Sheridan Neighborhood Organization Board Meetings

Sheridan Neighborhood Organization

25 October 1999

Maureen Rath called the meeting to order

Introductions

All SNO Board members were present.

• John Akre read minutes
• Melissa Davis made a motion to approve the minutes as read, Dora Harris seconded the motion, the minutes were approved unanimously.
• Treasurer's report - account has about 3600 dollars

• Joint Power Agreement - Maureen Rath met with Michael Rainville of STAWNO and Jennifer Young of BNA. There will be a meeting on Oct. 30 to go over and sign the contract to form a development organization for the three neighborhoods and brainstorm ideas for the new organization. 10 a.m. at California bldg, 2205 California.
• NRP Phase II mtg. - 3 members of SNO attended.
• Sean from Mpls Center for Neighborhoods, introduced himself - SNO members are looking into what they can offer us.

Announcements

• NRP Policy Board Mtg - 330 City Hall, Nov. 15th 4:30 - need SNO supporters there to give support - SNO is looking to get NRP contract.
• Next SNO mtg: Maureen Rath suggested Monday November 29th as date for next SNO Board Meeting - 7 p.m.
• Patti Grell spoke about the meeting for Ballet of Dolls Task Force, Nov. 1st at 4:30 - They are putting together a dream team and will be looking at the theatre with architects.
• Ritz update - Andy Nederveld reported that Jim Boyle asked a SNO member to be a member of the steering committee. Patti Grell had agreed, the board had an informal vote via e-mail.
• Andy Nederveld made a motion that SNO appoint Patti Grell to sit on the Ritz Task force. Dora Harris seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Open Microphone Session

• Nathan Perry spoke. He has lived here 2 years. He asked everyone in the room to keep eye out, to help keep the neighborhood quiet and safe. He asked neighbors to contact the police and SAFE when they have a complaints to make Sheridan a friendlier neighborhood.
• Patti Grell spoke about the closing of Bottineau school. This is their last year - it is the only high-5 school in NE. Nothing has been said to the neighborhood about it yet and she is afraid that the neighborhood is losing a great program. She wants a slot on the agenda of an upcoming meeting so that more information may be presented.
• Maureen Rath spoke about the high number of burglaries recently in north Minneapolis. She asked people to let their neighbors know if these things are going on. She asked people to call if they want information on organizing a block club.
• Dave Boyd spoke. Joe Biernat is unable to attend the meeting tonight. He sent the Council Member's apologies.

Grain Belt Development Proposal

• Judy Cedar of the MCDA began the presentation. She said that many people have gone through the brewhouse, looking for variety of uses. This specific proposal has advanced farther than any of the others. She will bring it to the MCDA Board of Commissioners on Nov. 1 and will be asking for approval for the concept and the opportunity to work with the developer to put together a financial and contract package.
• Rick Collins from Ryan spoke on the development of the brewhouse. Their focus is on the brewhouse, gasthouse and boiler house. RSP Architects would be in the brewhouse. The, gasthouse would be used for more neighborhood concerns. They want to bring the park and fountain back. The Boiler house would be used for future development. The building has not been occupied for 24 years.
• Dave Norback and Jim Noreen from RSP Architects spoke. RSP is a Mpls firm, 23 years old. They are architects and interior designers, currently employing 240 people, of which 180 would be at the brewhouse. They have been in downtown mpls, in the warehouse district, and has outgrown their space. They were pioneers in their present neighborhood 20 years ago. They want to do the same here. They have a diverse practice, corporate, retail, etc.
• Jim Noreen spoke about their design plans for the building, including, on the ground floor, a courtyard entry on the rail access under arch on the Marshall side.
• In the atrium, under the skylight, would be reception and circulation uses.
• The Grain bin side, on the south, would be used as conference space.
• The north end of the building would be used primarily for offices, with covered parking on the lower level.
• It is their intent to do a historic renovation; they want to put windows back into boarded and bricked window spaces. They are proposing additional windows on south end.
• Rebeca Yanish of Ryan spoke. Ryan will own the building and lease it to RSP.
• Questions concerned the developers intent for interior fixtures like a billboard and the staircase. The developers answered that they were not yet addressing that level of detail.
• Another question addressed parking concerns. RSP would have 62 spaces outside and 38 underground in the building. They would like to provide 200 spaces total.
• RSP would have a ten year lease.
• Some lead and asbestos may need to be cleaned up.
• They are exploring the idea of using the wells for heating and cooling.
• Ryan will be carefully documenting the preservation process.
• RSP's other historic renovation work includes Bandanna Square and their own offices at 120 first ave. no.
• The developers are talking to the park board about the railroad spur.
• The developer will work with the MCDA to put together the financial puzzle. Historic tax credits for redevelopment of historic building will be involved.
• Ryan is looking for a 12 percent return on their investment.
• When asked about how this development could help spur other redevelopment activity in the neighborhood, Ryan said that would be open to giving their expertise on other projects.
• The are hoping for a groundbreaking in 6 to 9 months.
• The also expect the riverfront development moratorium to be expired before they begin work.
• When asked how this would affect the artists in the other Grain Belt buildings, it was said that this would not.
• Ryan's use of eminent domain was questioned, Yanish responded that it did not apply to this situation.
• Maureen Rath asked to see regular updates from the developers and the MCDA so that SNO can give feedback to finer points as those issues come up.
• Judy Cedar said she would bring financial details when she has them. The concept will come back to SNO for building review. Judy Cedar and Ryan said they would be coming back as the project develops.
• They also offered to meet with other neighborhood groups.
• It was also asked that MCDA give a commitment to help keep the artists in the area.
• Maureen Rath asked for straw vote asking how people feel about the proposal.
• The majority of those present supported the proposal on a conceptual basis .
• Maureen Rath said that the Board will review the materials and will report back with a reccommendation

The rest of the agenda items were postponed to the next meeting due to time constraints.

Melissa Davis made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Drew Trampe seconded, all voted to adjourn.