On May 28, the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization convened a “roundtable” meeting of 6 prospective real estate developers, along with City of Minneapolis and school district officials, to discuss redevelopment scenarios for 2225 East Lake Street.

CNO staff and volunteers have been working hard to foster the best possible redevelopment of 2225 East Lake, the former home of Anishinabe Academy and the home for 6+ seasons of the Midtown Farmers’ Market. The 6.5 acre property, which Minneapolis Public Schools plans to sell this year, is the cornerstone of the redevelopment vision shared by the neighborhood and the City of Minneapolis. Given its size and location at the crossroads of light rail transit and Lake Street, the site is also widely viewed as the best opportunity for high quality transit-oriented development in Minneapolis.

At a March 10 meeting of lawmakers convened by CNO, a City of Minneapolis official stated there were 2 known developers interested in the property. CNO has since worked with lawmakers to explore public funding opportunities, while developing relationships with 9 prospective development partners.

"With help from elected officials, we’re also exploring land banking and bonding, which could work alone or in concert with a private developer," said Eric Lindberg, chair of CNO’s Land Use & Transportation committee. "We’re leaving no stone unturned."

At the May 28 roundtable meeting, CNO staff presented an overview of the Corcoran Midtown Revival Plan to developers. Adopted by the City Council as part of the Minneapolis Plan in 2002, the Plan calls for a mix of housing and retail that take advantage of light rail transit, structured or below-grade parking, and public space including a farmers' market at 2225 East Lake Street.

CNO also shared and received feedback from the developers on two concept plans for integrating a farmers' market into the redevelopment of 2225 East Lake, in a shared-use arrangement rather than “shoehorned” into a separate space. These concept plans are based on transit-oriented precedents in Oakland, California and elsewhere, which the Land Use & Transportation committee has been researching.

Roundtable attendees discussed the need for a mix of housing that reflect the neighborhood, and which might include opportunities for families, seniors, renters, homeowners, and those who depend more on transit. Developers agreed there is a need for public space to support the new housing, and that the Midtown Farmers’ Market, the Midtown YWCA, and the Midtown Greenway help create an attractive family environment. Parking was a major topic of conversation, and was identified as perhaps the most challenging component of the development. CNO is planning follow-up meetings with these developers and others to continue the conversations.

The Midtown Farmers’ Market, a project of CNO, will dedicate its 2009 season to Minneapolis Public Schools. Thanks to the generosity of MPS, the Market has enjoyed use of 2225 East Lake since opening in 2003. Earlier this year, MPS announced that Anishinabe Academy, the current school program at 2225 East Lake, will be relocated in 2009 and the property sold. MPS has given assurances to CNO that the Market's lease will be honored for the full May through October 2009 season. The Market operates from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays starting in July.

To get involved in the Land Use & Transportation committee, please contact Eric Gustafson at CNO. To get involved with the Midtown Farmers’ Market, please contact market manager David Nicholson.

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