Drive west across the Ford Bridge and after a sweeping turn you'll arrive at one of the gateways to Minneapolis.

There's a nice-looking luxury condo building at the first stoplight. But it exists only on a fabric advertising screen that's attached to a tall chain-link fence at the corner of E. 46th Street and 46th Avenue S.

Behind the fence lies the reality of a project stalled before it even rose above ground level, either by a faltering housing market or a developer's hubris, depending on whom you ask.

Signs were installed without permits, a sidewalk is collapsing and neighbors are tired of having to detour around barriers for which the developer is late on fees.

"It's been very, very frustrating," said Kevin Sullivan, who lives four doors north. "It really changes the nature of the neighborhood because it's close to [Minnehaha Park]. It's been a huge eyesore."

The city may revoke the permit that allows the condos to encroach on 46th Avenue and two sidewalks.

Revoking a permit is a rare step, according to area Council Member Sandra Colvin Roy.

The incident highlights the concerns some council members have about the neighborhood impact of stalled projects. That has held up council action so far on a plan to give more time to developers who haven't broken ground on city-approved projects.

That wouldn't help the 46th & 46th Lofts. Because the project has been inactive since last year, it faces a new round of city approvals if work resumes. But Council Member Lisa Goodman, whose ward includes downtown, wants stiffer requirements for site maintenance before she's willing to extend deadlines for any projects.

She's irate over the condition of a half-dozen stalled sites downtown. The issue hits home for her because her condo building on the 1200 block of Hennepin Avenue overlooks a site she describes as neglected -- it once was to hold a Lunds grocery.

One corner at S. 10th Street and Nicollet Mall draws particular ire from Goodman and others. The Nicollet, a 56-story condo tower, was to break ground there a year ago. A two-story building to be razed for the stalled project features windows that are broken or boarded, peeling window frames and graffiti.

"The public asks me all the time, 'Why isn't the city doing something about this?'" Goodman said. But she said that the enforcement process is cumbersome and that it shouldn't be necessary to require that developers manage their sites responsibly. She wants to force developers to post their names and phone numbers so the public can register complaints.

"I'm calling out some of these people," she said. "It's about being part of a community. That means keeping up your property."

She wants the city to review whether property has been managed responsibly before granting a developer more time to build.

Back at the 46th & 46th Lofts, developer Don Gerberding of Master Engineering said the project is the first of the firm's numerous Minneapolis housing projects that has been so problematic. He said it's the victim of a sour housing market, and that he understands neighborhood frustrations.

"It's unfortunate; I don't have a magic wand. We're faced with some economic times now where there aren't some easy answers. We're committing to finishing an appropriate project for the city, the neighborhood and my investors."

But neighbors and Colvin Roy said it's been hard for them to get Master's attention about site conditions since the project stalled last year. Gerberding said that within 30 days he'll meet the city's requirements, including restoring sidewalks, removing concrete sidewalk barriers, pulling out a sales trailer and replacing fencing.

He said he's encouraged by neighborhood feedback not to cheapen the project in an effort to get it completed. And he said that despite prices of up to $650,000, the project reached 80 percent of the threshold set by lenders for pre-sold units before buyers began dropping out because they couldn't sell their homes.

"That's a pretty good indication that the project has legs and will go," he said.

But concerns over the project's density were a Ward 12 election issue for Colvin Roy in 2005, and if the site languishes, could return when she seeks another term next year.

Steve Brandt • 612-673-4438