Up Front Event Center was forced to close in 2006 due to the fallout of a long, drawn-out Eminent Domain saga. The initial vote by the city of Brooklyn Center in December 2004, came just three months after Up Front received it's Certificate of Occupancy. The condemnation vote caused many churches not to rent all throughout 2005 and 2006, including the anchor church sublease tenant, almost secured. The other anchor sublease situation--a café and catering business--backed out, as well. Many long-term future bookings were not secured all throughout 2005 and 2006 due to the condemnation proceedings news well-covered in the Sun Post, BCBA Buzz newspapers and Channel 12.
The owners of Brookdale Square (Heritage Property) filed a lawsuit against the city in October of 2005. Because of that legal action, the city then reversed it’s own vote, as of December 2005. The lawsuit stated that Heritage knew in 2002 of the city's plan to implement Eminent Domain yet this information was not disclosed to Up Front Event Center when a 5-year lease was signed in 2004. With the huge loss of those sublease revenues, the building was vacated by Up Front Event Center in 2006. Shortly after, Heritage Property sold their business for 3 + billion to Centro Watt:
http://www.costar.com/News/Article.aspx?id=96A741741D9883CBE69849352E99CB16
Articles on the Eminent Domain history and vote from Sun Post Newspapers:
1. EDA gives go-ahead to city center acquisitions through Eminent Domain power—December 2004
http://mnsun.com/articles/2004/12/23/export21798.prt
2. Giving the core of Brooklyn Center a makeover—April 2005
http://mnsun.com/articles/2005/04/21/export5939.prt
3. Heritage Investment (Bradley Operating) sues City of Brooklyn Center—October 2005
Click here: Law suit
4. Demolition of former Northbrook approved—October 2005
http://www.mnsun.com/articles/2005/10/20/news/bc20council.prt
5. Br. Cntr. EDA rescinds eminent domain permission—December 2005
http://www.mnsun.com/articles/2005/12/26/news/bc22eminent.prt and http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2005/12/19/story4.html
6. Up Front Center owner in Brooklyn Center displaced, disappointed by eminent domain—March 2006
http://www.mnsun.com/articles/2006/03/23/news/bc23upfront.prt
For more information contact:
Rev. Gregory Haage, Executive Director
www.UpFrontMinistries.com
763-522-8156
upfrontpastor@aol.com