Ward 9 City Council Member Gary Schiff's e-newsletter
New drawings for Longfellow Station by Urban Works Architecture feature green roofs and neighborhood commercial space.
The following is posted from Ward 9 City Council Member Gary Schiff’s e-newsletter. Ward 9 includes the area of North Longfellow from Hiawatha to 38th Avenue South.
EPA to announce major expansion of arsenic cleanup
The south Minneapolis arsenic cleanup that began three years ago is about to get much larger, Environmental Protection Agency representatives will tell residents at a public meeting on Tuesday, October 30th at the YWCA, 2121 East Lake Street at 7:00 p.m. Cleanup managers will discuss the results of a recently completed health risk assessment, and take input on future cleanup which could eventually extend to another 541 residential properties. Total cleanup costs have exceeded $3 million to date.
Designation of the site to the Superfund National Priorities List last month resulted in eligibility for the cleanup of properties with soil contamination below an arsenic concentration of 95 parts per million. Approximately 130 properties with concentrations greater than 95ppm have already been cleaned up, with 36 more slated for 2008. “As a result of Superfund status, more properties may now be eligible for cleanup, depending on the final concentration level chosen.” Council Member Gary Schiff said. “Our hope is that we won’t have to carry our concern for our children to our grandchildren. However, unless the EPA can cleanup more than 70 properties per year, the process could take a decade to complete.”
The EPA will also hold general open houses to give residents an opportunity to talk to EPA representatives about the project. The open houses are on Tuesday, November 13 from 4:00 to 6:00p.m.at East Lake Library located at 2707 East Lake St., Wednesday, November 14 from 2:00 to 4:00p.m.and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.at Powderhorn Park located at 3400 15th Ave. S. and Thursday, November 15 from 2:00 to 4:00p.m.and 6:00 to 8:00p.m.at the Franklin Avenue Safety Center located at 1201 E. Franklin Ave.
Celebrate the Midtown Greenway bridge opening
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new pedestrian and bicycle bridge crossing Hiawatha Avenue has been set for November 8th. The event will start at 4:00p.m.with a brief program and bridge lighting at 4:30p.m.
Minnesota’s first cable-stayed bridge, the Midtown Greenway’s final phase links the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes with the Mississippi River. Construction of the bridge has been overseen by Hennepin County, with the help of federal grants secured by former U.S. Congressman Martin Sabo.
“The opening of this bridge will signal the completion of over a decade of work to build a real east-west transportation alternative through south Minneapolis,” Council Member Gary Schiff said. “Minneapolis is already the second largest bike commuter city in the nation, and closing this missing link will get commuters and recreational riders across Hiawatha safer and faster than ever before.”
Longfellow Station development announced for Hiawatha and 38th Street
After a year of discussion with neighborhood groups, developers are finishing plans on redevelopment of the old Purina site, on the corner of 38th Street E. and Hiawatha Avenue across from the LRT station. Longfellow Station will be a mixed-use development with 198 apartments and 45,000 square feet of retail. Rental units will range from $690 to $1500 monthly.
The project has been the subject of a unique Community Benefits Agreement, negotiated between Longfellow Community Council and Capital Growth, the developer. “Growing up in the neighborhood has given me a perspective and an incentive to engage with the community,” Dale Jole, a partner in Capital Growth said. Jole says the project features an emphasis on green design including a green roof, active outdoor areas for people and bicycles located across the street from the light rail station.
The developers, Capital Growth Real Estate, LLC, will be pursuing project accreditation from Green Communities program, including passive and active solar initiatives as well as extensive conservation efforts which will include a self-contained storm water treatment and on-site infiltration system. The project will be reviewed by the Planning Commission this winter, with construction anticipated in 2008.
Community input needed for neighborhood policing plans
The 3rd Precinct is seeking input for 2008 neighborhood policing plans. Neighborhood policing plans are part of continuing community and Police Department efforts to prioritize policing resources and reduce livability crimes.
Click here for the PDF version of the survey. Completed forms for 3rd precinct policing plans may be dropped off at either the Franklin Safety Center located at 1201 Franklin Ave. E. or the Midtown Safety Center located at 2949 Chicago Ave. S. For more information contact Renee Allen or call her at 825-6138.
last revised: October 30, 2007