Model Cities Properties

TO OPERATE FOR THE BENEFIT OF MODEL CITIES OF ST. PAUL, INC. AND MODEL CITIES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

MODEL CITIES PROPERTIES ENCOMPASSES ALL OF MODEL CITIES' REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. OUR MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENT, MODEL CITIES BROWNSTONE, IS LOCATED AT THE VICTORIA STREET LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) STATION OF ST. PAUL'S GREEN LINE. THE DEVELOPMENT IS A 4-STORY, MIXED-USE TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT THAT INCLUDES 35 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING; APPROXIMATELY 20,000 SQUARE FEET OF RETAIL, OFFICE AND COMMUNITY SPACE; AND CLOSE TO 7,000 SQUARE FEET OF OUTDOOR SPACE DEDICATED TO A POCKET PARK. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.SINCE OPENING IN 2017, BROWNSTONE HAS BEEN AT OR NEAR 100 PERCENT OCCUPANCY (APPROXIMATELY 97% ON AVERAGE EACH YEAR) FOR THE 35 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT. THE POPULATION OF RESIDENTS IS DIVERSE WITH A MIX OF RACES, AGES, AND FAMILIES RESIDING AT BROWNSTONE. INTEREST CONTINUES TO REMAIN HIGH IN THE RESIDENCE AS WE TYPICALLY GET MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS FOR VACANCIES WHEN THEY ARISE. IN ADDITION, MODEL CITIES IS INCREASING ITS CAPACITY AS A PROPERTY MANAGER AS IT HAS SUCCESSFULLY MET ALL THE LIHTC COMPLIANCE ISSUES THAT CAME WITH THE PROJECT. FOUR OF THE FIVE COMMERCIAL SUITES ALONG UNIVERSITY AVENUE HAVE BEEN LEASED WITH THE FIFTH LEASED EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2022. ONE OF THE FOUR LEASES WAS TERMINATED IN DECEMBER 2021. THE FOUR EXISTING COMMERCIAL TENANTS HAVE BEEN A BLEND OF BUSINESS PEOPLE FROM THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD INCLUDING A SOMALI-OWNED CONVENIENCE STORE/DELI, AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN-OWNED BARBERSHOP, HMONG-OWNED APPAREL STORE, AND AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN-OWNED APPAREL STORE. THESE FOUR SHOPS HAVE EMPLOYED TEN RESIDENTS FROM THE AREA, AND THERE HAS EVEN BEEN A MODEL CITIES YOUTH RESIDENT WHO HAS BEEN ABLE TO VOLUNTEER AT THE BARBER SHOP.

MODEL CITIES PROPERTIES ALSO SERVES AS A HOLDING COMPANY FOR OUR SANKOFA AND FAMILIES FIRST SUPPORTIVE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS, WHICH PROVIDE 37 LONG-TERM, LOW-COST HOUSING UNITS AT NO MORE THAN 30% OF FAMILY INCOME. SANKOFA SERVES PREGNANT AND PARENTING YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS AGES 17-25. FAMILIES FIRST SERVES SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES MOSTLY SINGLE MOTHERS WITH A HISTORY OF HOMELESSNESS. IN SEPTEMBER 2018, MODEL CITIES COMPLETED A $2.1 MILLION SUPPORTIVE HOUSING REHAB PROJECT. THIS INCLUDED THE REHABILITATION OF FIVE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROPERTIES LOCATED IN SAINT PAUL'S FROGTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD. IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDED ENERGY UPGRADES, NEW BOILERS, NEW ROOFS, HEALTH AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS -- SUCH AS SMOKE DETECTORS, EMERGENCY EXIT SIGNS, AND HEAVY- DUTY WINDOW SCREENS -- CERAMIC TILE ENTRIES, DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, AND NEW FLOORING IN THE APARTMENTS. THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE PROJECT WAS THE INSTALLATION OF NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AT SANKOFA AND 914 THOMAS, AS WELL AS A NEW COMMUNITY ROOM AT SANKOFA AND NEW COMPUTER EQUIPMENT AT ALL THE APARTMENTS. THIS PROJECT, FUNDED BY MHFA, THE FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK, AND PRIVATE DONORS MADE MUCH NEEDED ENHANCEMENTS TO ALL FIVE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING BUILDINGS.