along the freeway wall at Hiawatha and Franklin.
The City has been working to assist these families and I have very involved as
Chair of our Housing Committee. The Committee members learned more about this
and provided direction to City Staff at our last meeting, which you can learn
more about here: https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/MarkedAgenda/HPD/597
One of the things we asked them to do was develop an implementation plan for a
City Navigation Center (or Centers) to provide emergency transitional services
to address the immediate needs of the residents of the Hiawatha encampment. It
should include low-barrier access to emergency beds, basic healthcare, and
other support services.
I wanted you all to know that a location in Seward, at 2600 Minnehaha Avenue,
is being considered as a possible location for such a Center. While I am
concerned about the challenges this will pose to our community and to the City
government, and realize that it is an extraordinary thing for the City
government, and a neighborhood, to take one, I am supportive I am also
supportive of giving the parcel at 2600 Minnehaha full consideration as the
site of the proposed Navigation Center.
I think that it has the potential to provide safe, clean, temporary housing
with services for those at the Hiawatha encampment who need it. It is owned by
the City and there are no current plans for it, making it a viable option for
this urgent short-term need. I realize that there will be questions and
concerns about the location from a variety of perspectives, including from
future users of the center, and from nearby property owners and residents. I
take those concerns seriously and, if 2600 turns out to be an approved site, I
am committed to working to address and mitigate those concerns and incorporate
them into the Centerâs plans, budget, design and operation.
I also think that the nearby neighbors, and the people of Seward recognize, as
I do, that the need to provide safe, warm shelter for those experiencing
homelessness is real. I have heard from a lot of Seward business owners and
residents already with questions about this encampment. They ask: what is the
City doing to help? Are we doing enough? How can we help? If 2600 Minnehaha
becomes the approved location for Center, I believe that the people of Seward
will understand and be supportive. I believe that we will be ready and willing
to welcome these families into our community in order to help them and their
families get on the path to more stable housing and better lives. Seward is a
welcoming community and I am hopeful that there will be a long list of friends
and neighbors joining me, and others from throughout the City, to ensure that
we provide this urgently-needed help to our neighbors who are experiencing
homelessness without having the negative impacts that some are worrying about.
This Thursday, at the Council Meeting of our Committee of the Whole at 1:30 we
will hear the staffâs recommendation about the Navigation Center(s). I am sure
that the Council will discuss the matter then and I am hoping that we identify
the location or locations and authorize moving forward quickly. As we enter
Fall, cold weather will become more and more of a problem for all of those who
are living out of doors.
Now, and after the decisions is made this week, I will welcome your questions,
ideas, recommendations and, if 2600 is chosen as a Center location, your help
and support making this work.
Yours, in peace and cooperation,