In response to Jason Sittko's posted question, at mnforum.org, as to whether anyone
has experience with the Central Community Housing Trust (CCHT):
Yes. I have 14 � years of experience with the Central Community Housing Trust. In
every single project done by CCHT in the past 17 years, no project has been developed
without numerous planning and brainstorming discussions with, and building
relationships with, people who live and work in the neighborhoods. As a matter of
absolute fact, CCHT has developed almost 1,200 units of housing and has never
developed a project without the approval of the neighborhood citizen participation
organization.
The proposed Ripley development in the Harrison Neighborhood is a case in point.
Central Community Housing Trust staff people have worked with the Harrison
Neighborhood Association intensively for over a year on different ideas and scenarios
for the site. As with all sites, there are practical, political, and financial
realities, both market and our own. If we are "bullies" to point those realities out,
then so be it. We are certainly persistent, because that is how all development
projects of any kind get done. But we have fully engaged with every committee and
every process required by the Harrison Neighborhood. I doubt if any other developer,
for-profit or nonprofit, would spend as much time working with a neighborhood, on as
challenging a site, as we have in Harrison.
There are always different opinions and concerns in communities about all development
projects. Some concerns are based in fact and some based on fears and perceptions.
Everyone always has a different perspective or idea about what would be "perfect".
One of our roles is to synthesize collective and multiple desires with reality and
produce something great.
CCHT is certainly as interested as the neighborhood and neighbors in helping
re-capitalize this important site as a place that works for the people who will live
there, for neighbors, and for the entire community. The current proposal incorporates
many, many ideas that came from Harrison residents and neighbors, regarding both unit
types and design.
I recommend talking to the leaders and neighbors in the Elliot Park neighborhood,
where we have helped bring over $70 million dollars of public and private
re-investment over the past 17 years, including building the first "market" housing
there in over 70 years. Ask them if the Central Community Housing Trust has made a
positive or negative difference in their neighborhood.
We always welcome rational discussion of concerns and perspective.
Please always call us if you have any questions.
Alan
Alan Arthur, President, Central Community Housing Trust
1625 Park Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404-1634
612-341-3148 ext. 201 Fax: 612-341-4208 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Learn how Central Community Housing Trust is responding to the affordable housing
shortage in the Twin Cities.
Please join us for a 1-hour Building Dreams presentation: May 5, 2003 at 4:30pm:
We are also happy to present Building Dreams at your organization, church, or
business.
Space is limited, please register online at www.ccht.org or call Philip Schaffner at
612-341-3148 x237 ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
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