Community Corner
Linden Corner Development Returns, At Half-Size
New proposal emerges for Famous Dave's site in Linden Hills.
Second time's the charm?
That might be the case for Linden Hills resident and developer Mark Dwyer. His previous effort to redevelop the corner of 43rd and Upton, called Linden Corner, got the axe from the Minneapolis City Council in March.
“We have a great opportunity with this corner to start a dialogue (with the community) to see what we can do,” Dwyer told Patch at the time.
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That dialogue looks set to begin August 14, according to Linden Hills Neighborhood Councilmember Chris Maddox, when Dwyer is scheduled to present his preliminary plans to the neighborhood. Dwyer is also scheduled for an informal feedback session with the Minneapolis Planning Commission on July 19.
While Linden Hills' two business districts are currently under , the new proposal will still be able to go forward because it fits within current zoning restrictions.
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In an email to Patch, Dwyer cautioned that the specifics of the new project, called "4250 Upton," might change before the final design is submitted to the city. However, by the broad strokes Dwyer was able to sketch in his email, this proposal appears to be about half the size of the old Linden Corner project (see table below).
The Linden Hills residents opposed to Dwyer's project attacked it for its size, for a perceived loss of parking in the neighborhood, and for potential delivery truck-caused traffic snarls. According to information Dwyer provided, the 4250 Upton design seems to concede these points. The new design drops from five to three stories, from 40 units 18, and drops the restaurant.
The new design also keeps a pocket park that sits on the southeast corner of the site, although it will be redesigned.
According to project outline Dwyer submitted to the city last week, he plans to clean up soil underneath the site contaminated with benzene and other gasoline products leftover from its former life as a gas station.
The same document included preliminary plans, posted at right, that show the residents-only underground garage exiting onto 43rd Street, while visitors to ground-floor businesses will use a parking lot on the north of the site.
Take a look at the plans at right, provided by City of Minneapolis planning staff, and the table below, provided by Dwyer. What questions or concerns do you have about the project?
New Project
Old Project / Linden Corner
Stories / Height
3 stories / 42’
5 stories / 59’
Underground Parking
1 level. 40 stalls.
2 levels. 122 stalls.
Total Parking
62 stalls
135 stalls
Gross Floor Area
42,000 gsf
89,000 gsf
Commercial Uses
6,000 gsf / no restaurant
12,000 gsf with restaurant
Dwelling Units
18 du’s
40 du’s
CUPs & Variances
TBD by Planning Staff
Several
Lots in Development
2 lots
5 lots
Floor-Area Ratio / Lot Area
1.69x / 25,052 sf
2.39x / 38,000 sf
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