Development: Uptown Row - Uptown, Minneapolis


	Uptown Row The Uptown Row development project in Uptown, Minneapolis replaced a police car repair facility. Built in 2004, the nine-storefront space has received grief from neighbors over restaurant space that they believed were not part of the initial concept. The project included 6 townhomes along Emerson Avenue, +/- 18,000 square feet of office space and +/- 18,000 square feet of retail space.		(Opens in New Window)



	Developer: RMF Entities Status: Completed Property Address: 1221 West Lake Street Prior Use: Parking Lot, Garage Proposed Use: Retail / Office, Townhomes Proposed Height: Two-stories Approved Height: Two-stories Proposed Parking: 167 Approved Parking: 134 Parking Requirement: 114 Commercial Space: 18,000+ Square Feet (office), 18,289 Square Feet (retail) Housing Units/Type: 6 townhomes


	Once a car dealership of the Jay Kline Chevrolet era, the former showroom / garage and used car lot was acquired in 1992 by the City of Minneapolis for use as a police car repair facility. The City used the garage until 1999 when it chose RMF Entities to redevelop the property. The plan called for two, two-story buildings both with retail and office; six townhomes on Emerson Avenue, and a 68 stall lot. The project experienced delays in 2001 after pollution from a leaky underground storage tank was found. The pollution was minimal, but pushed back the date RMF closed on the property. However, parking lot plans increased the number of spaces from 68 to 167 stalls as each building contained 8,000 square feet of basement space and increased his parking demand. A heated argument between the City, neighbors, and the developer began. After the the plans were approved for 167 stalls, the developer cut out the basements, thus reducing the parking demand to 114 parking stalls. The City decided that appeals by the developer that he was entitled to more parking since the plan had already been approved. RMF threatened lawsuit, and the City Council voted to instead allow 134 stalls, though the City Zoning Manager wanted it restricted to 114 stalls. 75 stalls were built.


	Repya, Robyn. "Uptown Parking Compromise Stirs Controversy." Southwest Journal 22 Jul. 2004. Russell, Scott. "Developer May Sue City over Uptown Row." Southwest Journal 24 Jun. 2004. Repya, Robyn. "City Cuts Parking for New CARAG Development." Southwest Journal 14 May 2004. Repya, Robyn. "West Lake Street's Building Boom: Putting it All Together." Southwest Journal 16 Oct. 2003. "Calhoun Area Residents Action Group (CARAG)." Southwest Journal 17 Dec. 2001. Razdan, Anjula. "Leaky Storage Tank Delays Police Garage Site Project." Southwest Journal 6 Nov. 2001. "Calhoun Area Residents Action Group (CARAG)." Southwest Journal 12 Jun. 2001. "Calhoun Area Residents Action Group (CARAG)." Southwest Journal 10 Apr. 2001. "Key Uptown Site to be Redeveloped." Minnesota Real Estate Journal 1 Nov. 1999. Baden, Patricia Lopez. "Police-Garage Deal is no Steal, Critics Say; Uptown Property Fetches Above Market Price." Star Tribune 24 Jun. 1992.