>From public records, easily accessible in about 30 minutes online: This dispute involves the property at 206 Elroy Street in South Minneapolis, which is in the Whittier neighborhood near Lake Street and Pillsbury Avenue. The site is 1.45 acres. [A map and additional background are available on-line by searching the city site with the term 'Elroy' and accessing an appeal of the planning commission].
The city, using federal MILES money (not sure what MILES is) acquired the property in August 1996 for $401,700. There was an RFP issued in 2001 for the site, with two proposals submitted, one of which withdrew, leaving the 'Karmel Plaza' proposal [distinct from the existing Karmel Square] as the only one. According to the MCDA/CPED reports, the city sold the lot at 206 Elroy Street for $126,000, in a deal that apparently closed on the city books on May 14, 2004, though approval of the sale from MCDA came in March 2001. The MCDA's website indicates that it agreed to sell the lot/property to Karmel Properties, LLC, for $126,000. Karmel Properties, LLC, according to MCDA minutes from September 2003, is a limited liability company (LLC), with Sabri Properties, Inc., and Whittier Community Development Corporation as principal members. According to MCDA minutes, the development of the parcel was on administrative hold for a period of time starting in December 2001 because of a 'federal investigation.' The developers subsequently requested that the hold be removed. The MCDA reports that "the Whittier Alliance which, along with the Whittier South Task Force & the Midtown Greenway Coalition, has previously recommended approval of the project." MCDA reported that the ultimate private development (with conventional financing) would cost approximately $4.5 million and would include a 64,000 square foot building with 26,000 square feet in light industrial use (which complies with MILES funding requirements) and 77 new on-site parking spaces. According to an appeal in October 2003 of a prior Planning Commission decision related to neighborhood notification, the proposal sets 144 parking spaces as a goal and adjusts the development to offset entrances from Pillsbury and Pleasant Streets so that parking problems noted by condominium owners across the street are addressed. According to the report accompanying the appeal, 101 parking spaces are required for Karmel Plaza, and a total of 122 spaces are required for both Karmel Square and Karmel Plaza together. NOW, GIVEN THIS, I ask sincerely for factual background to allegations that the developer 'owns' a council member, that there has been 'voter fraud and coercion,' or that there have been unethical practices on the part of the council or others that warrant intervention by the 'FBI and US Attorney's office.' Really, give it your best shot. Make a case for why you (whoever you may be) believe the council is owned and on the take. I'm not asking why you may disagree with the decisions made along the way--I'm asking genuinely for why you think this is a federal criminal case. Gregory Luce St. Paul 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
