Tuttle Talk: The Future of Tuttle School

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The Tuttle School building at 18th & Talmage Ave SE was built in 1911 and has gone through transformations throughout its history. As of Summer 2021, it is no longer needed as a public school building. Minneapolis Public Schools has invited the Southeast Como community to share your ideas and dreams of what can become of the property.

We first want to get everyone’s input and ideas for this planning process. We started with a brainstorming session in February, then kicked off our idea generating back in May at Tuttle Talk forum; we developed an initial survey based on ideas from that forum. We then got survey input during the Bike Fest in late May, updated the initial survey, and then got more inputs from both attendees at the Pollinator Party in June and those who voted online. These results were then used to develop the simple “love it” chart at the Oct 3 Como Cookout. Those top and medium results are tabulated here:

Latest updates: Tuttle Community School Future Still Uncertain

Something unexpected happened at the Tuttle School at 18th & Talmage Aves SE on August 23rd and 24th. Minneapolis Public School (MPS) personnel came and tore out the playground equipment with no warning to the SE Como community. We had expected that equipment to be sold as part of the property and hoped to retain community use of it. Via a couple sources, we were told that a local resident had complained about lack of supervision and maintenance of the equipment; and then MPS, to prevent any safety and liability issues, removed the equipment rather than weeding and repairing/maintaining the equipment. Last minute efforts to save at least some of the equipment was too late.

In 2021, MPS updated their process for divesting surplus property. One good thing about that is that the process requires proof of community support for proposed reuse of the property. [See]. In May 2022, MPS put Tuttle and two other properties on their Surplus Property list where they are now available for sale or lease. To see that list, along with the MPS requirements and priorities, [See].

Meanwhile, SECIA formed an Ad Hoc committee to study and interact with MPS regarding the future of Tuttle. In 2021, we surveyed the neighborhood to determine what you all wanted. We have presented that information to MPS and are ready to present it to potential developers. What we are working on now is trying to locate reputable developers with proven experience redeveloping old structurally sound buildings into livable useable structures; who have experience funding, developing, and managing affordable housing; and who are willing to listen to us about community wants and needs.

This fall MPS selected a real estate broker to handle the sale or lease of all three surplus properties. The broker is Commercial Equities Group (CEG). Their Tuttle page went live on their website shortly after Christmas at www.CEGspaces.com/properties. They expect it to be a fairly long process because a developer first needs to assess the building and properties and then develop a plan that meets MPS criteria, along with proof of adequate funding.  As you will see if you study the CEG brochure, they cannot propose a school or day care facility. They also need to prove they have community support. We will continue to assess potential developers and stay in contact with CEG and MPS.

If you have questions or want to get involved with the Future of Tuttle Ad Hoc Committee, in the next stages of this project, please contact [email protected]

*To request this information in another language or format, please contact [email protected].  * Para solicitar esta información en otro idioma o en un formato diferente, por favor contacta [email protected].  * Xav thov nug nplooj ntawv no rau lwm hom lus los yog daim ntawv, thov hu rau [email protected].  * Si aad u codsato foomkan oo qaab ama luqad kale ah, fadlan la xiriir [email protected]

Future conversations and opportunities will be shared on this page.