From my life in corporate America, the first step in contractor selection wasn't getting a bid, it was vetting the contractor for competence. I'd say at least half of the contractors who say they can do something can't actually do that thing well. The city seems to be ignoring that.
When we signal that "social justice" is the driver in contractor selection, it only serves to invite fraudsters into the ring. Competence must be the primary consideration.
Requiring competence is a start, but by itself is not enough to prevent fraud and cronyism. We also need independent IGs to ensure checks and balances. Relying on journalists to uncover malfeasance is pretty weak sauce.
"... no evidence that the group has the “relevant experience” or “financial qualifications” necessary for managing a multi-million-dollar project of this scope."
I, personally, am very much Team Frey, on much of everything for the City, but on this, something THIS delayed and so important, Frey and our staff are really blowing it.
Adding to what is provided in this piece, there is something about putting up a SIX story structure at THAT location/that intersection, that seems quite ill fitting, and incongruent, and even somewhat disrespectful. I do not get it, what they are thinking. This all makes no sense to me?!
"Incongruent means not fitting, unsuitable, or lacking harmony with something else. It describes things that are out of place or contradict each other..."
I'm going to hold my opinion on Agape until there is further information, but trust in Frey's decisions about contracts is for me, low. Deena Winters of the Strib just reported on the fraud with the "We Push for Peace" violence interrupters whose leaders were only pushing for profits, for themselves. Frey has had a revolving door of Public Safety Directors who allowed this fraud to happen due to an acute lack of oversight. I think Agape is probably a legit and ethical nonprofit, but do they have the skill set? Frey and Waltz's track record of fiduciary oversight of nonprofits is dismal.
St Paul has been been taken advantage of, and stolen from, as has Mpls. St Paul is now taking a different approach….( as should Mpls.)
“Saint Paul is shifting its public safety approach by professionalizing and institutionalizing violence prevention as a core city service, rather than relying exclusively on outside community groups. Through the Office of Neighborhood Safety, the city is taking direct operational control over interventions, like the Project PEACE team, which employs local staff directly to address gun violence.
The city’s Community-First Public Safety framework blends this direct city-led oversight with law enforcement and established organizational partnerships.
Specific initiatives defining this shift include:
Directly Managed Outreach Teams: The city now employs its own violence interrupters and crisis responders rather than only funding third-party nonprofits, ensuring better accountability, standardized training, and direct coordination with the St. Paul Police Department.
The Office of Neighborhood Safety: Established by community recommendation, this permanent department integrates prevention, intervention, and crisis response as standard government services.
Expanded Civic Safety Ambassadors: The city has expanded downtown and commercial safety ambassador programs, which involve active “eyes and ears” patrols working directly alongside city administration.
Project PEACE: This city-staffed program connects individuals and families most at risk for gun violence with practical, day-to-day support to de-escalate conflicts before they result in violence.
While the city still utilizes grants for targeted community outreach, the structural evolution is rooted in ensuring the municipality itself drives the primary violence prevention and neighborhood safety
Quagmire is the word which comes to my mind on the subject of George Floyd square. Looks like we’re in for another round of conflict and lack of progress, which reflects poorly on Mpls.
Agree, the project is simply too large, as envisioned by Agape, in monies needed now, or in the future, to keep it afloat, IF it were to start to fail, and it is too large in mass and scale. Restraint is needed, out of respect for all parties.
A group called Rise & Remember also submitted a bid. Their idea was for a much less expensive garden memorial. Two other groups dropped because they couldn’t see an economically viable path forward.
If you are able to speak with the RFP manager I would be very interested to hear more. On it's face I'm of the same opinion, this seems like a dubious choice.
I represented the Minneapolis Redevelopment Authority and nobody got two years. They committed to a concept—— a firm commitment. I recall a car dealership. We were tough on the concept—- no flags, banners, etc
There is a statute covering redevelopment sales. There must be an appraisal and the sale at fair market value. If the City is not using the Redevelopment Redevelopment Authority, there are other legal issues.
I know the people in the Agape Movement. They are fantastic! They are well connected with the community and have been there since the beginning. Please don't write them off. They are one of the primary reasons that the square is open today.
There is a reason that the city staff, who I have also talked with, chose Agape. Agape is about building community and working together across differences. In fact, some are involved in both Agape and Rise and Remember, two of the groups that submitted a plan. Agape is also connected with the businesses.
George Floyd Square is a raw community who know each other and care deeply for each other even though groups disagree. Don't count them out, get to know them. They are some of my favorite people in the world.
I'm encouraged that the city selected them! They are peacemakers at heart. They talk to people from around the world on a daily basis. I think they could lead well here. Is a good website the criteria? What better expertise can you have than being on the ground daily listening to stories?
This is not a rogue group that doesn't care about what happened. Go to the square and you'll see them walking around, leading writing groups, teaching kids how to play chess, holding community discussions, and attending each other's weddings. It's all about the community.
They have challenged me to be a better person and to become a part of what is happening. I'm happy to stand behind them. The city made a great choice!
From my life in corporate America, the first step in contractor selection wasn't getting a bid, it was vetting the contractor for competence. I'd say at least half of the contractors who say they can do something can't actually do that thing well. The city seems to be ignoring that.
When we signal that "social justice" is the driver in contractor selection, it only serves to invite fraudsters into the ring. Competence must be the primary consideration.
Requiring competence is a start, but by itself is not enough to prevent fraud and cronyism. We also need independent IGs to ensure checks and balances. Relying on journalists to uncover malfeasance is pretty weak sauce.
Since you brought in the term “cronyism”, I will offer another one: extortion.
As the lead in indicates,
"... no evidence that the group has the “relevant experience” or “financial qualifications” necessary for managing a multi-million-dollar project of this scope."
I, personally, am very much Team Frey, on much of everything for the City, but on this, something THIS delayed and so important, Frey and our staff are really blowing it.
Adding to what is provided in this piece, there is something about putting up a SIX story structure at THAT location/that intersection, that seems quite ill fitting, and incongruent, and even somewhat disrespectful. I do not get it, what they are thinking. This all makes no sense to me?!
"Incongruent means not fitting, unsuitable, or lacking harmony with something else. It describes things that are out of place or contradict each other..."
I'm going to hold my opinion on Agape until there is further information, but trust in Frey's decisions about contracts is for me, low. Deena Winters of the Strib just reported on the fraud with the "We Push for Peace" violence interrupters whose leaders were only pushing for profits, for themselves. Frey has had a revolving door of Public Safety Directors who allowed this fraud to happen due to an acute lack of oversight. I think Agape is probably a legit and ethical nonprofit, but do they have the skill set? Frey and Waltz's track record of fiduciary oversight of nonprofits is dismal.
More on that...
https://minneapolistimes.com/fraud-pandemic-spreads-to-minneapolis/
Comment put on this Mpls Times piece.
St Paul has been been taken advantage of, and stolen from, as has Mpls. St Paul is now taking a different approach….( as should Mpls.)
“Saint Paul is shifting its public safety approach by professionalizing and institutionalizing violence prevention as a core city service, rather than relying exclusively on outside community groups. Through the Office of Neighborhood Safety, the city is taking direct operational control over interventions, like the Project PEACE team, which employs local staff directly to address gun violence.
The city’s Community-First Public Safety framework blends this direct city-led oversight with law enforcement and established organizational partnerships.
Specific initiatives defining this shift include:
Directly Managed Outreach Teams: The city now employs its own violence interrupters and crisis responders rather than only funding third-party nonprofits, ensuring better accountability, standardized training, and direct coordination with the St. Paul Police Department.
The Office of Neighborhood Safety: Established by community recommendation, this permanent department integrates prevention, intervention, and crisis response as standard government services.
Expanded Civic Safety Ambassadors: The city has expanded downtown and commercial safety ambassador programs, which involve active “eyes and ears” patrols working directly alongside city administration.
Project PEACE: This city-staffed program connects individuals and families most at risk for gun violence with practical, day-to-day support to de-escalate conflicts before they result in violence.
While the city still utilizes grants for targeted community outreach, the structural evolution is rooted in ensuring the municipality itself drives the primary violence prevention and neighborhood safety
Quagmire is the word which comes to my mind on the subject of George Floyd square. Looks like we’re in for another round of conflict and lack of progress, which reflects poorly on Mpls.
The piece below provides the renderings.
*The mass and scale, for THIS site, seems really awful, ( near ridiculous) and lacking any sensitivity, imo.
https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/city-staff-forward-minnesota-agape-movement-to-develop-peoples-way-site-george-floyd-square/
Even if the city council approves Agape, I have serious doubts they could raise the money needed.
Agree, the project is simply too large, as envisioned by Agape, in monies needed now, or in the future, to keep it afloat, IF it were to start to fail, and it is too large in mass and scale. Restraint is needed, out of respect for all parties.
❣️ Still have love for Mayor Frey and Agape.
https://www.facebook.com/JacobFreyForMpls/videos/love-is-love-in-minneapolis/1388743672356633/
Why was the contract not put out for bids?
A group called Rise & Remember also submitted a bid. Their idea was for a much less expensive garden memorial. Two other groups dropped because they couldn’t see an economically viable path forward.
Yes, and they will have two years to figure out what to do with the space and the right to purchase.
The Star Tribune article linked in the post gives more background. This appears to me to be not so much a contract as the rights to develop.
If you are able to speak with the RFP manager I would be very interested to hear more. On it's face I'm of the same opinion, this seems like a dubious choice.
I represented the Minneapolis Redevelopment Authority and nobody got two years. They committed to a concept—— a firm commitment. I recall a car dealership. We were tough on the concept—- no flags, banners, etc
A garden memorial is not a commercial use. I am by no means against a memorial but the City must follow land use law.
There is a statute covering redevelopment sales. There must be an appraisal and the sale at fair market value. If the City is not using the Redevelopment Redevelopment Authority, there are other legal issues.
Should add that the property is zoned commercial. What does Agape know about that?
I know the people in the Agape Movement. They are fantastic! They are well connected with the community and have been there since the beginning. Please don't write them off. They are one of the primary reasons that the square is open today.
There is a reason that the city staff, who I have also talked with, chose Agape. Agape is about building community and working together across differences. In fact, some are involved in both Agape and Rise and Remember, two of the groups that submitted a plan. Agape is also connected with the businesses.
George Floyd Square is a raw community who know each other and care deeply for each other even though groups disagree. Don't count them out, get to know them. They are some of my favorite people in the world.
I'm encouraged that the city selected them! They are peacemakers at heart. They talk to people from around the world on a daily basis. I think they could lead well here. Is a good website the criteria? What better expertise can you have than being on the ground daily listening to stories?
This is not a rogue group that doesn't care about what happened. Go to the square and you'll see them walking around, leading writing groups, teaching kids how to play chess, holding community discussions, and attending each other's weddings. It's all about the community.
They have challenged me to be a better person and to become a part of what is happening. I'm happy to stand behind them. The city made a great choice!