Harrison Neighborhood Association

Bassett Creek Valley CBA Facts -updated

Background: The Harrison Neighborhood Association and Northside residents have been working for over a decade to ensure that the redevelopment of Basset Creek Valley will provide quality affordable housing, living wage jobs, avoid displacement, and build community assets that will directly benefit the current residents. The City of Minneapolis has selected Ryan Companies, which is one of the largest developers in the state, to redevelop 56 acres of public land and is requesting over $70 million in public subsidy. Currently, Ryan Companies is seeking “tentative exclusive development rights” from the City of Minneapolis, which is a precursor to full development rights.

Who is the Harrison Neighborhood Association? HNA is a resident driven Northside Neighborhood Group that represents the people of Harrison. Harrison has over 4,100 residents; 38% African American; nearly 30% Southeast Asian; and just over 20% people of European descent. The median household income for a family is $21,000 a year.

What is the vision of the Harrison Neighborhood Association? We are creating a prosperous and peaceful community that equitably benefits all of Harrison neighborhood’s diverse racial, cultural, and economic groups. We will combat racism and other forms of oppression by establishing an environment of stewardship where all individuals can participate through shared power and mutual accountability.

Location of Bassett Creek Valley? The area is in the Southeast corner of North Minneapolis next to Downtown. Boundaries include West – Cedar Lake Road, East – I-94, North – Heritage Park, and South – I-394. The area is mainly industrial. Bassett Creek Valley is 230 acres of land that includes homes, private business, and over 100 acres of public land that includes the impound lot and Linden Yards. The proposed development will be located on portions of the City of Minneapolis Impound Lot and Linden Yards East and West.

Development Projections? The proposed development by Ryan Companies is a $220 million redevelopment creating 1,400 units of housing, and as much as 3 million square feet of office tower space over the next 15 years. It is proposed that over $60 million of public subsidy would come in the form of Tax Increment Financing (TIF).

What are the goals of the Bassett Creek Valley CBA? 1) benefit existing Harrison residents; 2) create job opportunities through the redevelopment process that employs and develops the skills of North Minneapolis residents; 3) avoid the displacement of current low-income residents by creating new and preserving existing affordable housing units; 4) guarantee meaningful involvement of community through all stages of development by creating a cooperative partnership to redeveloping the Bassett Creek Valley.

BCV CBA Fact Sheet – updated – pg 2

What is a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA)? A Community Benefits Agreement or “CBA” is a legally enforceable contract, setting forth a range of community benefits, that the developer(s) agrees to provide as part of a development project and is signed by community groups and the developer.* It is made in exchange for support by the community group(s) and other negotiated considerations. This helps all parties to be on the same page throughout the process. Other cities (i.e. Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Denver, etc), have attached community benefits agreements between all parties making development more successful, profitable, and strengthened community economic development for the neighborhoods in question.

What are asking of Allies and supportive Community Groups?

We are asking that allies and supporters send the following message to their City Council Members in letters, postcards, phone calls, and in any meetings.

Message: The proposed redevelopment will harm the community if there is not a STRONG COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT signed between the developer and the Harrison Neighborhood Association. Also, the proposed Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District needs to include the entire Bassett Creek Valley to ensure a holistic and equitable redevelopment of Bassett Creek Valley. Development for the sake of development is not enough. The long term health of the City depends on development directing benefiting residents.

Sample Letter                                                                                         

Council Member Name

350 South 5^th Street

City Hall, RM 307

Minneapolis, MN 55415

 

Council Member Name:

 

I live in your Ward and I am asking that you take special effort to ensure that all development directly and concretely benefits community by reducing racial and economic disparities. I am asking that you support efforts like that of Northside residents and Harrison Neighborhood Association to secure a legally binding agreement in the form of a Community Benefits Agreement with Ryan Companies regarding the redevelopment of Bassett Creek Valley.

 

Currently, Ryan Companies is proposing a $220 million redevelopment in Bassett Creek Valley that will require nearly $70 million in public subsidy. Developments of this size can harm and displace vulnerable communities. That is why a strong Community Benefits Agreement negotiated and agreed to between the community and the developer is absolutely necessary.

 

Your support and advocacy in City Hall can help make development more equitable and reduce entrenched racial disparities.

 

Sincerely,

Community Member

Address