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St. Louis Park
St. Louis Park will use federal
money to support homeowners
whose homes need repairs
The loans are deferred
and can be forgiven
By SETH ROWE
[email protected]
St. Louis Park will focus on pre-
serving existing housing when dis-
tributing funds from a federal grant.
Of the $155,550 the city is receiv-
ing directly in Community Develop-
ment Block Grant funds this year,
the city will dedicate $125,550 to de-
ferred loans for low-income housing
rehabilitation.
The city will give the remaining
$30,000 to Homes Within Reach, a
community land trust program that
provides affordable homeownership
opportunities to families with low
and moderate incomes. Through the
land trust model, the homeowner
purchases the house itself but leases
the land underneath and around it
for 99 years, according to Marney
Olson, city assistant housing super-
visor.
In many past years, much of the
funding from the grant has support-
ed nonprofi ts operating in the com-
munity. This year, Hennepin County
will distribute $27,450 to programs
that provide public services in the
community. The city has written a
letter to the county supporting funds
for the St. Louis Park Emergency
Program and a housing program
operated by Senior Community Ser-
vices. Each of the programs received
funding through the county process
last year.
Councilmember Tim Brausen
said before a Feb. 19 vote on the
grant funding that he learned from
city staff members that some of the
programs the city has previously sup-
ported with federal funds are no lon-
ger operating.
The federal grants are intended to
benefi t people with low and moder-
ate incomes, prevent or eliminate
slum and blight conditions and meet
urgent community development
needs, according to Olson.
The choices for the grant this year
“refl ect the city’s priorities to pre-
serve existing housing and increase
affordable homeownership opportu-
nities in St. Louis Park,” Olson said.
Benefi ciaries of the deferred loans
for housing rehabilitation will each
be able to request up to $30,000
to make needed repairs for single-
family houses. Homeowners with
incomes that are half of the area me-
dian income will not need to pay any
interest on the loan. Homeowners
with income of between 50 percent
and 80 percent of the area median
income will have an interest rate of 3
percent. The loans do not need to be
repaid until the home is sold, or they
can be forgiven after 15 years.
“The rehab focuses on improve-
ments to address needed mainte-
nance and repair, with a focus on
providing long-term maintenance-
free housing,” a city staff report ex-
plains.
The loans could be used for new
windows, siding, a roof or internal
repairs for a bathroom or a kitchen,
for example, Olson said. She em-
phasized that the repairs must be
necessary and not simply cosmetic
upgrades.
Hennepin County will administer
the loans, and county staff members
will work directly with homeowners
who are seeking assistance.
“They come out and evaluate the
needs, as well as the income eligibil-
ity,” Olson said.
Not all benefi ciaries will need the
maximum amount of $30,000, she
noted. For example, a homeowner
could use a loan simply to replace
an aging furnace.
A state program is available for res-
idents with particularly low incomes,
Olson noted. County staff members
would refer eligible residents to the
state deferred loan program so that
more money is available for residents
who qualify for the local program.
Although the deferred loan pro-
gram is administered by the county
government, Olson said interested
homeowners can contact her for
more information. Her phone num-
ber is 952-924-2196 and her email
address is [email protected].
The programs funded by the
grants have a direct impact on St.
Louis Park, Mayor Jake Spano said
after the council approved the city
staff recommendations.
He noted that his relative benefi ted
from an affordable homeownership
program similar to the land trust
model used by Homes Within Reach.
“This was probably the single
most important vehicle that got her
out of the cycle that she was in and
moved her on to a much more stable
path forward,” Spano said. “We talk
about these things, we see these num-
bers, and we think, oh, that’s another
program and whatever. But these
programs have a real impact on real
people.”
Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019 • Page 7
Obituaries
David Welch Workman
Workman, David Welch, was born July 31, 1947 Min-
neapolis, MN and passed away on February
17, 2019 at the age of 71.
Youngest son of parents Henry and Mil-
dred Workman. Resident of Chanhassen.
Raised in Shakopee and Deephaven, gradu-
ated in 1966 from Minnetonka High School.
US Navy, Vietnam Veteran and member of the Amer-
ican Legion. Retired from Char-Lynn/Eaton manufactur-
ing after thirty-one years. He had a caring heart and loved
his family, acting as an anchor to his immediate family,
sharing his heart, love, and life lessons. He is loved by his
family and will be truly missed.
He is survived by his sister Susan Niccum, brother Ste-
phen Workman, nephew Gunny Murins, niece Amy Sci-
arra, great nephews Travis and Alex, and several cousins.
His family is thankful the kindness of family, friends,
and caregivers that helped him continue to enjoy his home.
David’s ashes will be interred at Ft. Snelling National
Cemetery in a private ceremony. A celebration of David’s
life will take place at the Chanhassen American Legion,
290 Lake Dr E, Chanhassen, Sunday March 3, 2019 from
2-4:30 PM
Huber Funeral & Funeral Services
Eden Prairie Chapel 952-949-4970
www.huberfunerals.com
Scott T. Reinertson
Scott T. Reinertson, age 75 of
Chanhassen, MN, passed away
Friday, February 15, 2019.
Former teacher in St. Louis
Park.
Survived by his loving
family:
wife Joanne LaHue
Reinertson; sons and daughters-
in-law Matt (Pam), Bret (Kristi);
grandchildren Chase, Paige, Ben,
Madelyn, Brady, Brennan.
Preceded in death by his father
and mother James and Florence Reinterson, and grandson
Aiden Reinertson.
Memorial Service Monday, March 4, 2019 at 11 a.m.
at Gethsemane Lutheran Church (715 Minnetonka Mills
Road, Hopkins, MN). Gathering of family and friends one
hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials will be
given to Mayo Clinic, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, and
Carleton College. Johnson Funeral Home, Waconia, 952-
442-2121. www.johnsonfh.com
COMMUNITY BRIEFS
Excelsior ice
castles will close
after March 10
The last day to visit the
ice castles in the Excel-
sior Commons is Sunday,
March 10. Closing day is
dependent on weather and
subject to change.
Hours of operation are
4-9 p.m. Monday, Wednes-
day and Thursday, 4-9:30
p.m. Friday, noon to 9:30
p.m. Saturday and noon to
8 p.m. Sunday. The venue
is closed on Tuesdays. Gen-
eral admission tickets cost
$10.95 on weekdays and
$15.95 on weekends.
The City of Excelsior
has seen an increase in
parking meter revenue. As
of Feb. 19, revenue was just
under $55,000. Typically,
at this time of year, parking
meters bring in between
$1,000 to $2,500. All pro-
ceeds will go toward Com-
munity for the Commons,
a local nonprofi t that helps
fund park updates.
Restaurants have also
been benefi ting from the
event.
“The restaurants have
seemed to have been get-
ting some good results.
Specifi cally we heard from
Maynard’s that they’ve just
been jam-packed from the
ice castles, so they’re very
pleased with how things
are going,” said Amy Ed-
wards, the city’s event co-
ordinator.
The polar vortex may
have halted operations for a
couple days, but the snowy
February hasn’t otherwise
deterred business.
“Visually, [the snow]
makes the castles look even
more beautiful and impres-
sive,” Edwards said.
New Perspective
Senior Living
acquires senior
community
New Perspective has
acquired its 22nd senior
living community at 500
Carlson Parkway, across
from the Carlson Towers
in Minnetonka. A multi-
million dollar renovation is
planned for the three-story
building, which has 87 as-
sisted living units and 35
memory care apartments.
“With our planned ren-
ovation and expansion,
we will add to the already
great features of the build-
ing with fresh new spaces
and resident-centered ame-
nities,” said Chris Hyatt,
COO of New Perspective
Senior Living.
Services and activi-
ties offered include daily
concierge access, dining,
housekeeping,
activity
transportation and on-site
physical therapy and well-
ness services.
Today, more than 2,000
seniors reside in New Per-
spective communities, with
a goal of 10,000 seniors
by 2025. The company is
based in Eden Prairie with
locations in Minnesota,
North Dakota, Wisconsin
and Illinois.
Kerble
I’m a confident, outgoing, orange/white tabby male born Nov, 2014
who lost my home due to divorce. My foster mom says I’m friendly,
enjoying petting and brushing. Sometimes I sit in your lap, but
my Mom cat, Twitter, usually gets there first, so I’ll lie next to you.
I tolerate being carried, as long as it is in baby position. I door greet,
and I like window watching. I’ll play with interactive toys and by
myself with mice and balls. I use scratching posts and I’m properly
litter trained. I’m quiet, except when you are late for meal time. I’m
friendly with strangers, kind kids over six, and used to tolerate living
with a dog. Mom and I will be great company.
This cat and others are available at Cat Tales Rescue. Cats
have been vet checked, spayed/neutered, wormed, tested for
FIV/FeLV, have distemper and rabies shots.
Adoption fee is $199 for the pair. For further
information or to start the adoption process, leave
a message at 612 202-9492.