Latest on 2320 Colfax Appeal

Anonymous sources are confirming:

Opponents are showing up in force/e-mailing in force for tomorrow's hearing.  If you are able, please make your voice heard.  Please write these people --before 8am tomorrow morning:

The Weird '90s

This is part of an ongoing series on Wedge history, culled from the archives of the Wedge newspaper. We wish we could direct you to a gofundme page devoted to saving the historic Wedge newspaper, but it's too late. It died in 2013--nobody vigiled.

Early 90s LHENA was Bizzaro World.

The early 90s was a weird time in Wedge history. LHENA had one board member named “Bizzaro” and another named Basim Sabri (if you’ve ever wondered why LHENA has Texas-style voter ID requirements, it all dates back to the Sabri-era). Weirdest of all: LHENA's board voted out their new president, in a secret ballot, for what seems like manufactured nonsense.

If You Thought House Vigils Were Good...

This is the true story of LHENA's 1977 protest against an adult bookstore at Lyndale and Lake. Michael Lander is lucky these people aren't bringing bags of "stuff" to his neighbors. Not that I'm equating Michael Lander with pornography (though his new development is an obscenity, as well as an affront to family values and porch culture).

Where Will They Park Their Zeppelins?

In 1976 LHENA got together with some architects and planners, and collaborated with them on something called the Wedge Design Framework Plan. This proposal includes one-way conversions for all north-south streets; it would have turned Aldrich, Colfax, and Emerson Avenues into cul-de-sacs at 29th street. It's also got diagonal parking (LHENA later disapproved this) and a rec center for cats (I don't know what became of this). Bonus points if you can find the zeppelin.

UPDATE: Santa Claus Picks a Side

We have an update to yesterday's post about homeowner-renter conflict. In the December 1972 issue of the Wedge newspaper, Santa came out against apartment dwellers. When I get to the January 1973 issue, I'll let you know if Christmas was cancelled due to renters.

Renters make Santa sad.

"What's With The Homeowners vs. Renters Stuff?"

Culturally-speaking, it's easy for me to identify with the homeowners in my neighborhood. People tell me I look like I have a mortgage; and I believe them, because neighborhood panhandlers won't leave me alone (please don't backtrack across 24th street after midnight to tell me your tale of woe--I'm still checking myself for bullet holes weeks later). Also, I've never felt the need to pee in board member Tim Dray's yard.

In other words, I get it. I'm a descendant of homeowners, after all. But I don't feel like that cultural understanding is going both ways. I worry that modest-living, yard-less, childless, dog-less renters are a thing certain people can't wrap their minds around--except as a poor life choice or a moral failing.

NCR Comes to LHENA

Robert Thompson and Michelle Chavez of Minneapolis' NCR came to speak with LHENA board members about the Community Participation Program before last night's board meeting. President Leslie Foreman graciously welcomed me to the discussion. They talked about what makes a neighborhood eligible for funding--you can't require membership dues, for example. They covered eligible/ineligible expenses--no food allowed. And so much more. This is the packet they handed out.

Comparing LHENA to Lowry Hill East: Income & Education

Please see this post for context. Infographic below.

Comparing LHENA to Lowry Hill East: Housing

Please see this post for context. Infographic below.

Comparing LHENA to Lowry Hill East: Age & Race

I recently discovered that LHENA conducted a survey in 2007 that included demographic questions. That's kind of impressive. Way to go, LHENA of 2007.

Now, you might question why I've gone to all this trouble for a survey that got 21 responses. My answer: that's quadruple the turnout for your typical board meeting (and that's only if you include the Wedge LIVE! news team). Considering that this is the only known demographic information about people who give enough of a damn about LHENA to respond to a survey, we're going with the story. We stand behind our numbers! Unless of course you find a mistake.

You should also read this recent story in the Southwest Journal about the problem of unrepresentative neighborhood organizations in Minneapolis. NCR is doing a demographic survey of neighborhood boards. I'd be just as interested in a demographic survey of the people the neighborhood associations are actively engaging with. Again: lots of credit to the visionaries of LHENA 2007!

Sources: Lowry Hill East numbers are based on information available at this link. LHENA's 2007 survey is available here.

Infographic below.

Real Stories of the LHENA Development Task Force

This is not a picture of the LHENA Task Force.

Here are some tidbits from the recent meeting of the LHENA Housing and Development Task Force. I'm repeating them here because I have no respect for the First Rule of Wedge Club. Names have been redacted (except board member Bill, because he knew joining the LHENA Board would mean living in the spotlight). These are the kinds of arguments you might encounter while attending a meeting of your local neighborhood association. Proceed with caution.

LHENA Development Task Force Notes

I think I compromised my journalistic integrity by joining this LHENA Development Task Force. But now I don't have to find an inside source for the meeting notes. My favorite part is the refreshingly honest comment at the end--submitted by email. This person has no need for the "affordability" cudgel. Is the rent too high? There's an open lot in north Minneapolis with your name on it.

Affordable housing? That has moved to a different part of the city. People are going to have to realize that if they can't afford a certain part of town, they need to look elsewhere.

The whole document is posted below.