urbanMSP

Historic District proposed for apartment cluster on Golden Valley Road:
http://minneapolismn.gov/www/groups/pub ... 137968.pdf

Too bad it couldn't save one of the tornado damaged buildings from the wrecking ball last year, but still cool.

Wasn't sure whether to put this here or in 'subsidized housing' or its own thread. http://www.startribune.com/local/minnea ... 66931.html

I'd like to point out that the guy who redid that duplex highlighted in the article described his margins as "razor thin," yet doing the math it's like 5.2%. Not that different than the type of big developers people tend to dislike. Obviously there's a difference between 5% on $200k and 5% on $20m, and we definitely WANT this type of small rehabilitation (and new development even) in North Minneapolis. I think many of the regulatory hurdles outlined in the piece are the key to getting some private sector work started again in NoMi. Or at least a good start.

http://www.minneapolismn.gov/www/groups ... 139352.pdf

Hawthorne Eco-Village proposal at 617 Lowry Ave N. It's great infill for this neighborhood and a cute project!

Hey! That's great! That stupid wide spot in Lowry needs some nice urban buildings fronting it. More like this, please.

Cute! I really like it's play on traditional and modern and the use of color in a really simple fun way. This neighborhood deserves so many more projects like this.

There is a fire or something raging in North right now D:

Like right on west Broadway.

913 and 909 W Broadway, per Jim Hammerand

https://www.google.com/maps/place/UnBan ... 8ef39ed316

Aren't these some of the buildings that one developer wanted to tear down?

I can see the smoke pouring into the sky from my downtown office.

http://www.startribune.com/local/minnea ... 37771.html

Sad face. North Just lost some other old commercial buildings to fire on Lowry.

913 and 909 W Broadway, per Jim Hammerand

https://www.google.com/maps/place/UnBan ... 8ef39ed316

Aren't these some of the buildings that one developer wanted to tear down?

.

I was immediately thinking of that.

Just what the northside needed right now, more vacant lots, less jobs, less unique places

This is definitely a bummer. Even I was on board with doing whatever it takes to preserve this strip (at least the facades). Hopefully the damage isn't too devastating.

The building that burned down was home to Neighborhoods Organizing for Change, a community organization probably best known from the "Pointergate" story, as well as their work with Black Lives Matter. Huge loss.

Oh, yikes. And considering that they had large actions planned for today, it makes me wonder if this fire was sinister in nature. Which would be doubly sad. I hope they are able to roll through the loss of the space.

Sounds the fire started at the rear of the Unbank building.

913 and 909 W Broadway, per Jim Hammerand

https://www.google.com/maps/place/UnBan ... 8ef39ed316

Aren't these some of the buildings that one developer wanted to tear down?

.

I was immediately thinking of that.

Me three! Sounds fishy...

I also immediately thought about arson due to anger directed at NOC and/or because of the development pressure but honestly, the buildings were so old and in some state of disrepair that it's likely to have been some other problem like electrical or heating/cooling.

NOC will be fine. No one was there when the fire broke out and they're an organization of people, not a place.

It sounds like the buildings are a total loss and will need to be demolished.

What we do need to be concerned about is new development not being affordable for folks like the previous tenants and other small business owners in the area.

MPS renovating 800 W Broadway:
http://minneapolismn.gov/www/groups/pub ... 140410.pdf

Future of fire-damaged buildings in question: http://www.startribune.com/local/west/301499141.html

City not ordering demolition of any structures...for now.

This is a situation where I would support a quick and generous city/county subsidy to do whatever it takes to rehab these buildings (or rebuild if necessary) and allow this corridor to get back in business (as soon as insurance, etc. are all sorted out)