Because the condominium fireplace on July 1, The Freund Haus on College Ave SE has been working with college students to seek out housing and slowly planning for rebuilding by the subsequent fall.
Based on a Minneapolis Hearth Division (MFD) press launch, the hearth began in a dumpster that unfold up the constructing, catching the second, third flooring and attic on fireplace. Roughly 30 folks lived within the constructing and weren’t injured, however all the constructing was deemed uninhabitable by the MFD and was launched to the proprietor for safety.
Proprietor of the Freund Haus residences, Mark Freund, mentioned the hearth was brought on by smoldering fireworks that had been disposed of within the recycling dumpster. Freund mentioned it was a devastating loss for him and the scholars residing there.
“Everybody misplaced their belongings and every part,” Freund mentioned. “It was a complete loss.”
Freund mentioned it was not brought about intentionally and no expenses could be made. There have been no college students nor Freund Haus residents concerned with the reason for the hearth.
Freund added a tenant noticed the hearth whereas leaving the constructing and alerted him to name the police. The hearth was so intense, he couldn’t stand within the parking zone however returned inside to alert the remaining tenants contained in the constructing to evacuate, in response to Freund.
“I bolted into the constructing, pounding on each door,” mentioned Freund. “I bought all of them out earlier than a single alarm may go off within the constructing.”
Freund has been constructing and renting in Dinkytown for the previous 28 years, opening Freund Haus on College Avenue in 2008. Freund mentioned he used inspiration from mansions he transformed previously twenty years within the Marcy-Holmes space to make Freund Haus distinctive and attention-grabbing.
“I’m not a giant company. I’m actually concerned with all my locations, particularly Freund Haus as a result of I constructed it actually particular,” Freund mentioned.
Freund mentioned he prioritizes sturdy connections and consideration along with his tenants and tries to go the additional mile to assist tenants with technical points to allow them to develop to be owners in the future. Freund mentioned folks from earlier years, out-of-state and in-state, had been reaching out to him asking if they may assist.
“I used to be getting texts from folks, 4, 5 years in the past asking, ‘Is that this actual? Is that this actually occurring?’” Freund mentioned.
With the condominium being rendered uninhabitable and unsalvageable, Freund has been serving to tenants discover new housing. Whether or not it’s his different properties or totally different housing choices elsewhere, he mentioned he’s making an attempt to assist them in any approach he can.
“I used to be scrambling, looking for housing for anybody and letting them know,” mentioned Freund.
A College of Minnesota 2023 graduate, Kaitlyn Bruns, was one of many college students who reached out to Freund for housing assist following the hearth. Bruns had lived at Freund Haus for 2 years and mentioned she instantly sought assist for residence in Dinkytown from her landlord the day after the hearth.
“He had one other property [available],” Bruns mentioned. “It was very candy, he painted the partitions in that place the identical colour because the condominium at Freund.”
Bruns mentioned though she ended up in a special residing state of affairs, Freund’s supply and assist had been appreciated. Bruns added her landlord cares and takes the time to get to know his residents, making a long-lasting impression on them and the condominium.
“I really feel like most individuals don’t even know their landlords,” Bruns mentioned. “It undoubtedly makes it more durable shedding that place as a result of it felt extra like a house.”
In an e-mail assertion to the Minnesota Day by day, College’s director of public relations Jake Ricker mentioned the College additionally gives assist throughout housing emergencies by the Workplace of Scholar Affairs, which gives short-term, emergency on-campus and off-campus housing.
Relying on what college students desire, they will contact Housing and Residential Life by their MyU for on-campus housing. For off-campus housing, college students can use the Off-Campus Market, which lists residences and homes close to the College campus.
Ricker added the College’s One Cease Scholar Companies workplace of monetary support gives emergency grants and cost plans to assist college students navigate bills.
Freund mentioned he plans for the condominium to be rebuilt in a similar way to the unique idea, solely this time, he desires to collect recommendations from his tenants for enhancements. Freund plans to open the condominium again up for the 2024-2025 college 12 months.
“I’m at all times seeking to enhance,” Freund mentioned. “I don’t personal all the great concepts.”