This blog has previously observed how golf course redevelopment commonly leads to land use disputes between, on one hand, those seeking to redevelop the former course, and on the other hand, neighboring landowners benefiting from the status quo.[1] These disputes may find their way to court even when every government regulator has approved the
Finding the Future: “Getting to Yes” Interview with Karla Henderson
Last year, the City of Bloomington Minnesota hired Karla Henderson to help steer the city’s redevelopment as Director of Community Development. She is well qualified for the job since she served in Detroit Mayor Dave Bing’s inner circle and brings a wealth of experience turning around neighborhoods to her new job in Minnesota.
Early
Project Labor Agreements are Now Required for Large Federal Construction Projects
Last week, I wrote a blog post predicting that President Biden may be requiring project labor agreements (PLAs) on projects funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts, effective November 15, 2021 (link here). That prediction has now become reality.
On Friday, February 4, 2022, President Joe Biden signed Executive Order 14063 (EO
Finding the Future: Building Tiny Houses for the Homeless
In cities across the country, the pandemic has brought home the plight of the homeless. Rising home prices, job losses and economic disparity have left more and more people without viable housing options. Communities everywhere are struggling to find alternatives to the tent cities that have sprung up in public parks and along highways.
Fees, Fees, Fees!
In my practice representing developers and landowners, I routinely review dozens if not more, of development agreements over the course of a year. Without question, the most complained about aspect of virtually all such agreements, by a wide margin, is the extent of fees being imposed by a given city. Municipal fees are the runaway
Hollydale Golf Course: The Complex Road to Redevelopment Approval
The redevelopment of any large land area can be very difficult to accomplish, especially when it is surrounded by homeowners who like the status quo. This is especially true when the conversion involves a golf course: pastoral, quiet, well-landscaped (maybe a few stray golf balls). The surrounding landowners (most often homeowners) understandably love the open
Twin Cities Industrial Market Remains Strong
Industrial markets have been in the unique business position of becoming increasingly more valuable during the pandemic. The value of e-commerce, same-day delivery, and infill development is more important today than it was a year and a half ago.
I recently moderated the Bisnow webinar panel Minneapolis Industrial Update which included developers of industrial facilities
Health Care Facility Development: Navigating Uncharted Waters
The impact of the COVID pandemic is far-reaching, upending the norms of operation for businesses and families around the world. I recently moderated the Bisnow webinar panel Minneapolis Health Care Update which included developers of health care facilities. The panel confirmed that the impact on the health care provider community has been especially significant and
Land Development: Not for the Faint of Heart
Anyone experienced with developing land realizes that the regulatory process one must complete for a given development is daunting, at once complicated and cumbersome and surely expensive. I often tell landowners who want to become “developers” in order to capture more value in the price of their land, that it is not for the faint
The Minnesota Employer’s Guide to Navigating Workplace Issues During COVID-19
When COVID-19 began its pernicious spread, causing Americans to lock down and employers to close or curtail their workplaces, lawyers were busy advising clients on required leaves of absence, the eligibility of laid-off employees for unemployment compensation and other paid benefits, as well as other legal issues associated with closing a business or sending a