The Selby Milton Victoria Project
Rondo Community Land Trust (CLT), along with its partner Trellis Co., developed two mixed-use commercial/residential buildings, the Selby Milton Victoria (SMV) Project. These buildings provide 9,300 square feet of long-term affordable commercial space for small, local and minority owned businesses along with 34 units of affordable senior housing.
One of the most pressing issues in the community is how can small minority-owned businesses afford space when rapidly rising rents and speculative real estate development threatens to displace them. It is unsettling to those of us who care about ensuring that local business owners are not displaced after they have made investments in their community. Based on the concepts underlying land trust housing, Rondo CLT is creating a new model for long-term, affordable commercial space.
Affordable Senior Housing
Rondo CLT and Trellis Co. are partnering with Trellis Management and the Neighborhood Network for Seniors for the affordable senior housing. Trellis Management is the leasing agent for the senior housing. The Neighborhood Network for Seniors Program will provide the services for Outreach Nurse for wellness services, work with resident groups to identify programming needs and interests, collaborate with RCLT and Trellis Co. to provide evidence based programs, workshops and educational opportunities that support the health, wellness and independence of their residents.
Please contact Trellis Management if interested: (612) 371-0766 or selbymiltonvictoria@trellismn.com
Commercial Development
The 9,300 sq. ft of affordable commercial space is designed for small businesses to expand or become established on Selby Ave. The goal of the commercial space on the first floors will be to retain, stabilize, and promote small, local, and minority owned businesses. Through small business recruitment, the Rondo Commercial Land Trust Project (CLTP) addresses the community goal of encouraging economic independence through entrepreneurial training and support.
As we work with restaurant tenants it has become clear that the extent and cost of the mechanical and electrical infrastructure is more that these small businesses can afford. Given the fact that we are targeting small, local, and minority owned businesses, we have decided to cover a much larger share of these infrastructure costs. We are currently raising the money for this build-out project. Please consider making a donation to help these small businesses. We don’t want them to have more debt than they can safely carry in order to be successful. You can donate online here.
Commercial Land Trust Tenants
In Black Ink 938 Selby Avenue, St. Paul In Black Ink creates spaces where the stories and voices of people of African heritage is celebrated, documented and archived through publications, professional development trainings/opportunities, and public presentations.
Golden Thyme Coffee Cafe 934 Selby Avenue, St. Paul Golden Thyme is an easygoing place with a warm vibe offering food and coffee drinks named after jazz artists.
The Black Gate 848b Selby Ave, St Paul Seitu Jones, community artist and advocate, is launching The Black Gate, an institution and fund that will promote and preserve the work of African American artists.
Peaces ‘N Puzsouls: Journies Thru Healing 848a Selby Avenue, St. Paul Peaces ‘N Puzsouls promotes mental health by providing individualized and quality psychotherapy to individuals, families, and communities with diverse challenges. Specialties include psychotherapy, consultation, psychoeducation, and reflective practice.
Soul Touch Productions 840 Selby Ave, St Paul
TB’Z Customz Boutique 854 Selby Ave, St. Paul
Dispute Resolution Center 844 Selby Ave, St Paul Restorative and Mediation Services.