Ron Leurquin wrote: -> That is what I have been lead to believe about the former -> Hiawatha cleaners building at 50th street. I know the -> person that has the option on the building and want to put -> in a coffee shop, but is waiting for MnDot to release the -> property. Last he was told is that would happen once the -> LRT is completed.
Doug replies: I'm pretty sure that no one has an "option" on the old Cleaner's building other than a first right of refusal to the previous owner. There are several interested parties, and there is talk of a meeting between CM Colvin Roy and interested developers/tenants sometime in the near future. BTW, originally it was the Minnehaha Grocery, a National Tea franchise. In the meantime there are several problems with that location that need addressing. Foremost is the condition of the building. It will require extensive mechanical and structural repair because MnDOT let it freeze up and deteriorate for several years. Then there is the very strong possibility of hazardous cleanup: MPCA has reportedly traced ground contamination to the building. Another issue is parking--There isn't any. The East side, where the parking lot used to be, is now a through street. The 50th St. frontage now a bus stop, and the adjoining streets are being taken by LRT riders and Cap's Grille customers. Most of these issues are solvable, but it will take a very serious investment in money and effort. I've lived just a few doors up 43rd Ave from that building for the past 26 years. Personally, and professionally, I want to see the character of the building and the corner preserved (Sorry, Barb, not the place for 4-story, high-density affordable housing). I think a coffee shop, per se, would underutilize the potential of that site. If food related, I would prefer to see something along the lines of a cross between Panera and the Chatterbox. What we need in the area is a place to go for a light meal and beverage that is both family friendly and yet accessible to Park visitors and the LRT riders. Add a spectacular view by reopening the east-facing windows overlooking the Park and the station. Across the street, Cap's barbeque menu is considerably different and heavier, so the two might compliment each other. But again, zoning codes require a minimum amount of parking for food-related businesses. It may be that the old building should come down, but I would fight long and hard to replace it with another brick building, no more than two stories facing 50th with tuck-under parking, and that incorporates the same architectural details and brickwork so unique to the area. Ron Leurquin wrote: -> With the rerouting of 55 there is a new condo building going -> in on the site of the old Holiday station. I checked out -> the sales center a few weeks ago and half the units have -> been reserved already and groundbreaking is set for this -> month. Doug Replies: Ahh, yes. The infamous Minnehaha Place Condos. To make a long story short, NENA spent considerable time and effort working with developers to build relatively affordable senior housing--without any public subsidy--at that location. We very much want to keep our seniors in the neighborhood when they sell their homes. CM Colvin Roy along with Zoning & Planning staff worked out several variances related to the seniors aspect of the project. But alas, the developer, CSS, pulled a bait and switch: It will not open as seniors housing, and the unit prices have increased considerably. BTW, the same units have been "reserved" and groundbreaking has been "next month" for some time now. Might be that a speculator or broker has helped fund the project by advance sales. Needless to say, the project is not high on my endorsement list. In response to Jeff Rosenberg's question: I don't know about other stretches of 55, but MnDOT owns several residential properties along Riverview Road, (between TH 55 and Minnehaha Ave., north of 54th St.) Some have been cleared, some still have homes on them. Doug Walter, Living in, and working for, Nokomis East REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
