In mid-March, there was a brief but intense controversy when the Salvation Army proposed building a "live and work" facility in North Minneapolis. Residents of our neighborhood responded with a predictable lack of enthusiasm over this latest "concentrate all the poverty in North Minneapolis and call that development" development scheme.
The scheme, thankfully, appears dead.
However, out of the controversy and discussion came idea about an alternative plan to develop the Mereen Johnson property at 4401 Lyndale Avenue North...
Here is an account of what happened, which was forwarded to Johnny Northside. I am told this information has been shared on Facebook groups, but I'm making an attempt to disseminate it more widely.
The Mereen Johnson Property is at 4401 Lyndale Ave N in Minneapolis. It was built around 1905, at the height of the lumber milling industry. Will Lumpkins has some great historical pictures and knowledge on the property and surrounding areas, so I would look to him if you're interested to hear more about the historical importance.
Today, Mereen Johnson still owns the property but does not run their operations out of it. It is for sale for 1.4 million dollars and is currently being held by a holding company. What happened a few weeks ago was that Salvation Army presented a proposal to the Lind Bohanon Neighborhood, which is the neighborhood that the property is technically in.
Their proposal was to move their Adult Rehabilitation Center and sorting center from where it is now (downtown) to the Mereen Johnson site; at which point they would tear down the existing historical buildings to replace them with their own. The Salvation Army was met with heavy opposition for a couple major reasons: they would not be bringing any new jobs to the area (something North Minneapolis sorely needs), and they would also be "adding on" to an already poverty-stricken zone. Politically speaking, we wanted to warn people of the dangers of centralizing all poverty and government programs on one side of town.
In addition to the original complaints, we came up with a proposal for how they could repurpose the buildings, thus preserving local history and providing jobs.
From what we hear, Salvation Army has moved on and is looking elsewhere. This is great. But now, we really need to rally community support and find potential investors for our plan.
Also, I have drawn artist-renditions of what the property could look like as a seasonal farmer's market/co-op and indoor bazaar. I am quite obviously not a professional architect and I know that the drawings are crude.
I hope that you like the proposals. (Click here for a copy of the document)
I know important financial information (projected costs and taxes) is not included, but we have started a list of future potential renters. Let me know if you think you know any one who would like to talk more about this plan. We have some enthusiastic people behind us, and I really want to push to see how far we can go.
A number of images were forwarded to me, showing the building as it is now (funny, I don't see any of the graffiti which the Salvation Army cited as evidence of the building being in a state of neglect) as well as a vision of what the building could be.
Here are the images:
12 comments:
Stray projectile hits the ISS.
https://twitter.com/Cmdr_Hadfield/status/328920180241596417/photo/1
Don't get me wrong...I think projectiles from outer space are highly relevant and deserve our utmost attention.
But this is relevant to the post how?
I posted it in the wrong place.
The old Salvation Army facility (WHICH SITS on NORTH FOURTH STREET in NORTH MINNEAPOLIS and where a lot of these souls work) is a program that requires sobriety as its primary goal along with permanent housing.
It is required that these gentlemen attend church services(in house, obviously) twice a week in high quality suits donated to them. They are to act in a very disciplined manner and conduct themselves accordingly. The Salvation Army employs the best drug counselors who work not for the money but to help most of these gentlemen in their 40s and fifties who have been ravaged by addiction or who may just generally be down on their luck. There are a lot of heartbreaking stories from a lot of talented and knowledgeble fellows who pass through their doorways. As I mentioned, there are counselors who have worked at Hazelden and many other innovative programs who forgo lucrative paying jobs to devote themselves to helping a segment of mankind who are living, breathing entities.
Please do not generalize the unfortunate situations of these guys because this is not some of the same old stuff being ran at us. The Salvation Army saved my life with their caring and concern and the current facility should have been replaced at least 13 years ago because it simply needs to be and the Salvation Army raises their own money unlike owners of fraudulent greedy and lying sport team owners that are shameless when it comes to ripping us off without blinking a bloodshot eye. They need this area to build and this program works.
The Salvation Army does fine work, yes. I often patronize their thrift shops and make donations to their thrift shops, as well.
Having said that...
Our neighborhood has enough halfway houses. I don't know if they've ever been counted up and compared to the rest of the city. There's a great project. But we have enough, thanks, and don't need another.
It is not a halfway house and maybe you should go down there and talk to the program director and check things out before you start labeling it a halfway house.
Also, I am wondering what you consider "our" neighborhood since the damned facility has been in NORTH MINNEAPOLIS since 1965 so as far as adding "another" you might consider that the place has survived and assisted people long before you were hatched. You conveniently pick and choose what North Minneapolis and its boundaries are, huh?
You speak for everyone? "WE"? This place has been in north minny longer than any other of your so called halfway houses. Have enough?! Don't need another?
I will inform you that your self bias needs to be checked since 48 years is a long time to be around and for that fact alone to be ignored simply shows your own jump to conclusions ignorance. Blabbering, foolish, scare-monger sums up your true persona.
WE.
Don't need another...
HALFWAY HOUSE.
For the record, the section of the "Historic" building you show in your sketch was an addition built in the not too recent past. And it's funny that the few photos you show are the ONLY sides of the building that are not strewn with graffiti. Not sure if you are intentionally skuewing the facts or are just uninformed, but in either case, it detracts from your credibility.
Anons@ 9:37, 5:02 and 5:14 seems like they stick with the facts. Fuck you, asshole, and stick to the facts; it would not be "ANOTHER" since it has already existed and has been around. We don't need another white guy with his subtle racism no matter how you deny it, Mr. born and raised in Alexandria.
The photos were sent to me and I used all the photos that were sent. If you want to send me an image of the "graffiti strewn but not really visible" side of the building to make your point, my email is at the top of the blog.
So much for THIS plan. Word today on North Vent is the building has been purchased by Atomic Waste.
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