Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association

Now online:
General Membership meeting minutes for March 18, 2008: Link.

Since MHNA General Membership didn’t meet in April or May 2008, here is an update on Board Actions and Activities:

April 2008

Executive Committee:

OK’d 4 Good Neighbor Fund applications:

Clean Sweep 2009 Funding

Welcome Students Initiative

Boulevard Tree planting & stump removal

Trash/Recycling Bin placement

Decisions will be made in May.

Land Use Committee:

Approved Land Use Committee’s recommendation to support variance needed for Phoenix condominiums to add windows.
The Waves of Grain Building (801 16th Ave SE) plan is to convert a warehouse into rental housing with 28 3-4 bedroom units and 41 parking places. There are 28 spaces underground and 13 outside, making .45 per bedroom. Board voted to support this project with the caveat that this developer support and spearhead a petition to the city to improve 8th St SE from 15th Ave SE to the eats of his property, specifically with curb, gutter and pavement installed to the current city standards. The MHNA encourages the developer to follow up on his offer to participate in our 15th Ave planning process, now underway. (Note this project is just outside our official boundaries, but since there is no neighborhood organization there, we were asked for comment.)

Another item heard by the committee, 4 stories mixed use with rental above at former Gopher Cleaners site, was continued and no actions were taken until more information and committee concerns can be addressed.

Central Corridor Light Rail Train The University’s study of the “northern alignment” will be ready in mid-May. President Fraser distributed the following resolution, made by Bob Distad, concerning MHNA’s position:

RESOLUTION OF THE MARCY-HOLMES NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING April 15, 2008

CONCERNING THE CENTRAL CORRIDOR LRT

WHEREAS, the Central Corridor is a significant economic development initiative for our metropolitan region and the State of Minnesota; and

WHEREAS, local and county governments, community, business, labor, and other leaders have formed a historic, diverse partnership to advance the Central Corridor as the spine of a strategic regional transit plan; and

WHEREAS, the federal government will be asked to commit $455 million to Central Corridor at such time as a 50% local match is identified and that federal funding cannot be obtained without the state’s commitment; and

WHEREAS, Governor Pawlenty chose to line-item veto the funding for Central Corridor in the bonding bill; and

WHEREAS, “the University’s Board of Regents reaffirmed a 2001 resolution that the ‘northern alignment’ of the line is preferred over the current plans of running tracks at street level down Washington Avenue (Star-Tribune, Sat. April 12, 2008);

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association, Minneapolis, situated near the University and the proposed Central Corridor line, does hereby call on the Governor and the Minnesota Legislature to continue efforts to secure state funding of at least $70 million for the Central Corridor.

AND FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association does hereby call on the Governor and the Minnesota State Legislature to prevail on the Metropolitan Council to carefully consider the disastrous consequences of re-routing 25,000 vehicles and 1,500 buses into the neighborhoods surrounding the University of Minnesota, as a result of the proposed LRT Washington Avenue alignment, and to, instead, expedite development of the ‘Northern Alignment,’ to serve the University of Minnesota.

AND FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association does hereby call on the Governor to prevail on the Metropolitan Council to comply with NEPA, FTA Regulations, MEPA regulations, Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act Of 1966, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, in its Central Corridor review process.

Motion passed with one abstention (T. Lincoln).

MAY 2008 Board actions

1. The board agreed to have MHNA act as fiscal agent for Marcy One Call, as foundation grants require a nonprofit 501© 3 status.

2. The Executive Committee approved a draft letter opposing proposed changes to the city’s ordinance for maximum occupancy levels. A proposal from CM Cam Gordon would tie occupancy rates to dwelling size, instead of zoning classification.

3. We received word that three more possible teardowns were headed for the east side of the neighborhood: 1015 7th St SE, 1113 8th St SE and 1120 8th St SE. The BZZ report we were sent by city zoning staff doesn’t list any owner, project or planner for 1120 8th St SE. The Land Use Committee is writing a letter stating our opposition to the flurry of teardowns in our neighborhood.
4. The LU Committee and MHNA Board reviewed a draft of the Alliance Demonstration Project’s pilot program boundaries, based on CURA mapping of residents over 64 years of age, homesteaded properties that haven’t sold in the past 10 years, and other criteria. The selected area is between 4th Ave SE and 8th Ave SE, from 5th St SE to both sides of 7th St SE. This program is intended to preserve home ownership by introducing an option to buy program that would ensure buyer is an owner occupant. It is the first of several improvement projects planned in the University District.
5. Board member Doug Carlson spoke about the Central Corridor Light Rail line. The Metropolitan Council plans to make a decision on the route (Washington Ave at grade or the Northern Alignment) before the facts are all in. The U does not support the Washington Ave. route, which would add thousands of cars to our neighborhood streets and eliminate much needed parking for businesses. There is also concern for the increased air pollution and stress on our historic structures. The mitigation costs have not been fully considered. It is thought that only the public can cause minds to change at this point. There may be federal laws that have been violated. MHNA Board agreed to join CM Hofstede and set up an informational meeting to discuss the two routes and gauge neighborhood sentiment. The date and time were decided. It is critical that people contact legislators, mayor and city council.

To: MHNA Board & General Membership
Re: June 17, 2008 Meetings
Board at 6 pm, General Membership at 7:30 pm

University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE, Minneapolis

Agenda.

With 20 segments in place and 100 left to go, the main span of the I-35W Bridge is now one-sixth done. Crews will place up to four segments a day from now until the main span is complete in July. Initially, they have been focusing on the south side of the river in an effort to clear the river channel as soon as possible so that construction will not interfere with boat traffic. They did, however, place the first two segments at Pier 3 on the north side of the river on Thursday, June 5.

River Channel Closed to Daily Vessel Passage until June 13

The Lower St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, just upriver of the I-35W Bridge construction site, will be closed to boat traffic from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through June 12 to meet safety needs while the barge crane erects the first several concrete segments for the main span in that area. The navigation channel will reopen to daytime boat traffic on June 13.

Construction Update

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Second Annual Red Stag Block Party

Saturday June 14, 2008
5 – 10:30 pm
509 First Ave NE, Mpls. MN
Rain or Shine
Music, Hula Hoop

contest, flea market and fun.

R & R Social Club is gathering at Picosa in Riverplace
on Wednesday, July 16th, 2008
from 5:30-9pm
for a Salsa Evening.

For more info go to: www.rrsocialclub.com

R & R stands for Riverside Residents, meeting and exploring great city places alongside the Mississippi.

Grand Rounds Missing Link Hearings on Recommended Route.

The Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) has recommended a route for the completion of the Grand Rounds (from St. Anthony Boulevard, down Industrial Boulevard, through the industrial property in SE Minneapolis, over the rail yard and connecting south to 27th Ave SE) to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

Draft study (pdf)

Public Hearings: June 18 and 23, 2008

The Park Board has set two Public Hearings for June 18, to be held at MPRB Headquarters and on June 23, at Van Cleve Park (at this point, a time has not been set for either meeting).

Minneapolis National Night Out

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

For information about organizing your National Night Out block party go to: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/nno

Submit your application to block off the street by 22 so there won’t be a charge.

Contact the MHNA office if you are having an event in Marcy-Holmes and we will post info on our website.

The City of Minneapolis is hosting an open house to solicit public input for a new Bicycle Master Plan.

Wednesday June 18, 2008
4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Room 319
City Hall.

A brief presentation will be given at 5PM, 6PM, and 7PM.

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