Demolition Discussion On 2222 4th Street North

Photo by John Hoff

Twenty-two twenty-two 4th Street North is a cursed property. First, it is owned by notorious slumlord Mahmood Khan. Second, it was the place where murder victim Annshalike Hamilton was found. This crime is still unsolved.

Now comes word that...

...city council may be near lifting the "stay of execution" on this dump. Here's the word that I heard via email:

Our voices have been heard! I complained to Hofstede about the property at 2222 4th St N. This is the dump where that young pregnant girl was found dead a few years ago.

(JNS says: seems like a few years ago but, in fact, it was only the end of 2008)

Mahmood Khan got a stay on the demolition of this property, if he fixed it up. Well if any of you looked at this dump and the crappy work he has done on it, you would know that his rehab plan has not been followed. It is a complete disaster. The work is barely up to code. I complained to Hofsted about his work and I just noticed this on this week's PSRS meeting agenda!

Property at 2222 4th St N:

Rescind Council Action to stay Order for Demolition; and Authorize demolition
of structure.

Staff report: 2222 4th St N

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2009-meetings/20091016/docs/2222-4th-st-n-rca.pdf

Yipee.

ADDENDUM: A neighbor sent me more information about this house, as follows:

I had the opportunity to see the inside of this property last week. The house is a trip. He turned the duplex into a single family house. The up stairs (see johnny northsides photos from last year) is now 3 bed rooms and 2 living rooms and the kitchen is on the main level. The living room (where you first walk into the house) goes at a slant...if you had a ball it would roll all the way to the far corner. To get to the upstairs bedrooms, you have to go out side, past the basement doors and thru another set of doors, to a steep stairwell, and the ledge is still there, (potential danger to kids) He did put brand new windows in, the fitting didn't look right, but, then I am no contractor or carpenter either.

I am not sure what you guys are looking for in a property, but, I can only express what I have seen.

Richard Webb Of ReMax Results, The Scum Behind The Slum...

Image From ReMax Website, Fair Comment And Criticism

While trying to dig up information about notorious slumlord Mahmood Khan, the owner of 1607 Hillside Ave. N., the "House of Poop," I stumbled across some interesting information. The Realtor for the "House of Poop" was a guy named Richard Webb of ReMax Results. In fact, Webb was the real estate agent for at least ten transactions involving Mahmood Khan and houses in North Minneapolis...

Here are the properties in question, with the poop rising to the top.

1607 Hillside Ave. N.

2609 Emerson Ave. N.

1204 Knox Ave. N.

2008 21st Ave. N.

410 30th Ave. N.

3223 Bryant Ave. N.

2223 Emerson Ave. N.

2722 Oliver Ave. N.

2631 Newton Ave. N.

2007 Russell Ave. N.

2123 Oliver Ave. N.

1714 Oliver Ave. N.

Here's one Khan owns that Richard Webb apparently DID NOT help Khan acquire, but I just thought I'd mention it:

2222 4th St. N.

So I emailed Richard Webb to ask him for his side, letting him know in a not-very-subtle way that his assistance to Mahmood Khan was a detriment to our neighborhood. I told Webb that if he wanted to give me some kind of statement, I would print it fair and square. Here's what Webb has to say:

"I've helped Mahmood buy a number of homes. I've also helped a number of others purchase in North. In fact I just sold 1506 Emerson to a nice young owner occupant. My job is to sell houses - -if someone wants to buy one and has the means, I'm going to sell them one. I've sold over 50 homes in North Minneapolis in the past couple years and many have been remodeled, restored and sold or owner occupied. If you'd like me to reference some of the properties I'd be happy to -- because I certainly don't appreciate you calling me a 'Scum.'"

To which I respond: Scum.

There are many Realtors and real estate agents--some of whom I know personally--who wouldn't be involved in selling houses to scumlord slumlords. Not surprisingly, some of these nice folks actually live in North Minneapolis, which we prefer to call "NoMi." Richard, you are not REQUIRED to do business with a notorious slumlord, but it's something you choose to do, most likely because you worship Mammon, God of Money.

You are scum, Richard Webb, and Mahmood Khan is scum. And every time I hear of you selling a house to Khan, (time and energy permitting) I'll be happy to write in detail about your scummy co-dependency, which is ruining my neighborhood. I don't know why any "nice young owner occupant" would want to do business with you, Richard Webb, since (by your own admission) after selling them a lovely house you'd sell the house next door to slumlord Mahmood Khan, if he wanted the house and had money.

But I'll you what, Richard. I'll tell you what. Why don't you tell me the name of a real estate agent who is WORSE than you? Tell me the name of somebody who has sold MORE houses to a North Minneapolis slumlord than YOU have. Tell me and I'll be glad to write about THAT Realtor.