The University of Minnesota recently worked with local authorities to shutter and evict people from a crime-ridden housing complex near the Twin Cities campus and is now seeking to take ownership of the property.
U leaders on Thursday updated the Board of Regents on efforts to quell crime near the property at 1721 University Ave. SE. In the past month, videos shared on social media showed crowds outside the property in large fights and scattering amid gunfire.
"I want to express … on behalf of the university our shock and outrage at the criminal activity that has occurred at that property located at 1721 University Avenue Southeast," said Myron Frans, the U's senior vice president for finance and operations. "Let me assure you we are doing everything we can to ensure that this property is no longer a haven for the people who are responsible for dangerous behavior in our community."
The property in question is in the middle of the U's fraternity row but independently owned by an affordable housing provider called Students' Cooperative Inc. Historically, the house with 18 rooms has been home to both male and female students.
But the housing cooperative's governance structure "collapsed" at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a June 7 public statement made by the Students' Co-op Board. Residents began moving out, and squatters, none of whom were students, took over the property.
On May 22, after criminal incidents had occurred, the co-op's board said it filed to evict the squatters.
Frans said U attorneys had to demand that the co-op board evict the squatters. U police also worked with Hennepin County courts and the Sheriff's Office on the eviction process.
Students' Co-operative Inc. did not respond to a request for comment.