Citizens critical of housing first model at Kimball Court

Frustrations are increasing about crime, drug use and general cleanliness in the University and Snelling area, and along Snelling to the north. Neighbors are upset that more hasn’t been done to quell problems, pointing at elected officials and Kimball Court apartment building owner Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative demanding that changes be made.
More than 300 people attended a meeting Nov. 7, 2024, filling the gym at Hancock Recreation Center. That meeting was organized by Hamline Midway Coalition (HMC). Frustrated neighbors planned to meet Dec. 3 on their own, tired of living and working near an epicenter of the fentanyl crisis.
Neighborhood residents, business owners and church leaders are weary of groups gathering to buy and use drugs in public, of being aggressively panhandled, threatened and harassed. They are unhappy with yards, alleys and parking lots being used as outdoor toilets. They are unhappy with break-ins, thefts and vandalism. Even the recently installed loon sculpture at United Village hasn’t been immune from graffiti.
Much criticism is leveled at Beacon for its “housing first” model which has the premise that after residents are housed, treatment for addiction and needed social services can follow. That has been used at Kimball Court for the past two years.
How to address problems has brought an array of suggestions. One idea is to challenge Beacon’s upcoming expansion from 76 to 98 dwelling units, by asking that its site plan and other zoning approvals be reviewed again. Others have called for scrutiny under the city’s excessive consumption of police services ordinance, or state public nuisance laws.
Complaints have been made to city’s Department of Safety and Inspections about conditions inside the building.
The latest entity to step in is the Ramsey County Attorney John Choi’s Office, which was asked by the Midway Chamber of Commerce to meet with business owners so they could gain a better understanding of the legal process. Dennis Gerhardstein, county attorney’s office spokesperson, said a request has been made to the St. Paul Police Department to compile police reports made in the area. A review could potentially trigger sanctions under the state public nuisance laws.
Another part of the solution is the St. Paul Fire Department’s recent addition of suboxone to its way of treating people in crisis due to fentanyl use. While Narcan can save a life in the event of an overdose, suboxone can be administered to counter the subsequent craving for more drugs.
“The need for housing and ways to combat the fentanyl crisis are needed,” said County Commissioner Rena Moran. “We are going through an epidemic right now.” She and others noted that fentanyl is as cheap as $1 per bill, compounding problems.
Groups including HMC, Union Park District Council and the chamber are working to form a separate group just to focus on the University and Snelling area.
But one complaint is that too many empty promises have been offered. The crowd at Hancock Recreation Center gymnasium Nov. 7 was at times skeptical of city, county and Kimball Court representatives, jeering, cat-calling and laughing during the meeting.
One source of frustration is unrealized redevelopment promised years ago with Green Line construction and more recently with the United Village development. Buildings destroyed in 2020 civil unrest haven’t replaced. One speaker referred to University Avenue as a “wasteland.”
But most unhappiness is aimed at Kimball Court, which was described in a recent St. Paul Police Department incident report as the “hub of narcotic traffic” in the police department’s Western District.
Beacon officials counter that they are trying to help and that the upcoming expansion and renovation of their facility will bring needed improvements.
“Kimball Court is part of this community and we want to be part of this discussion,” said Ben Clarke, asset manager for Beacon.
Clarke said several measures have been taken, including having an armed security guard on-site 24/7 and adding door sensors. More cameras will be added soon. He said long-term Kimball Court residents believe the building is safer.
But Clarke also pointed out that many residents struggle with substance abuse and behavioral issues.
Clarke and others from Beacon, as well as Ward Four Council Member Mitra Jalali, spoke of the property’s upcoming renovation and expansion. The adjoining Star Market building will be torn down soon, allowing expansion to serve 98 residents from the current 74. A new, secure entrance and other security measures will be implemented. Construction will start by year’s end and be completed by 2026.
Jalali defended the city’ recent decision to provide $3 million funding toward the $19 million Kimball Court expansion. She and Clarke said that the planned expansion and improvements will add to safety and building functionality, and bring in more funding for operations.
Jerry Kragt, pastor of Mosaic Alliance Church, 1632 Charles Ave., was among those expressing skepticism about the “housing first” model. He called the current neighborhood situation “devastating.” He asked, “What tragedy will it take to acknowledged that this is not working in this particular neighborhood?”