Note - I am forwarding this message from John Brian Becker, as I think it may
be of interest to this list.
-- Holle Brian
Bancroft
(612) 822-6593
-----------------
Dear Greens and other progressives,
Thanks for your many responses regarding the tenants meeting that was held
last
night (November 15, 2000) in Riverside Plaza. Approximately 120 people came
to the
meeting, predominantly Somali and Somali-American residents of the Riverside
Plaza.
I was encouraged by the progressives and greens that came to show that they
cared
about what is happening. Thanks you! So many people are currently vulnerable
to
homelessness as of January 1, 2000; this is the most densely populated area
in the
Twin Cities. Below is my update:
The executive director of the Riverside Plaza Tennants Association, Abdi
Mohammed,
opened the meeting. He said that there was now a climate of fear amongst the
residents, because even those who had not received letters knew people who
had, and
“who will be next?” Abdi informed us that he had set up a meeting with the
owners of
the building, and property manager Larry Mitchell, which then was then
canceled
because the property manager was too busy.
During the meeting we heard from many residents who had received letters from
the
management, which state that their lease will not be renewed, the locks will
be
changed, and they must be out of their homes by midnight on December 31, 2000
(At
least one residents letter required that he be out by November 30).
Residents also talked about the general difficulties they have had in dealing
with
the management. Residents spoke about the elevators in a 20+ floor building
being
broken often and for up to two entire days the disabled residents had it
especially
difficult, and some had to find different places to sleep as they could not
return
up the many flights of stairs to their apartments). People spoke about the
lack of
maintenance, such as the coin-op laundry rooms that often have few working
washers
and dryers. A Somali man spoke about his windows not getting repaired after
repeatedly requesting maintenance, which caused illness in children as weather
conditions became colder. There was a consensus that there have been many
long-standing problems with the management. It was noted that security people
answer
when calls are made to the management. (Why does security answer calls to
management?) and residents complained about security hanging up on them, not
attempting to understand their limited English, and being generally rude and
intimidating. Repeated calls to maintenance usually are received by voice
mail that
infrequently spurs repairs.
Other information shared at the meeting is that the Riverside Plaza Limited
Partnership is the owner of the building, and the buildings are managed by
George
Sherman and Associates, specifically by a man named Larry Mitchell. The
partnership
that owns the buildings strangely includes a not for profit corporation.
Dialog took place in Somali and in English. Many residents have no where else
to go,
and are troubled about the prospect of having to leave our neighborhood where
they
have been able to practice their culture and take comfort in having a
community of
support. The residents and the tenants’ association director, ask for outside
help.
The people at the meeting were asked to return in two weeks with more
information
and legal information.
What can you do to help? Call Joan Campbell and your Minneapolis City Council
person and ask them to get involved. Tell them that you are concerned about
the
situation and that it deserves his or her attention. Can you imagine the
tragedy of
families put out of their homes in the middle of the winter on New Years Day?
Unless
we create some political will here, this will happen. Pass this on to anyone
you
think may care
Another meeting is planned for Wednesday November 29 at 5pm in the McKnight
Room of
the McKnight Building located at 1615 S. 4th St. in Minneapolis. (This is more
notice than given for the last meeting.)
For more information, you can contact Abdi at the Riverside Plaza Tenants
Association (612) 338-4192 or if you are unable to reach him, you may call
me, John
Brian Becker at (612) 626 0858 (work #).
Sincerely,
John Brian
Becker
Minneapolis Ward 2
P.S. The City Council #’s are below:
Ward 1 Paul Ostrow, (612) 673-2201 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Ward 2 Joan Campbell, (612) 673-2202 e-mail: CM Campbell's e-mail form
Ward 3 Joe Biernat, (612) 673-2203 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Ward 4 Barbara Johnson, (612) 673-2204 e-mail:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Ward 5 Jackie Cherryhomes, (612) 673-2205 e-mail:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Ward 6 Jim Niland, (612) 673-2206 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Ward 7 Lisa Goodman, (612) 673-2207 e-mail: CM Goodman's e-mail form
Ward 8 Brian Herron, (612) 673-2208 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Ward 9 Kathy Thurber, (612) 673-2209 e-mail: CM Thurber's e-mail form
Ward 10 Lisa McDonald, (612) 673-2210 e-mail:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Ward 11 S. Doré Mead, (612) 673-2211 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Ward 12 SandyColvin Roy, (612) 673-2212 e-mail: CM Colvin Roy's e-mail form
Ward 13 Barret Lane, (612) 673-2213 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
