittier neighborhoods have come out in opposition.
After a great deal of soul-searching I have come a position of agreement
with the neighborhoods on this one. I don't think that it is good
for the neighborhood. It flies in the face of the carefully
designed law drafted to prevent this very type of situation. And it
makes no sense to me to tear down all the concentrated, low-income
housing on the north side simply to shift it to another location in the
city.
What other thoughts are out there?
Here�s a link to the Strib article on the project.
http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/694049.html
Paul Lohman
Lynnhurst - Ward 11
Paul Lohman
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
