Title
Resolution approving the acquisition of 415 Clarence Street and the relocation of its contract for deed holder, 415 Clarence St, District 4, Ward 7
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 when needs cannot be met through reliance solely upon private initiative, which can also be undertaken in targeted neighborhoods, 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 Spring 2023 construction of Metro Transit’s Gold Line, a ten-mile bus rapid transit (BRT) line running between downtown Saint Paul and Woodbury along the north side of Interstate 94, began, with transit service scheduled to start in March 2025; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council’s construction of the Gold Line’s Etna Station and dedicated bus lane have adversely impacted the property at 415 Clarence St (“the property”) and its contract for deed owner by creating consistent disturbances throughout construction, by removing the naturalistic barriers that previously separated the private property from the freeway corridor, and by reducin...
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