Longfellow neighbor How much traffic Twelve authors helps others at can 46th St. and collaborate on Encampment Hiawatha handle? ‘Lake Street Stories’ PAGE 7 PAGE 8 PAGE 16 November 2018 Vol. 36 No. 9 www.LongfellowNokomisMessenger.com 21,000 Circulation • Minnehaha 46 housing project made affordable by design Smaller units, fewer amenities planned for new 54-unit building at 46th and Minnehaha By TESHA M. CHRISTENSON The new five-story build- ing proposed at 46th St. and Minnehaha Ave. will be afford- able by design, according to de- veloper Sean Sweeney of Hayes Harlow Development. While working for eight years in San Francisco, Sweeney was a part of affordable housing and market-rate projects, and saw the challenges of both, he told citizens gathered at a community meeting on Oct. 9. In Minneapo- lis, he continues to hear that the A new, 38,452-square-foot building proposed at 46th St. and Minnehaha city needs more affordable hous- Ave. will offer studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units with rents ex- ing, but he pointed out that get- pected to range from $900 to $1,200. (Graphic submitted) ting the federal subsidies and tax The existing building at the corner of 46th St. and Minnehaha Ave. offers credits for those projects can be approach a new site, they ask The current plan calls for 54 12 transitional housing units that share four bathrooms with low-cost rents very time-consuming. the following questions: What is housing units spread out over ranging from $450-650 a month. Sweeney said they considered keeping Instead, he has decided to most needed? What is the best five floors, with 2,900 square feet the building, but determined it was too run-down to rehabilitate. It will be construct buildings that are af- use at this site? in retail space on the first level replaced with a five-story structure that will have 54 apartments and retail fordable by design. “We’re build- At Minnehaha and 46th, along 46th. A parking lot with 27 space on the first floor. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen) ing smaller units,” he said, “and they determined the need was units is planned for the back of keep the building tight, simple housing units and commercial the property with access off the and efficient.” This helps keep transitional housing units that bathrooms would be needed. space. They were drawn to the alley, along with parking for one rents lower, Sweeney explained. share four bathrooms with rents This project does not include site because of its proximity to bike per unit. A new, 38,452-square-foot ranging from $450-650 a month. the building that houses Solid the light rail station and bus “We looked at underground building will replace an existing Sweeney said they considered State Records on the east. lines, and believe that most of parking,” noted architect Pete structure that Sweeney said he’s keeping the building, but deter- their building residents will use Keely of Collage Architects. “But been told is an “eyesore in the mined it was too run-down to re- 54 units, 27 parking stalls transit instead of their vehicles. we get about as much and we community.” habilitate. The mechanicals need- According to Sweeney, when they “We think this is a great The existing building has 12 ed to be upgraded and additional area,” said Sweeney. Continued on page 5 New director brings Theatre of the Absurd to Roosevelt High School By JILL BOOGREN In the auditorium at Roo- sevelt High School, students move deliberately in a tight group across the stage, scripts in hands, rehearsing their lines. Behind them, a trio of musicians creates a palpable tension on guitar, cello, piano, and muted trumpet. In front, on the main floor, the director paces back and forth, follow- ing the same time and rhythm. He calls out an occasional note, and actors and musicians respond with subtle alter- ations. They run through the scene again. “Oh”! the director shouts to the full group, electrified. “You’re killin’ it!” Roosevelt Theater Director Ryan It’s the sixth day of rehears- Underbakke in the auditorium. als for the school’s upcoming (Photos by Jill Boogren) fall play, and it is evident the cast and crew are jumping right Students rehearse Roosevelt Theater’s upcoming play “Rhinoceros,” adapted by the high school’s new theater director in. Steering the production is 20th century absurdist master- Ryan Underbakke (foreground, in silhouette). Shows are Nov. 15-17. (Photos by Jill Boogren) Ryan Underbakke, who is bring- piece, “Le Rhinoceros.” ing his own brand of energy The play takes place on its themes—individual will, ing to Underbakke, has stu- ers and audiences alike. and enthusiasm to his new role a sunny afternoon, a day like responsibility, logic, absurdi- dent-created music, a physi- “I think it’s gonna be... hope- as director of Roosevelt’s the- any other. Things are normal, ty, fascism—resonate as readi- cally-dynamic cast, and a cine- fully uncomfortable, exciting and ater program. And he’s charging mundane even, when sudden- ly today as when the play pre- matic style. The aim is to shake full of rhythms,” said Ryan. “It’s right out of the gate with his ly everyone begins turning into miered in 1959. things up and deliver a new adaptation of Eugene Ionesco’s a rhinoceros. Absurd? Yes. But This production, accord- theater experience for perform- Continued on page 13 Dowling librarian pens children’s book about biologist Edward Just By JAN WILLMS trade books. I did not have book that a lot of books deal with ap- The life of Edward Ever- signings like I do now, and it’s a plied science, but he worked on ett Just, an African American whole different ball game. I have basic or pure science. “It’s a very marine biologist whose career to work on the speaking part. important field, but we don’t spanned the years from 1911 to I am so used to talking about hear about it that much.” 1941, is being celebrated in a other people’s books; it’s differ- She also noted that black new children’s book authored ent to talk about mine.” scientists are not so well known. by Melina Mangal, a librarian Mangal said she hopes kids “Just is a science hero, but also media specialist who teaches re- will be inspired by her book. an American hero,” she noted. search and literature at Dowling “My big goal is to have kids “He was doing his work at a Elementary, 3900 W. River Pkwy. think about their own backyards time when it was difficult and The idea for “The Vast Won- and explore what is around could actually be dangerous and der of the World” came from them,” she said. Another reason life-threatening in the places he Mangal’s daughter, who was in she wanted to write about Just is was in, but he persevered.” kindergarten in 2012 and had a coloring sheet on Just. “I know of a lot of scientists, but I had never heard of this person, so I wanted to know more about him,” Mangal said. Her research- Melina Mangal holds a copy of her new children’s book, “The Vast Wonder ing instincts kicked in, and she of the World,” which honors the life of Edward Everett Just, an African began exploring his life. “Every- American marine biologist from the early 20th century. Mangal is a librari- thing I learned just made him an media specialist at Dowling Elementary. (Photo by Jan Willms) sound a lot more interesting,” she said. “He was honored on a postage stamp in 1996. His per- many different versions I wrote digging through old research.” sonal life was as interesting as before getting a publishing She explained that she had his professional life.” contract.” more access to information than Mangal, who has written She said that in working Manning had, who wrote his four other biographies and short with a picture book, the editor is book before so much was dig- stories for children, thought Just the one who works directly with itized. “I was able to find new would be an interesting person the illustrator. Luisa Uribe, who documents, and connect the for her first children’s book with lives in Bogota, Colombia, was dots. And the act of writing illustrations. chosen as the illustrator. grounds me and cements so She said a book about Just’s Mangal said Uribe’s sis- many things in me.” academic life and his search for ter lives in South Carolina and When she first started re- funding, “Black Apollo Scien- was expecting a child while they searching the book, Mangal was tist,” had been written in the worked on the book. “Luisa was working part-time and had more 1980s by Kenneth Manning, able to go out and visit her sis- opportunities to work on her currently a professor at MIT. “It ter, and at the same time get a writing. “The last several years is a great, comprehensive book, more concrete idea of time and I am working full-time again, but not for kids. And I thought place by visiting and walking the so I get up early and write be- kids should know more about areas where Just lived; she was fore school,” she said. “I take this scientist.” doing the same things I did.” the summers off and get into a Mangal received a teach- Uribe had her own vision stricter routine.” BUY LOCAL er’s study grant and traveled to of what the illustrations would She has several books in the South Carolina, where Just grew look like, according to Mangal.