Minneapolis City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Demolition of Potential Historic Resource for Affordable Housing Redevelopment
HPC August Meeting Cancellation and Commissioner Recruitment
Recognition for Minneapolis African American Historic and Cultural Context Study
Votes (1)
Demolition of potential historic resource at 122 Franklin Avenue West, Ward 7
Dissent: Commissioner Rodriguez voted Nay.
Moved by Vice Chair Mastin [00:29:43] · Seconded by Commissioner Wallace [00:30:02]
The application focused on the demolition of the 1963 mid-century modern Minnesota Church Center for a 145-unit affordable housing project. Staff identified the building as a potential historic resource under criteria 1 (historical significance for interdenominational connections) and 4 (architectural style), confirming it retained integrity. However, staff recommended approval based on Finding #3 (economic non-viability), as the applicant demonstrated that rehabilitation for continued office use ($21M cost) or conversion to 110 housing units ($37.65M, with a $4.3M funding gap even with tax credits) was not economically feasible compared to new construction of 145 units ($37.375M, lower per-unit cost). The applicant detailed functional limitations of the existing building for housing (narrow tower, windows, elevators, blank walls) and highlighted benefits of new construction (higher density, energy efficiency, underground parking, geothermal heating). A neighborhood group supported the demolition, while a neighbor objected. Commissioners acknowledged the thoroughness of the applicant's case, though some expressed reservations about the ongoing demolition of historic buildings for economic reasons.
Notable Quotes (3)
In staff's opinion, although rehabilitation of the subject property may be technically feasible, the applicant has demonstrated that it is not economically viable to rehabilitate the building for continued office use or to convert the building into housing. Based on the cost estimates provided by the applicant, it costs about the same to convert the building into housing and build new housing on the parking lot as it is to demolish the existing building and build housing across the entire site. Demolition would allow a higher yield of housing units 145 compared to 110 and reduce the per unit cost making this option more economically viable. Therefore, finding number three has been met in staff's opinion.
But as we started to dig into it um and look at the uh limitations of the building, uh for example, um one problem with the existing building for from the standpoint of housing is that it's a narrow a very narrow tower. So uh uh it's you can't really get a double loaded corridor. So you have to have a single loaded corridor, which is not a very efficient um building for from a housing standpoint.
I struggle with it, not happy with it. Hopefully, whatever comes new is as impactful to the neighborhood as a as a place and as a space. Cuz I think there used to be like a cafe on the ground floor. Um, that was open to the public. And that garden is is very nice. There's a frontage on Franklin, which is is a street struggles for its streetscape, so hopefully it can retain some of that character and and help uh continue the vibrancy of the neighborhood and not grow it.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
City ordinance outlining criteria of significance for historic designation.
Federal standards referenced for historic rehabilitation and tax credit eligibility.
Initial application process for federal historic tax credits.
Specific type of permit application reviewed by the commission.
Award-winning project by the Minneapolis HPC staff.
Scholarship provided for commissioners to attend the NAPC conference.