West St. Paul will buy a house that city officials allege has been a public nuisance, ending a legal threat that could have banned the owner and her family from their home for a year.
West St. Paul's Economic Development Authority — made up of the City Council — voted unanimously Monday night to enter into a purchase agreement with Leann Broadbent, the owner of the house at 210 Logan Av. W. in West St. Paul.
Police have responded to more than 157 calls to the home over five years, and the city was in the process of taking the Broadbents to court in an effort to remove them from the home for a year for what they said is public nuisance activity — reports of loose dogs, junk cars, guns, parking violations and marijuana possession.
In January, shots were fired into the home, wounding one of Broadbent's sons.
Neighbors have said they're frustrated and frightened by actions on the suburban street.
Broadbent tells a different story. She said in a recent interview that the police have harassed her and her children, who are in their 20s and biracial, since the family arrived. Interracial families should reconsider moving to West St. Paul, Broadbent said.
West St. Paul Police Chief Bud Shaver denied any racial bias and said his officers simply responded to neighborhood complaints. The purchase agreement between the family and the city will likely remedy the situation, Shaver said.
Broadbent could not be reached for comment about the pending purchase agreement.