Topic: Neglected Streets in Albert Lea
started by: alcitizens
Posted by alcitizens on Sep. 08 2014,1:46 am
Virginia Place and 5th Street are being neglected when it comes to streets and sidewalks.. Collapsed sidewalk all along both sides of Virginia Place and major holes that would break your leg if stepped into.. This hazard is located next to a park used by many children.. Millions being spent on reconstruction projects like Broadway while residential projects are forgotten..
Leaders of Albert Lea, hear me.. "It's wrong"..
Posted by nzeroesc on Sep. 08 2014,2:49 am
Remember that streets are not fixed for free. Generally sidewalks are the responsibility of the property owner to maintain in a safe and serviceable condition, and you can expect the cost of these repairs to be assessed to each property. Virginia Place in particular was listed on the < Albert Lea 2013-2017 Capital Improvement Plan > for 2014. I do not recall seeing anything voted on or bid this year, so it is likely delayed and scheduled for 2015 at this point. Contact the appropriate individuals listed below to get more information.
Here are the people to contact:
Ward V: Virginia Place - North of 5th St
Larry Anderson
Fifth Ward Councilor
824 Jefferson
507-377-2392
landerson@ci.albertlea.mn.us
Ward VI: Virginia Place South of 5th St
Al “Minnow” Brooks
Sixth Ward Councilor
1402 Academy
507-373-9024
abrooks@ci.albertlea.mn.us
Streets and Public Works:
Scott Overland
Street Superintendent
414 Commercial St.
Albert Lea, MN 56007
507-377-4377
soverland@ci.albertlea.mn.us
Steven Jahnke
Public Works Director
221 E. Clark Street
507-377-4325
sjahnke@ci.albertlea.mn.us
Also might not be a bad idea to approach the police department with this concern as well. There are two community policing represeantives as well:
Virginia Place North of 5th (District 3-4):
ALPD Officer Brianna Lutz: blutz@ci.albertlea.mn.us
Virginia Place South of 5th (District 3-6):
ALPD Officer Adam Hamberg: ahamberg@ci.albertlea.mn.us
Community Service Officer:
Mary Schroader: mschroader@ci.albertlea.mn.us
Posted by Santorini on Sep. 08 2014,8:39 am
The 'beautification' of downtown stops at the intersection of Main & Broadway.The South side of Main down South Broadway looks terrible! Boarded up buildings...
The flowers & benches & sidewalks should have continued at least past the Coffee Hus.(or whatever it's called). Even Austin kept it going out to Hormel museum...The downtown does look nice though.
Posted by nzeroesc on Sep. 08 2014,10:28 am
SantoriniThe city is currently soliciting plans and working with MNDOT on the second phase of the Broadway improvements scheduled for next year. They will be implementing some of the design features on a limited basis pending MNDOT input from Main St to Front St, and the entirety of Broadway from Main St to I-35 Exit 8 will be resurfaced.
< http://www.albertleatribune.com/2014...ay-work >
Posted by MADDOG on Sep. 08 2014,10:45 am
(alcitizens @ Sep. 08 2014,1:46 am)
QUOTE
Virginia Place and 5th Street are being neglected when it comes to streets and sidewalks.. Collapsed sidewalk all along both sides of Virginia Place and major holes that would break your leg if stepped into.. This hazard is located next to a park used by many children..
Millions being spent on reconstruction projects like Broadway while residential projects are forgotten..
Leaders of Albert Lea, hear me.. "It's wrong"..
Millions being spent on reconstruction projects like Broadway while residential projects are forgotten..
Leaders of Albert Lea, hear me.. "It's wrong"..
Yeah, they plow those streets.
Posted by twingroves on Sep. 08 2014,12:39 pm
if the council members do not live on the street it does not get any work done on it heres to them 
Posted by alcitizens on Sep. 08 2014,9:03 pm
(nzeroesc @ Sep. 08 2014,2:49 am)
QUOTE
Remember that streets are not fixed for free. Generally sidewalks are the responsibility of the property owner to maintain in a safe and serviceable condition, and you can expect the cost of these repairs to be assessed to each property.
Virginia Place in particular was listed on the < Albert Lea 2013-2017 Capital Improvement Plan > for 2014. I do not recall seeing anything voted on or bid this year, so it is likely delayed and scheduled for 2015 at this point. Contact the appropriate individuals listed below to get more information.
Virginia Place in particular was listed on the < Albert Lea 2013-2017 Capital Improvement Plan > for 2014. I do not recall seeing anything voted on or bid this year, so it is likely delayed and scheduled for 2015 at this point. Contact the appropriate individuals listed below to get more information.
Guess what? Property tax continues to be paid while neighborhood streets go into disrepair, devaluing properties and causing an unsafe environment for families with children..
The leg breaking crater I described previously is located at a city park on Virginia Place, not a residence..
Safe and serviceable condition?
Are you saying that people would rather live in squalor than pay an assessment? I don't think so..
Posted by nzeroesc on Sep. 09 2014,1:46 am
I do want to add here at the top for the sake of posterity that Google Maps has thoughtfully driven down this street for us just last year, and provided a beautiful high resolution view of the neighborhood in question. While I do see several areas that could use some TLC, I have certainly seen far worse in my travels both in this city, and others. And not anything I would call squalor by any means. For that matter there is an awful lot of shiny new concrete right in the area you allege this "leg breaking crater" to be < Google Maps Street View - Virginia Place >
In the case of the block of Virginia Place you are talking about there are 21 assessable properties on the block. 9 of them are city owned. Not only from the park, but several lots carried on tax rolls as forfeitures with no income at all. Average property values on that street have been low for quite some time with the majority of the lots bringing in under $400 a year on property taxes, and one duplex rental bringing in $1400.
Nearly every neighborhood has someone that will fight a tax assessment for street repairs because they feel it is unfair, doesn't benefit them, don't see the need, or any other litany of issues that have come up in the past opposing street replacement or construction in recent memory. Do you expect the 11 property owners on Virginia Place to be different?
I'll use the < project on St Joseph > from 11 years ago as an comp for Virginia Pl. Similar neighborhood, scope, and likely assessment base.
QUOTE
The $342,000 project includes the replacement of the 6-inch sanitary sewer line, installed in 1930, with a new 10-inch pipe; replacement of the water main, installed in 1932; a new storm sewer, replacing the old one from 1923; and new pavement, sidewalks and curbs. The city will assess 18.8 percent of the cost, or about $64,000, to the property owners and pay the rest.
So $64000 assessed to 11 property owners if the city opted for the maximum statutory 30 year repayment schedule would be $193 a year minimum. For at least one property on that street that would DOUBLE the property taxes. For smaller projects like this, the city has historically gone with a 10-15 year repayment window.
For the record, 18% assessment is low, some projects have been assessed out at 50% owner responsibility. So I think that estimate is well within line given the amount of linear feet that are city owned.
Posted by greenbeans on Sep. 09 2014,11:11 am
Park Ave is/has been hurting as well for a looooong time.Its getting old.
guess we get to wait TWO more YEARS.
Posted by alcitizens on Sep. 09 2014,4:00 pm
(nzeroesc @ Sep. 09 2014,1:46 am)
QUOTE
there are 21 assessable properties on the block. 9 of them are city owned.
Wouldn't the City and the State of Minnesota be on the hook for at least half since they own 9 of the 21 properties?
Do you suppose the neglect of Virginia Place and 5th St. continues because as Maddog would say, "They have a little skin in the game" or as I would say, "They have a limited tax base in the area"?
I think the area has been due for a new streetscape for a long time..
(Picture of the main "leg breaker" next to the park)
Posted by MADDOG on Sep. 09 2014,5:15 pm
(alcitizens @ Sep. 09 2014,4:00 pm)
QUOTE
as Maddog would say, "They have a little skin in the game" or as I would say, "They have a limited tax base in the area"?
I think the area has been due for a new streetscape for a long time..
(Picture of the main "leg breaker" next to the park)
I think the area has been due for a new streetscape for a long time..
(Picture of the main "leg breaker" next to the park)
Nope, wouldn't say that. As you remember I didn't stand with the county on them not plowing your road so why would I stand with the city on this? Limited tax base for the neighborhood would be an excuse to delay it, but not good reasoning. More likely is that they diverted funds to something that they found more desirable but not necessarily right.
Posted by alcitizens on Sep. 09 2014,9:20 pm
(MADDOG @ Sep. 09 2014,5:15 pm)
QUOTE
(((Limited tax base for the neighborhood would be an excuse to delay it, but not good reasoning. More likely is that they diverted funds to something that they found more desirable but not necessarily right.)))
You said exactly what I meant..
I didn't say you stood with the city.. Do I make you paranoid?
(Picture of the main "leg breaker" next to the park)
Posted by Blackwell on Sep. 10 2014,9:07 am
You hit the nail on the head MADDOG. The longer the city waits to fix these streets the more it is going to cost.
Posted by Self-Banished on Sep. 10 2014,9:27 am
good pic AL, from what I noticed of it it's been neglected for quite awhile and it's got considerable washout. The longer they wait on it the more it'll cost.
Posted by alcitizens on Sep. 11 2014,5:11 pm
The Albert Lea City Council should be forced to drive up and down Virginia Place several times so they know what it feels like to ride a bucking bronco.. 
Posted by twingroves on Sep. 11 2014,6:53 pm
like I said if they do not live on the street it does not get fixed
Posted by MADDOG on Sep. 11 2014,6:56 pm
nzeroesc liarws minnow as one of the councilors for the area in question. Give him a call and ask him to meet with you. Tell him MADDOG sent you. I've known Al for a long time. He might be able to give you some answers.
Posted by alcitizens on Sep. 14 2014,7:01 pm
(MADDOG @ Sep. 11 2014,6:56 pm)
QUOTE
nzeroesc liarws minnow as one of the councilors for the area in question. Give him a call and ask him to meet with you. Tell him MADDOG sent you. I've known Al for a long time. He might be able to give you some answers.
I've known Al for a long time. He might be able to give you some answers.If nzeroesc is Albert Lea City Councilor Al "Minnow" Brooks, I can see why the reconstruction scheduled for 2014 didn't get done or even started..
I want to know who is fighting the Planned Reconstruction of Virginia Place & 5th St.???
nzeroesc, safe and serviceable sidewalks and streets are the responsibility of the city.. Is a resident allowed to replace a city sidewalk in front of their house? Frik NO..
St. Peter is another neglected street.. The list goes on..
It's time for the City of Albert Lea to do their job for the residents instead of wasting money on their stupid pet projects..
Posted by MADDOG on Sep. 14 2014,7:07 pm
Naw, nzeroesc stated that minnow is one of the councilors. Don't know what happened to me typing "liarws"??
Posted by nzeroesc on Sep. 15 2014,2:26 am
As a private party you absolutely are allowed to replace your sidewalk. See: < Permit to Construct Sidewalk or Curb Cut [PDF] >
and
< Curb Gutter Sidewalk and Driveway Packet [PDF] >
And I assure you I am about the farthest you could get from being anyone that works for the city.
___
Also want to add some more info for you regarding the street
Here is the specific page of the < Capital Improvement Plan - Page 125 [PDF] > noting the funding breakdown for Virginia Place as well as the construction proposal.
The city estimates $135000 in assessments. There are anywhere from 33-36 private assessable properties depending on if the city counts houses that do not have access or addresses on the street itself. There are 3 properties on the south end that have either Newton or 7th St addresses that are in question.
Without taking into account the exact assessment equation which factors in linear feet, dividing by 35 gives us an assessment value average of $3557 per property.
< Assessment Policy >
Per the assessment policy, there is a 10 year term for assessment values ranging from $2000-$10000. With an interest rate of 1-2% above bond, so lets just assume about 5%
A $3500 assessment over 10 years comes to an assessable value of about $370 annually for 10 years.
As I mentioned in a previous post, there are a fair amount of properties on that street that this dollar amount would double the property taxes for. Just something to be prepared for if you have an affected address.
Posted by alcitizens on Sep. 15 2014,5:38 pm
(nzeroesc @ Sep. 15 2014,2:26 am)
QUOTE
Also want to add some more info for you regarding the street
Here is the specific page of the < Capital Improvement Plan - Page 125 [PDF] > noting the funding breakdown for Virginia Place as well as the construction proposal.
The city estimates $135000 in assessments. There are anywhere from 33-36 private assessable properties depending on if the city counts houses that do not have access or addresses on the street itself. There are 3 properties on the south end that have either Newton or 7th St addresses that are in question.
Without taking into account the exact assessment equation which factors in linear feet, dividing by 35 gives us an assessment value average of $3557 per property.
< Assessment Policy >
Per the assessment policy, there is a 10 year term for assessment values ranging from $2000-$10000. With an interest rate of 1-2% above bond, so lets just assume about 5%
A $3500 assessment over 10 years comes to an assessable value of about $370 annually for 10 years.
As I mentioned in a previous post, there are a fair amount of properties on that street that this dollar amount would double the property taxes for. Just something to be prepared for if you have an affected address.
Here is the specific page of the < Capital Improvement Plan - Page 125 [PDF] > noting the funding breakdown for Virginia Place as well as the construction proposal.
The city estimates $135000 in assessments. There are anywhere from 33-36 private assessable properties depending on if the city counts houses that do not have access or addresses on the street itself. There are 3 properties on the south end that have either Newton or 7th St addresses that are in question.
Without taking into account the exact assessment equation which factors in linear feet, dividing by 35 gives us an assessment value average of $3557 per property.
< Assessment Policy >
Per the assessment policy, there is a 10 year term for assessment values ranging from $2000-$10000. With an interest rate of 1-2% above bond, so lets just assume about 5%
A $3500 assessment over 10 years comes to an assessable value of about $370 annually for 10 years.
As I mentioned in a previous post, there are a fair amount of properties on that street that this dollar amount would double the property taxes for. Just something to be prepared for if you have an affected address.
Thank you nzeroesc for the detailed information..
I know that I would be more than happy to pay $370 a year for 10 years for a new street, curb and sidewalk instead of replacing them myself..
Posted by alcitizens on Mar. 01 2015,8:31 pm
(The city heard a feasibility report for the reconstruction of Virginia Place for curb and gutter paving, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and water lines.)In what year did the Albert Lea Tribune report that this study had been done? Hint: City Manager Paul Sparks..
< http://www.albertleatribune.com/2002...project >
Posted by nzeroesc on Mar. 02 2015,3:54 pm
Just to save everyone having to read all the way to the bottom:- The city heard a feasibility report for the reconstruction of Virginia Place for curb and gutter paving, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and water lines.
Sparks suggested the council wait until 2004 to address the issue, saying that the state budget &045; to be released sometime in December or January &045; will most likely bring large cuts in Local Government Aid (LGA), which will mean a tight budget for the city.
City Councilman Al &uot;Minnow&uot; Brooks said that he knows the street is in need of reconstruction, but said that the city budget will be too tight in 2003 to fund such a project.
Posted by grassman on Mar. 04 2015,3:18 pm
Posted by ControlledHyperness on Mar. 17 2015,3:07 pm
According to the City paper thingy that shows up in the mail/shopper, Virginia Place was slated to be repaired this year...the budget passed did not include it or 5th (which is really bad). When will they learn?