Update on EPNI Urban Farm Initiative: Council Votes to Suspend City's Expansion of Hiawatha Campus in Phillips Community
On April 30th, the City Council voted 12-1 in favor of a staff direction to suspend the City's expansion of the Hiawatha facility in East Phillips. In addition, at the Business, Housing, Inspections, and Zoning Committee (BHIZ) on May 4, the associated Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) was postponed until August 5th at Committee of the Whole (COW).
The staff direction requires City staff to return to the City Council on August 5th with a full report on the following:
Suspend the City’s work to expand the Hiawatha Maintenance Facility at 1860 East 28th Street East and 2717 Longfellow Avenue South.
Return with a report on the financial and operational implications of terminating the City's interest in this parcel and identifying another site for a facility, including but not limited to a process, a timeline, and budgetary needs.
Recommend a process for how to sell all or a portion of the City-owned property not needed for municipal operations at 1860 East 28th Street and 2717 Longfellow Avenue South in a way that is aligned with community interests and engages community-based organizations.
To see supporting documents and materials related to this action, please go to the City's Legislative Information Management System website.
Photo credit: The Minnesota Daily