The city announced today that it intends to buy the industrial property at 146 W. 60th Street for a proposed $38 million Community Safety Training & Wellness Center. The cost of the property is $6 million.
From the press release:
“This center represents a strategic and responsible investment in safer response, stronger coordination, and the well-being of our first responders,” said Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette. “It reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring the people who serve our community are well-trained, well-prepared, and fully supported to help our residents every day."
As was mentioned in the interview, they believe the current facilities are inadequate. The new facility, if approved by the city council and state, will allow them to have cross-functional training and consolidate facilities. Improved training requirements were part of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights Settlement Agreement.
I say all this as a fan of Mayor Frey. I know quite a bit about the 3rd, and it really appears that there has been little urgency, on behalf of Frey and Barnette, to get the 3rd Precinct Police Station moved into 2633 Minnehaha Ave this year.
I don't know of one person, who is a bit closer to all of it, who believes this will likely happen this year, at least without extreme pressure being placed on the City by these 26 neighborhoods, those who have been most impacted.
If this had been a very different kind of local election year, I absolutely believe this ONE ISSUE would have very much damaged Frey's chances of getting another term, but the stakes were too high to take Frey to task on this. AND now, it looks like they are back to the starting block again. New info rec'd. 😤
"'had to reopen bid process due to some technicality and bids are being accepted again" with no date for an opening set.
I would like to blame Chavez, Wonsley, and the far left flank city council members. And they WERE a big part of the problem with obstructions, delays, and unreasonable demands. But at this point it seems there really is a lack of urgency and lack of intentionality by the city.
As a city resident who lives in one of these neighborhoods I find this unacceptable. Definitely in my top 5 of current failures by this city.
Quite sad...to remember that the 3rd Precinct was set to go into that SAME bldg, 2633 Minnehaha, and as EARLY as late 2020/ early 2021, with the lease to possibly extend into 2024.
Then THAT group, supported by folks like CM Wonsley, got busy fast and attempted to intimidate, by making threats while committing crimes against the property owner and that family. Those tactics worked... so no 3rd Precinct Police Station within the area, and for years.
The city announced today that it intends to buy the industrial property at 146 W. 60th Street for a proposed $38 million Community Safety Training & Wellness Center. The cost of the property is $6 million.
From the press release:
“This center represents a strategic and responsible investment in safer response, stronger coordination, and the well-being of our first responders,” said Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette. “It reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring the people who serve our community are well-trained, well-prepared, and fully supported to help our residents every day."
As was mentioned in the interview, they believe the current facilities are inadequate. The new facility, if approved by the city council and state, will allow them to have cross-functional training and consolidate facilities. Improved training requirements were part of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights Settlement Agreement.
I say all this as a fan of Mayor Frey. I know quite a bit about the 3rd, and it really appears that there has been little urgency, on behalf of Frey and Barnette, to get the 3rd Precinct Police Station moved into 2633 Minnehaha Ave this year.
I don't know of one person, who is a bit closer to all of it, who believes this will likely happen this year, at least without extreme pressure being placed on the City by these 26 neighborhoods, those who have been most impacted.
If this had been a very different kind of local election year, I absolutely believe this ONE ISSUE would have very much damaged Frey's chances of getting another term, but the stakes were too high to take Frey to task on this. AND now, it looks like they are back to the starting block again. New info rec'd. 😤
"'had to reopen bid process due to some technicality and bids are being accepted again" with no date for an opening set.
I would like to blame Chavez, Wonsley, and the far left flank city council members. And they WERE a big part of the problem with obstructions, delays, and unreasonable demands. But at this point it seems there really is a lack of urgency and lack of intentionality by the city.
As a city resident who lives in one of these neighborhoods I find this unacceptable. Definitely in my top 5 of current failures by this city.
Quite sad...to remember that the 3rd Precinct was set to go into that SAME bldg, 2633 Minnehaha, and as EARLY as late 2020/ early 2021, with the lease to possibly extend into 2024.
Then THAT group, supported by folks like CM Wonsley, got busy fast and attempted to intimidate, by making threats while committing crimes against the property owner and that family. Those tactics worked... so no 3rd Precinct Police Station within the area, and for years.
https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/george-floyd/block-party-planned-to-block-new-third-precinct-building/89-08effdfb-f06a-46e0-87ef-b4305fb7cc5e
Relocation plans for MPD Third Precinct back to square one | kare11.com
https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/plans-for-temporary-mpd-third-precinct-location-fall-apart/89-709c04bf-f36a-46c0-a218-66997aa4a2a1
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/RCA/6658#:~:text=RCA%2D2020%2D00852%20%2D%20Lease,as%20Third%20Precinct%20temporary%20site
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/11/02/mpls-city-council-moves-forward-on-purchase-of-new-3rd-precinct-site
Excerpt..
"City staff estimated in a memo last week that the building will be ready for occupation in 12 to 18 months. "
Barnett is likely correct in his assessment, which leaves me feeling underwhelmed, disappointed, and not very hopeful.