The real question people should be asking is why, if the county knew it
was going to proceed with the Lowry project, didn't they just buy the
property when it was on the market in 2004? This is one of the
fundamental problems with these long-term plans that come with no money
at the time the plans are approved. Property owners live for years in
uncertainty, not knowing if or when they may be asked or forced to sell
out. This creates a huge "disinvestment zone" throughout the area
facing future condemnation. Property owners become reluctant to invest
any funds in repair or maintenance of properties and the area further
deteriorates. Sometimes areas aren't really very deteriorated when the
plans are approved but then the existance of the plan make deterioration
a 'self-fulfilling prophecy.'
The Lowry plan in Northeast Minneapolis sufferes from a similar
dynamic. Since it was approved a couple years ago many properties have
gone up for sale but I don't think the county has been purchasing them.
In fact, they haven't even determined (at least publicly) on which side
of the street they want to take property. In some ways the approval
process ended up being a big victory for local citizens because the plan
was only approved by the city council on the condition that the county
re-examine its plans for Lowry in Northeast, in cooperation with
neighborhood groups, before any plan is finalized. However, property
owners still must live with years of uncertainty, knowing only that they
will have another chance to provide input before a final plan is made.
The Upper River Plan also has many of the same problems. Home owners
along Marshall St. face uncertainty over whether they will be able to
keep their places in the long-term.
In the case of these property owners on the northside, it looks to me
like the have good grounds for a lawsuit against the county to recover
all of the rent money they are losing, plus legal costs. Moving out
rent-paying tenants with offers of relocation money before the county
even finalizes a purchase offer as a way to force the property owner to
sell seems blatantly unethical--and probably illegal.
Bruce Shoemaker
Holland Neighborhood (temporarily residing in Juneau, Alaska)
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Tue, 21 Jun 2005 23:51:55 EDT
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: in
propertyacquisition pr...
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [email protected]
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Keith says:
Thanks for asking. I Closed: 5/2004. Also, I was well aware the Lowry
Corridor Project was pending. Initially they presented us stakeholders
on the other side of the street (North) a plan to demo our buildings
down, The seller was also well aware; but time passed and he doubted a
quick outcome, or any outcome with the project. He was sick of the
downward spiral at the site, had an older appraisal of the site for
twice what he sold it for, and bet on me enough to turn over the reins
of the property on a contract.
It was overrun with criminals and trespassers. The day of closing I
had an armed security officer serve each "occupant" a notice. Short
and sweet; it said: "I am Keith Reitman the new owner of the building.
This is your 30 day notice to vacate." There has been an armed
security presence on site almost every day since then. I also executed
a pending eviction court writ from the previous mismanagement. It took
me about two months before I was able to gain access to, and even SEE
all the units I was responsible for managing and keeping clean, and safe.
I have been across the street from the property for about 8 years. I
would routinely curse it every day for the trouble magnet it was up
until I took over. Literally.
Dennis, the building was for sale for a year before I bought it. I
acted to make the corner clean and safe, along with superb cooperation
from like minded neighborhood stakeholders like: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
(Jamie L.), [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Kdang Lor), [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Don
Roggenbauer, Spartan Protection), [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Ku
Khang), [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Todd Williams), Sector Lieut. Lund, and many
others. Together, we made the "MDC" (Most Dangerous Corner) a safer
and cleaner place. We got busy and WE succeeded. Come on over sometime
and I'll show ya' around my corner.
Now, would you explain why bad policy by the City/County in eminent
domain mismanagement should cause you to question my reasonable and
positive actions. I am the owner of the property; I bought it, I
risked my neck, I spent a fortune on repairs, improvements and
maintenance. I am here; see.
By the way, I had been in business on Lowry for seven years, on May
2004, when I bought the site. Among other reasons I bought the site is
I needed it's parking amenity for my Bar/diner setup and apartments,
across the street, which have NO parking amenity. Further by the way,
although I garnered much thanx from local family business owners for
taking a stand WITH THEM for a clean and safe Lowry. I never heard an
"atta boy" from you or your buddies. But it is still not to late. I am
still here, every day, to make it better, God willing. Didn't you go
over the river for what you explained as economic reasons, here, on
The List. I stayed for economic reasons; 24 years so far.
Again to the City/County:If you wanta' buy my property; OK. Don't
meddle with my tenants till you own my property.
Any more questions Dennis, just ask.
Keith Reitman NearNorth
In a message dated 6/21/05 7:38:31 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< Two questions for you Keith. When did you purchase the next
property on the "hit list" and were you aware that the city/county
would be acquiring the property for the Lowry redevelopment when you
did so?
dennis plante
lind-bohanon
>>
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