Sheridan Neighborhood Organization Board Meetings

28 August 2000

All board members present.

Andy Nederveld called the meeting to order.

John Akre read the minutes. Jenny Fortman moved that the minutes be approved, Melissa Davis seconded, motion passed.

• Recap and approve interim board actions:
• The Housing and safety committee requested $50 to get a list of absentee owners addresses to set up for a mailing.
• 1504 NE 4th St.was forfeited to the county for back taxes. SNO had two options: do nothing and property would go up for public auction, or SNO could ask the MCDA to postpone the sale so SNO could impact the property. The SNO Board asked the MCDA to postpone the auction to see if we could positively impact that property.
• Melissa Davis moved both actions, Drew Trampe seconded – the motion passed.

• Treasurer's Report. Melissa Davis reported. There is a $6391 balance in the SNO account, with $2555 in the CDBG budget and $3512 in unrestricted general funds. Not all CIP funds have been spent on the SNO Big Deal. Melissa Davis is not sure if those funds need to be returned. She has set up with Eve Bornstein's office to work on our bylaws, this work will be billed directly to the NRP and we do not have to pay for it. After tonight SNO needs to sign a new contract with Sheridan School; the meeting may be in a new room next month.
• MEND update - Michael Rainville presented. MEND finished its planning session with the Cunningham Group. In October and November, MEND will begin having public meetings; the initial funding for MEND has come from STAWNO. MEND will soon be printing up welcome packets for new neighbors.
• Graco update - Michael Rainville presented. Sibley Street will be closed, but will remain open to pedestrians and bicyclists. Rainville said there will be much new investment along Marshall corridor; now is the opportunity open to soften the landscape, streetscape there. Graco will build a manufacturing building on the river and a parking lot at Broadway and Marshall.

Ballet of the Dolls/Ritz Benefit - Jim Grell presented. The marquee will be lit up – Ballet of the Dolls will be performing; there will be disco dancing at 8 open to neighbors on Thurs. Aug 31^st.

NRP Policy Board Candidate Forum – Andy Nederveld has paperwork if anyone wants to run for the NRP Policy Board. At the next meeting SNO will pick next elector for NRP Policy Board elections.

John Akre announced Metro Transit changes to 18 bus route.

No takers

Trish Schilling reported – The committee has started work on next year’s SNO ball and talking about a fall event. The committee is planning events on a quarterly basis.

Drew Trampe reported. Committee members met with Kris Nelson of NPCR about an intern. The committee wants to add $25,000 to the existing business NRP plan to get some of their items going.

Andy Nederveld reported. 1504 4th St. - the county has decided to relocate current tenants – the county would subsidize their moving costs, then transfer the house to the MCDA. It will be vacant. PPL is looking for vacant property – multifamily housing to transfer back to single family house and then sell. More info at next month’s meeting.

Two vacant lots owned by MCDA - next month, someone from MCDA will be coming to present plans for houses that GHMMC build homes on those lots. Patty Grell reported on the Cops on Bikes. They have been riding around during some days.

John Akre presented about 220 16^th Ave NE. The absentee owner of the building next to it wants to buy this vacant lot. According to neighbors, his building is not well maintained. The owner occupant of the other adjoining house may be interested in splitting the lot. Andy Nederveld suggested that we ask the MCDA if they can postpone the decision and we can talk about it at the next meeting.

Tom Taylor presented. He talked about outreach to communities of color - call Tom if you have ideas - Kristine Harley presented about the newsletter. She invited people to write in whatever language and articles will be translated.

• Amy Ryan presented. She suggested that people want to keep the rest of the existing library NRP money as originally intended in the NRP plan, so she will do that. She passed out a sheet distilling ideas from the last meeting on how the neighborhood and library can work together. The sheet included costs based on costs from other NRP plans, and included figures if the neighborhood wants to contribute to capital improvements. She asked SNO to consider this as food for thought as NRP plans progress - these are areas where NRP contribution could add to the library.
• Diane Hofstede said that the library move not a done deal, until the paperwork is signed.
• Patty Grell asked about the $50,000 asked for the park last week. Ryan said that is MCDA issue.
• Ryan said in the next 60 days will know much more about the site, after an archaeological dig.
• Tom Taylor asked, when should we come up with ideas? Ryan said, as soon as possible to show neighborhood support. Ryan said the Webber Camden neighborhood put in $300,000 for a community center, of which a library will be part, and they are also actively supporting private grant money. She suggested that SNO commitment could lead to other neighborhood commitments. Hofstede added that the library going out for referendum and asking people to support new a downtown library. Andy Nederveld said we all have the responsibility to look at the information Ryan passed out closely and come back with ideas.

• Judy Cedar presented. Housing Project – RFP’s are going out the first week in Sept. - if you want a copy of it, contact Jerry LePage at the MCDA. The Programmatic Agreement original has been deposited in Washington, DC. A consultant is being hired for the library project. Mpls HPC asked for historic building record and historic landscape record - different layers of the wagon shed will be recorded before it is demolished. An archaelogical survey will be done of the proposed library area and also the housing site across the street where the original Orth brewery was. This research will take us into 2001. In reference to the request for Sheridan NRP funds for the park site: some of the park has to be reserved for 26 parking spaces, on the west side, near ramsay. The current buildings now cover 8,000 sq. ft. and the library needs 12,000 sq ft, so the park will be smaller in area - now it is too early to say anything definite about park, but keep an open mind for using NRP money for open space, landscaping. Brewhouse - pollution abatement and soil testing is going on - some asbestos was found in the soil on the west side. Some mold abatement has to be redone. Groundbreaking is planned for some time in early October - so far so good as far as abatement and site preparation. Warehouse and Bottling House - tenants have chosen Artspace to be their spokesperson – MCDA has been talking with them to buy buildings, and tenants have been there for negotiations. Tom Taylor said Sheridan is up for a Gateway project – he asked about using that as a resource for the park space. Cedar said the first question that needs to be answered is who will own the park. Diane Hofstede added that the library donates 1% for art for every library project.

• 1428 Marshall – He owns this property next to Harmony Scenic. He bought the land when it was industrial zoned. Since then he has come up with several proposals - this is the latest. He is in the early stages of working on a housing project. He needs to go to the MCDA board for concept approval. He is looking for initial approval of his concept; the project would encompass an area beyond his property; he has not acquired any of the other properties but has done some initial discussion with the other owners. Lauren Bergaman of Sherman associates presented the housing plan. They want to redevelop frontage along Marshall St. and build 137 apartments in four stories with a design tied to the features of the Grain Belt buildings and a walkway to river through it. There would be a small pond inside for storm water that would also be a reflecting pool and 2 ½ story townhomes. Patty Grell asked about parking for the units. All parking is underground, some on street for guests. Apartments would range from 1 to 3 bedrooms. Sale price of townhomes would be in $2-300,000 range. Rents from low four to $1200 per month. Sherman Associates would be owners and mangers. Chuck Sullivan asked if they would be using TIF money and for the budget. The project would be $24 million and they would be investigating using TIF money. Bartlett said he is asking for SNO approval to take it to the MCDA to ask them for concept approval – John Akre asked if the owners of the other properties included in the plan were informed of the presentation tonight. They were not. Chuck Sullivan was concerned about how affordable the units might be to NE residents. Drew Trampe moved that SNO support Barlett and Sherman going ahead with their plan. Patrick Greffen seconded - discussion -Jenny Fortman said she wouldn't vote for it because she wanted to hear the opinion of property owners. There were two votes yes, four opposed and one abstention. The motion did not pass.
• Andy Nederveld said SNO needs more information; Bartlett said they are just trying to start the process.

He is the Vice President of Eagle Fraternal Life Association, which has been part of the neighborhood since 1906 and own several properties on 13th Ave. NE. They have a building on 13th and 2nd now used as warehouse space. They are now reaching out to other immigrant communities. He said that there have been requests for opportunities for small shops in area. They would like to turn this space, a former bank, into a mall of small shops, where people can rent spaces. He asked for input and concerns. Tom Taylor asked, how many shop spaces? More than 15, less than 30. Tom Taylor asked if they had polled the neighborhood for tenant interest? Not yet. They will have a focus on new immigrant community but all elements of community would be welcome to rent space. Patrick Greffen asked if it will be an open market or divided into shopss? It would be separate shops, locked, with their own gates and leases. Patty Grell asked about zoning. That would change when the space turns to retail; when the warehouse moves out, the zoning automatically changes to retail. Red Landon asked about parking. They already have a big parking lot between the fire station and the hall. Andy Nederveld asked about a timeline. It is about six months away - contact them if you have any questions. They are also having an international festival on October 15^th.

Jenny Fortman moved we adjourn, Melissa Davis seconded, motion passed.