November 2011
Four years and seven (or so) boards ago, 1551 Hillside Avenue North was considered by neighbors to be a somewhat resolved "problem property" (just search this blog for examples and stories). After all, the neighbors chased away the drug dealers, squatters, and prostitutes. We tolerated the inattentive renter who shouted profanities at her grand children, over occupied the property in likely violation of her section 8 contract and ultimately allowed the residing children to burn down the back of the house. The lack of any meaningful action by the ill-equipped landlord resulted in the property being vandalized and place for dumping. Once the boards came, there was peace...
... and so it was for approximately four years until this week when, without any notice or indication that action was to take place, workers arrived on the property with tools in hand. They were approached by a neighbor and after some friendly conversation, it was discovered that their mission was two fold under the authority of "bank orders." First, to remove the plywood adorning the exterior doors and windows in order to allow for access to the structure so it could be sold. Second, to build a handrail. Yes, a handrail (see the photo).
This triggered a flurry of Facebook and e-mail responses from neighbors and some responses from the city. It was not lost on many that the former owner defaulted on the responsibility of caring for the property...and either gave it back to the bank voluntarily or through the foreclosure process. Geez, thanks.
By simply looking up the address on the Internet, one can confirm that indeed a bank now owns the property and ... [clutching my pearls] .. paid the taxes:
Property ID No.: | 16-029-24-24-0092 NON - HOMESTEAD | ||||
Property Address: | 1551 HILLSIDE AVE MINNEAPOLIS | ||||
Owner Name: | THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON | ||||
Taxpayer Name and Address: |
|
There was little indication that the bank paid the outstanding assessments or pulled any of the needed permits per the...uh... May 2010 assessment:
1551 Hillside is condemned, therefore, the property cannot be sold until a code compliance permit has been pulled and an inspection is completed. The inspection will identify all of the things that must be fixed to bring the property up to code prior to occupancy. This permit has not been pulled yet. Regulatory Services contacted the realtor and informed her that this is a necessary step prior to sale. The property has since been pulled from the market.
Bam! Instant justice to the block!
After several rounds of electronic communication, some very concrete ideas were float around, including demands that the building be demolish. So, the city when back in October 2011 and re-inspected the property and rendered this very complex and hearty assessment:
I entered and photographed 1551 Hillside today. I do not feel this house is a Demo candidate. The only major items to be repaired are the roof, windows, and furnace is sitting in the kitchen. I placed the photos into the e-file data base.
Hmmm...that doesn't sound very comprehensive...but hey, its an e-mail...ahhhh...so, the only major items are the roof and windows...isn't that what all the houses in tornado alley have to fix before the winter!?!!? That's not just sort of major...that's MAJOR. By the way, it's Minnesota...you have to have a working furnace...not in the kitchen. Yeah, I would sat that's "major" too. Did I mention there are no permits for the repairs.
But no fear, the structure is now secured by this fancy sign that is sure to ward off all those people that rendered the property boarded in the first place:
I think that sign says call Angela Larson of Tangletown Reality. Well, that is interesting...
...looks like she calls herself the "Condo Queen" ~ (http://www.angelalarson.com/condo_queen.cfm)
Check out the website: http://www.angelalarson.com/
Check out the website: http://www.angelalarson.com/
And the brag page: http://www.angelalarson.com/our_team.cfm
Well, I haven't found the page where she talks about developing dilapidated homes in north Minneapolis and turning them into affordable homesteaded properties...nope, just a long story about condos...which this house is not.
You know what the bank needs to do???
Gift this house to the City!!!
It's an adorable house. If only someone could scrape up enough capital to save it....
ReplyDeleteA gift to the city would only result in this property's unnecessary demolition. The city is not in the business of rehabbing, so give the property to a private developer or a nonprofit partner. Or here's an idea...how about the Jordan neighborhood comes up with some innovative ways to market the place?
ReplyDeleteAs of tomorrow, I'm a Jordan resident. Who do I call to sign up for the housing committee so I can save this house?
There is nothing listed on the needs of repairs that is either 1) insurmountable, or 2) different or worse than just about any vacant property in NoMi.
If it goes on the market really cheap, maybe you can buy it, do the "minor" repairs, and turn it into a "mother-in-law cottage."
ReplyDeleteOr, if you insist on demolition, you can have it torn down and then use all that space for your own community garden, named after you.
"Hillside Chronicles Community Garden."
Redd, if only...
ReplyDeleteHH, we are 2 votes, you're 1.
JNS!, if only...
And nobody picked that low hanging fruit of the "Condo Queen"? Geez...
Well, I'm an organizer by nature. It won't take me long to scrounge up enough active residents to actually save some houses and do some good in Jordan countering the mindless focus on demolition I seem to read here.
ReplyDeleteTo HH,is that comment a part of your technique to get support? Or, do you see the demolition option as one that does not require a "mind" to embrace? Either way, it makes no difference, because, as I have said...every time you make a personal attack when I bring up a substantive point on this issue that you disagree with, just show me the rehab money and you can save all of the little dilapidated houses you want.
ReplyDelete