Housing and Redevelopment Authority approves $2.1 million affordable housing incentive release
The St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority voted 6-0 last week to release a $2.1 million affordable housing incentive covenant tied to a property at 556 Gotzian Street, freeing the funds for the project. The board also authorized the sale of an HRA-owned parcel at 1087 Ross Avenue.
HRA actions
The HRA board acted on June 24 with Commissioner Bowie excused and Commissioners Kim and Coleman arriving late. The board approved the release of a 4(d) Affordable Housing Incentive Program covenant for the Gotzian Street property in a 6-0 vote. A separate 6-0 vote authorized the sale of the Ross Avenue parcel. Details of the sale or the specific use of the incentive release were not detailed in the minutes. The board also reserved funds for five Saint Paul neighborhood profiles, a measure that passed 4-0.
Property extension and fines
At a June 23 legislative hearing, the hearing officer granted a conditional 180-day extension for substantial abatement repairs at 947 Fremont Avenue. The owner must forfeit $5,000 of a $15,000 performance deposit and pay an additional $2,500 per month starting in August until the work is finished. The matter was referred to the City Council for a July 8 hearing.
Other items decided at that hearing included:
- A nuisance abatement appeal for 399 Blair Avenue was laid over to July 7.
- A condemnation at 855 Third Street East was extended to October 1.
- A fire certificate appeal for 74 Congress Street West was laid over to July 21.
Committees receive presentations, take no action
The Policy Committee on June 24 received and filed three presentations: a proposal for full-time city councilmembers, an Office of Arts and Culture proposal, and an executive summary of the Cultural Destination Area Study. No votes were taken. The Public Safety Committee the same day received and filed presentations from the St. Paul Police Department on camera and technology capabilities and from the ACLU-MN on automated license plate reader regulations.
Coming up
The City Council meets on July 8 with a full agenda. Items include amending the University Avenue Reconstruction Project budget, allocating $150,000 for demolition at 648-656 Bush Avenue, approving 2026 Neighborhood and Cultural STAR Grant awards, and holding a first reading of Ordinance 25-4, which would require tree preservation for city-sponsored construction projects. The council will also consider right-of-way permits for the Ford/Highland Bridge development, set 2026 permit fee rates, and vote on collective bargaining agreements for the Saint Paul Supervisors’ Organization and Professional Employees Association. A public hearing related to the Fremont Avenue extension will be part of the session.
The Housing and Redevelopment Authority meets July 8 to consider a loan amendment for TWV Limited Partnership and a three-year lease with Union Pacific Railroad for 43 Water Street to support Mississippi River Lift Bridge reconstruction.
Legislative Hearings on July 7 will review appeals for delinquent garbage tax assessments at four addresses, nuisance abatement orders at six properties, vacant building registrations at two addresses, and fire inspection or certificate of occupancy appeals at two properties.
The Library Board on July 8 will approve June minutes and receive a staff report on equity, inclusion and anti-racism coordination. The Policy Committee that day will discuss downtown noise ordinance updates and the city’s data center development policy.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.