Editor’s note: Candidate interviews are presented in alphabetical order throughout this edition. Placement does not suggest endorsement of one candidate over another.
With Election Day just days away, the race for mayor in Columbia Heights will soon be decided. The Northeaster submitted questions to incumbent Amáda Márquez Simula and challenger Cliff Johnson.
Cliff Johnson
Why are you running for mayor?
I don’t like the policies of our current mayor.
What do you think are the Columbia Heights community’s strengths, and as mayor how can you leverage those?
We have an excellent location within the metro area. We are close to everything. We need to use this to try to sell our city to businesses small and large.
Of all your previous experiences, which best prepares you for serving as mayor?
I served on the board of a homeowners association. Running an HOA is a lot like running a small city. You have a very tight budget in which to work from. You have a very limited cap on how much fees can be raised. You inherit all the previous administrations’ issues that they kicked down the road.
Please list the top three issues that you think need to be addressed in Columbia Heights.
1. Strengthen our regulations on rental properties. 2. Safety on our roads, particularly Central Avenue and University Avenue. 3. Attract new business to our city to ease tax burden on residential property.
How do you plan on engaging members of the community, especially those who do not speak English?
I will encourage and welcome all residents of the city to be engaged in all matters pertaining to the city.
Do you think the 2023 city budget takes sufficient account of inflation costs for the next year?
That is difficult to say, when no one can predict what future inflation will be.
How might the city assist in the creation of more affordable housing?
I believe we already have enough affordable housing for a city our size. I believe the true way to address the need is to keep our taxes as low as possible by not building a wish list of wanted, but not needed projects. The other important issue is to regulate single family home rentals allowed per block, to stop corporate ownership of single family housing.
Does the city have resources to assist residents who might have to relocate because of double-digit rent increases?
I don’t believe the city should be involved in that. This is a problem that HUD needs to fix.
What needs to be done to reduce traffic-related deaths and injuries along Central and University Avenues?
I think Central Avenue is a much bigger problem for traffic-related deaths and injuries. We can address both arteries of transit.
The city has removed the ash trees on public property. What, if anything, is being done about ash trees on private property?
Since I am not in city government, I cannot say what is being done on private property.
What would be the best use for the former Fairview-Columbia Heights Clinic building at 4000 Central Avenue?
That would have been a great place for our city hall. I think the new one is a misguided project. Parking will be a huge problem at the new building. I feel the city should have been more patient, and waited for such an opportunity as the Fairview building to become available. We are too quick to approve dense property proposals. Having said that, I would like to see another medical facility there.
What should be done about redeveloping the empty strip mall on 37th and Stinson?
I know the answer I don’t want is more high-density housing. We need to be a lot more inventive and diverse in our development. Development for the sake of development is a bad idea.
Amáda Márquez Simula
Why are you running for mayor?
The community has continued to ask me to run again; I’m hearing from some residents that they like what I’m doing, and I really enjoy being there for people in my community.
What do you think are the Columbia Heights community’s strengths, and as mayor how can you leverage those?
Our strengths are that we are small enough to build community spirit across our city, yet big enough that people can have autonomy and have space when they need it. Another strength is our location; we are near I-694, and close to Minneapolis. We are a destination; we have so many parks and restaurants that people come to use. As for leveraging those things, I’m a community organizer… getting people involved, whether it’s voting, or becoming part of the various commissions and boards.
Of all your previous experiences, which best prepares you for serving as mayor?
Being involved in Girl Scouts, being a neighborhood block captain, and just being a community organizer.
Please list the top three issues that you think need to be addressed in Columbia Heights.
Healthier spaces, thriving local businesses, and modernized public safety.
How do you plan on engaging members of the community, especially those who do not speak English?
By going where people already are; making myself available for community events, sports events, to meet community members and residents where they’re at. Also reaching out to community members, for members who can translate and want to be in those spaces.
Do you think the 2023 city budget takes sufficient account of inflation costs for the next year?
I do – we talked about that in depth and we feel that it is a good budget.
How might the city assist in the creation of more affordable housing?
That is a million-dollar question. It is a question that all cities are looking at to make sure that we hold on to our naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) and that we look at our rental policies and ordinances to make sure we are providing safe and dignified housing for everyone, no matter the cost of that housing.
Does the city have resources to assist residents who might have to relocate because of double-digit rent increases?
If “resources” means do we have money for that assistance, we do not. Do we have resources that we can point them to, to look for financial assistance? There may be areas from the county, but it’s definitely a concern that needs looking into. I have reached out to Congresswoman Omar about ways we can help, and our state senator and county commissioner, as well. I and State Senator Mary Kunesh attended a meeting at a Dominium property to learn more about this. Also, reaching out to other legislators about this concern.
What needs to be done to reduce traffic-related deaths and injuries along Central Avenue?
Reducing the speed of traffic would be the number one thing that we can do. I have attended multiple meetings over the last two years with MNDoT to make both Central and University safer. Also, build for the community, not the commuters.
The city has removed the ash trees on public property. What, if anything, is being done about ash trees on private property?
I think that not all the trees have been removed. I think some are being treated; I would have to check on that.
What would be the best use for the former Fairview-Columbia Heights Clinic building at 4000 Central Avenue?
My first choice would be for another clinic to reopen there; my second choice would be a boutique hotel. There are no hotels on Central Avenue from 52nd down to Northeast. I feel like we are a destination and we are close to so many things here, and so many families who are visiting, that a nicer hotel would be very beneficial, especially with that new apartment building going up. My third choice would be for office space.
What should be done about redeveloping the empty strip mall on 37th and Stinson?
I would definitely like for that to stay “business.” There have been conversations about that area, but I would not want that to be all apartments. It should end up being business-related, maybe mixed use.
Below: Cliff Johnson is challenging incumbent Amáda Márquez Simula for the mayor’s seat in Columbia Heights. (Provided photos)
