what struck me reading steve brandt's article this am relating to nicollet avenue was what was the genesis for this story> I suppose only steve could answer that question. i mean was he just walking along the other day and the thought popped into his head, "hey, i wonder what's happening with nicollet avenue?" is this an independent trial balloon of the lonely reporter? i know the other day on my way to the market i got to thinking about the city budget and stated asking myself the question, "why does the city's fiscal year start when it does?" the little game of chicken going on in washington, d.c. got me going on that tack i guess. and then i wondered if there might not be some political advantage every four years when the city's budget comes out after elections? the story on nicollet avenue was sufficiently vague enough not to raise too many red flags though ever since the tenth ward councilperson got up during the midtown greenway opening and said "wait til you see what we have in store for you at nicollet avenue" i've been a trifle bit worried. shades of richard nixon's secret plan to end the war! a final note: monday afternoon, i was walking at a good clip west on lake on the north side of the street, just past stevens when a young mexican headed in the other direction mumbles "looking for something?" to which i respond "no" and keep on trucking. now i know a thing or two about crack which i would assume is what the young man was purveying. it's all about abject dependence and it's mighty hard to think you can just do it occasionally and think you're not going to get caught up in the life. there are direct parallels to be drawn to development in this city and the use of TIF. i'm just not sure who the addicts are: the developers or the council. maybe a little of both. i read mention of regional and federal funds maybe being available due to transit considerations. sounds like a junkie rationalization to me. like it still isn't coming out of our pockets? oh that's o.k. we can just print some more money. isn't that what the reagan years were all about? Part of the city's dilemma vis a vis TIF has been the reluctance of banks to lend in many urban areas. Two of America's largest banks have roots here in the city: one is still headquartered here. they both have abysmal records when it comes to investing in the city. and why should they? where is the incentive? who in washington, d.c. works to curtail the monopolyzing power of corporations. al gore? is gwb likely to be another teddy roosevelt republican? i would look long and hard at this project before jumping into it and be sure private bankers, insurance companies, pension funds, etc were well invested before a penny more of taxpayer money is thrown into this cracked pool. Tim Connolly Ward 7 downtown resident __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? >From homework help to love advice, Yahoo! Experts has your answer. http://experts.yahoo.com/
