Housing

Becoming homeless wasn’t Ernestine Freeman’s plan. Yet fleeing domestic violence, she and her two children wore out their welcome staying with family and friends, ultimately finding themselves in a homeless shelter—certainly not the stuff of dreams for any mother. Ms. Freeman was crippled by anxiety and depression as she witnessed the toll taken on her children emotionally and academically.

The community's struggle with notorious landlord Spiros Zorbalas appears to have reached an important milestone. Recent work by the Minneapolis City Council, the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization (CNO), and other agencies have drawn attention to the squalid living conditions and abusive management in Zorbalas' buildings. In March 2012, the Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld the Minneapolis City Council's action to revoke or nullify the rental license at all 38 Minneapolis apartment buildings owned by Zorbalas, including six buildings comprising 80 apartment units in the Corcoran neighborhood. According to the StarTribune, Zorbalas recently sold all 38 buildings to Minneapolis landlord Steve Frenz, who has begun making repairs to the buildings.

Cedar-Riverside residents are going to see some changes in the coming years.

The large plot of dirt on University Avenue between the Interstate 35W and 10th Avenue bridges will soon make way for a new apartment building.