Minneapolis to build 100 'eco-friendly' homes

The City of Minneapolis and a coalition of partners plan to build 100 "eco-friendly" homes on vacant lots in north Minneapolis over the next five years as part of an effort to boost home values and ownership in the area.

Twenty-seven of the houses are currently under construction.

"Minneapolis is known for being a green, energy-efficient city, and so we want to take one of our neighborhoods that are currently being challenged and say 'Hey you deserve the best homes, too,'" said Rose Lindsay, City of Minneapolis marketing specialist .

Most of the homes, ranging in size from 1,400 to 2,400 square feet, will have three bedrooms, up to three bathrooms, and two-car detached garages. Lindsay says the homes will likely be worth $200,000 to $350,000 but will be sold for $150,000 to $250,000.

The homes will be tailored to artists, growing families, or the elderly.

Lindsay says the program will offer financial help for closing costs and down payments for those who qualify. Designs for the homes will be featured at the free Green Homes North expo at Theodore Wirth Park Pavilion Sunday afternoon.