urbanMSP

Mod Note: the affordable redevelopment was shot down for being too expensive and a poor use of limited affordable housing funding, but it's been resurrected as a market-rate studio project with significant retail. Discussion begins on Page 3.

Dominium planning ~140 units of affordable housing in the old Duffey building on Washington and 6th. Architect is BKV
https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/ ... eeded.html

Yesssssssssss! Such good news!

Any idea how much square footage these buildings are compared to the other Duffy buildings west of Washington?

No retail proposed in any of these buildings? That seems like a massive miscalculation.

I understand the split-level nature of the two bigger buildings is problematic, but other buildings have handled it. And the two-story brick building seems like it would be perfect for retail.

Split levels don't seem to stop retail in Boston...

https://goo.gl/maps/mxAtcifU3cQ2

Split-level retail is something I would love to more of in our city. Denver has a surprising amount of that in its downtown.

I'm not sure how the ADA would treat this. I suspect even if it's an existing building, if it's new retail they would require elevator access.

They would need to provide ADA access due to the extent of the renovation; however, I hope the city makes them do something commercial on the street level. We don't need another apartment gym facing Washington. Also, I was really hoping for something like a food hall in the lower portion with the large windows - I think that is currently an "atrium" type space. I love the affordable housing component but if that is all they are doing then I count this as a missed opportunity and frankly hope it doesn't happen.

North Loop already has split level retail! The city will definitely be asking for this.

Retail is a no-brainer here. Really hope the city does push for it. Otherwise, I think this looks great!

Always thought the shorter brick building would be perfect for some type of food / beer hall.

Any 'restoration' should include the cornice. Their rendering looks like the 1950s version of the building.


photo credit: MNHS

Also, the first floor windows are all wrong...

3x3 for each first floor window opening, except 2x3 at the corner, the same in both photos. What am I missing? Is it that the top panes are rectangular in the original? That each section is divided into smaller panes? I do like that old cornice, though I imagine it would be costly to reproduce, especially for affordable housing.

Also, does anyone happen to know what the 3-story, gabled building at the far right of the old photograph was? Just curious about what preceded the parking lot.

That cornice transforms the building (in a good way).

100% affordable housing projects rarely include retail, and it has everything to do with the insanely complex financing schemes used to make these projects happen. To be clear, I'm not saying there shouldn't be retail. But this isn't the same as [City staff or Planning Commission] simply asking CPM or Doran to add more retail space to their market-rate/luxury apartment building. You're asking the developer to add more complication and risk to an already complicated affair involving tax credits, HUD financing, etc. I'm by no means an authority on this topic, this is just what I've heard over and over again from developers and city officials.

That makes sense, unfortunately. I'd still argue, though, that the two story brick building (which is the one best suited for retail anyway) could be cleaved out of the project and be developed separately.

Mill City Quarter? Wasn't that 100% affordable? Yet it has FOUR new businesses?

http://landon-group.com/bricks-and-mort ... ty-quarter

I believe you are correct about Mill city quarter being 100% affordable. I moved in right when it first opened.


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Is there a building planned for the parking lot at the corner of 5th & Washington? I'm seeing a beautiful box dropped on that lot in the rendering...?