Temperance Trail developer’s court history raises questions about HRA vetting practices

As Cook County moves toward construction season, several potential housing development projects are moving forward in the planning phases. One project that has been in the works for several years is Temperance Trail, a proposed development in Tofte. 

The project is comprised of 16 single-family homes, and comes from Green Bull, LLC, owned by Peter Grubish. 

The preliminary plat for Temperance Trail was approved by the Planning Commission in November 2024. The project has received support from the Cook County Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA), contingent on a final plat approval.

At this time, the HRA owns the site of the proposed project, which is located behind the Birch Grove Community School in Tofte, with an agreement to convey it to Grubish if the Planning Commission approves a final plat. The HRA recently extended the timeline on the contract with Green Bull to allow for the final plat approval.

Legal complaints against Green Bull, LLC

WTIP was recently made aware of a series of legal complaints made against Peter Grubish and Green Bull. The complaints allege non-payment to subcontractors, abandonment of construction projects, bounced checks, and dishonesty. 

In documents available through the Minnesota Court Records Online database, WTIP identified complaints that alleged non-payment to subcontractors, abandonment of construction projects, bounced checks, and dishonesty. The cases have been filed with courts in Hennepin, Steele, and Dakota Counties.

Since 2022, at least 9 cases have been brought against Green Bull and Peter Grubish as a contractor. Most have been settled, though two remain open in Steele and Hennepin Counties. The complaints have been brought by a range of plaintiffs, including individual clients, subcontractors, businesses, and lawyers. Through the settled cases, Grubish has been ordered to pay assorted plaintiffs tens of thousands of dollars.

In the Better Business Bureau listing for Green Bull, LLC, the BBB notes:

On June 16, 2022, the business received a Licensing Order with Penalty from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). The Order settles allegations that the business paid a subcontractor with checks that were returned for non-sufficient funds, a violation of Minn. Stat. 326B.082, subd. 11(b)(1)(8) and 326B.84 (2) (2020). The business also failed to cooperate with DLI, a violation of Minn. Stat. 326B.082, subd. 11 (b)(6) and 326B.84 (16) (2020). Under terms of the Order, the business is assessed a penalty of $5,000.00 and their license is suspended until they fulfill DLI’s requests for information; pay the monetary penalty and makes good on the checks to their subcontractor. .. As of September 18, 2023, the business’s residential building contractor’s license is active.”

WTIP has had contact with Peter Grubish. He expressed a willingness to make a statement, but requested time to consult his attorney. He has not responded to a further request for comment.

The HRA weighs in

WTIP was able to speak to the Housing Redevelopment Authority about the matter and their contract with Grubish. The HRA has been made aware of the complaints made against him.

Former Executive Director Jason Hale gave WTIP a statement. He was in the position at the time of the initial contract with Grubish. Hale wrote in an email:

As I am no longer employed by the HRA, it isn’t my place to discuss HRA policy or the specifics of this situation; I know the HRA would like to handle and address this directly, which I will respect. I understand that they are reviewing the situation and working with the HRA attorney and the developer to sort through things and make informed, measured decisions.

I will take the opportunity to reiterate something I have said often: all development is risky. This is why the HRA drafts Agreements that help reduce risks to the HRA and provide recourse if terms are not complied with. The Tofte property is still owned by the HRA, and the developer has to provide specific items to the satisfaction of both the County and HRA before a closing can be scheduled, which has not yet occurred.

Current Director Jeff Brand agreed to an interview to discuss how the HRA evaluates developers, and how the board will address the questions that have been raised about working with Grubish.

Brand told WTIP that historically, the process for selecting developers focused on whether the business was in good standing with the state and had the appropriate licensing. After that, the process seems to shift to focus on the specific project. Brand said, “We start vetting projects, and we start developing ideas on what the cost will be, what our needs are for the community.”

After being notified of the history of complaints made against Green Bull, Brand said he contacted the members of the HRA board to notify them of the situation. He said he anticipates a conversation about both the contract with Grubish and what changes the organization may make in how they select developers to partner with in the future.

Next steps for the HRA

“I think that there is always an opportunity to do things better,” said Brand. “I think that this is going to spur a new discussion, probably at the next meeting, about what does an application looks like for development in Grand Marais with the HRA involved.”

Brand told WTIP he couldn’t comment on the specific legal cases that have been brought against Grubish, however, he did weigh in on the general situation. He said, “They are cause for concern, and we as a board, going to take them seriously. And so from here on out, what we’re going to do is we’re going to meet with the developer, get his side of the story, and we’re going to make a decision based on our current contract that we have with him.”

However the conversations between board members and between Grubish and the HRA may go, Brand said they are committed to seeing a housing project developed on the site in Tofte.

“Now, at the end of the day, we would like to have these developments, this development, go through. But with how and who, and where, I don’t know yet,” Brand said. He added that the board plans to discuss the questions that have been raised at their May 21 meeting. Brand said he has also been consulting with the HRA’s legal team as he and the board communicate with Grubish and work to develop their plan for moving forward.

This is an ongoing story, and WTIP will provide updates as they become available.

The audio version of this story, including an interview between WTIP’s Kirsten Wisniewski and Jeff Brand, can be found below.

Kirsten Wisniewski May 9, 2025