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Columbia Heights, Fridley propose two‑year lease at 4111 Central for Metro North ABE site
Summary
District staff presented a proposed two‑year lease for the adult basic education site at 4111 Central, serving Columbia Heights and Fridley through the Metro North consortium; the lease would start July 1 with a 2% increase the first year and 3% the second year and return for consent approval on May 27.
District staff presented an informational item May 13 proposing a two‑year lease extension for the Metro North Adult Basic Education (ABE) site at 4111 Central.
The Community Education Director (presenter) said the site serves learners from Columbia Heights and Fridley as part of an eight‑district Metro North ABE consortium and offers free classes in basic literacy, high‑school diploma/GED preparation, English language learning, citizenship preparation and employment training. Coordinator Kathleen Moriarty was identified as the site coordinator; partners from Fridley mentioned included Steven Keeler (community ed counterpart) and finance staff involved in negotiations.
Staff said the proposed lease would begin July 1 (aligned to the fiscal year), run two years, and include a 2 percent rent increase in year one and a 3 percent increase in year two, terms staff described as market‑aligned. The district had evaluated alternate locations and noted the site’s proximity to transportation hubs and convenience for students from both districts. Staff said previous pandemic adjustments reduced onsite space needs because roughly half of programming is now offered online; the districts evaluated current and projected in‑person classroom needs before negotiating space and cost.
Next steps: the proposed lease will be shared with the Fridley School Board for review and approval and is scheduled to return to the Columbia Heights board as a consent agenda item on May 27 for formal approval.
