Bill C. wrote (asked):
Paul, you want us to believe that there are a "great many people working very hard to" bring affordable housing to Lynnhurst? And in the same post, you say there has only been ONE opportunity in the past TEN years?!
PL: Fair question, I suppose... if it was intended as a question.
First of all, yes, there has been only one project in Lynnhurst in the last 10 years, but as Tom Leighton pointed out in his post a couple of days ago there are many reasons for why it is difficult to execute projects in non-impacted neighborhoods. The biggest one is availability of land, and also the cost of land. It's not enough for people simply to "want" to site affordable housing. There has to be land, land that makes the project financially feasible, and developers who will come forward with proposals.
BC.
Precisely how hard are the "many people" working? Who are they working with?
PL: The one project we did have in Lynnhurst and approved is the Boulevard (53rd and Lyndale). The experience of that project generated much of the work that has gone on since in SW Mpls. The desire is to be both proactive and then ready when a plan comes forward. And the Boulevard project has generated efforts by a number of groups and indeed involves "many" people.
1). There was the creation of SWING (SouthWest Interfaith Neighborhood Group for affordable housing). This group has members from many neighborhoods in SW Mpls and has held numerous forums and meetings about housing issues. They have also produced a fine brochure that addresses affordable housing and provides information to educate people about the issue.
2). Two neighborhood boards have openly expressed support for siting housing. The Linden Hills council drafted and approved an affordable housing policy. The Fulton neighborhood in their planning for Phase II NRP has specifically identified affordable housing as a goal for the neighborhood.
3). A group of residents from SW has indeed identified a site for housing and has had discussions with PPL about ways to move ahead. Hasn't gotten anywhere yet, but we're hopeful.
4). The new SW organization Getting to the Bottom of the Ballot (Get BOB) (I'm on the board) has held a couple of educational forums that directly and indirectly seek to help the community understand the issues of housing and density. The most recent involved Myron Orfield, Rep. Frank Horenstein and Councilmember Dan Niziolek.
5). There is a 4 neighborhood group (called LASR-CC) that is addressing development issues on S. Lyndale Avenue. The group is working on a Master Plan for the area and housing is most often mentioned element of the plan.
6). I have worked (am working) with another Lynnhurst resident (and 4 neighborhoods) on obtaining a grant from the Center 4 Neighborhoods through their Corridor Housing Initiative to create a series of educational forums about housing and density issues. The goal of course in the end is to identify ways to site housing.
BC:
If Lynnhurst WANTS affordable housing, there are many, many organizations that will jump high to help.
PL: Send me the names, in case we've missed someone.
Paul Lohman Lynnhurst
Paul Lohman [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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