HomeMy WebLinkAboutMetropolitan Livable Comm Act Action Plan 1996 Metropolitan Livable
Communities Act
Action Plan
for the
City of Brooklyn Center
June 18, 1996
Prepared by: The City of Brooklyn Center
6301 Shingle Creek Parkway
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
Telephone (612) 569-3300
Metropolitan Livable Communities Act
Action Plan
Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................. 1
Existing Housing in the City of Brooklyn Center ..................................................... 1
City of Brooklyn Center Housing Assistance Programs .............................................4
-Affordable Financing for Home Buyers.................................................... 4
.Rental Assistance Programs/Section 8 Certificate and Voucher Program ........... 4
Housing Development Programs .........................................................................5
-Programs for Acquisition and Rehabilitation of Multi-Family Housing.............. 5
Single-Family Development Programs ..................................................................6
-Scattered Site Acquisition and Redevelopment Program ................................ 6
-Habitat for Humanity........................................................................... 6
Housing Maintenance and Rehabilitation Programs ........................................... 6
-Building Maintenance Code .................................................................. 6
-Rental Licensing Ordinance .................................................................. 6
-Community Development Block Grant Housing Rehabilitation Program ............ 7
-Household Outside Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E.) Program.............. 7
-Association of Rental Managers (A.R.M.) ................................................ 7
Current and Future Housing Needs......................................................................8
-Affordability of Housing for Current and Future Residents ............................ 8
-Analysis of Affordable Rental Housing in Brooklyn Center............................ 8
-Analysis of Affordable Owner-Occupied Housing in Brooklyn Center .............. 8
-Current Mix of Housing and Potential Land Available for Housing .................. 9
-Comparison of Brooklyn Center's Housing Position
with Regard to Neighboring Communities.................................................. 9
City of Brooklyn Center Housing Goals .............................................................. 10
-Single-Family Development ................................................................ 10
-Habitat for Humanity ........................................................................ 10
-Single-Family Housing Assistance Programs ........................................... 11
.Single-Family and Neighborhood Rehabilitation and Maintenance ................. 11
-Apartment Redevelopment and Maintenance ............................................ 12
-Multi-Family Acquisition and Redevelopment .......................................... 12
*Potential Housing Redevelopment Areas Currently Being Considered by the
City of Brooklyn Center ..................................................................... 12
TimeFrame .................................................................................. 13
-Administration ................................................................................ 13
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City of Brooklyn Center
Metropolitan livable Communities Act
Action Plan
Introduction
The Housing Goals Agreement approved by the Brooklyn Center City Council on December 14,
1995, was the first agreement required for participation in the Metropolitan Livable Communities
Act. The Livable Communities Act Action Plan is the second requirement for participation in the
Livable Communities Act program. The intent of the Action Plan is to create a plan for achieving
the housing goals set forth in the housing goals agreement. Brooklyn Center, like other first-ring
suburbs, already meets or exceeds all affordable housing goals established by the Metropolitan
Livable Communities Act since the majority of the city's housing is defined as affordable by the
standards established by the Act.
The Action Plan needed by the City of Brooklyn Center is one that maintains the existing housing
stock while also focusing on redevelopment activities to further enhance the city's housing stock.
Existing Housing in the City of Brooklyn Center
One of the primary goals of the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act is to provide a mechanism
whereby each community in the seven county metropolitan area addresses the issue of affordable
housing. The mechanism for accomplishing this goal is a negotiated agreement (housing goals
agreement) between the Metropolitan Council and metropolitan communities setting goals for
affordable housing in each community.
The definition of affordability used by the Metropolitan Council is based on a percentage of a
family's income dedicated to housing. If the cost of a housing unit, either owner-occupied or
rental, represents no more than 30% of a family's income, then it is considered affordable by the
Metropolitan Council. The single-family home ownership affordability level of$115,000 is based
on an 80% of median income for a family of four, which is approximately $41,600 based on the
most current Minneapolis/St. Paul median income guidelines set in 1995. The rental affordability
amount is based on a 50% of median income for a family of four, which in 1990 was
approximately $20,000, or an affordability of $500 per month in rent. Currently, in 1996 this
amount would be approximately $27,300 in household income and $683 per month for an
affordable rent.
The following pages are a summary of housing statistical information providing a profile of
housing and related items in the city of Brooklyn Center:
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Population Characteristics
Total Population 28,887 (1990 census)
31,230 1980 census
28,533 1995 estimate
29,000 2000 projected
30,500 2010 projected
Age Distribution (1990 census)
Median age 33.7
0-5 2,597
6-14 3,264
15-18 1,382
19-29 5,270
30-44 6,408
45-64 6,420
65-84 3,261
85+ 285
Total 28,887 (1990 census)> —J
Type of Housing (1996 City Assessor Records)
7,380 Single-family homes'
629 Townhomes
126 Condominium units
108 Duplex units
9 Triplex units
3,225 Apartment units
11,,477 1 Total
'Of this total, 7,183 are homestead and 197 are non-homestead properties.
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Single Family 1995 Market Values
1995 Market Value Range No. of Single-Family Homes
Under $40,000 72
$40,000 to $60,000 415
$60,001 to $80,000 5,329
$80,001 to $90,000 1,074
$90,001 and over 490
TotaP 7,380
Age of Housing (1990 Census)
Date of Construction No. Units Percentage
1939 and earlier 329 2.8
1940 to 1949 611 5.2
1950 to 1959 4,729 40.4
1960 to 1969 2,999 25.6
1970 to 1979 2,032 17.4
1980 to 1989 1,013 1 8.6
Tota13J 11,713
The summary profile of Brooklyn Center is of a community that experienced its greatest growth
in single-family development in the 1950's, and with the greatest multi-family growth occurring
in the 1960's and early-1970's.
Brooklyn Center is a community positioned to attract a great number of first-time home buyers
with affordable single-family homes.
While attracting young first-time buyers, Brooklyn Center is also home to a significant and
growing elderly population.
'It should be noted that the total number of housing units in the table may vary slightly since the information is
extracted from different tax bases.
'It should be noted that the total number of housing units in the table may vary slightly since the information is
extracted from different tax bases.
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City of Brooklyn Center Housing Assistance Programs
Affordable Financing for Home Buyers
The City of Brooklyn Center has participated in the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency's
(MHFA's) Minnesota City Participation Program (MCPP) since 1992. The MCPP is a program
designed to provide below market rate mortgages to qualified home buyers. Since 1992, the City
of Brooklyn Center has provided over 110 mortgage loans under this program.
The City anticipates a continued strong demand for this program in the future, as indicated by the
following information:
♦ The house price limit for the MCPP is $95,000 for a single-family home. Over 90% of the
single-family homes in the city of Brooklyn Center are valued within the price range eligible
for the MCPP.
♦ Real estate sales in the city of Brooklyn Center currently average approximately 350 homes
per year with an average $81,418 sale price. The source of this real estate sales data is from
the city's assessing department and is based on actual single-family home sales as recorded by
Hennepin County.
♦ Data on the age of the city's population shows that over 24% of Brooklyn Center's population
is 55 or over, which is an indication that many of these people will be "turning over" their
houses as many change to other living arrangements.
In addition to the MCPP, first-time buyers can also obtain below market rate loans from the
Minnesota Mortgage Program (MMP). The MMP is also offered by local lenders on behalf of
the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA). Some of the major differences between the
MCPP and MMP is a lower house price limit for the MMP ($85,000) and a lower income
eligibility ($34,500 for the MMP versus $43,000 for the MCPP).
In 1994, 94 first-time buyer mortgage loans were made under the MMP in Brooklyn Center for
a total dollar amount of$6.3 million. In 1995, the MMP created 65 loans for $4.5 million.
Rental Assistance Programs/Section 8 Certificate and Voucher Program
While the City of Brooklyn Center does not directly fund rent assistance programs, these
programs are available to persons and families in Brooklyn Center. The primary rent assistance
program is provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the
Section 8 rental assistance program.
Presently, there are approximately 350 households with Section 8 certificates or vouchers in the
city of Brooklyn Center. With Section 8 vouchers and certificates, renters pay approximately
30% of their household income for monthly rent with the federal Section 8 program making up
the difference in market rents.
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In addition to the voucher and certificate program, rental assistance is also provided in the form
of project-based Section 8 assistance where the rent assistance goes with the unit (project) rather
than an individual, hence the term "project-based" assistance. Presently, there are over 200
project-based Section 8 rental units in four separate complexes in the city.
Housing Development Programs
Programs for Acquisition and Rehabilitation of Multi-Family Housing
The total number of apartment units in the city of Brooklyn Center is approximately 3,225. In
the past three years, the following acquisition and rehabilitation projects have been undertaken on
a significant portion of the city's multi-family housing.
♦ Unity Place (5300-5441 Ponds Drive). In 1993, the City of Brooklyn Center approved the
issuance of $5.3 million in housing revenue bonds for the acquisition and rehabilitation of
Unity Place. The issuance of the housing revenue bonds provided for the continuation and
preservation of this affordable rental property in the city of Brooklyn Center.
Unity Place is a 112-unit Section 8 project-based townhouse development. With the 1993
acquisition, the project is now a leasehold cooperative. The leasehold cooperative approach
to rental housing provides that the cooperative association and governing board are comprised
of residents of the project and that the members of the cooperative can materially participate
in the management of the property, including establishing budgets, screening prospective
tenants, hiring and supervising a management agent, and other day-to-day management-related
functions. The cooperative's participation in the management of the project is regulated by
a lease between the owner and the cooperative.
A minimum of 40% of the cooperative members must have incomes at or less than 60% of the
area median gross income, as determined by the Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD).
♦ Summerchase Apartments (2802-2840 Northway Drive). In 1994 and 1995, the Brooklyn
Center City Council issued $9.7 million in housing revenue bonds for the acquisition and
rehabilitation of 252 apartment units. This project provided over $2,000,000 for rehabilitation
of this apartment complex. As required by IRS regulations for housing revenue bond
financing, 40% of the residents of this project must have incomes which are no greater than
60% of the area median income. With the issuance of the housing revenue bonds, the City
of Brooklyn Center assisted in the preservation of affordable rental housing in this project.
♦ Twin Lakes Manor is a 310-unit project with 308 one-bedroom and two efficiency apartments.
The City of Brooklyn Center supported the buyer of this property in his application for
funding under the federal HOME program. The buyer of Twin Lakes Manor was awarded
$700,000 in HOME funds which provided funding for the rehabilitation of one of the 12
buildings in the project and ultimately the creation of ten affordable HOME units in the
project. The remainder of the acquisition and rehabilitation of this property was funded
privately.
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The acquisition and rehabilitation of these three properties represents a total of 674 units,
or more than 20% of the total apartment units in the city.
Single-Family Development Programs
Scattered Site Acquisition and Redevelopment Program
The City of Brooklyn Center, through the Brooklyn Center Economic Development Authority,
conducts a scattered site acquisition program to acquire blighted and deteriorated single-family
properties and market the lots for redevelopment of single-family homes. The EDA has acquired
13 properties under this program, nine of which have been redeveloped with new homes. All of
these homes have either sold for or are for sale for less than the $115,000 affordability level set
for single-family homes under the Livable Communities Act.
The City anticipates continuing its scattered site acquisition and redevelopment program, removing
blighted properties and redeveloping the lots.
Habitat for Humanity
Since 1992, the Brooklyn Center EDA has worked with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity to
develop three new single-family homes on lots acquired and cleared by the Brooklyn Center EDA.
The Brooklyn Center EDA anticipates continuing its relationship with Twin Cities Habitat for
Humanity in the future.
Housing Maintenance and Rehabilitation Programs
Building Maintenance Code
The City of Brooklyn Center was one of the first cities in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan
area to adopt a building maintenance code. The city's building maintenance code was adopted in
1975 and was designed to protect the character and stability of all buildings and property within
the city, to correct and prevent conditions that adversely affect the welfare of city residents and
neighborhoods, to provide minimum standards for maintenance of existing buildings, and to
preserve the value of land and buildings throughout the city.
The building maintenance code provides a mechanism to establish and enforce neighborhood and
community standards for the maintenance of the city's housing stock.
Rental Licensing Ordinance
In 1975, the City of Brooklyn Center adopted a rental licensing ordinance designed to provide for
the continued maintenance and upkeep of all rental property in the city of Brooklyn Center. By
requiring bi-annual licensing of all rental property in the city, the City of Brooklyn Center is able
to assure a minimum standard of maintenance and upkeep of rental property, thereby helping to
preserve the rental housing stock and providing decent, safe and sanitary housing for residents.
Since the majority of rental housing in the city is affordable, the City's rental licensing ordinance
is directly assisting in the preservation of affordable housing in the city of Brooklyn Center.
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Community Development Block Grant Housing Rehabilitation Program
Since 1979, the City of Brooklyn Center has offered a rehabilitation deferred loan program
providing persons of low and moderate income a means to make needed repairs to their homes.
Over 230 homes have been rehabilitated under the program since 1979. Over 50% of the 230
rehabilitation projects were completed in the city's southeast neighborhood, which is the city's
oldest and most affordable neighborhood. The deferred loans were awarded to persons and
families at 60% of median income or less.
The types of improvements done under this program are repairs or replacement of major systems
in single-family or duplex homes, including plumbing, electrical, mechanical systems, windows,
doors, ventilation, exterior, roofing, insulation and numerous other repairs.
Household Outside Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E.) Program
The H.O.M.E. program, funded with CDBG dollars, provides persons 60 years of age or older
or who are permanently disabled, with reduced cost home repair services.
The types of repairs done under the H.O.M.E. program include interior and exterior painting,
minor home repair including minor carpentry and masonry repair, and installation of grab bars
for senior citizens.
The H.O.M.E. program is operated by Senior Community Services, a non-profit organization
specifically equipped to work with older homeowners. The Senior Community Services staff have
the necessary skills and techniques for working with older persons, and part of the philosophy of
the program is to maintain independence for elderly living in single-family homes by providing
a reasonable access to repair services for elderly clients.
The H.O.M.E. program has been in place since 1992 and assists 15 to 20 households per year.
Association of Rental Managers (A.R.M.)
In 1992, the Brooklyn Center Association of Rental Managers was formed to address housing
issues in the apartment community. The goal of the Association of Rental Managers is to improve
the apartment communities in the city by providing information and education to apartment
managers and owners to aid in their professional development and awareness of opportunities for
improving the management of their properties.
Additionally, the Association of Rental Managers in Brooklyn Center has enhanced
communication between property managers in the city and with City of Brooklyn Center elected
officials and staff. The organization is a cooperative effort between the City and property
managers to address problems in the rental community and to enhance the quality of rental
property in the city.
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Current and Future Housing Needs
Affordability of Housing for Current and Future Residents
The majority of Brooklyn Center's housing stock, both single-family and rental, is affordable
under the Livable Communities Act definition. Additionally, the rents in Brooklyn Center are
affordable when compared to current Section 8 fair market rent limits.
The following table shows a comparison of estimated average rents for various sized units in
Brooklyn Center to current Section 8 fair market rents:
Analysis of Affordable Rental Housing in Brooklyn Center
The majority of Brooklyn Center's rental housing, when compared to Section 8 fair market
rents, is affordable. It is anticipated the rental housing market in Brooklyn Center will
continue to remain affordable, particularly since the majority of Brooklyn Center's rental
housing market is relatively older, with the majority of the city's rental housing being built in
the 1960's and early-1970's.
If Brooklyn Center rents are compared to the Metropolitan Council's standard of affordability,
the majority of the rental housing market in the city would also be classified as affordable.
The Metropolitan Council standard of affordability for rent is 30% of the 50% level of median
income. In other words, a rental unit is affordable if it costs no more than 30% of a person or
family earning 50% of area median income. With current median income levels, an affordable
rent under this calculation would be approximately $683 per month for a four-person
household.
No. of No. of Units Percentage Average Current Section 8
Bedrooms I I Rent Fair Market Rents 1996 '
Studio Units 48 1.4 408 369
One BR Units 1497 43.6 475 474
Two BR Units 1562 45.5 600 605
Three BR Units 328 9.5 735 820
Total 3,435 100%
Analysis of Affordable Owner-Occupied Housing in Brooklyn Center
The great majority of owner-occupied housing in Brooklyn Center is affordable, as defined by
the Livable Communities Act. The threshold for affordability under the Livable Communities
Act is $115,000 for a single-family home. There are approximately 117 single-family homes
in Brooklyn Center valued under $115,000.
The 1996 median assessed value for single-family homes in Brooklyn Center is $77,701. The
median sale price for single-family homes in Brooklyn Center is $81,418.
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With present and anticipated future market conditions, it is expected Brooklyn Center will
continue to be an affordable single-family home market.
Current Mix of Housing and Potential Land Available for Housing
Brooklyn Center is a fully developed suburb which experienced most of its development in the
1950's, 1960's and 1970's. Approximately 44% of the city's total land area is developed with
single-family detached homes. Townhomes and duplexes account for almost 1.5% of the city's
land area, and multi-family residential accounts for approximately 6%. The remainder of the
city's land area is comprised of commercial, industrial, public property (parks, etc.), utilities and
streets.
The current estimated amount of undeveloped land remaining in Brooklyn Center is less than 5%.
Most of this remaining undeveloped land is zoned commercial and industrial. There are no large
tracts of undeveloped land currently available for residential development. Consequently, the
creation of new housing in Brooklyn Center will be largely dependent on redevelopment activities.
Comparison of Brooklyn Center's Housing Position With Regard to
Neighboring Communities
Brooklyn Center, like its immediate neighbors Crystal, Robbinsdale, and parts of Brooklyn Park,
is comprised of older entry level homes in large part purchased by first-time home buyers. This
general profile also fits first and second ring suburbs in the metropolitan area such as Richfield,
St. Louis Park, West St. Paul, South St. Paul, etc. All these cities face the challenge of
maintaining a relatively older housing stock and addressing the needs of its elderly residents and
non-traditional households, including significant single parent and single adult households.
As evidenced by the number of Minnesota Mortgage Program and Minnesota City Participation
Program mortgage loans in Brooklyn Center, the city remains a strong entry level housing market.
Although some of its elements are becoming somewhat outdated, the city's major housing study
completed in 1989, "The Brooklyn Center Housing Market: A Study of Trends and Their Impact
on the Community" prepared by the Maxfield Research Group, Inc., is still relevant in addressing
Brooklyn Center's future housing needs. The Maxfield Study pointed out that "in order to remain
vital, Brooklyn Center will need to be able to compete with entry level homeowners, who may
find it more desirable to purchase a modest, but new home in areas such as Anoka, Champlin,
Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids or Maple Grove, where affordable newer starter homes are still
available."
In the overall assessment of Brooklyn Center's housing market, the city must recognize its
common challenges with its inner ring neighbors, but must also address its competition for
housing consumers coming from outer ring suburban areas.
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City of Brooklyn Center Housing Goals
Based on the information and programs discussed in the previous pages of this Action Plan,
the following activities, strategies and programs are proposed to address the goals set forth in
the Housing Goals Agreement between the City and the Metropolitan Council. It is anticipated
these activities, strategies and programs may be revised and reassessed from time to time as
their effectiveness is monitored and evaluated.
Single-Family Development
The City's major market analysis of housing in the city of Brooklyn Center, the Maxfield
Research Group market study, points out that the City of Brooklyn Center should "remove any
deteriorating housing, or housing in areas where the land could be better utilized, by buying
back homes as they come up for sale."
The Maxfield Study also states that "as a fully developed suburb, Brooklyn Center's potential
for additional household growth is constrained by lack of available land." Additionally, "the
number of new single-family homes built will be limited by the amount of land available for
this purpose. Brooklyn Center's positioning as a starter home community and the value of
homes precludes marketing of `executive homes'. Instead, new single-family homes should be
designed to complement existing housing, but with designs geared to today's lifestyles."
The City's goal for single-family redevelopment has followed the recommendations of the
Maxfield report, and the City has a program to replace blighted single-family homes with new
single-family development. While the newly developed homes are not "executive homes",
they are solidly above the median value for the neighborhood and serve as a means to enhance
the value of other homes in the neighborhood.
The Livable Communities Act itself focuses on the need for a mix of housing values, and in its
criteria and guidelines supports the efforts of communities that "involve development or
redevelopment that mixes incomes of residents in housing, including introducing or
reintroducing higher value housing in lower income areas to achieve a mix of housing
opportunities."
One of the goals of the City in the single-family redevelopment program is to assure new
homes built on city-acquired lots are constructed with materials and designs of high quality
which will help strengthen the neighborhood in which they are built. The City intends to
continue its single-family redevelopment program, promoting the construction of homes above
the median neighborhood value. In most neighborhoods, this would mean new homes priced
in the over-$100,000 range.
Habitat for Humanity
The City has already completed three single-family projects with Twin Cities Habitat for
Humanity, and anticipates future single-family home projects will be undertaken with Twin
Cities Habitat for Humanity.
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Single-Family Housing Assistance Programs
The City intends to continue participating in the Minnesota City Participation Program
(MCPP), the major first-time home buyer program available to cities in Minnesota.
Although the Minnesota Mortgage Program (MMP) does not require municipal participation, it
is anticipated first-time buyers will continue to access this program in Brooklyn Center.
The MCPP and MMP will continue to provide a means to first-time home buyers to access
Brooklyn Center's single-family home market.
Single-Family and Neighborhood Rehabilitation and Maintenance
♦ The City of Brooklyn Center intends to continue the Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) housing rehabilitation program for single-family owner-occupied homes. This
program will provide a means for low and moderate income persons and families to obtain
needed repairs on their homes. Although the demand for this program exceeds the
available funding, the single-family rehabilitation program will be available to rehabilitate
those homes where other options are not financially feasible.
♦ The City anticipates future continuation of the Household Outside Maintenance for the
Elderly (H.O.M.E.) program. For minor home repair and painting projects, the
H.O.M.E. program provides access to reliable and competent minor rehabilitation
assistance on a reduced fee basis. The City anticipates completing 15 to 20 projects per
year under this program. Hennepin County works with the City of Brooklyn Center in
developing programs for use of Community Development Block Grant funds. In 1996,
Hennepin County will begin to administer the city's housing rehabilitation program. In
addition to the CDBG rehabilitation program, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
offers its own rehabilitation loan programs, including the Fix Up Fund and home energy
loan programs.
♦ Hennepin County is currently looking at the possibility of becoming involved with the
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency's Fix Up Fund. The Fix Up Fund is a longstanding
MHFA program which provides up to $15,000 as a loan to homeowners to do a wide
variety of rehabilitation projects on their homes. Homeowners with incomes as high as
$43,000 can qualify for these loans, and the interest rates float between two and eight
percent, depending on income. These loans are intended for homeowners that can afford
to pay a loan and target a different population than is targeted with CDBG funds. If the
County includes the origination of Fix Up Funds as part of its overall rehabilitation
program, this will increase the range of rehabilitation services and potential customers in
Brooklyn Center.
♦ Time of Sale Ordinance. The City's Housing Commission is currently drafting a Time of
Sale inspection ordinance for all single-family housing in the city. The purpose of this
Time of Sale ordinance is to provide a means of encouraging the maintenance of the
existing housing stock.
In addition to the Time of Sale ordinance, the Housing Commission is recommending an
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educational component for homeowners to enable them to identify the key areas the Time
of Sale ordinance will address and to provide overall education to homeowners on proper
home maintenance.
♦ Building Maintenance Code Enforcement. The City will continue its enforcement of the
building maintenance code to address the overall appearance of the city's neighborhoods.
The exterior appearance of housing has an impact on neighborhood perception, and
subsequent value of properties in an area. Housing maintenance standards are an important
factor in overall neighborhood perception.
♦ Street Replacement Program. The City of Brooklyn Center has implemented a 20 year
street replacement and curb and gutter installation program which intends to replace aging
streets at a rate of four to five miles per year. There is a direct relationship between well-
maintained streets to housing values and positive neighborhood perception as emphasized
in the city's Maxfield Study.
Apartment Redevelopment and Maintenance
♦ Rental Inspection and Licensing Ordinance. The City of Brooklyn Center will continue
to administer and enforce its rental licensing ordinance to assist in maintaining the city's
rental housing stock. The City has dedicated a full-time housing inspector position whose
primary duty is to administer and enforce the rental inspection and licensing ordinance.
♦ Housing Revenue Bonds. The City of Brooklyn Center is prepared to assist in the
acquisition and rehabilitation of multi-family housing developments through the issuance of
housing revenue bonds. Prior to approving the issuance of revenue bonds, the project will
be evaluated on the quality of the proposed rehabilitation, quality of the property
management, and overall benefit of the project to the neighborhood and community.
Multi-Family Acquisition and Redevelopment
As evidenced by information previously included in this Plan, the City of Brooklyn Center has
a significant amount of affordable rental housing. Additionally, the City, through housing
revenue bonds, has helped to preserve a substantial portion of the city's affordable rental
housing stock. However, some parts of the city's rental housing stock is in a condition where
removal and redevelopment is the most appropriate option. For these properties where
maintenance has been largely deferred, the property is at the end of its useful economic or
functional life, or where other factors such as obsolete design make it an unlikely candidate for
rehabilitation, the City is prepared to consider acquisition removal of these properties for
redevelopment.
Potential Housing Redevelopment Areas Currently Being Considered
by the City of Brooklyn Center
I. Willow Lane and 252 Area. This is an approximate ten acre site located north of I-694,
east of Highway 252, and south of 66th Avenue in Brooklyn Center. The City, through
the Economic Development Authority, has acquired three parcels in this area: a former
gasoline service station, an 18-unit apartment building, and a 25-unit motel. The gasoline
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service station and apartment building have been demolished and the motel is scheduled for
demolition in 1996. Both the apartment building and motel were a blighting influence on
the surrounding neighborhood. The properties acquired to date represent approximately
50% of the ten acre parcel. In order to gain control of the remainder of the site, the City
would have to purchase an additional multi-family property.
No specific redevelopment plans have been proposed for the Willow Lane/252 area, but a
possible reuse of the parcel could be for medium density housing such as townhomes.
2. Brooklyn Boulevard Redevelopment Area. The city has initiated redevelopment activities
along Brooklyn Boulevard in anticipation of a future roadway widening project: and in an
effort to eliminate nonconforming residential uses along this major traffic artery in the city.
Projects with a mix of commercial, retail and office, combined with affordable senior
housing, have been considered for a portion of Brooklyn Boulevard, and the inclusion of
affordable senior housing in this area remains a realistic possibility and desirable
redevelopment option for this area.
3. 53rd Avenue North in Brooklyn Center. 53rd Avenue North is Brooklyn Center's
southern border with Minneapolis. It contains some of the oldest and subsequently some
of the most deteriorated housing in the city. Potential redevelopment of the easterly
portion of 53rd Avenue North could include the acquisition and removal of up to 20
residential properties. The acquisition and removal of these properties would provide an
opportunity to introduce higher value single-family housing in the southeast neighborhood,
the city's oldest neighborhood.
Time Frame
Since Brooklyn Center already meets or exceeds the goals set forth in the Housing Goals
Agreement and the city's redevelopment activities will be an ongoing process, the time frame
of many of the actions and goals set out in this Plan are indefinite. Also, as the city's housing
needs and goals change over time, the plan will have to be reexamined and reevaluated from
time to time. At a minimum, the plan should be reviewed every five years.
Administration
The Economic Development Authority in and for the City of Brooklyn Center is the public
body charged with executing and implementing housing goals and programs for the City. The
EDA works in conjunction with other city departments and its governing members are the
Brooklyn Center City Council.
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