[Mpls] This Week in The Minneapolis Observer

[Craig Cox]

T H E M I N N E A P O L I S O B S E R V E R
A Weekly Digest of All Things Minneapolitan
www.mplsobserver.com
Vol. 3, No. 10
October 13, 2003

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THIS WEEK IN THE OBSERVER:
* City-HUD Disagreement Threatens Heritage Park Progress
* Parks Superintendent Proposes $4 Million Budget Cut
* Struggling Calhoun Square Could Be Up For Sale
* Final Defendant Convicted in Dinkytown Riot
* County Goes Green With Biodiesel
* City To View Final Sears Proposals This Week

Plus: Kucinich at Roosevelt, remembering the sixties, unwanted train whistles, bicycle abuse, and the trouble with citizen activism

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CITY-HUD DISAGREEMENT THREATENS HERITAGE PARK PROGRESS
The much-maligned Heritage Park housing project is struggling against yet another legal impasse, this time between the city and the federal government.

At issue, reports Shannon Gibney in the Spokesman-Recorder (http://www.spokesman-recorder.com), is about $7 million in federal Housing and Urban Development funds needed to complete construction of 38 public housing units in the controversial Northside complex. HUD contends that, despite awarding these "moving to work funds" to the city in each of the past four years, it has no obligation to continue such funding. Indeed, argues HUD attorney Harold Rennett, these funds were never meant to be used for construction.

The 770-unit Heritage Park, the result of a 1995 desegregation lawsuit against the city, has suffered several delays in the past year and was scheduled for completion in May 2005--before this latest court case.

U.S. District Judge Harold Rosenbaum will hear arguments in the case on Friday, October 17. His ruling will determine whether those 38 public housing units will be built.

PARKS SUPERINTENDENT PROPOSES $4 MILLION CUT
Park and Recreation centers would cut hours, beaches would close, and the number of fishing docks would be cut, and 15 full-time park keepers jobs would be eliminated as part of a $4 million budget cut proposed by Superintendent Mary Merrill Anderson.

STRUGGLING CALHOUN SQUARE COULD BE UP FOR SALE
Calhoun Square, once the city's signature urban retail spot, may be up for sale.

FINAL DEFENDANT CONVICTED IN DINKYTOWN RIOT
The eighth and final defendant in the April 12 Dinkytown riot was convicted last week.

COUNTY GOES GREEN WITH BIODIESEL
Hennepin County's fleet of diesel vehicles, including snowplows, road pavers, and ambulances have begun running on biodiesel fuel.


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The Minneapolis Observer is published 48 times/year by Independent Media, L.L.C. �2003 Independent Media, 4152 Snelling Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55406; www.mplsobserver.com. No part of this publication may be reprinted without the permission of Independent Media. Subscriptions: $12/yr. To unsubscribe, send us an e-mail ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) and we'll get you off the list and refund the unused portion of your subscription.
Editor: Craig Cox
Senior Executive Editor: Sharon Parker
Contributing writers: Chris Dodge, Leo Mezzrow
Equine consultant: Nora Cox
Perspective: Martin Cox
Thanks to: Michael Buelow and Bob Cooper

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Craig Cox
Editor
The Minneapolis Observer
www.mplsobserver.com

Support the independent media! Pick up your neighborhood newspaper!