What The?

[woofner]

Okok dude, I just thought them things were purty, sorry...

[Wedgeguy]

Well this thing is moving along and getting to look a bit more respectable. That have hung some stylish light globes that will glow blue when they are on. The first floor deli/? looks to be close to being finished soon. The hallway leading to the back part of the building actually look bright and inviting. I think it will be a neighborhood destination that will be used by the immigrant community.

[lordmoke]

The Sabri project at 27th and Lake is actually looking pretty nice so far. There's no finishing yet, but there are a lot more windows in the building now with some interesting curved arches.

[seanrichardryan]

I saw it last night and thought 'What a goddamn mess.'

[lordmoke]

Very interesting article on the developer of the 27/Lake property:
http://www.longfellownokomismessenger.c ... -building/

And there is apparently a third brother, who is partially involved with this long-vacant apartment building on Franklin:
http://www.startribune.com/local/minnea ... 09763.html

[FranklinAveFixation]

It's too bad nobody could persuade him this was a bad idea.
The only thing I like about it is that it totally reminds me of when I lived in Cambodia..
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428319660713098

[twincitizen]

How does Basim fit into all of this? He's the one that's a convicted felon and has done time, correct?

Thanks for sharing that article. Hamoudi is the one I've seen at Whittier Alliance meetings, criticizing the Executive Director, etc.

[mattaudio]

A Sabri building partially collapsed. Hope everyone is ok.
http://www.startribune.com/local/minnea ... 13061.html

[TommyT]

A Sabri building partially collapsed. Hope everyone is ok.
http://www.startribune.com/local/minnea ... 13061.html

I thought something seemed fishy about this building when I was biking the greenway. Glad everyone is okay.

[Anondson]

This is my surprised face.

-_-

[jennifat]

Perhaps this building collapse is an opportunity for officials to get a closer look at this developer's portfolio of shoddy, substandard projects. Maybe someday building permits won't be awarded to just anyone.

[mplser]

that's the problem. He doesn't get permits...

[MNdible]

Yeah, I'd have to think there are a lot of people at City Hall who are now nervous about the years of turning a blind eye to Sabri's illegal and unsafe building activities.

[John]

The silver lining in this incident is it forces Mr Sabri to be held much more accountable to the Somali and other immigrant communities he has profited from with his projects.

[mplser]

I was talking to a somali friend of mine last night and all he had to say about it was "he is a crook"

[twincitizen]

Heh, our favorite building may be seeing some changes: http://minneapolismn.gov/www/groups/pub ... 128692.pdf

It seems the addition to the roof was not at all what they were approved for. They were allowed to build a 2nd story addition, but it was to be set back from Lake Street and not have the massive parapet. They requested additional changes, and got busted basically. Staff is now recommending as a condition of approval that the huge parapet come down and the (already built) 2nd story have a flat roof with limited parapet. The cupola(s) will remain. Also, it seems they put a bunch of utilities (an array of gas meters) in the public right-of-way along Grand (the wall with the nice mural). I've noticed that equipment on my walks to the liquor store and/or Uptown Pizza and thought "hmmm...that wasn't there when the building was vacant"

PROJECT DESCRIPTION. The applicant previously applied for an administrative site plan review
(BZZ-6141) to construct a 42 foot by 75 foot second story addition above the portion that projects
toward Lake Street, with a 14 foot by 14 foot cupola above. The addition has since been constructed;
however, the applicant built outside the approved scope, constructing a 25 foot by 42 foot covered roof
deck to Lake Street West.

During the review process, staff noticed that the submitted drawings do not match what was
constructed on the site. In addition, there appears to be mechanical equipment extending over the
property line on the west side that is not reflected in any submitted plans. Final plans shall be required
to reflect actual construction that meets any approvals of this site plan review.

[John]

^^^Good old Mr Sabri. He is is always trying to get away with as much as he can and defy authority. It's his raison d'être

[David Greene]

What can't the city just sue him? I mean, there has to be a legal recourse otherwise every developer would just ignore zoning and code.

Yes, I understand local politics, blah, blah, blah. It's setting a terrible precedent.

[seanrichardryan]

Why are they just noticing this now? I'd think anything with Sabri on the permit would justify extra inspections scrutiny.

I miss Nordquist signs...

[Realstreets]

Turn it into a museum of bad urban planning and development in Greater MSP. It could be called the Museum of Urban Failure. Eminent domain would be appropriate as a museum of that type would serve the public.