Letters to the Editor - Not in my backyard syndrome - Not in my backyard syndrome

I was recently at a public Northside forum discussing two development proposals for redeveloping the southeast Penn/Lowry intersection. One of the proposals was from Central Community Housing Trust which proposed a mixed-use development including retail and affordable rental housing. The other was a retail development that includes an Aldi’s Food Store.

    I felt that both proposals were viable. But I heard concerns and comments about “affordable rental,” and too much density since the proposal included two four-story apartment buildings. I think there are a lot of misconceptions of what affordable housing is. Affordable housing is considered housing that costs no more than 30 percent of total household income. A large number of Northside residents already live in what is considered affordable housing. I think the real issue here is that many Northsiders do not want any more crime, domestic violence, unruly and loud parties, and drugs dealers/users, and they equate this with low income renters, poorly managed properties, and poor parental supervision.

    Some of these fears are justified, but there is one big difference here — Central Community Housing Trust. They are a well-managed developer with a proven track record. I would much rather have a well-managed affordable housing complex than several uncontrolled single-family rentals and poorly maintained and managed apartment buildings. As it now stands there is a soft market for rental housing...perhaps if there were a little competition on the Northside we could force the troubled properties to sell due to a lack of demand.

    And what about density? Density makes these developments possible due to lower development/construction costs. In my opinion a four-story building is hardly going to destroy our neighborhood character as long as these developments are contained within properly zoned districts, and not in the middle of residential neighborhoods.

    North Minneapolis has room enough for everyone, for those of all income levels from low income to high income, and from all ethnic, religious, racial and sexual preference backgrounds. We can all live together...communities within communities. What we need to do is provide balance. Future housing developments need to keep this in mind as North Minneapolis changes...not too much of one thing. As we clean up blighted properties we may need to start out with some affordable developments, but as things get better we can start adding more middle and high-income developments. We must first create a more desirable environment that will attract private developers that do not require public funding.

Kurt Lawrason

Cleveland