Redevelopment Committee Minutes
Kingfield Neighborhood Association
June 27, 2007
MLK Park
7:00 PM
Attendance
Rosemary Dolata, Arthur Knowles, Tom Parent, Dave Saddoris
KFNA Staff: Joanna S. Hallstrom
Guests: Pat Mulroy, Owner of Mulroy’s Auto Body; Greg Simmer, Wood & Jones, Inc. Commercial Real Estate Services; Residents from Van Nest Ave (directly behind Mulroy’s Property:
Karl Narveson 3924 Van Nest Ave.
Larry and MaryBeth Heller 3920 Van Nest Ave.
Beth Larson and Monica Hoffe 3953 Van Nest Ave.
JobyLynn Sassily-James 3912 Van Nest Ave.
Rick Bonneville 24 West 40th Street
39th and Nicollet – Proposed Development Plan:
Greg Simmer of Wood & Jones, Inc. Commercial Real Estate Services presented Pat Mulroy’s vision for the residential property Mulroy has acquired between 39th Street and 40th Street along Nicollet Ave. Mulroy acquired the properties and demolished the abandoned homes for the future mixed use development and to address criminal activity happening on the lots and to his property. Mulroy is interested in developing the entire east side of the block. Bob Larson of Elwood’s, located on the corner of 40th and Nicollet has been asked and is willing to consider selling his property for a larger development project.
Mulroy is interested in developing professional office space for small services with manageable client/customer use at one time to limit traffic and parking issues that may arise. Developing senior rental housing above the office space is also an interest. The initial building model includes street level store fronts along Nicollet with parking (possibly covered) in the back and housing units (senior rental) above. Underground parking has initially been ruled out due to Simmer’s stated cost of 65k per underground parking space – the cost is partially related to the results of a soil quality test.
According to Simmer, the property of Mulroy’s Auto Body Shop on the corner of 39th and Nicollet, has historically been used for commercial businesses although it is zoned R2b. The four houses in between Mulroy’s and Elwood’s are zoned residential. Elwood’s’ property is zoned C1. Mulroy would be looking for a variance changes his R2b property and on all the residential lots.
Simmer stated that they want to go to the City with a master plan for developing the block in phases, but first they would like input from the neighborhood. Mulroy and Simmer would like to know what type of development KFNA would like to see on the block, then seek developers who fit the development ideas. Simmer and Mulroy have been in conversation with Chris Rydrick (developer of new condos between the MPHA duplex and the Theisen building on 38th street).
Residents from Van Nest showed up in support of Pat Mulroy and his plans. They will be involved in giving feedback on project ideas.
Discussion:
Dolata gave a caution to the redevelopment committee regarding up zoning, due to a past situation where the KFNA approved a zoning change based on approving a developer’s project. Once approved and supported the developer downsized the project, deleting key components that KFNA wanted.
Mulroy and Simmer were encouraged to apply for remediation funding that may be applied to underground parking and other green funding.
Parent asked what Mulroy and Simmer’s short and long term goals are and what they need from KFNA. Mulroy and Simmer would like to complete all the preliminary work with the neighborhood and City before bringing in a developer. This presumably will include a zoning change request.
The committee stated that in this first discussion is appears that KFNA is on the same page as Mulroy and Simmer and that a mixed use development with a housing component is welcome along Nicollet Ave. The KFNA Development Guidelines and Affordable Housing Policy state the goals of KFNA and should be utilized in the planning of this development. The committee agreed that senior housing is a good fit for the neighborhood and requested that Mulroy and Simmer consider an affordable housing component in the project.
Sassily-James suggested conducting a mini charrette for this site. Parent and Dolata volunteered to do the design work. Mulroy and Simmer were pleased with the idea. The committee agreed to host a three to four hour design charrette, which will include residents from Van Nest and other appropriate parties. The time and date are yet to be decided.
Milroy’s stated that he has office space to rent in his building. Hallstrom agreed to notify members of the Nicollet-East Harriet Business Association.
KFNA’s Role of Promoting Projects:
Parent led a discussion regarding KFNA role in publicly promoting projects such as the Plymouth Church Foundation’s homeless youth housing development at 37th and Nicollet. The committee agreed that it can and should support projects that fall in line with the Development Guidelines and Affordable Housing Policy.
Developers, specifically Plymouth Church Foundation will be encouraged to do community outreach (as has already been planned) including door knocking of residents and invitations to meetings. The committee suggested that an article be published in the next KingfieldNews about the Plymouth Church Foundation project. The committee feels that it is important to stay ahead of any controversy and let residents know what the plans are for the funeral home site and why KFNA supports it. Dolata agreed to write the article.
KFNA Home Improvement Loan Program:
KFNA has selected the Center for Energy and Environment to administer the KFNA Home Improvement Loan Program. Hallstrom reviewed the program guidelines from CEE with the committee. The major change is that the committee would like is for the KFNA program to be offered on a first come first serve basis to anyone who is eligible rather then being offered the program only after other programs (offered by CEE and the City) did not work out.
Minutes completed by Joanna S. Hallstrom, KFNA