As we approach the one year anniversary of Hennepin County's decision to grant Mr. Mahendra Persaud's request to reclaim his property at 2737 E. Lake of the Isles Parkway, I call your attention to the lack of any progress on Mr. Persaud's part to "rehabilitate the property within 6-9 months." That is what statements in the county's posted directive say Persaud testified he planned to do.
As was clearly stated by members of the community and supported by the East Isles Neighborhood Association, nobody believed Mr. Persaud would make good on his promise. His property remains a blight on our city, the county and the neighborhood as it has been for over a decade.
As I type this, the yard is over a foot overgrown, and the home continues to fall deeper into disrepair. More important, no activity has taken place to rehabilitate the property.
Neighbors report that people experiencing homelessness are squatting in the house and on the grounds. Recently, there was a gas leak in the house, and the power company had to make an emergency visit late at night. This is an abandoned property, and its neighbors remain very concerned about the risk it creates for the neighborhood.
The community would appreciate an update from elected officials as to what can be done to either take this home away from Mr. Persaud (as was submitted to the county a year ago) or force his hand to make good on his promise to Hennepin County in order to get the property returned.
At minimum the county should work with Council Member Cashman to reinstate the fine the city is allowed to place on empty homes for inactivity — something that was in place prior to the decision to grant Mr. Persaud's request to reclaim his property.
Please contact your elected officials to encourage them to do something about this blight.
