urbanMSP

809 E Lake St
Minneapolis, MN 55407

Currently: Taqueria Los Ocampo

To be built:
1 + 4 (5 stories, 62') w/ retail on 1st
48-unit studio/efficiency apartments
North Bay Companies (Daniel Oberpriller) and DJR Architecture

https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/ ... to-be.html

City Planning Memorandum (Aug 16):
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/www/groups ... 213158.pdf

CM Alondra Cano stirring up her base on this project:

Many #Powderhorn residents have asked me about the development project that is being proposed for the Chi-Lake corner where Los Ocampo has their taqueria. Tonight, starting at 4:30 p.m., the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing about this proposed development. You can look at the proposed project under item #13 in the agenda below:

www.minneapolismn.gov/meetings/planning/WCMSP-215179

Currently, the project does *not* include any affordable housing. It proposes 48 studio units at $1,300-$1,400 per month. If you want your voice heard on this development proposal, please come to City Hall tonight to testify. PPNA Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association has been doing some turn out for this public hearing, you can also submit your comments to the Planning Commission via email by writing to Jason (dot) Wittenberg (at) minneapolismn (dot) gov.

No way in hell are they going to be charging $1400 a month for a studio in a stick building in Midtown. A year ago, my rent was $1400 for a 1BR in a (older, but not that old) downtown high-rise.

Five stories, studio apartments (the packet says 450-500 square feet, CM Cano says these units will rent for $2.80/ft2???), limited surface parking and no structured parking, retail ground floor, on East Lake? The prices quoted in CM Cano's post are difficult to justify/believe. I have a hard time believing this project wouldn't pencil out at rents well below that, and a hard time believing that people would buy at that price point.

On what basis is she asking her constituents to oppose the building? The rents will be too high and....that's it? It should be opposed based on a non-existent rent control policy? I read through the comments on her post (nearly all in agreement with her about high rents) and was pleasantly surprised that she was rebutting people who were primarily complaining about traffic and parking. One of Cano's responses was very succinct: "I am not concerned about traffic and parking issues". She's wrong on everything else, but I'm still glad to see her holding the line on the mobility side of the conversation.

It's not clear what her angle/endgame is here. The proposal will be approved (likely unanimously) by the Planning Commission and may not even reach the City Council unless appealed. And if the CPC approval was appealed, Cano isn't on the Planning & Zoning committee nor would she have anywhere near the votes to stop this project. Is she really (still) this bad at her job?

She sure is.

Sounds like the idea for this building was inspired by an Urban Land Institute program for under-represented minority developers called REDi.

https://finance-commerce.com/2018/11/ur ... velopment/

Have been meaning to mention that the Los Ocampo building is down and they're working on this project.

Have been meaning to mention that the Los Ocampo building is down and they're working on this project.

Also, Los Ocampo moved to 15th & Lake, in case anyone enjoyed eating there and didn't know about their move.

TIL there is a webcam for this. (Top right, "Sophi Mixed Use")