Hello All, I try not to respond to what I consider to be personal hatred. But I am compelled to respond and comment to a list members correspondence on this list.
David Piehl Wrote: The building to the west of 301 E Lake, 311 E Lake, got $25,000 from CNIA's NRP funds. Zachary Metoyer writes: David is probably right on the $25,000 from NRP funds. His being a long time member of the neighborhood group gives him the advantage of that knowledge over me because at the time I was not active with the neighborhood group. I do know that these funds are from a facade grant program. A number of other business on Lake Street and Chicago Avenue have also benefited from the program. These funds are distributed on a first come first serve bases as long as the applicant fulfills all the required criteria. The neighborhood group also wanted to assist Selwin Ortega with one of his stores, but for some reason he did not seem interested in upgrading the appearance of his building at the time. The fact is that these funds that David is speaking about do not require any type of formal action from any governing body it is 1st come 1st served. Also if any list members know of business on Lake Street between 35W and Chicago or Chicago Avenue from Lake to 38th, I believe funds are still available from the program. David Piehl wrote: To build the motel that Basim wanted gave rise to an anticipated $800,000 subsidy for a single location!! Zachary Metoyer writes: What $800,000? Where was it coming from? I have talked to several people about the possible sources of the fabricated $800,000 and none seems to know where the funds where coming from. Does anyone know what funding sources Brian was intending for use at the Hotel project? Was it MCDA? Or maybe NRP? Was it going to be some kind of TIF funding? Or maybe he had connections at the State level. Or maybe he was going to stand on the conner with a tin can to raise the funds Who Knows? I think that the dollar amount was simply a fabrication utilized to sweeten the pot in the attempt to intrigue Basim. Brian had never assisted Basim with funding before so we cannot say that it would be from sources utilized in the past. No, there was never any $800,000. It was a figment of Brians imagination as the sources were never identified. David Piehl wrote: Basim likes to sell his developments as not requiring subsidy, and maybe they don't require subsidy but he has definitely taken subsidies on them. Zachary Metoyer writes: Basim is creative. It is the old if there is a will there is a way. While facing the most challenging time in his life, at a time that he could not seek conventional financing, he constructs two beautiful buildings on 2nd Avenue. Will he ever need a subsidy? With his skill, probably not. The question should be, does his projects deserve to receive subsidies given the communities that they serve? Are not many of the subsidy programs set up because of the economic situation of people of color and the improvised in Minneapolis? David Piehl wrote: Many Latino neighbors have indicated that there is broad dissatisfaction with having Basim as a landlord, and the frequent rent increases. Many tenants have had their rents tripled. This was the case with Ben, an African immigrant who rented from Basim (featured on KMSP) - Ben also spoke about having utility bills at other Sabri properties mysteriously appear in his name. Then there is the case of Titilayo Bediako, the way Basim evicted her and her "We Win" program for African American youth, or the case where Basim tripled Judy Cooper Lyle's rent....Hmmmmm, you're right, Basim has done a lot! Zachary Metoyer writes: In the case of 301 East Lake Street, the tenants were given free utilities for the first year the Bazaar opened. This was despite having a triple net lease. This type of lease requires the tenant to pay for utility cost and certain repairs. Basim gave this to his new tenants, a free year. He paid the utilities for a year that by law he did not have to. How much does that amount to? I do not know. But it is a safe guess to say that it is thousands of dollars. So no David, the rent was not increased after a year, the tenants simply were required to fulfill their end of the lease and pay their utility cost. Ben never had his rent tripled. This is a lie either by him or David. I do not know what happened with Titilayo, I happen to be friends with both individuals and removed myself from involvement in the situation so that I would not seem to be taking sides. I care fro both Basim and Titilayo and her family. Judy Cooper Lyle never had her rent increased from Sabri Properties. The facts are that she rented from MCDA (I will not disclose the amount). Once Sabri Properties bought the building she was located in, rent was set. There was nothing regulating her rent per the transition of ownership. I do think that she has a great program and wish her the best. David Piehl wrote: Selwin came in and bought a few buildings long before anyone else was interested, and helped stabilize the area. He does own a number of buildings, but I'd wager Basim owns more. Zachary Metoyer writes: Wrong David. As a person interested in the economic enhancement of people of color I conducted my own personal inventory of building on Lake Street to check availability of opportunity for businesses and projects. Selwin owns a lot on Lake Street, more then you think. My point on this is not the investment prospective but rather what is being done with the properties. The difference between Basim and Selwin are like night and day. Zachary Metoyer 14year Central Resident _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
