Becketwood Cooperative good for residents and the neighborhood

Members share what they love most about living in a cooperative

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN

Peg Hanson values privacy and community, and she finds both at Becketwood Cooperative at 4300 W. River Pkwy. S.

Photo right: Twenty-six-year Becketwood resident Peg Hanson (left) appreciates the sense of community coupled with privacy that she finds at Becketwood.

As one of the longest-residing residents at Becketwood, Hanson appreciates not having to call a plumber if the sink gets clogged or worry about other home maintenance items.

She was drawn to the idea of the housing cooperative when plans for Becketwood were being developed. A Longfellow resident since 1947, Hanson was on the original wait list for Becketwood but didn’t move in until January 1989 after her first husband passed away.

She appreciates the sense of community at Becketwood and believes that is more apt to happen at a cooperative than in a condo building.

Stimulating environment

“Becketwood has a stimulating environment,” Hanson remarked. There are many activities and programs to participate in. She’s served on the board of directors for a number of years, and is currently volunteering in several behind-the-scenes activities. She regularly attends the Tai Chi classes offered at Becketwood.

“I tell people: Don’t wait too long,” advised Hanson. “So often people say I am not ready for those places yet. Yes, there are a lot of us who have lived here a long time and, yes, we are old. But I think being part of a community, and the interaction it entails, helps keep us better both mentally and physically.”

Photo right: Members Bob and Elaine Kirk (left) and John and Jacqueline Teisberg (right) enjoy a pub crawl.

Bob Kirk and his wife moved across the river from Highland Park to Becketwood two years ago, drawn in part by the location on 12 acres near the river. “E. River Pkwy. is the most beautiful walking/running/biking path in the Twin Cities,” Kirk observed. Plus, “we have the biggest flock of wild turkeys in the Twin Cities.”

He knew a significant number of people living at Becketwood, and, like Hanson, had watched the facility be built in the early 1980s.

Financially, it was not important to for them to be a coop, Kirk pointed out, but he appreciates the spirit of cooperation.

Photo left: Becketwood Cooperative members participate in a tasting at the Du Nord Spirits room in Longfellow.

He and his wife serve on the Food, Excursion, Safety, Shop, and Art Committees. They have organized four pub crawls, and a cider making party. They play recorded piano music in the Wellington Room every afternoon. And every Apr. 1, they have a satirical publication with items that wouldn’t be allowed in the regular newsletter.

“The Becketwood mission has been to provide a well-maintained, financially stable housing in a beautifully wooded setting, creating a vibrant, supportive, cooperative community,” stated Manager Mark D. Dickinson. “That mission continues as members actively govern the cooperative and participate in so many facets of community life.”

Becketwood encourages members to participate in all aspects of the community activities from serving on committees to helping with gardening on the grounds, according to Dickinson. There are approximately 275 members, and there are about 175 who participate on committees, and many are on multiple committees.

“Members encourage each to participate—with so many committees, it is easy to find a niche or interest,” he added.

About 25% of Becketwood members come from the surrounding neighborhoods in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

“If you do not want to take care of maintenance of your house and yard anymore; if you are tired of snowplowing in the winter and lawn-care in the summer; but still wish to have some equity in your living place to leave to your descendants and to have some say in how your living place operates, co-op living is for you,” said board president Lily Ng, who moved to Becketwood from Ohio five years ago.

Sense of community sets it apart

Ng remarked that the members at Becketwood set it apart.

“The members are uniformly friendly. Neighbors volunteer to help each other, whether to provide rides to various appointments or to do pet-sitting, plant-sitting when neighbors are away, etc. We take care of each other and provide support systems for each other,” said Ng.

“The high level of participation of the members in the running of Becketwood and the respect shown to each others’ opinion is what I appreciate most about Becketwood.”

A dream realized

Ground broke for Becketwood Cooperative in 1984 after years of planning. A board of 10 women looking to create a new kind of housing was inspired by the success of 7500 York (a cooperative in Edina for senior citizens developed by Ebenezer Society).

Supported by the Episcopal Church Home, they purchased what was formerly the Sheltering Arms Orphanage. The orphanage, begun in 1882 by Sister Annette Relf, was given 140 acres along the river in March 1900 from the estate of Richard Martin. Later that year, Sheltering Arms sold some of its property to the U.S. government for the lock and dam for $1,450. Two years later, they sold 28 acres to the city for the construction of the River Rd.

The Sheltering Arms building was constructed in 1910. Over the years more land was sold off, some in 1923 for the construction of the Michael Dowling School for physically challenged children, and 13 acres in 1956 for Breck School.

The last 12 and a half acres was sold to the Episcopal Church Home in 1982 for $950,000.

In 1986, construction was completed on the distinctive Becketwood buildings, and the first active, independent members age 55+ moved in. The original orphanage chapel continues to serve residents, and the original gate is a walking path entrance of W. River Pkwy.

In 1993, Becketwood became a financially independent facility run by its own nine-member Board of Directors.

“This type of housing co-op provides ample opportunities for every member to have a say and to participate in the operation of the co-op. That’s what works for me,” stated Ng.

Cooperatively owned senior housing provides full apartment and townhouse living, controlled by the seniors themselves. All financial benefits accrue to the senior owners, including return of equity upon resale. Tax deductibility of mortgage interest and real estate taxes, identical to single-family homeownership, applies to cooperative ownership. Senior cooperatives typically include substantial community spaces.

Good for the neighborhood

Hanson believes that the neighborhood benefits from the cooperative, as well.

In addition to a large amount of open land around the buildings, she said they try to be good neighbors.

Photo left: Becketwood Cooperative members Jacqueline Teisberg and Bob Benjamin weed the garden.

Becketwood regularly welcomes neighbors into its gardens and grounds. Annually in July, the cooperative hosts an outdoor band concert. “It’s such fun to see the little kids rolling down our little hill,” observed Hanson. In October, Minnehaha Academy students parade through the dining room, dressed in costumes inspired by a particular book they’ve read.

On National Night Out members walk to nearby street parties to hand out balloons, and there is a Little Library for all to use.

Through a new partnership with Dowling School, members provide one-on-one tutoring.

Photo right: Neighbors are invited to the annual concert in July. At right is Peg Hanson.

“A lot of our individual member volunteers in neighborhood schools and colleges (e.g. Minnehaha Academy, Dowling School),” pointed out Ng. Some volunteer at cultural and charitable centers and programs such as the Minnesota Institute of Arts, the History Center, local Meals-on-Wheels, and American Swedish Institute.

“If you enjoy a sense of community with others and thrive in active participation in cultural and artistic programs, Becketwood is the place for you,” said Ng.