NEWS RELEASE: Partnership between State of Minnesota, City of Minneapolis would pave way for East Phillips community to purchase Roof Depot site
For immediate release
Contact:
Matt Roznowski, Director of Communication and Public Affairs (House DFL)
Katie Lauer, Director of Communications (Mayor Frey)
May 20, 2023
Saint Paul, Minn. – Under a new agreement, the State of Minnesota would provide a $4.5 million grant to the City of Minneapolis to relocate a proposed public works facility from the Roof Depot site in the East Phillips neighborhood and an additional $2 million towards the purchase cost for the site this year, paving the way for community members to purchase the site.
The $4.5 million grant is included in the Capital Investment bill and the $2 million towards the purchase price is included in the Tax bill. The Minnesota Legislature is expected to approve both bills before the 2023 session ends at midnight on Monday, May 22.
The agreement between the State and the City – and accepted by the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI) – includes additional conditions beyond the $4.5 and $2 million committed by the State. To ensure the $16.7 million Minneapolis Water Fund is repaid in full, there needs to be an additional $3.7 million raised in private funds by September 7, 2023. If that condition is met, the State will commit another $5.7 million to the City in 2024 and will commit additional funds to fully repay the Water Fund.
The full agreement terms are outlined in the attached letter from Mayor Frey and Council Member Johnson to the Legislature.
State legislators representing the East Phillips neighborhood issued the following statements:
“As the legislative session comes to a close, I am pleased to see the state and the city partnering together to find solutions for the people and families who live and work in my district,” said Rep. Hodan Hassan (DFL-Minneapolis). “With a third of East Phillips residents living below the poverty line, the community is in great need of affordable housing, investment in jobs and infrastructure, and sustainable development. While this project will be a long road, I'm thankful we were able to make progress on this investment in our community. I am confident the vision for the Roof Depot will one day become a reality.”
“Throughout this process, I have been inspired by the community’s organizing and their vision for a sustainable and community-driven project,” said Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura (DFL-Minneapolis). “The city and state working together on a solution is an important step in the right direction. I believe any development needs to be reflective of the diverse communities that call East Phillips home and I am committed to working with the Minneapolis delegation to ensure the community’s vision can come to fruition.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey issued the following statement:
“The City’s goal since the start of this process has been to build a facility that allows us to continue to provide clean water to the people of Minneapolis,” said Mayor Frey. “This agreement would move us closer to that goal, address community wishes, and avoid double charging Minneapolis property taxpayers. I’m grateful to Majority Leader Jaime Long and State legislators for their partnership in this process and to the State of Minnesota for ensuring the long-term support of the site and clean water in Minneapolis.”
Dean Dovolis, president of East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI), issued the following statement:
“We deeply appreciate the Minneapolis delegation's assistance in reaching this historical deal to invest in a visionary model for public health and economic development in Minneapolis. This is a win both for the community and for Minneapolis. Both will benefit economically and socially and we look forward to our collaboration to build a great project we can all be proud of.
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