Eastside Defender

From KSTP-5 TV:

A 14-year-old and nine-year-old were arrested Wednesday morning after an arson at a vacant home in northeast Minneapolis.

Fire broke out around 7 p.m. at a home on the 900 block of 18th Ave. NE.

The 14-year-old boy was booked into the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center and the 9-year-old was released to his parents.

According to the reporter, Minnesota law prohibits criminal charges against anyone under age 10.

These structures have been vacant and boarded for months. They are part of a redevelopment site assembled by the Northeast Community Development Corporation for a 43-unit artist's co-op, the JAC Flats.

NE/CDC has found the City a difficult partner in efforts to raze the vacant structures. The City claims it cannot buy and tear down the buildings unless it is sure the JAC Flats will be built. The NE/CDC asserts it has financing in place, and only needs the City to cede title to the CDC for demo and redevelopment to begin.