Memo - Blake School/Habitat for HumanityMEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Hopkins City Council Members
FROM: Kersten Elverum, r of Planning & Development
DATE: June 18, 2008
SUBJECT: The Blake School /Habitat for Humanity
Planning & Economic
Development
A discussion has been scheduled for the September 8, 2009, work session to update the
City Council on The Blake School /Habitat for Humanity negotiations.
Through continued conversations with both parties it has been determined that they have
closed on 146 Harrison Avenue but have not closed on the sale of 13 and 15 Harrison to
The Blake School. According to the attorney representing Blake, that transfer of title is
to take place at Habitat's request, anticipated to occur this winter. That leaves open the
ability for both parties to renegotiate the terms based on their knowledge that the current
terms are contrary to the City of Hopkins desires. In addition, since both parties have
represented that the terms were the other parties' idea, they have weak arguments for not
unraveling the transaction.
The City Attorney is reviewing both the purchase agreement between the City and Habitat, as
well as the covenants placed on the two lots, to determine our recourse. An opinion will be
available for Tuesday's discussion. It is anticipated that we will also be able to share what The
Blake School is willing to do to in an effort of showing good faith in honoring the City's
intensions.
The discussion is intended to focus on what steps the City should take and neither The Blake
School or Habitat representatives are expected to be in attendance.