As A point of information: I was not a board member when Sabri Properties received the Facade grant/loan for $25,000. I was not co-chair of CNIA Business development committee when Sabri Properties received the $25,000 grant/loan.
I challenge anyone to bring forward any type of documentation to support their claims that I was a board member or co-chair of any committee when Sabri Properties received this grant/loan. Yes, I did recive facade grant/loan information once I did become co-chair of CNIAs Business development Committee. However, as with other facade grant/loan recipients, I did not have any knowledge of transactions prier to my contact with CNIA. There are those that do know what happened in the instance of Sabri Properties receiving this grant/loan. Some of whom have responded to this forum topic. These persons also have information as to what happened with other Lake Street projects in Central. Such as the 4th and Lake building project where over $1.4 million was spent. These parties also have information as to what were the circumstances surround Sabri Properties acquiring the 301 east Lake building. It was around this time that I came into contact with CNIA. From what I can tell, many of those now attempting to paint a picture of my assisting Sabri Properties with receiving funds from CNIA, were indeed those that lobbied for Basim to purchase the 301 East Lake building as well as dispersing the $25,000 facade grant/loan funds to him. I had nothing to do with either case. As far as I can tell from documentation that I have obtained from CNIA, Selwin Ortega was a board member of CNIA for years. It is hard for me to understand how some of my community members can attack Basim (a good developer) and not say a word about Selwin (just the opposite). It is also true that this persons have a great deal of knowledge about how much rent Judy was paying MCDA, or should I say, what she was supposed to pay. Fact is she was behind in her rent and was asking CNIA to lobby MCDA to lower it even more for her. Her place was supposed to be a part of the $1.4 4th and Lake project, but the project went south. I felt sorry for Judy because of the situation that she was put in and attempted to help her. We did have a few discussions but nothing materialized from it. I still wish her and her project well, it is a benefit to any community. Fact is once Sabri Properties obtained the 4th and Lake building it was brought up to code and occupied within 45 days. As we can all see, it is an asset to the community. All I have ever tried to say is that Basim has brought good development to our community, more good development then anyone. I was trying to make a heartfelt comment and obviously some seen a way to attack, discredit and release frustration. Does it matter if Sabri received $25,000 from a grant/loan program that he was eligible for as was many other businesses on Lake Street? Does it matter if MCDA elected to accept Basims lower bid for the 4th and Lake building because of his expertise? I think not. I think what matters is the community and what it has benefited from Basims developments in the area. I understand some peoples hatred for my friend Basim, hey, maybe they just have to hate someone. Maybe they dislike me as well for being his friend, I accept that. Though it would be nice to be liked by everyone :). As for my meeting with city offices and employees about area developments and funding sources, I would like to say this. It is true that I have lobbied for projects to receive funding. One of them is the Sears project. I have lobbied for many programs and projects in Minneapolis. I have never received any payment for my community work. I have never lobbied for the Hotel project to receive funding from the Empowerment Zone. I have spoken on behalf of some Empowerment Zone projects and volunteered in their development and planing but I never talked to the Empowerment Zone office about $800,000 for the Hotel. That is a lie. Despite the challenges, the harassment and torment that some would like to affect me, I will continue my community work. If I like a project, I will do what ever I can to guarantee its success no matter who is doing the project. Zachary Metoyer 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
