The Lowry Corridor Road Project, a Hennepin County Works Project (big money) is well underway to renew the full length of Lowry Avenue. Lowry Avenue runs from the west city limits to the east city limits and is a great connector for North and Northeast Mpls. As a connector here, it is second only to West Broadway Avenue North/Broadway Street Northeast.
One of the first phases being implemented is acquisition and demolition of private property, about 25 buildings, around the gateway of Lowry/Lyndale North. Recently, one building owner had been solicited, in a purchase agreement from Henn. County, to sell her property, an 8 unit apartment building, to the County for a specified price. That price being inadequate to the seller, she had declined the offer. Hennepin County officials agreed to negotiate further with the owner on price; but proceeded to tender relocation benefits to all the existing tenants. It was reported to me that Hennepin County paid the tenants around $10,000 each, in benefits, to relocate out of the building. The tenants, as reported to me, all accepted and moved out. The tenants, as reported to me, vacated without even proper notice, leaving the building empty. The building owner had to board up a building she still owns to try to secure it from trespass by criminals. This now boarded 8 unit apartment building, at 3123 6th St. North, was well managed and well maintained by it's hard working and modest female owner. She now has an empty and boarded building with ongoing expenses including 100s of thousands of dollars of mortgage debt and debt service, property tax, insurance, and utility costs. She must continue paying those expenses now that the meddling County and City have emptied her building. Potential new tenants who are not going to receive relocation are not interested in moving in. I am familiar with her terrible dilemma as she is the Neighbor/Property Owner to my parcel at 617 Lowry Avenue north. She is highly distressed as she had never imagined this incredible play by the County. Recently, I received an offer from the County to purchase my building. I found the offer to be inadequate. Two days ago I received a call from the relocation contractor, seeking the names and addresses of my tenants. He told me that he would door knock my parcel if I didn't cooperate. he told me, that my building, which I still own, and against which I owe 100s of thousands of dollars, etc., would be emptied soon in similar fashion to my neighbor. I requested that he please reach my attorney. I am more than nervous. Since then, my tenants have recieved notice of their eligability for relocation benefits in a certified letter that uses language that sounds as if I am no longer in charge as the property owner. The City of Mpls.and the County of Hennepin are partners in this Lowry Corridor Project Property Acquisition and Relocation Process. As partners they coordinate buying the properties and moving the tenants, together. Unfortunately, they are not considering the needs of certain property owners who are being hurt deeply, possibly to ruin, in this process. Any reasonable person would agree; these agencies should OWN the properties before they meddle with the tenants. My comment to the City and County: Keep your meddling, interfering hands off my tenants until you own my building. Keith Reitman NearNorth, and on the Lowry Corridor REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
