urbanMSP

They likely believe the neighborhood would want them to scale down no matter what they proposed, so they are starting with 15 in hopes of getting 11-12. If they started with 12 the neighborhood would want them to scale to 8-10

Considered posting this on the Calhoun Square thread since it is on the block with the ramp.

https://twitter.com/nickmagrino/status/ ... 2777185280

Architect is BKV, same as for 240 Park. The similarities between the designs are striking, but this one is worse.

I don't think anyone can accuse me of being opposed to development, but the design and bulk of this one are just not good. It's kinda telling that the rendering on Page 22 is from a viewpoint that does not actually exist, you'd be about thirty feet deep into the Stella's building (as indicated by the light dashed lines). If the message for the Dinkytown proposal was to break up the massing, I have to imagine that'll be the same message here.

Here's the CPC COW packet.

(you guys I actually remembered to preview and make sure I got the link right this time)

Wow, that is one massive and out of scale development. I also support density and height, but unless they plan to knock down Calhoun Square and build more tall buildings on it, this one will be a loner and take up a complete block face. They should knock down the Fremont side of the building a bit and add some texture/step back. They could keep that 14 story side on Girard. Page 21 and Page 22 show just how alone that massing will be, and it ain't a landmark design building.

Meh. The IDS Center was out of scale for like fifteen years, until it wasn't anymore. It's fine.

It's less scale and more that massing with no design interest, for me. it's just kind of an ugly brick and doesn't further the funky neighborhood character at all. They could easily get away with some... interesting color, texture, shape...

How tall is the Mozaic building a block away. I wouldn't thing this would be that much taller. Plus, there are some other lots ripe for redevelopment, and maybe this building would pave the way for other mid rise buildings.

That being said, I would welcome them dropping the Fremont side to about 8 stories, and upping the Girard side to closer to 20 stories.

Completely out of scale and terrible design. Typical for Uptown. The Uptown Association really needs to step in and demand more from developers.

Is it possible to alter the height/design of the structure and still preserve 400 units (which I believe would mean 40 units at 60% AMI)? It would be a shame to nix something like this at a site next to two future aBRT lines that cover all four cardinal directions and an existing 98 walkscore and 98 bikescore.

According to this (locked) BizJournals article, this project is intending to meet the IZ requirements by having 20% of the units be affordable at 50% AMI for 30 years, in return for some city financial assistance, instead of the unsubsidized 8% at 60% AMI for 20 years option. The former has been available since the interim IZ policy was enacted at the end of 2018, but as far as I know, it's never been used.

According to this (locked) BizJournals article, this project is intending to meet the IZ requirements by having 20% of the units be affordable at 50% AMI for 30 years, in return for some city financial assistance, instead of the unsubsidized 8% at 60% AMI for 20 years option. The former has been available since the interim IZ policy was enacted at the end of 2018, but as far as I know, it's never been used.

If that's the case, I think this is a great project. It might be taller/bulkier than the buildings around it for awhile, but we'll get 80 units at 50% AMI right in the heart of uptown.

A nice update on the Girard/Lake/Fremont proposal. Still a work in progress but I see the LOCAL is working with the neighborhood. A 2 tower proposal is a possibility but currently it looks like they lopped off 10 stories on the Fremont side of the project. Plans for tall Uptown apartment tower scaled back slightly