Kale Severson seeks Minneapolis Ward 5 post

By |

A homeowner, a mentor that young people look up to, someone who leads by example; that’s how Sy Huff and a host of other speakers described their candidate for Minneapolis Fifth Ward City Council, Kale Severson. He announced his candidacy on April 19 at Lowry Cafe, avoiding the precinct caucus and party convention scene.In fact, Mel Reeves, who describes himself as “an old school radical” said “we ought to do our own thing” and announced an organizing meeting for the following Thursday at Zion Baptist Church, site of many Save North High meetings.His supporters credit Severson for keeping North High School alive. Bates led an auction-style fundraising call which by the end of the evening had them lined up to make good on their financial commitments.Severson’s career includes working at the Minneapolis Park system, now working at North High, and coaching the Lady Polars basketball team.Severson said, “I’m an advocate, that’s what I’ll do.” His issues: “Broadway Avenue is the same if not worse” than when he grew up here. “Bring in good businesses to pay good wages to people in the neighborhood. Beautiful, for profit. Continue Reading

What next for Mereen-Johnson site and Adult Rehabilitation Center plans?

By |

Fourth Ward Council Member Barb Johnson told NorthNews April 26 that Salvation Army officials told her that their quest to locate an Adult Rehabilitation Center at the former Mereen-Johnson site at 44th and Lyndale avenues N. is “on hold.” They are looking at another potential site as well as looking anew at doing something with their existing site at 900 N. Fourth St.If the Mereen-Johnson proposal went ahead, it would consist of tearing down existing complex at 44th and Lyndale and replacing with a 95,700-square-foot facility that would house 120 residents in its rehabilitation program, office space for about 50 employees and a 60,000 square foot warehouse that would be the primary sorting facility for the Salvation Army’s thrift store operations.Immediate neighbors and their families and friends throughout North Minneapolis objected to the proposal at an April 4 informational meeting held by the Lind-Bohanon Neighborhood Association. A woman who said she had been involved in the rehabilitation program and now lives in the neighborhood, said, “I can tell you, you do not want this in the neighborhood.” Others quoted statistics showing that the “graduation” rate from the program is about 25 percent. “Where do the other 410 men a year go?” asked Linda Chapple. “They’re used to the area, they’ll hang around.”From the Salvation Army website: “The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers provide spiritual, social and emotional assistance for men and women who have lost the ability to cope with their problems and provide for themselves. Each center offers residential housing, work, and group and individual therapy, all in a clean, wholesome environment. Continue Reading

Leaning toward a new Columbia Heights library?

By |

If one is counting votes, and if we’re reading the signals right as to what those votes might be, Columbia Heights taxpayers, owners of one of only four independent libraries in the metropolitan area, could embark on finding the money to replace the current library. And a Northeast resident whose job is to be her firm’s government—and particularly, libraries—expert, has helped lay the groundwork.Cindy McCleary of Leo A. Daly, an architecture and engineering firm, has designed 23 libraries. She told the City Council April 8 that communication preferences are changing, but not replacing the book. “Historical material does not translate well…with the pace of change, there is a need to preserve history. The way libraries are being used is more people centric.”Mayor Gary Peterson, before telling the assembled group after a long presentation that the council would “take it under advisement,” agreeing to take the issue up again on May 13, said that he was among the people who said he thought books were a thing of the past, but then changed his thinking. Continue Reading

807 Broadway Task Force asks Minneapolis residents: What matters most?

By |

Twenty-seven neighbors and 33 non-neighborhood people filled out two-page two-columned comment forms after seven developers made 10-minute pitches to a meeting moderated by the 807 Broadway Task Force. The Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education may hear a recommendation from district staff April 23 or into May, on which developer should buy and renovate its former headquarters.Some people are concerned that the school district has a precedent of going against a formal neighborhood organization stance, in selling the Northrop school to a charter school. For 807, the district retained the City of Minneapolis to conduct a sale process that meant more community involvement than a simple sale but not as much clarity as a request for proposals.Task Force members say they were impressed that some of the developers modified their original proposals after hearing critiques, questions and information about environmental realities. With about 150 people looking on, here’s what each developer chose to focus on in making their pitch to the community:Sherman and AssociatesGeorge Sherman has been working in urban redevelopment since 1978, and cited the Midtown Exchange (re-use of the former Sears building) on Lake Street as the most similar to this project, though 807 would be a smaller scale. He said they like to do projects that combine housing and jobs at half-and-half, that the concept reduces parking and vehicle traffic demand.They envision 118 housing units in the top three stories of part of the original building, “its narrow bays and large windows” are very conducive to housing. Continue Reading

Yang to run, for Minneapolis 5th ward this time

By |

“We surprised people. In any other election 28,000 votes would have won,” said Blong Yang of his second place finish in the special District 2 Hennepin County race.Running this time for Fifth Ward Minneapolis City Council, he noted a strong showing, 4,641 votes, versus Linda Higgins among Fifth Ward voters in the county race.Yang’s wife Mai Neng Moua, introducing him at a Pho-raiser (beef soup served for a fundraiser) at their home March 16, said “we’re doing this again because we need someone who understands people in North Minneapolis.” We’re all underdogs, she said.Reminiscent of current council member Don Samuels’ housing choice, “Blong [then a Legal Aid attorney] bought a house in North Minneapolis, “ Moua said, “ because there needed to be more good people in the city, a critical mass, to make things happen.”Moua said she and her husband both came from families on public assistance whose goals were to “put food on the table and keep their kids out of trouble. We believe in the American Dream and hard work.” They accomplished their parents’ dream that they would use the brain, not physical strength, and so they feel bound to use their abilities to build community.Yang said he will seek the DFL endorsement “and after that, a run to November 5th” and Ranked Choice voting, whether or not endorsed. “I want to connect with every voter in the ward, to let them know I have their best interest at heart and will work for them.”In the County Commissioner race, the ground game was “we worked our butts off,” with grassroots organizing with “fearless” students, college kids and recent graduates.Yang told NorthNews his issues are “Safety—if we can take care of that, everything comes to Minneapolis. Economic development is tied to safety; if it’s safe, businesses will want to locate here. Continue Reading

Many North Minneapolis homes on April 27-28 tour

By |

At 2814 Aldrich Ave. N., various Urban Homeworks crews, and professionals who are donating their time, are scrambling to put the 1.5-story house back together and make it available affordably to a new owner.Karen Soderberg and Steve Harvey, in Bryn Mawr, are wrapping up a couple of years of hard work finishing off their new second story. The contractor prepared the shell and an architect redesigned most of the home to get a new kitchen, bath and mud room on the first floor; in addition to a master suite and extra room on the top floor.Tom and Sandy Walker, in Homewood (at top), had built an entirely new one-level house on a bet that they could meet a certain budget…and would have, if they hadn’t fallen in love with top-line kitchen appliances. It has expansion room in the raised basement, and the home fits in with the craftsman and early 1900s homes nearby.These featured homes, and about 50 others throughout the two cities, will be open Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, April 28, 1-5 p.m. for the Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour. The tour encourages people to remodel or expand, and provides resource referrals, as real people in real homes share their real ideas with visitors.It’s also billed as a celebration of city living and a chance to check out neighborhoods. Continue Reading

Kris Brogan is Minneapolis 4th Ward challenger

By |

“The 4th Ward has great assets. We came here to open a business, then moved here. We truly love it,” said Kris Brogan. Surrounded by extended family and friends, she kicked off her campaign to unseat incumbent Council Member Barbara Johnson.Brogan said, “We have a vision for what we want, for what works.” She touted the area’s assets – great parks, easy river access, the Kroening Interpretive Center, good schools. “I’m committed to make the blocks welcoming and safe. Continue Reading

Fueling up at the City of Lakes Youth Hockey spaghetti dinner

By |

Their website feels as raw and gutsy as the sport of hockey itself; in person their enthusiasm carries through, from the pre-schooler pushing the dessert cart at the fundraiser, to the parent slinging the spaghetti. It’s City of Lakes Youth Hockey pushing the puck toward the goal since 2009 when Edison Youth Hockey Association disbanded.With Mini-Mites, Mites, Squirts, and for the first time this year, PeeWees, about 93 skate for the City of Lakes Titans. The program now serves kids ages 4 to 12 and they hope to have a Bantam team next year for ages 13 and 14. Serving youth in Minneapolis north of 94/394, the mission of City of Lakes Youth hockey is to provide hockey in a positive learning atmosphere at an affordable cost to the residents of Minneapolis.“We just wanted the kids to learn how to skate,” said Chris Bubser, about placing his daughter and son in the program. There are several sibling pairs or groups, and quite a few girls playing on co-ed teams. Parents at the fundraiser said that while some may have competitive aims, winning games is not the only object.City of Lakes gets grants for equipment for the youngest players, such as 30 sets of gear from Total Hockey. Continue Reading