Title
Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Sale and Conveyance of a Vacant Lot at 77 Congress Street East, to Iglesia Ni Christo Church, in West Side, District 3, Ward 2
Body
WHEREAS, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota (“HRA”) is a public body corporate and politic organized, existing, and operating under the laws of the State of Minnesota, Minn. Stat. Sec. 469.001, et seq. (the “Act”); and
WHEREAS, the HRA has the power to engage in development and redevelopment activities under the Act, and is authorized to create redevelopment projects as defined in the Act, and said activities include but are not limited to: (a) providing adequate, safe and sanitary dwellings, remedying housing shortages for low and moderate income residents, and providing housing for persons of all incomes through housing projects and development, (b) removing and preventing blight or deterioration, (c) bringing substandard buildings and improvements into compliance with public standards, (d) performing duties according to the comprehensive plan, (e) disposing of land for private redevelopment, and (f) improving the tax base and the financial stability of the community; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, the HRA acquired property located at 77 Congress Street East (the “Property”), in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with the legal description of: that part of Lots 3 and 4, Block 53, West St. Paul, described as follows: Commencing at the Southeast corner of Lot 4; thence Northwesterly along the Southwesterly line of Concord Street 100 feet; thence Southerly to a point on the South line of Lot 4, 100 feet West of the Southeast corner thereof; thence East along said South line of said Lot 4, 100 feet to beginning, excepting that part thereof taken for opening of Livingston Avenue; and
WHEREAS, there has been no public interest, inquires, or applications to purchase or develop the Property, it has been available online for public purchase, it is unlikely to be used for housing or commercial development, and significant time has been spent negotiating terms of the purchase including the buyer will pay for full market value of $24,500 in addition to allowing restrictions and covenants and it is unlikely any other offers will compare, and therefore the early notification system (“ENS”) requirements under the Vacant Lot Sales Policy and Disposition Policy are waived for this transaction; and
WHEREAS, the HRA proposes to sell and convey the Property to adjacent property owner Iglesia Ni Cristo church in accordance with terms described in the staff report and as substantially provided for in the draft purchase agreement attached thereto; and
WHEREAS, the notice of sale and notice of public hearing was published in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press on November 29, 2025; and a public hearing was held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 2:00 pm on the third floor of City Hall, 15 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, by this resolution the Board of Commissioners of the HRA finds a public purpose for the conveyance of the Property; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota:
1. the HRA hereby approves and authorizes the sale and conveyance of 77 Congress Street to Iglesia Ni Cristo for a fair market value of $24,500 in accordance with the terms in the staff report and attached documents.
2. the HRA hereby approves and authorizes entering into a Purchase Agreement with Iglesia Ni Cristo consistent with applicable requirements and terms as substantially contained in the draft provided with the staff report.
3. the HRA Board approves and authorizes waiver of the early notification system requirement of the disposition policies for posting the intended sale for the reasons specified in the staff report.
4. that the HRA hereby approves and authorizes staff, under the direction of the Executive Director, to take all actions necessary to carry out the activities authorized by this Resolution, including finalizing all documents and agreements necessary to effectuate the activities to be undertaken by this Resolution, subject to approval by the City Attorney’s Office.
5. subject to approval by the City Attorney’s Office and pursuant to applicable ordinances and bylaws, the only signature that shall be required on documents in connection with this Resolution is that of the Executive Director who is hereby approved and authorized to execute all said documents and instruments, which shall be sufficient to bind the HRA to any legal obligations therein.
6. that this Resolution does not constitute a binding legal agreement; rather, the action taken herein shall not be effective until said documents are executed by the appropriate official(s) of the HRA.