Documenters report: Glendale Townhomes slated for major redevelopment

MinnPost’s Twin Cities Documenters program trains and pays community members to take notes at local government meetings. Below are Documenter Lea Hoikka’s summary and observations from the June 24 Minneapolis Public Housing Authority Board of Commissioners meeting. You can find Lea’s full notes here, which include links to the agenda and an audio recording from Documenter Mick Castro.

Summary: 

• The board unanimously approved two resolutions to continue a comprehensive renovation process at two locations: 3755 Snelling (Snelling Manor) and the midrises at 3205 E 37th St. (Pages 12-16)
  • Improvements include handicap accessibility and air conditioning.
  • Unit type conversions, via application to HUD, are necessary to help fund the renovations

• The board received a presentation on Heritage Park in North Minneapolis (Some information is on page 17).
  • Property is in better condition since receivership was implemented however, there are still numerous uninhabitable units that cannot be turned over due to a lack of funding
  • Awarded more than $5 million in state funds; however, funds have not been deployed yet 
  • Some board members expressed concern about current site owner’s role in the future 

• The board received a presentation on the Glendale Townhomes redevelopment project in Prospect Park. (Pages 22-35)
  • Biggest family housing project in last 30 years, will include five-bed units
  • “The two-phase project will completely rebuild the existing 184 homes and add 100 new family homes on the 12-acre site. The project includes a variety of unit sizes, ranging from one- to five-bedroom family homes. The agency will build these new homes across a mix of housing types, including low-rises, small multiplexes, and townhomes,” reads the Executive Director’s memo (page 17).
  • Currently seeking funding via local, state and federal tax credits in addition to a ~$1 million initial investment. Depending on financing, construction is scheduled to begin in late 2027 or 2028.
  • Current residents will be given first priority to return after renovations. Pages 32-34 have more details. 

Observations and follow up questions: 

Accessibility: Did you face any challenges that made it harder to document the meeting or that may have made it difficult for others to attend? For example: trouble accessing the location, difficulty hearing the discussion, lack of nameplates for elected officials, or the agenda being unclear, disorganized, or incomplete.

• It was sometimes hard to hear some of the board members.

Scene: About how many members of the public attended the meeting? If watching virtually, what was the livestream count (if applicable)? Was anyone protesting outside? 

•  An audience of ~17, four of which were presenters

Notable: Do you have any follow up questions or other observations to share? What stood out to you as interesting or confusing? Is there anything you’d like to see reporters look further into? Were there any particularly memorable quotes?

•  Why are property owners like McCormick Baron Salazar not held accountable more quickly? This seems to be a large company.
• Executive Director’s update included National Standards Physical Inspection score at 87% overall. Last score on file was 90.5% overall.
  • Glendale Community’s score was 99%.

How to get involved:

When is the next meeting for this board/committee? Any upcoming public hearings? Online surveys? 

•  Next meeting is July 22 at 1:30 p.m.

Related: MPHA moves to sell Oak Park building

More context:

Read Documenter Lea Hoikka’s full notes here, which include links to the agenda and video recording. View our full database of notes here.

Want to become a Documenter? You can start by making an account here.

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