Cedar Towing on track to move into Longfellow

Settlement reached between Minneapolis and Cedar

by Tesha M. Christensen

It looks like Cedar Towing will be moving in Longfellow after all.

Although the city considered revoking the company’s license to operate earlier this year, an agreement was reached in mid-April that will not only allow Cedar to remain in business but also facilitate its move to 3527 Dight Ave. S.

Cedar Towing co-owner Tom Rodrigue expected to move to the Dight Ave. building at the end of April from the present location at 359 Hoover Street in the University neighborhood. The company had initially planned to move in to the building that formerly housed John’s Welding Service last fall.

“Everything is resolved,” Rodrigue said. “I’m originally from South Minneapolis and I’m glad to be back. I plan to bring a lot to the neighborhood.”

Minneapolis has announced its intention in January 2012 to deny the company’s license to operate because of numerous code violations, including overcharging customers and allowing its own employee to authorize tows from private property.

In the settlement reached between the city and Cedar Towing, Cedar does not admit to any guilt. However, Cedar will pay a $10,000 fine in two installments. If there are any further violations within a two-year period, the city may fine Cedar another $10,000.

The Class A towing license held by Cedar will also be suspended for 30 days sometime before the end of 2012. There are only six towing companies in Minneapolis to hold a Class A towing license, which allows towing companies to tow a car without the owner’s consent as long as the property owner has asked that it be done. Cedar will maintain its Class B towing license, which allows the company to handle tows for people whose vehicles have broken down.

“I think this is a very fair settlement and it adverted a very lengthy hearing process for both sides,” said Minneapolis Licenses Division Manager Grant Wilson.

Cedar Towing is the city’s largest towing company. In 2008, Cedar Towing agreed to pay $1,341 in fines for various violations, some of the same ones the company is accused of repeating in 2011.

Cedar Towing’s business operations include service tows, motor club towing/services, impound towing, jump starts, lock-outs, winching, tire changes and gas fills. Cedar Towing also provides snow plowing services, lot sweeping and a striping service. The business holds an Auto Lien Auction most Tuesdays at 11 a.m. 

This story printed in the May 2012 edition of the Longfellow/Nokomis Messenger.