Group View

School Property Redevelopment Committee

Presents. . .

The Morris Eco-Friendly, Affordable Housing Demonstration Neighborhood

*Update* (May 13, 2009) :

With the elimination of the school buildings from the plan, the team has changed its name to the School Property Redevelopment Committee.

*EVENT NEWS*

**June 2 and 3, 2009**: Symposium on Small Towns

Stevens County Clean Energy Forum was held Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at the Prarie Inn (Cougar Room) in Morris, MN from 1:00 - 9:30 PM. The agenda looked like this:

Green Builders Workshop: Presented by the City of Morris and the School Property Redevelopment Committee; funded in part by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Sustainable Communities Program.

Local Green Product exhibits

Green Building 101

Choosing Local: Green Building and Economic Development

Energy-efficiency for Buildings

Builder Discussion

Incentive Available NOW for Residential Clean Energy Projects: Presented by Stevens Forward, the University of Minnesota West Central Partnership and the West Central Clean Energy Resource Team.

Clean Energy Incentives overview

Energy Efficiency

Resdiential-scale Wind

Solar Photovoltaic

Solar Thermal

Geothermal

Internships and mentors

The public meeting held on March 17, 2009 was a success. Approximately 60 people attended the meeting showing their interest in the demonstration neighborhood project. All the aspects of the project were mentioned during the 2 hours of the meeting. The meeting ran a bit longer than what was thought but it was very necessary to explain all of the aspects. We hope everyone who attended the meeting enjoyed it!

Morris had its first facilitation meeting on Jan 23, 2008 with Dovetail Partners and the project is still progressing. In the fall of 2008 there were a number of meetings held with Stahl Architects and Treeline Architects. During these meetings the plans of the the buildings and the landscape concepts of the lots were discussed. On January 27, 2009 Stahl and Treeline presented the concept plan to the City Council at a workshop held after the city council meeting. As of January 20, 2009 the concept plan looks like this:

Row Houses:

3 buildings and 27 total units (9 units per building).
2 units that are 584 sq. ft. with 1 bedroom.
1 unit that is 784 sq. ft. with 1 bedroom.
2 units that are 1,236 sq. ft. with 2 bedrooms.
4 units that are 1,552 sq. ft. with 3+ bedrooms.
Attached garages for 2-3 bedroom units.
Individual porch/patio entries.
Green construction techniques will be used.

Flex Lots:

18 total lots of Single family homes or Twin homes.
Twin homes are two bedroom units (1,696 sq. ft.) with a 1 bedroom unit above (could rent out (it has a entrance through the house and through the garge)), an attached garage, and a private patio.

Grow Houses:

13 total units.
1,088 sq. ft. for the "base house" with room for a 288 sq. ft. addition.
Covered porch entrances face 5th street for a warm welcoming feel.
15-18% window-to-floor ratio.
It is affordable, low maintenance, and an energy-efficient design.

Single Family Homes:

14 total units.

Check back for meeting notes and updates. Members of the Redevelopment Committee, City Council and Dovetail all gathered together to discuss future plans and goals of the project. A Final Faciliation Report was completed on Feb. 22, 2008 by Dovetails Partners. You can access this report here.

Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions for further information about the current status of the project.

New items have been added to this page and to the Important files page. Please take a look. To view past meeting minutes and the MPCA Final Grant Application and letters of support, visit Elementary School Property Reuse Important Files.

The complete master plan for the Elementary School Site is complete. At the bottom of this page are full files of the final report that are available for download.

We also have pictures from around Morris available on the Pictures page, included in these pictures are historical and current photographs of the School Property.

To work with the City of Morris in an effort to reuse the old Morris Area Elementary School property for sustainable and eco-affordable living.

Location
Old Morris Area Elementary School and property is located at 600 Columbia Avenue, Morris, MN

Action Group Description

The importance of this project affects Morris by the elementary schools extensive history and effect on the town. By facilitating the progress of this property we are aiding in the progress of Morris as a city.

Overview of Project

Morris is a diverse regional center for agriculture, research, banking and finance, education, government, health care, manufacturing and transportation in West Central Minnesota. The City's Economic Development Authority assumed ownership of the property in March 2006 and this city owned 17.7 acre former elementary school property is the single largest redevelopment of the historic portion of the City. This property encompasses a six and one-half block area but the redevelopment will affect the character of twelve adjacent city blocks. The site is centrally located close to UMM, downtown, medical clinics, churches and public facilities. The site has existing mature landscaping and green space with an existing adjacent infrastructure including streets, sidewalks, water and sewer. With strong public support, the construction of a new "green" housing development will be the centerpiece for the redevelopment of the site.

Objectives

* Developing, in phases, a group of new houses on the site that will be aimed at a specific market niche. They are envisioned to be very attractive and blend in with the surrounding historic neighborhood, but have cutting edge, eco-friendly, environmentally sustainable features, universal design elements, as well as being built in a beautiful park-like setting that is within walking distance of UMM, downtown, medical clinics, the library, and other amenities.

* A modest amount of public park space with walking paths, an attractive water feature (that doubles as a storm water retention pond), benches, a rose garden or demonstration garden, and a soccer field that will make good interim use of the football field space.

* See Morris as a destination—built primary around the environmental/sustainable efforts in and around Morris, but also recognizing our assets such as the University, the Horticulture Gardens, the Wetlands, the fantastic park system, etc.

• Connect the University, City and County – to foster cooperation and long-term financial, human and environmental health for the region.

• Community Involvement – to involve citizens in the strategic planning process.

• Economic Development – to explore synergistic entrepreneurship and development opportunities capitalizing on the historic site and building, and unique landscape and intellectual potential of the university, city and county.

• Quality of Life – to enhance the reasons why people will choose to live in and visit Morris and the surrounding region.

• Sustainability – to utilize goals and strategies reflecting the highest standards of leadership in renewable energy and environmental design.

Expectations and Goals

To improve the location of the old elementary school property by assisting in the process of determining what the future of the property will be for the project.

Short Term Goals
Accomplish transfer of property and take back possession of blueprint, as well as secure building to avoid vandalism.

Mid-Term Goals
Work actively with the University of Minnesota, Morris Center for Rural Design to create a master plan.

Long Term Goals
Clean up property and building, complete reuse of seventeen-acre property, possibility of use of football field for fall and finalize transfer of property.

Timeline
Master plan for project will be completed by June 2006.

Evaluation of Success
The success of this project will be determined by the completion of all tasks required, and usage of the old elementary school property in an efficient and profitable manner.

Current Progress Overview To be updated soon.

Action Plan