Complete the form below to send a letter in Opposition to a Proposed Emergency Shelter at 1801 Nicollet to your Government Representatives
The Eat Street corridor and surrounding neighborhood have been through an extraordinarily challenging past four years. Between COVID-19, civil unrest, increased crime and ongoing drug dealing, the businesses on Eat Street have been–and continue to be– faced with significant obstacles. This exacerbated stress has led to many business owners closing their doors, while others remain in a highly-vulnerable state of recovery. While we are resilient, another hurdle emerges that poses to jeopardize the viability of our community.
A proposal has been submitted for a conditional use permit to establish an emergency shelter on the site of 1801 Nicollet Ave.
An emergency homeless shelter is slated to open at 1801 Nicollet Ave. A conditional permit is set to be approved for a “recuperative care” facility that aims to provide temporary shelter—for up to 60 days—for unhoused individuals needing short-term medical care for physical, behavioral, and social needs. Their “clients” will be free come and go as they please between the hours of 5am-10pm. The hearing for this permit will take place on Monday, August 12th, at 4:30 pm.
Neighboring businesses and residents strongly oppose of this permit application and proposal to establish an emergency shelter at 1801 Nicollet Ave, and are asking the City to deny the request for a conditional use permit for the following reasons:
• The Building is Not Properly Suited for an Emergency Shelter
The tenant is requesting a conditional use permit to establish the shelter at this proposed location. Approval of this permit threatens the integrity of urban planning and would result in a use that is incompatible with the surrounding neighborhood. The building is not designed for an emergency shelter and would be operated by a fly-by-night for-profit operator. This application must be thoughtfully considered and not simply rubber stamped. Once the building receives the conditional use permit, it stays with the building, meaning that similar services could occupy the space after this tenant leaves, or the tenant could provide additional/similar services under this permit.
• Concern for Comfort and Safety of Residents in the Existing Neighborhood and the Project
The proposed site for Accord Health Services LLC homeless shelter is in close proximity to neighboring apartments and condos, which exacerbates safety concerns for those living in the area. Property managers and residents already deal with the impacts of the homeless population including constant break-ins, drug use, mental health issues, public urination, panhandling and other issues the clientele for this business bring. The building itself is designed as a rooming house with a ratio of eight (8) beds to one shower/bathroom. This is an exploitative business model that seeks to profit from the unhoused by warehousing up to sixty four (64) residents on two floors of this office building. As proposed, there are very limited resources or amenities for the residents.
• Economic and Social Stability
Recent investments have included more than $50 million in multifamily housing and the project will discourage future investment. Situating the shelter in our commercial corridor will disrupt local businesses and economic activities due to increased foot traffic and potential disturbances from
individuals with medical and behavioral conditions that businesses and customers are not trained to support. Local businesses are already dealing with massive unaddressed epidemic of drug dealers and gang related shootings at his exact location that the Minneapolis Police Department had designated as a “hot spot”. Bringing an additional 64 vulnerable unhoused population close to drug dealers will result in further exploitation of those individuals and erosion of the community stability.
• Positive Community and Connectedness
Community support is crucial for the success of an emergency unhoused shelter, and a well-placed facility is more likely to receive this support and give our unhoused the wrap-around services they need to succeed. Exposure to a high traffic and visible commercial corridor would compromise the privacy and safety for our most vulnerable and unhoused citizens, working against the success of a program designed to change behavior patterns. Establishing the shelter in an area meant for such purposes can help build positive relations with the community, avoiding potential conflicts or opposition from residents, and alleviate concerns for public safety on city streets.
• Approving the conditional use permit is in direct opposition to 2040 Plan Policy 46 for Healthy Housing, including weighing the needs of populations nearby.
f. Establish healthy homes priorities, weighing both the housing needs and the amount of vulnerable populations that reside nearby.
This area already has an overconcentration of housing that serves vulnerable populations. This includes the Micah House two blocks to the north, which draws a large homeless population; the Groveland Emergency Food Shelf one block to the south; and MAC-V, which operates a 30-unit apartment building that serves homeless veterans directly across the street from 1801 Nicollet Ave. See map below. This overconcentration not only places a disproportionate burden on public services in the immediate vicinity, but fails to provide the necessary support to the residents of the project.
What Can I Do?
- Take action now and fill out the form below.
- Write a personal letter to the City Planning Commission to share your concerns: Lindsey.Silas@minneapolismn.gov
- Join us on August 12th at 4:30 pm in Room 350 of the Public Service Center.
Take Action Now!
Now is the time to share your input on 1801 Nicollet Ave. Send letters now to your government officials and decision makers. Enter your address and contact info below to start and then proceed to the email section.