Act now to support:

• transit-oriented development and good urbanism in Minneapolis
• more affordable new construction in Uptown

Tomorrow, March 18, at 4:30PM the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) is voting on a request to demolish a property at 2320 Colfax Avenue South. There are three things you can do to support Minneapolis accommodating more residents.

1. Attend the HPC meeting AND testify in support of the demolition permit – March 18, 2014, City Hall Room 317
2. Send an e-mail to the HPC and/or the relevant Ward 10 City Council member, Lisa Bender and staff (see below)
3. Ask your friends to comment, by sharing this on Facebook, through Twitter, and by e-mail

Please forward the following message (plus any additions you deem fit) via email to John Smoley (HPC liaison) (john.smoley@minneapolismn.gov), Lisa Bender (lisa.bender@minneapolismn.gov) or Ben Somogyi (ben.somogyi@minneapolismn.gov) by 1pm tomorrow, March 18 at the latest in order to be placed in the public record:

I support demolition of the property located at 2320 Colfax Avenue South. Please vote FOR demolition for the following reasons:

• A City of Minneapolis staff report recommends demolition. 2320 Colfax is far from the only example of its kind: there are a significant number of other buildings/homes in the city built and designed by T.P. Healy that, for a variety of reasons, are more deserving of preservation than 2320 Colfax.
• It has been nearly one year since the proposed redevelopment project for the property was given a reprieve to pursue preservation, and no preservation option has emerged; the only potential buyer for the property is the developer.
• This property cannot be viably preserved, as the costs to acquire and restore exceed the possible value of doing so. The exterior has lost most of its historic character such that it may not be eligible for historic preservation dollars.  Furthermore, the interior condition has been altered and is not appealing for an individual to renovate, nor is it appealing for use in its existing form.
• Voting for demolition allows the proposed infill redevelopment to move forward. What is currently proposed, a 45-unit apartment project by the Lander Group (on 2320 Colfax as well as an adjacent property, 2316 Colfax), would take advantage of a walkable and transit-rich location, as well as a number of interior green features to promote sustainable living in Minneapolis. The proposed project meets a number of the objectives laid out in the city’s comprehensive plan.

While preservation of historically deserving buildings is important, there is not enough to justify a designation in this case, and doing so would block a viable redevelopment of these properties. Please vote against an historic designation for 2320 Colfax Avenue South.