Robbinsdale Church Worried Light Rail Stop Could Thwart Land Sale
Elim Lutheran Church in Robbinsdale has sat at the corner of 40th Avenue and West Broadway for more than 100 years.
“I do believe that one of the greatest strengths of Elim Lutheran Church is its longevity here in Robbinsdale,” said Pastor Dan Doerrer.
In past decades, the parish grew with the population of Robbinsdale. The church building was expanded to keep up with the needs of the parish.
However, in recent years, upkeep has become too much for the congregation to manage.
“A building that’s 40,000 square feet, that was ideal for the 60s, 70s and 80s, but a bit too much for a congregation our size,” Doerrer said.
So, the parish plans to downsize, selling part of its land to a developer.
If the sale moves ahead, part of the church’s land would be built up as market-rate apartments. Tentative plans are for 177 apartment units, according to a letter from the church’s legal representative.
The parish would use to proceeds to update the church structure.
“It allows us to have the resources, to right-size our building,” Doerrer said.
Elim Lutheran Church in Robbinsdale plans to downsize and sell part of its land to a developer. However, the sale is threatened by a Blue Line Extension light rail stop
LRT Plans Conflict with Development
However, according to the church, a transit plan decades in the making could put the sale in jeopardy.
Project engineers are designing the Bottineau Blue Line Light Rail Extension to run down West Broadway, directly in front of the church.
A station stop for the light rail line is planned adjacent to the church at 40th Avenue and West Broadway.
Construction of the LRT line as its designed means some of the church’s land would be condemned through eminent domain. That’s in conflict with the church’s development.
“With the light rail station south of 40th, would at least in our current estimation, would get in the way of us developing our property,” Doerrer said.
A letter from the church’s lawyer to the Robbinsdale City Council and LRT project officials dated Aug. 21 put the stakes in harsher terms. The “exercise of eminent domain will render the church project unfeasible, and will all but ensure the end of the church’s future,” the letter reads.
Doerrer said he hopes project and city officials can find a design compromise that allows the church to continue its development plans without hampering LRT construction.
“It’s with some concern and fear that we watch decisions unfolding,” he said.
Doerrer emphasized that the church isn’t coming out against the entire project, it’s just concerned about the impacts of the current design. Some church members don’t have cars and need public transit, he said.
