Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association (MHNA)
BOARD OPPOSES MnDOT TRAFFIC PROPOSALS: The board joined the Nicollet Island East Bank Neighborhood Association, Southeast Como Improvement Association and the Northeast Minneapolis Business Association in opposing the removal of parking meters on Central, East Hennepin and First Avenues. Board members felt that removing the parking meters in order to move traffic more quickly in and out of downtown would hurt area businesses and negatively impact residents. “Why aren’t we willing to make more sacrifices for our suburban neighbors?” joked a board member.
T MOBILE TOWER ISSUE NEARING RESOLUTION: After two years of debate and negotiations, a compromise may have been reached between Marcy-Holmes and wireless service provider T Mobile. T Mobile put cell towers on top of the Andrews House in the Fifth Street Southeast Historic District in September 2005 with permission from the city. Per an article in the July 25 issue of The Minnesota Daily, Ward 9 Council Member Gary Schiff said that the city issued the permit in error. Given that the Andrews House is in an historic district, T Mobile’s application should have gone to the Heritage Preservation Commission. Peter Coyle, an attorney representing T Mobile, told the board that the company has agreed to remove the towers from the roof and put all the equipment inside the building. The cell towers would be attached to the sides of the building and extend no higher than the roof. The towers would be colored to match the building in order to make them less obtrusive. Coyle reported that T Mobile is prepared to make these changes as soon as it has seen restitution from the city for the money it spent installing the towers initially.
BOARD OPPOSES VARSITY CROSSINGS DEVELOPMENT: Although the Varsity Crossings strip mall project has been put on hold because of the 35W bridge collapse, the board still wanted to register its opposition. The proposed mall would be on 10th Avenue and University Avenue Southeast. The board objects to the project because it feels that its location is a gateway into the University of Minnesota and should have something grander than a strip mall. The board also felt that the space would be much better used for graduate student or University staff housing. In addition, the board felt the mall’s location would cause traffic flow problems and the developer may have trouble keeping the commercial spaces leased.
HOME REHAB LOAN PROGRAM APPROVED: The board approved a program to offer home rehab loans of up to $2,000 at 4 percent interest through the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP). NRP will only offer loans for owner-occupied homes. The loans will be available in 2008.
SAFETY AND LIVABILITY COMMITTEE: Eric Nauman will replace Tom Lincoln as the Chair of the Safety and Livability Committee.
FRASER CHOSEN AS ALLIANCE REP: The board designated Arvonne Fraser as its representative to the Alliance, a University district initiative to improve and market the Marcy-Holmes area. Executive Director Melissa Bean will act as her second.
NEIGHBORS UNITE FOR LIGHT: The University of Minnesota, its Greek organizations and Marcy-Holmes are jointly sponsoring a community event on October 13 from 3 p.m. until dusk on 5th Street Southeast between 11th and 12th Avenues. Sydne Westroff, the NRP student liaison, will be staffing a Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association table at the event.
BUMPER STICKERS: The board approved Westroff’s request for $275 to print 250 bumper stickers. The stickers will say “I Love Marcy-Holmes” or something similar. Westroff felt that the bumper stickers would help new University of Minnesota students realize that they live in a neighborhood that takes pride in its appearance and quality of life for all residents.
NEXT: Board meeting, October 16, 2007
MEETINGS: 3rd Tuesday monthly, 6 p.m. at University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Avenue SE
CONTACT: 623-7633, www.marcy-holmes.org
BORDERS: Central Ave. to 15th Ave. SE, 9th St. SE to Main St. SE
last revised: October 5, 2007