Title
Resolution approving and authorizing a seven-year (7) license agreement to Young Adult Koinonia, d/b/a Safe City Project, for temporary use of an HRA-owned parcel located at 625 Dale Avenue North, District 7, Ward 1
Body
WHEREAS, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota (the “HRA”) is a public body corporate and politic established pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Section 469.001, et seq. (the “Act”); and
WHEREAS, the HRA has the power to engage in development or redevelopment activities under Minnesota law and the HRA is authorized to engage in activities relating to (a) housing projects and development, (b) removal and prevention of the spread of conditions of blight or deterioration, (c) bringing substandard buildings and improvements into compliance with public standards, (d) disposition of land for private redevelopment, and (e) improving the tax base and the financial stability of the community, and to engage in the aforementioned activities
when these needs cannot be met through reliance solely upon private initiative and which can also be undertaken in targeted neighborhoods; and is authorized to create redevelopment projects as defined in Minnesota Statutes, Section 469.002, Subdivision 14; and
WHEREAS, the HRA presently owns a vacant parcel of land located at 625 Dale Street North (the “Property”); and
WHEREAS, the HRA acquired the property in 2008 and demolished a funeral home on the Property in anticipation for future development; and
WHEREAS, since 2019 the Property has been leased through annual garden license agreements as a community garden to the Safe City Project (“Safe City”), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a safe, sober community for young adults and at-risk teens; and
WHEREAS, Safe City has requested a seven-year license for the use of the Property for continued community gardening activities, food security initiatives, and an expanded vision called “Lily Pad” that includes a hydroponic tree nursery to support increasing the Frogtown neighborhood tree canopy, engaging at risk youth; and
WHEREAS, the HRA board supports Safe City’s interim use of the Property and the expanded Lily Pad vision, and supports a seven-year license agreement with Safe City consistent with the terms and conditions described in the staff report;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota that:
1. The HRA Board of Commissioners hereby approves a temporary license to Young Adult Koinonia, d/b/a Safe City Project, with the terms and conditions described in the staff report.
2. The HRA Executive Director is authorized to finalize all documents and agreements necessary to effectuate the license granted to Young Adult Koinonia, d/b/a Safe City Project.
3. The HRA Executive Director, staff, and legal counsel for the HRA are further authorized to take all actions necessary to implement this Resolution. The HRA’s Executive Director and staff are specifically authorized to execute any documents and instruments in connection with this Resolution.