In response to Mr. Humphrey, spokesman for St Paul's Department of Safety and Inspections

In response to your verbatim rendition of the official statement released by Mike Hahm, Director of Department of Parks and Recreation to the local press, that you posted on Facebook as an acknowledgement of the petition of over 250 signatures in support of Mr. Adams and The Peoples' Park:

1. In a post on Facebook dated July 16, 2013, Mr. Humphrey, spokesman for St. Paul's Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) states that "upon transfer of the land at 680 Wells Street on the east side of St. Paul, it was discovered that Mr. Adams had constructed an art park and sculpture garden" on the until then abandoned city property.
• Is it not true Mr. Humphrey that following the demolition of the property that once sat upon that property there was a series of letters to the city requesting the construction of a retaining wall to keep the hill from sliding and that each of those attempts to obtain a retaining wall  that would live up to your standards was rejected on the grounds that it was not cost effective? 
• This was 13 years ago. 'Arjo' was told if he wanted a wall he should build a retaining wall himself.

In the interest of not only maintaining a stable foundation for his place of residence, but also for the safety of all of the foot traffic that entered the Heritage Park pathways from behind his property, he did just that.  

• Is it not also true Mr. Humphrey, that in October, 2006, Tom Riddering-St Paul Building Official, gave that very wall a thumbs up? Should I quote him for you to refresh your memory? "Most of the retaining walls are soundly built, and do not pose a danger and should be allowed to remain in place".  

Are we to understand that Mr. Riddering is no longer considered a reliable authority in this capacity? Has his opinion lost some of its luster in your eyes Mr. Humphrey? Why would you not honor the opinion of a man who has an outstanding record in his position.

I am curious Mr. Humphrey... how is it that Mr. Adams would have been responsible for not to mention able to obtain a permit to build a wall that he was told to build by the city of St. Paul on their property 

2. The second issue with which I take some issue is the matter of the timing for all of this.  It seems that this is coming rather fast.  Granted, the first compliance order in this matter was issued a year ago.  It is also true that your inspectors have not physically inspected inside this house in nearly a year.  

• How do you know that you are condemning the same home you inspected?  Yes there were permits.  I've done my research as should you.  
• Permits were pulled between the time of issue of the compliance order and the time of condemnation.  Those permits were no longer honored by DSI because this building was now a 'vacant building' due to the condemnation order.  What about the work done under those permits Mr. Humphrey? Why was it never inspected? What is your true motive?
• For the water heater, purchased at Home Depot, installed by Home Depot contractors under a permit that they pulled for that purpose, your people refused to inspect or honor their permit.  Why issue a permit you have no intention of honoring?

I don't understand this DSI and Marcia Moermond! Your service to the community is only a service when it provides a service, not a hardship!!! 

You are showing your true colors to a large amount of followers of this park, this home, this issue and this man.

According to these letters from EVERY ONE of his neighbors, the public opinion is that this is a huge disservice.  

It is my opinion that this is a travesty with a hidden agenda. 

What is your true agenda St Paul City Council?

What is your true agenda St Paul City Council?

Tonight's defeat in the hearing of the appeal of Ronald 'Arjo' Adams of both the fencing and the boarding up of the house located at 676 Wells, it was suggested by one brave man in a rather choked up voice (thank you Greg Copeland for your will to come to the aid of Mr. Adams) that there may be another agenda driving the council's vote. I agree.

What is your true agenda St Paul City Council?

Do you wish only to take that property?

I for one demand some clarity.  

The meeting can be seen in video form here:

City Council on 2013-08-21 3:30 PM - Public Hearings at 5:30 p.m. - Aug 21st, 2013

The facts:

1. Mr Adams has had permits for every bit of work that was to be done on that house. What hindered his progress is the condemnation of that property after he purchased those permits.  Because the property was condemned, you refused to inspect those permits.  Mr Adams was not given a refund for the price of those permits.

1. You say this has been going on over a year? You are correct.  Because your inspectors refuse to step foot into his home and inspect the work done under the permits that were pulled over a year ago.

1. You want a $5000.00 deposit to pull a permit for any work done on this 'vacant building'.  The amount of work left to be done on this so called disaster waiting to happen is less than $2500.00

1. The city of St Paul has a project that runs along this property, and the city owns the property to the left and to the right of Mr. Adams. Arjo's home is smack in the middle of a city project.  It is my feeling and that of the nearly 260 people that have signed the petition to save it that you want to demolish this house under the rule of eminent domain.  

1. You say the retaining walls and the steps are dangerous. Is it not true that one of your own inspectors gave that wall and staircase a thumbs up in 2006?  Of course it is.  I offer a copy of email correspondence that you posted on your own site between Dave Thune and Mike Grealish that states clearly that this property's retaining walls are safe and should be left intact as per Tom Riddering - building official, City of St Paul.  This was an in response to a request sent by Dave Thune to Mike Grealish in an attempt to gain clarity to take a position in the matter of condemnation and possible demolition of this home and property in 2006. 

1. In his own words, in 2006 Dave Thune said, "I understand that somehow coincidental with the recent Pioneer Press article about R Joe Adams park and public sculpture the city has leaped into action to save us from something or other, possibly imagined".

So again I ask you..
If you are as outraged as I am email the council members for ward 6.  Tell them we want change!
Marcia Moermond - Legislative hearing officer
Councilmember Amy Brendmoen
Councilmember Nathaniel Khaliq
Councilmember Russ Stark
Councilmember Dave Thune
This could be your mother's home, your daughter's home, your home for that matter.  Don't take this lying down. Stand up for what is right!

I have always been of the belief that what is done in the dark will always come to the light. 

Kudos to you Mr. Dan Bostrom for having the good sense and the strength to vote against both of these motions.

It is unfortunate that the others on your council do not have the same clear conscience tonight.  I hope they sleep well knowing Mr Adams will not.

What is your true agenda St Paul City Council?


marcia.moermond@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Council President Kathy Lantry
kathy.lantry@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Councilmember Dan Bostrom
dan.bostrom@ci.stpaul.mn.us

amy.brendmoen@ci.stpaul.mn.us

nathaniel.khaliq@ci.stpaul.mn.us

russ.stark@ci.stpaul.mn.us

dave.thune@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Councilmember Chris Tolbert
chris.tolbert@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Impressed with the press? Take note! They're taking note... 

And I for one, am grateful.

Since the start of this blog, there has been an ever increasing following of the happenings at both The Peoples' Park, and the home of the creator of that park, Ronald "Arjo" Adams.  In fact, the first member of the press/news to take note was Patrick Larkin-News Editor of the East Side Review, a Lillie Suburban newspaper.  This article, a front page spread did much to enlighten those who otherwise did were not aware of the park's existence.  Thank you for piquing the interest of the public, Mr.Larkin.  Your article which can be found here: Squatting art park could face demolition started this ball rolling...

Not all of the exposure was especially positive, but it was not especially negative either.   KSTP Channel 5 News ran this story by Todd Wilson on Arjo and the park: 'Art Park' in St. Paul on City Property is Considered Hazard

Not just the neighborhood paper, and channel 5 came out to see the park.The Pioneer Press took their turn in interviewing Arjo about his 17-year pet project.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who had either the want for justice to prevail or the curiosity at this curiosity to visit the park and Arjo Adams, if only long enough to form a story.  Those who took the time to actually get to know us here at the park-- and you know who you are, my eternal gratitude. If only those that would attempt to destroy what it took ONE MAN 17 years to build with love, sweat and imagination would put forth the same effort, this would be a non-issue.  But then those that would attempt to destroy this beautiful place and the home of the owner, and you know who you are... have their own reasons. I believe that your will to build is stronger than any amount of opposition from the community. I also know that some secrets aren't meant to be kept forever.  The truth will come, eventually. 

First I would like to thank Mr. Adams himself, for gracing me with the charge of shooting the video that as yet has had no audience.

Thank you to the contributor that will be known as TheHarmonyOfChange that shot the YouTube video of Arjo and the park earlier this summer that can be found here: Discover The People's Park: an Urban Art Park at 680 East Wells Street in St. Paul, Minnesota

And to Publius Jr. for his article on the Ward 6 Republicans site which can be found here: Save the The People’s Park at 680 Wells E

Thank you to Frederick Melo of the St Paul Pioneer Press for your great work in the articles you wrote that can be found here: Payne-Phalen Resident's Art Runs Afoul of City Hall

and here: St. Paul moving to fence off 'People's Park,' creator's condemned house

A huge debt of gratitude goes to Marcella Corona of the St Paul Pioneer Press for shedding a less volatile light on The Peoples' Park, and on the creator of that park.  Your articles can be found here: St. Paul: What man called art, city called hazardous

Ronald "Arjo" Adams fastens a sign to a fence surrounding his condemned house and adjoining "People's Park" on Friday. The City of St. Paul closed off access to the property earlier Friday because inspectors deemed the area unsafe. (Pioneer Press: John Doman)

and here: St Paul supporters rally to save east side 'art park'

"Power to the People's Park, honk your horns!" supporters of Ronald "Arjo" Adams chant as they demonstrate Wednesday along Payne Avenue in St. Paul. Adams built an "art park" on a piece of property owned by the city, next door to his own property at 676 Wells St. on St. Paul's East Side. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)

So there's more to this park thing than just a couple yokels makin' a stink?

You bet your buttons.  In an effort to save the plot of land that has become a place to escape for many east side residents and the home that has been deemed 'unfit for habitation' by the City of St Paul's Department of Safety and Inspections whose spokesperson is none other than Robert Humphreys, a gentleman not at all unfamiliar with the history of the park and its creator Mr. Adams, this blogger has dug a little deeper into the city's abandoned property program.  In doing so I have been haunted by the ghosts of residences past. 

Residences such as the one belonging to Mr. Michael Ahrndt.  His all to familiar story can be read here in detail.  The city cited Mr. Ahrndt as a nuisance property as well.  His house at 1901 Maryland, was torn down after being listed as a nuisance house.  Torn down with Mr. Ahrndt left footing the bill, a bill that weighed in at roughly three times the cost of independent contractor bids for the same demolition.  Yet the property that once held the home of Mr. Ahrndt would not sit idle for long.  In fact, there was a bigger purpose for this demolition.  The 'Furness Parkway Project' was to align directly next to this property that was deemed  not fit for fixing.  

The city of St. Paul has instituted a Vacant Building Program to 'maintain' properties.  It is this  bloggers opinion that this program is more an avenue to reclaim properties that are in areas that are slated for development.  For instance, in a search of single family dwellings listed as vacant buildings on the city website, I found that nearly 50% of one city block was listed as vacant.  These are the homes at 620, 653, 668, 673, 742, 745, 747 and 803 Jessamine.    This stretch of Jessamine Avenue in St. Paul's 5th District is part of the planned development of the Payne Maryland Project.  According to the project website:

"The proposed facility will encapsulate the programming needs of the Arlington Recreation Center, the Arlington Hills Library, Arlington Hills Lutheran Church, Bradshaw Celebration of Life Centers, and possibly other community service organizations into a new and exciting community center."

These are only a few of the many addresses of "vacant buildings' which used to be listed as single family residences that are in direct relation to proposed city projects.  I challenge you to find more and comment on what you find.  

More on how the city handles the so called 'vacant buildings' in her wake can be found in this article by Maricella Miranda on KSTP.com: "How Metro Cities Keep Up Abandoned Properties" l

Dear People's Park Supporters: Please SIGN and SHARE our petition to the City of St. Paul and Department of Safety and Inspections: "Preserve our Artistic Landmark: The People's Park of 680 East Wells Street" located at:
http://www.change.org/petitions/city-of-st-paul-and-department-of-safety-and-inspections-preserve-our-artistic-landmark-the-people-s-park-of-680-east-wells-street


If you are a friend of the People's Park, are new to the idea or just have something to share, please stop by The Peoples' Park page on Facebook and say hi!

Thanks for following the Peoples' Park story.

Proper use of CDBG funds?

From 'Art Park' to 'Heritage Park'... 

Or is it a park at all?

Will this parcel of land that has been so generously gifted to the Division of Parks and Recreation through the use of CDBG funds be used solely for the expansion of Heritage Park as was stated in the minutes of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting dated June 12, 2013.  The minutes of that meeting can be found here.

I may be presumptive in my thinking, but to qualify for CDBG funding, a project must meet certain criteria.  According to the Federal guidelines, which can be found here.  After reading these guidelines, which are apparently open to interpretation, I cannot find a reasonable qualification for the use of these funds to pay for this land for this purpose. Perhaps you can assist with suggestions...

A search of the web for the Heritage Park Project in District 5 yielded me not much more than links to local City Council meetings and minutes, and local Planning Council meeting Agendas.  One such agenda, which can be found on the Payne Phalen District 5 website at www.paynephalen.org for the meeting of the Community Planning and Economic Development Committee, was a direct result of a Google search for the Heritage Park Project,. however, no such project is listed in the agenda.  After perusing the agenda, I saw something that caught my eye.  While there is no reference to the Heritage Park Project, there is a line item for the Greenbrier Bicycle Bouilevard.  While I had never heard of this project, the parcel of land that was given to parks and rec so generously by HRA to be used for the Heritage Park Project just happened to be at the corner of Wells Street and Greenbrier.  

Further investegation gave me the following documents:

2014 - 2015 Streets & Utilities Proposals - 

Project Title: - Greenbrier Bicycle Boulevard

Proposing Agency or Group: - Payne Phalen District Five Planning Council

Proposer's Address: - 506 Kenny Road, Suite 130 Saint Paul, MN 55130

Contact Person: - Leslie McMurray

Phone Number: - 651-774-5234

Email Address: - d5-director@visi.com

Address or Cross Streets of Proposed Project: - Greenbrier Avenue linking Aguirre 

Street, Payne Avenue, Wells and Maryland Avenue

Page 39 describes in detail the proposed use of the above named property not for parkland, but for an expansion of the city's bicycle trail system that connects "Eastside destinations and the new Aguirre 

St. connection to the Bruce Vento Regional Trail corridor" (2014-2015 Streets & Utilities Propsals). 

and...

Streets and Utilities Project Index

Which shows the following financial information for the project:

Well now... I see a construction project here that does not end until 2015.  Interesting...

It seems that there is some ambiguity with the intended use of this particular parcel of property.  Perhaps some transparency is called for. I don't understand.  Is Heritage Park Project the real project? Is the Greenbrier Bike Boulevard the real project? Is on a child project of another? Why does it not state that anywhere?  And just how does all of this relate to the property next to this, the property that is discussed in my last blog?  The property that is home to the artist of 'Art Park'.   

The Fate of Art Park Balances on The Cliff...

The Fate of Art Park Balances on The Cliff...

The artist at work...

Art Park as it has become affectionately known is the parcel of property located at the edge of Wells Streets and Greenbrier Avenues in St Paul's Dayton's Bluff area. It is a beautiful stretch of land that has captured the eyes and the hearts of the entire east side.  It is the favorite lunch spot for many local workers with park benches, barbecue grills and level upon level of seating. Statue gardens that change almost daily never seem to have the same thing twice.  The flora and fauna are a treat to the eye.  It is a great retreat for an inner city escape, winter or summer. It even has its own Facebook page!!

In a meeting on June 12th held by the City of St Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority, the final conveyence was made on the parcel of land at 680 Wells Street.  This conveyance began in 1999, when the land was purchased by the city in November 1999 from Terry and Becky Wood using CDBG funds (Community Development Block Grant Funds). The intended purpose of the parcel of land is for the expansion of the existing Ramsey County Heritage Park.  In an odd twist, the property that sits adjacent to the parcel of land, which has become known as 'Art Park' is the home of the artist, and has just become declared a nuissance home as it is badly in need of repair that the artist can not afford. Although several of his neighbors have pitched in in the past to help make needed repairs to bring the house up to code, it just is not enough for the city inspectors.

This man has devoted countless hours and energies to making this a beautiful place for us to enjoy only for the city council and the inspectors to put a notice on his door stating that they will literally blow up his house at his expense if he cannot produce a ridiculous amount of money to fix it in an unreasonable amount of time. There has to be some recourse.

This 'public hearing' was of course supposed to be preceded by a posting in the local paper the St Paul Pioneer Press,  the June1st Edition to be exact.  A search of the papers website yielded no results nor did a Google search or meta search for the same. Could it be that said posting was overlooked:? The writer of this blog is curious enough.

At the time of this post, a visit to the district 5 planning council showed that the public could not access the minutes from any of the council meetings from this year.  NOT ONE of the meetings had been posted.  How were we to know what had been discussed? Not all of the citizens living in the ward are able to attend these meetings and we rely on the postings to update us.  Well it seems to me that someone dropped the ball here.

I for one would like the chance to appeal these decisions. I know others who feel the same.  I am outraged. Meetings not published, minutes not published. Outrageous demands.  I think there is a call for action here. I am demanding some action. I am requesting some support from my community. If you love the sculpture garden like I do, lets band together and help this man.  He deserves it.