[Mpls] 1508 East Lake Street Revitalization

[MJ Mueller]

I am forwarding this message from Pat Ciernia at Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association. It is an update on what is happening with the former Antiques Minnesoat building.

MJ Mueller
Seward
----------
Good Day,
This information updates the Action Alert we sent out about one week ago. Please help us by reading the information and acting on it! Feel free to forward this message to other interested parties.
Thank you for your time!
Pat Ciernia
PPNA Economic Development Organizer/Office Manager
612.722.4817 x25
[EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:pat@;ppna.org>
PPNA Action Alert Update!
23 October 2002

Regarding the Neighborhood Multi-Cultural Arts Center Proposal

Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to contact the Mayor and
members of the City Councilyou are being heard. However, we need to move
beyond some current misunderstandings, and bring together the efforts of the neighborhood and city officials and staff. (The Neighborhood Multi-Cultural Arts Center is a proposal to revitalize the vacant building at 1508 East Lake Street: the former Antiques Minnesota building. It has been a collaborative effort of In the Heart of the Beast Theatre (HOBT), Midtown Phillips neighborhood, Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association (PPNA), and the California Building Company.)

The Issue:

An unnecessary element of confrontation has grown out of our efforts to support the Neighborhood Art Center. This friction is a distraction from our main goal of closing the purchase agreement for the Antiques Minnesota building and keeping the project alive.

Background:

Our initial Action Alert request (15 October 2002) contained information that some have interpreted as a promise by city officials for specific
financial support for the Neighborhood Art Center. We would like to clarify the situation by clearly stating that the city did not commit specific funding to this project, but had indicated great interest in the concept and a willingness to cooperate with HOBT to find solutions. Although we believe that this is a significant enough opportunity to justify direct monetary aide, our main concern is that city staff and elected officials continue to work with PPNA, Heart of the Beast, Midtown Phillips and others to find a creative solution that keeps this project moving forward.

Currently:

HOBTs executive director, Kathee Foran, has been in contact with Mayor Rybak. He and his staff are following the situation closely and have reiterated their desire to see this plan realized. Councilmembers Zimmermann, Schiff, and Lilligren also support the concept and are interested in finding solutions.

What We Ask You To Do:

Again, call, e-mail or write to the Mayor and your Councilmember in support of the Neighborhood Art Center. This time, please acknowledge and thank them for the support theyve already shown for the proposal. Dont accuse them of breaking promises rather you should encourage them to work with HOBT to find creative answers to this vexing question. Help them defend the project (and any possibility of funding) by pointing out the benefits of a successful conversion of the Antiques Minnesota building and the risks to the stability of the area if the project fails. We know HOBT is a terrific neighbor, but the economic stability of this commercial node is the issue that will determine how big a priority this is for the full City Council. PPNA and other organizations, businesses and individuals have made significant investments in and around the Bloomington & Lake intersection, among them:

East Phillips Commons, a multi-neighborhood collaboration to develop new housing, commercial, and live-work units just across Bloomington Avenue over $500,000

Mercado Central, a 60-plus member Latino business coop over $200,000

Berman Building, currently home to Marcellos Caf� and Duo Sonic over $40,000

Me Gusta Place, a privately-funded commercial/restaurant expansion nearly $2,000,000

The on-going success of these projects are potentially at risk if the Antiques Minnesota building remains vacant and blighted, or is used for a less than desirable purpose. Theres about two weeks remaining before the deal is off. Please call or write now!
Contact:

Mayor R.T. Rybak
Minneapolis City Hall
350 South Fifth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415
612.673.2100
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

(City Councilmembers Name)
Minneapolis City Hall
350 South Fifth Street, Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415
612.673.22(Ward number) For example, Dean Zimmermann is 673.2206 (6th Ward)
E-mail is (FirstName.SecondName)@ci.minneapolis.mn.us For example, [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead

Be the change you want to see in the world. Gandhi



_________________________________________________________________
Unlimited Internet access for only $21.95/month.� Try MSN! http://resourcecenter.msn.com/access/plans/2monthsfree.asp

_______________________________________

Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy
Post messages to: mailto:mpls@;mnforum.org
Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls