Crack in South Minneapolis Retaining Wall Becomes ‘Money Pit’

Updated: 01/15/2014 7:20 AM Created: 01/14/2014 4:54 PM KSTP.com By: Ellen Galles

A crack in a South Minneapolis retaining wall is becoming a pit... a money pit. Homeowner Elizabeth Howell was originally cited for it back in 2008. The cost to fix it would be anywhere from $70,000 to $90,000.

Howell says the retaining wall is the city's property and after five years, dozens of letters to city officials and multiple court cases a Hennepin County judge finally agreed with her in late December.

Now Howell is waiting for the snow to melt and for a public works crew to come and fix it.

"The fact that the city dug its heels in and kept pushing me to fix it when it wasn't my responsibility, I find that outlandish," said Howell.

Minneapolis City attorney Susan Segal says they have to take a hard, careful look at cases like this. She says the dispute lasted so long because they were defending the city's interests and taxpayer dollars.

"We have to look closely and make sure we are doing our due diligence," Segal said.

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Crack in South Minneapolis Retaining Wall Becomes 'Money Pit'