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FLOUR SACK FLATS PHASE II
520 SE. 2nd St., Minneapolis
Type: Condominiums
Units: 80
Developer: Lupe Development and the Wall Companies
Details: After a long history of delays, revisions, negotiations and strategic moves, Lupe Development and the Wall Companies have won their battle with historical preservationists for the second phase of the Flour Sack Flats condominium project in a historic area of southeast Minneapolis.
In late September, the City Council voted to override a denial of a "certificate of appropriateness" for the project by the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC), which had objected to the proposed condos because, among other reasons, its parking ramp would stick out over the remnants of an abandoned railroad corridor.
With the victory in hand, the developers must now gain approval for the latest plans from the city's planning commission -- a task that promises to be much less arduous now that the City Council has signed off on its historic appropriateness.
New drawings submitted to the city's planning staff in August by architects the BKV Group addressed most of the HPC concerns.
The protrusion of the parking ramp into the railroad "view corridor" was reduced from 22 feet to 14. Other issues addressed included whether there was enough brick in the building's design and concerns about the size and shape of its windows.
Meanwhile, the usual concerns about height in or near historic districts weren't a problem this time. Even though the project's original 10 stories had increased to 12, they were deemed to be acceptable because several historic buildings along SE. Main Street -- including the Pillsbury "A" Mill, which is now being converted to condos by Schafer Richardson -- are of similar heights.
John Wall, president of Minneapolis-based Wall Companies, said that he's relieved that Flour Sack Flats II has passed preservationist muster after nearly three years of struggle, negotiations and compromises with the HPC, city planners and neighborhood organizations.
"We're grateful for the endorsement," he said. "We're excited about the project. The first phase has been successful. I wish the condo market were stronger right now, but we have a good reputation from the first building, and we're looking forward to going to market. If we get the reception we want, we'll build the building."
The site of Flour Sack Flats II is 520 SE. 2nd St., across the street from the first phase, a five-floor, 59-unit building that has 12 units still for sale.
DON JACOBSON
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