[Mpls] Boston Globe Minneapolis Issues list
Title: Boston Globe Minneapolis Issues list What's the equivalent for online discussion? It might well be the use of the Internet to facilitate small group conversation where everyone involved has a stake in a productive exchange. This approach has proved fruitful in several neighborhood-based discussion groups; indeed, the mayor of Minneapolis, R. T. Rybak, says he decided to run for office because of the Minneapolis-Issues list, an e-mail discussion list dedicated to local political matters that Rybak initially participated in simply as an avid poster. Gradually he made online friends, and, as the discussion of the city's problems evolved, they persuaded him to run and then helped him win. This rather flattering description of y'all can be found in the October 13 edition of the Boston Globe, in an article by Nicholas Thompson in the Ideas section entitled Freedom to flame. (I'm utterly hopeless on a computer, hence I'm unable to provide a hot link.) As the title of the article implies, flaming has driven out intelligent talk from most political and public policy forums. But since this list is a conspicuous exception, congratulations seem to be in order. Nice going, folks, and special thanks to the List Manager. Paul Weir Phillips
RE: [Mpls] Boston Globe Minneapolis Issues list
Paul Weir writes: This rather flattering description of y'all can be found in the October 13 edition of the Boston Globe, in an article by Nicholas Thompson in the Ideas section entitled Freedom to flame. (I'm utterly hopeless on a computer, hence I'm unable to provide a hot link.) As the title of the article implies, flaming has driven out intelligent talk from most political and public policy forums. But since this list is a conspicuous exception, congratulations seem to be in order. Nice going, folks, and special thanks to the List Manager. Me: Thanks for the thanks Paul - although I think the story may give us a bit too much credit (and I'm not sure my recent posts about my garage mark a list high point, either). However, the story amply illustrates what our rules try to avoid. Anyway, here's the Globe link - they're pretty aggressive about charging so it may not be free for long. If the link breaks, the story is at http://www.boston.com/globe/, toward the bottom of the page under Ideas, as of early this morning. http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/286/focus/Freedom_to_flame+.shtml David Brauer List manager ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Garages and Politics
Catherine Leighton
Live in Longfellow/Work North East writes:
My household also sports a truck that one of my sons
uses for work. He's in construction, travels
throughout the metro area, and carries tools and
materials to jobs. I don't see an alternative to
his mode of transportation but I am quite sure that he
is offending more than a few list members.
sm:
On our block in Folwell, we were blessed/cursed with
the only driveway on the block. Blessed because it
provided offstreet parking. And cursed because in a
two-vehicle household, a one-lane driveway {especially
a long, narrow one} was virtually useless.
Like Catherine's son, my husband works in lawn
service, and regularly drove a truck with a small
trailer attached. Drivers would regularly park their
vehicles immediately up to either side or directly
across from it...which is legal, but made it
impossible for my husband to get out. If I parked on
the street so I wouldn't block the truck, which was
about to leave, I would be excoriated by the
neighbors. We were probably seen as being wasteful and
greedy. But the parking space just didn't serve our
purposes.
Someone mentioned that parking issues can almost lead
to police action. I can relate to that too! It took
forever to shovel out our driveway during the
Halloween blizzard. A few minutes later, I found a
stranger's parked car in it. I still remember
screaming up and down the deserted block, WHOSE CAR
IS THIS!!!?
It'll be interesting to see how this issue works out.
Having a garage is only half the puzzle...you need
reliable access to it as well.
Susan Maricle
Bruno, MN
whose pole shed can't be used for parking because the
chickens have taken it over
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Re: [Mpls] Property Taxes Due Tomorrow - One bit of good news
List, To answer Ms. Heller's question, on the surface, I say *no*. There are lots of talented seniors out there with time on their hands. Of course not all seniors can work, but if they want to and it reduces their tax bill, way not make it *an* options for them? Sheila Cracraft Fehler Standish O --- Victoria Heller [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hennepin County will allow seniors to work off their taxes at the rate of $7.50 per hour. Does this send chills down anyone else's spine? It makes me think of two things: Slavery and Tennessee Ernie Ford's classic line ..another day older and deeper in debt. Vicky Heller North Oaks and Cedar-Riverside ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls __ Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos More http://faith.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] why people don't park in garages
As someone who's been car shopping for the last few weeks, I've been constantly reminded of why many folks don't park in their garages: their cars simply don't fit. Car salesmen get the strangest looks on their faces when you tell them that you can only look at the low end of their line because anything larger won't fit in your garage. It's a good way to keep car payments low though. If I needed to store a gas-powered lawnmower in addition to my little snowblower, I quite literally would not be able to get my car into the garage. Sue Ponsford Bryant __ Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos More http://faith.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] why people don't park in garages
I'm planning to get a garage built next Spring, I hope. My neighbor, with his unfailing sense of style, thinks I should built a 4-car garage across the back of the lot. This would leave me a 6' x 40' strip of yard. but no storage space for bikes--of which we have five or six at last count. So, I pondered that, but decided the only way to pay for it would be to make it a three story, put in and elevator and a door on Lake St. and offer it as office and commercial space above the garage, putting the back yard up on the roof, but then I had to come up with off-street parking. There's (fortunately) a dead gas station across the street, so I pondered that a minute--which it turns out I didn't have. Hamouti Sabri had already bought it. Then I found out the truth from a builder, it's gonna cost $17,000 to build any garage since I have to lower the back yard 18, which means I have to dig up the cystern, happily install in nineteen and ought twelve as part of the original equipment for the house. Then I have to get a variance because my house is long and I will not maintain the 15' between house and garage required by the city. So I'm looking for a new car. I want a compact that will deflate to fit inside a case the size of a compact computer. If it weren't for the weather I'd be in the market for a magic carpet. WizardMarks, Central Sue Ponsford wrote: As someone who's been car shopping for the last few weeks, I've been constantly reminded of why many folks don't park in their garages: their cars simply don't fit. Car salesmen get the strangest looks on their faces when you tell them that you can only look at the low end of their line because anything larger won't fit in your garage. It's a good way to keep car payments low though. If I needed to store a gas-powered lawnmower in addition to my little snowblower, I quite literally would not be able to get my car into the garage. Sue Ponsford Bryant __ Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos More http://faith.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Garages and Politics
Catherine Leighton writes: To turn social pressure, including ostracism against those who drive, as a solution to pollution/congestion/etc. is distasteful. Avidor- I don't agree with demonizing car drivers either. I recognize that most people have to drive to get to work and shop because Minneapolis was transformed in the last century into an auto dependent city. The Star Tribune since Sunday has had an excellent series of articles and editorials explaining how our elected officials over time have created the auto dependent metro region we live in. But that's not to say that there isn't an individual responsibility regarding car use. We may not all be able to live car-free but most Minneapolitans can become car-light by planning to reduce unnecessary car trips and choosing to drive the smallest vehicle they can. Everyone regardless of whether they walk, bike or take the bus or drive can let their elected officials know that they want to shift government spending on car infrastructure to transit. Technology is not neutral. Cars creates a range of problems that are often dumped on the least politically powerful in our societythis creates social inequity. The individual car driver must be aware of the tremendous costs of car dependency. I don't think people should be made guilty because guilt and shame are not very good at transforming people from passive to active participants in the political process. Anger is much better. Is it possible to be against the use of coal and uranium to make electricity and still use electric lights and computers? Is it possible to be against airport noise and still travel on Northwest Airlines? We don't give up our right to be a part of the political process that effects our lives simply because technology is involved. If we say that technology is Progress and we cannot challenge or restrict it in any way, what is left to discuss here or in any public forum? When I ride in Critical Mass, I am always amazed with how many drivers honk and wave at us. I think it's a mistake to think that all car drivers want to drive. I also think it can be mistake for pro-walk, pro-bike, pro-transit activists to alienate sympathetic car drivers by always laying a big, heavy guilt trip on them...it can make us look like grim-faced puritanical prudes...and we're not! I like to walk and bike because it's fun and it would be even more fun if more car drivers joined us... that's a message car drivers and transportation policy makers also need to hear. Ken Avidor Kingfield ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] I'm scared of your police force
Below is how Mpls. Startribune covers this issue. I included the Mpls. specific points of the article topics discussed previously on this thread. But everyone should read the full story so the link is listed below too. -Amanda Tempel (NE Park) http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3365731.html St. Paul police asked to change policies Herón Márquez Estrada Star Tribune Published Oct 15, 2002 COPS15 Mental health advocates meeting with St. Paul police officials today want new policies for police responding to violent confrontations involving mentally ill people, but department officials maintain that current procedures are adequate and effective. snip. Mental health advocates want St. Paul to create special crisis intervention teams similar to those used by Minneapolis police. They also want officers to receive more training in dealing with the mentally ill than the half-day provided at the police academy. snip. In Minneapolis, about 100 officers have taken 40 hours of mental health crisis-intervention training. The program was created after three mentally ill people were killed by officers between December 1999 and November 2000. St. Paul Deputy Mayor Dennis Flaherty said he spoke with Police Chief William Finney on Monday. While the chief is open to new ideas, he believes the current system works despite the September shootings, Flaherty said. Finney would not discuss the matter Monday. But he wrote a newspaper column this month in which he noted that department officers responded to more than 900 calls involving the mentally ill last year and rarely resorted to deadly force. St. Paul does have a psychologist, Sgt. Dennis Conroy, to train officers and advise Finney on procedures for handling mentally ill suspects. Conroy also praised department procedures. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Garages Street Parking
In the never-ending quest for parking revenue streams, Minneapolis has de-facto created some permit parking areas. Several blocks around Abbott-Northwestern and Childrens Hospitals have parking limitations (30 min, 1 hr or 2hr parking) to discourage employee and patient parking on the streets (thankfully). In order for residents to park on the streets in front of our homes, we are required to purchase Critical Area parking permits annually. I suspect this situation exists in other areas of the city where parking is at a premium or is very limited. As for requiring garages and basements in new construction, basements make more sense, providing energy efficiencies and additional mechanical space for furnaces or laundry facilities, generally considered necessities. Garages are more problematic as a requirement. Some list-members don't consider cars necessary for transportation, lot configuration or size makes placement a challenge for others and some people consider other uses of limited space more important than a garage. The city shouldn't create a mandate in a non-necessity area, but allow people to decide what option works for them (and pay accordingly). A requirement for off-street parking might be workable with provision for exceptions in unusual circumstances (ie. alley houses or lot configuration). Sue Anderson garageless in Phillips ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Garages and Politics
I like to walk and bike because it's fun and it would be even more fun if more car drivers joined us... that's a message car drivers and transportation policy makers also need to hear. This really isn't in response to this specific thread, but to the pro-walking threads that keep cropping up. A month or so ago there was an announcement on morning TV that the mayor's office would be giving out donuts in celebration of the opening up of one of the downtown streets that had been blocked by construction all summer. Since I had been inconvenienced by this blocked zone probably a hundred times in the course of the construction season (and since I really wanted a Krispy Kreme), I stopped by at the appropriate hour. I was told the donut program was only for drivers. If I wouldn't tell anyone, though, they'd give a VERY crestfallen me a donut anyway. I felt like a cheat and even guiltier than usual when I devoured the fat-laden nutrition-free confection, but I was also very angry, which is why I didn't post anything here at the time. Pedestrians are just as inconvenienced as drivers and need to be considered in public policy decisions even for something as inconsequential as a gala celebration of the re-opening of a downtown intersection. Drivers rarely sprain their ankles when hobbling across construction zones and while they may suffer no less frequent detours than pedestrians, at least they're sheltered from inclement weather. N.S. Gill (pedestrian) About Guide to Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN http://minneapolis.about.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
swap meet, was Re: [Mpls] Garages
List: Since moving into our new home in the Cooper neighborhood, our garage has been full of stuff that we can't find a place for inside the house. So, let me take this opportunity to offer some good stuff to whomever may want it: --a futon frame, with futon --diningroom set: table, four chairs, two sideboards --miscellaneous framed art, including a mirror or two --den-type chair --bedroom bureau (cherry) --office table --miscellaneous political lawn signs ;-) We are also looking for a few items, in case anyone has them sitting in their overfull garage: --a child's table with a chair or two --a child's easel --a kid's picnic table Let's clear out those garages folks! Winter is coming! --Cara Letofsky Cooper a fan of parking on the street, regardless of how full/not full my garage is Barbara Lickness wrote: [EMAIL PROTECTED]"> Jim said: "Most of all, WHY do thousands of people with garages NOT use those garages for sheltering their cars. In Cooper, virtually every house has a garage. Yet, MOST of the cars seem to be ON the street! What, are the garages supersized yard sheds or something?" Barb says: Jim, please come over and have this discussion with my husband.Up until 2 weeks ago, our garage was a supersized storage shed or should I say junk yard. My husband is one of those people who likes to collect things. He brings things home because "we might need it some day", "he got agood deal on it" or it's just a little broken and could be fixed" etc.(you get the picture) Ipretty much cured him of bringing these treasures into the house by relegating the collecting habit to the garage. Two weeks ago we got a 20 yard dumpster and I am ashamed to say that we filledit with all the "could a would a should a" collectables my husband putin the garage during the last 11 years that we couldn't pawn off on anyone else. O.K. I added a few things from the house too. So now, I willactually get to park in our garage this winter. It's a first and I suspect will be relatively short lived without intensive nagging. Fortunately, we have a long driveway so I haven't had to park on the street. I suspectsome people in Cooper may be collectors too. Barb Lickness/Whittier "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos, more faith.yahoo.com
RE: [Mpls] Garages
The first time I walked through the little bungalow (I now own), I remember walking into the kitchen and looking out the window to the back yard. There facing the house was the most adorable little garage -- stucco to match the house, exposed eaves and cedar shingles in the gable end. My house has the original 1925 garage on a block where almost every other garage has been replaced with a 2 or 3 car monstrosity. I can't fit my car in it, but I could never tear it down. I look at the garage the way I look at the other features of my house -- the wooden storm windows I have to change out in the spring and fall, the original kitchen sink that hangs on the wall, the birch kitchen cabinets that you have to latch and unlatch -- all of these features are inconvenient but they also make the house what it is. A lot of people try to get the best of both worlds -- the charm of an older house with all the mod cons. I think they are fooling themselves. Let the house be what it is. When someone chooses an older house they should take on the responsibility of maintaining the integrity of the house and understand not everything will be convenient. Sonja Dahl Standish-Ericsson member of the Twin Cities Bungalow Club http://www.mtn.org/bungalow/ ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Garages
When I read the Strib article about requiring garages, it seemed apparent to me that the motivation behind the ordinance is to provide a hurdle for new, private developments, specifically those that are low end housing options. I got that insight from the reference made (I think by Barb Johnson) to the quality (or lack of quality) in some of the new construction. I believe some of the new construction in the city is little more than a trailerhouse-on-a-foundation, so the issue of quality is real, but requiring garages is, in my opinion, an end-run on the real issue. A garage increases the cost of construction, and must then also increase the sale price - maybe putting the deal above the monetary means of many first-time homebuyers who are presumably the buyers of said construction. I'm all for good, safe, well constructed housing, so if city housing code increases the cost of housing it should be in the interest of providing that. City code should not be in the business of requiring amenities without legitimate, solid reasons. City code requires indoor plumbing, for example, and that has obvious health benefits in a densly populated area. City code requires windows or doors for each space sufficient to allow escape in the event of fire, etc. I really don't want city code to require that my house have a hot tub on the basis that some arthritic individuals (like my mother) benefit physically from a hot tub - for my mother, it IS a health issue, and doctors even prescribe it, though she doesn't have one. That's the kind of territory this garage issue is in - it may be an important amenity for some individuals, but there is certainly nothing about a garage that should be universally required. Requiring off-street parking for new construction would address those areas with legitimate parking concerns. David Piehl Central __ Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos More http://faith.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] solar panels in Minneapolis
Does anyone on the list have information about the city of Minneapolis codes regarding solar panels? If anyone has experienced the process in Minneapolis, I'd love to hear from you. I've become more interested in solar power given technology improvements and environmental concerns, and wonder what it would take to acquire one in Minneapolis - codes, who's licensed to do the work in MSP, cost, appropriate technology, etc. Any information is appreciated! David Piehl Central __ Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos More http://faith.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Garages
I like my neighbor a whole lot. And his claim to the neighborhood vastly outmatches my own because he's lived here all his life and is now retired. He recalls when my house was a hill that he played on as a child. Anyway a couple years back he says to me I was wondering if you mind if I tear down my old garage and build a new one. I told him of course I didn't mind. I figured, hey, it's his yard, why should I care if he wants to replace his garage? Big mistake. The resulting three-car structure is so large that we occasionally find Northwest airline pilots wandering through looking for their jets. His garage has more floor space than his house. It's also nicer, having gas heat, cable, etc. I'm chagrined because it also blocks out what little sunlight we ever got in our yard. But I'm not complaining: he DID ask, and it's my own darned fault if I didn't think to say How big? This all being a roundabout way of asking, if some agency is going to try to force all new properties to have garages, what's going to prevent the construction of immense structures that likewise infringe upon the neighbors view, light, and livability? From the point of view of the builder, if you're going to be forced to build a garage, you're probably going to build the biggest, cheapest thing you can get away with. Unless construction ordinances are more vigorously enforced than they are today, how many more of us are going to say goodbye to our southern exposure, and hello to cheap vinyl siding? Bob Alberti, President Sanction, Inc. Data Security http://www.sanction.netCusp of Longfellow and Seward A Tempest! Grab the teabag and hang on for your life! -Original Message- From: Sonja Dahl Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 11:10 AM My house has the original 1925 garage on a block where almost every other garage has been replaced with a 2 or 3 car monstrosity. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] solar panels in Minneapolis
I would also be interested in Minneapolis codes re solar panels. Also, can anyone recommend books on a build-your-own? I believe that I read about such a thing in the Whole Earth Catalog years ago. Thank you. Kristine Harley Sheridan ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] 1508 Lake Street Revitalization
Dear List, The following was sent out by Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association. Although it addresses residents of Powderhorn Park etc. I believe it to be a Minneapolis issue, so I am posting it here. I urge your support of this project. Thanks. MJ Mueller Seward Attention Artists, Residents, Business and Property Owners of the Powderhorn Park, Phillips and surrounding neighborhoods: The much anticipated Neighborhood Multi-Cultural Arts Center is in jeopardy! Planning for the Center, which would revitalize the vacant building at 1508 East Lake Street (the former Antiques Minnesota building), has been a collaborative effort of In the Heart of the Beast Theatre (HOBT), Midtown Phillips neighborhood, Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association (PPNA), and the California Building Company. The Issue: With the terms of a purchase agreement (between HOBT and the current owner) coming due, expected financial help from the city of Minneapolis has not materialized, and could kill the deal. Background: Two years ago, Heart of the Beast Theatre requested assistance from PPNA to assess potential reuse options for the former Antiques Minnesota building at 1508 East Lake Street. Of first concern was HOBTs need for permanent shop space (they currently use the theater space as a shop between productions, removing and replacing the seats each time!). A dedicated shop would mean a dedicated theater, providing a regional performance space for non-HOBT use as well. The balance of the 1508 building was to be built-out as additional retail space for artists and expansion space for the Mercado Central. With PPNAs help, the California Building Company (a for-profit, arts-based property management and developer located on California Street in Minneapo-lis) was identified as an appropriate development partner for the project. With HOBT, they entered into a purchase agreement for the property earlier this year with a tentative closing date of 4 October 2002. From the beginning of the project, it was known that the project had a funding gap of about $600,000. Fortunately, Minneapolis officials (including the Mayor and Councilmember from the 6th, 8th and 9th Wards) were very eager about the proposal and indicated that the city would do what was necessary to make this project happen. And the Midtown Phillips neighborhood committed $100,000 of their NRP funds to the projects funding needs. Currently: However, recent discussions with city staff and officials have taken on an unex-pected, and decidedly cooler, tone: MCDA has indicated that their staff report will recommend against any further city funding (HOBT had requested a grant from a fund specifically restricted to non-profit organizations). Through his attorney, current owner Selwin Ortega has made it known last week that he plans to exercise his 30-day non-performance clause of the purchase agreement, terminating the sale of the building (and adjacent parking lot) to HOBT. He further suggested that he plans to convert the structure to a food-product warehouse for his Las Americas grocery stores, having recently sold his Fourth Lake properties for this purpose to the Urban Ventures organization. Recent experience suggests that there is virtually no neighborhood support for such a proposal. In contrast, enthusiasm for the Art Center is nearly unanimous, with PPNA, East Phillips, Midtown Phillips, Lake Street Council, and the Bloomington-Cedar-Lake Commercial Association all on record in strong support of HOBT (exemplified by Midtown Phillips $100,000 contribution). What We Ask You To Do: Say Something Now! Very simply, call or write to the Mayor and your Councilmember in support of the Neighborhood Art Center. Letters have the greatest impact with elected officials (as compared to e-mail), because its generally recognized as an indicator of extreme concern when someone takes the time to pull out pen and paper. And a letter expressed in your own words is particularly powerful. So use the information in this message, but refrain from word-for-word copies as much as possible. Ive attached a copy of PPNAs letter to the Mayor for your information and to serve as inspiration for what you might say. Send your letter to: Mayor R.T. Rybak Minneapolis City Hall 350 South Fifth Street Minneapolis, MN 55415 612.673.2100 (City Councilmembers Name) Minneapolis City Hall 350 South Fifth Street, Room 307 Minneapolis, MN 55415 612.673.22(Ward number) For example, Dean Zimmermann is 673.2206 (6th Ward) E-mail is (FirstName.SecondName)@ci.minneapolis.mn.us For example, [EMAIL PROTECTED] The project is located in Ward 6 (Councilmember Dean Zimmermann), but borders on Ward 9 (Councilmember Gary Schiff). We can appreciate the many demands for your time dont let our preference for a letter keep you from sending an e-mail or making a phone call. In any case, dont hesitate! The 30-day clock began last week. The sooner we make
RE: [Mpls] solar panels in Minneapolis
I just read in Popular Science or Popular Mechanics an article on solar electricity generation and that some Home Depots will be caring do-it-yourself solar kits. I believe the Home Depots were in California, but perhaps the local ones can order from one of the other stores. It was an interesting article and I will see if I can track down the issue. Kristine Harley said... I would also be interested in Minneapolis codes re solar panels. Also, can anyone recommend books on a build-your-own? I believe that I read about such a thing in the Whole Earth Catalog years ago. Bruce Anderson Blaine ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] I'm afraid of your police force
A sad article by Ruben Rosario in yesterday's Pipress about his Dona (can't make the wavy line above the n) Otilia. http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/columnists/4278740.htm "Police Can't Solve All Mental Health Problems" Renee Jenson[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[Mpls] green bonus density
Does Minneapolis give bonus density for green developments? Heres an excerpt from an article about how Arlington Virginia rewards developers that create environmentally-friendly buildings. It sounds right up Minneapolis alley. In exchange for building more innovative -- and generally more costly -- buildings in Arlington, developers get more than a pat on the back for making the world a better place. They get something that, in the real estate world, is almost as good as cold cash: more space. For each square foot in a new or renovated building that meets green specifications, for example, a developer could receive as much as a quarter-square-foot more, known as bonus density Thanks in part to green design, the Navy League of the United States, for example, received county approval to build a new headquarters in the Courthouse neighborhood with bonus space that amounts to almost half an extra floor than zoning regulations otherwise would have allowed, according to its architects. The complete article can be found at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A192-2002Oct9.html John Rocker Calhoun
[Mpls] Skyway News Governor Candidates story.
Governor Candidates Am I the only who thinks that looks and sounds grammatically incorrect? Shouldn't they have used the term gubernatorial? You can be a candidate for governor but not a governor candidate. Much like one being a senatorial, presidential, or congressional, candidate rather than a senator candidate, president candidate, or congressperson candidate. I wonder if the Skyways News didn't have enough space to spell out the longer word or what? I wasn't going to say anything until they used in their headline two weeks in a row. BTW, I apologize if, by some strange stroke, someone else addressed this already. Paul Lambie formerly of Lowry Hill currently in Apple Valley __ Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos More http://faith.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Watch Dog Newspaper
Where can I pick up a copy of the Watch Dog Newspaper? Denise Mazone 8th Ward Property Owner ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Skyway News Governor Candidates story.
Paul Lambie writes, of Skyway News headlines: Governor Candidates Am I the only who thinks that looks and sounds grammatically incorrect? Shouldn't they have used the term gubernatorial? You can be a candidate for governor but not a governor candidate. Much like one being a senatorial, presidential, or congressional, candidate rather than a senator candidate, president candidate, or congressperson candidate. First, I appreciate such careful readers. I think Governor candidates is grammatically correct if, on reflection, a bit awkward. By the way, I would liken it to Senate candidates, which is used all the time. I did a quick Google search and found the following headlines from major newspapers: http://www.post-gazette.com/election/20020829debates6.asp http://www.arizonarepublic.com/arizona/articles/0824GOVREAX0824.html http://www2.bostonherald.com/news/local_regional/deba06212002.htm http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020814/atw014_1.html ...so at least we have company! Anyone care to comment on the stuff BELOW the headline? David Brauer King Field Editor, Skyway News ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Re:Maricruz - Developers In Innercity MPLS
Following the tragic death of my next door neighbor's daughter Maricruz on Monday afternoon, I want to say this is the culmination of a lack of respect on the part of the construction company and subcontractors who have been building in the neighborhood for the last 6 months. I would like to know if my experience is similar to other projects around the city? Are they more sensitive in affluent areas of the city? By poor conduct I cite the following instances that we as neighbors have complained to the developer about on several occasions before this accident. Making deliveries at odd hours of the night - 3:00a.m. 4:00 a.metc. ( The reverse beeping and unloading from a semi truck is very very annoying and loud at this time in the a.m.). Beginning Construction at 6:00 a.m. to the displeasure of sleeping residents. I think noise restrictions are lifted around 7:00 or 7:30 a.m. Driving onto lawns and damaging boulevards when Semi trucks are to large for the residential street. Litter from construction workers during their breaks. ( Shovels, wrappers, pop cans, signage..etc.) Now the latest: the haphazard delivery of materials (3:30 a.m. Monday morning), without any security fences or barriers around the perimeter. Unfortunately, the lack of a fence contributed to Mary and her cousin's playing on the construction materials. Yes, it is easy to say why weren't the parents paying attention, but believe me I know her family well and they do watch their kids very closely. The construction site, however, is literally across the alley and kids playing tag can get in there in a matter of seconds, especially as there is no fence or any type of barrier. I know we are not the first nor the last to have to put up with the buzzings of development, but I do think that construction in residential areas should be held to a higher standard especially when there are a lot of children in close proximity. Just my reflections after a frustrating and extremely sad 24 hours. Robinson Cook Ventura Village Robinson Cook U.S. Bank Corporate Payment Systems 1010 S. 7th Street Minneapolis, MN 55415 Phone: 612-973-6454 FX: 612-973-6856 ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] why people don't park in garages
18 of my single family homes did not have garages behind them when I bought them in the late 1990s. After we rehabbed the houses, we sent letters to our tenants asking them if they would pay an extra $75 per month for a new 22 X 22 garage with door opener. Every single tenant said they would love to have a garage for the extra amount and we built them over a 2 year period. All I can say is tenants sure do love garages! Steve Meldahl Jordan (work) - Original Message - From: Sue Ponsford [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 10:13 AM Subject: [Mpls] why people don't park in garages As someone who's been car shopping for the last few weeks, I've been constantly reminded of why many folks don't park in their garages: their cars simply don't fit. Car salesmen get the strangest looks on their faces when you tell them that you can only look at the low end of their line because anything larger won't fit in your garage. It's a good way to keep car payments low though. If I needed to store a gas-powered lawnmower in addition to my little snowblower, I quite literally would not be able to get my car into the garage. Sue Ponsford Bryant __ Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos More http://faith.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Re: City budget woes- a microeconomic view from Crack Street North
Color me shocked. hehehehehe. -Brandon Lacy -Powderhorn Park _ Unlimited Internet access -- and 2 months free! Try MSN. http://resourcecenter.msn.com/access/plans/2monthsfree.asp ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Garages
Well, you've given me both thoughts and laughs --especially WizardMarks in the latter case. I've thought in the past that I wish they made a car like the Isetta or Messerschmidt, designed for one person just for the parking advantages. Looks like some of the older garages need that small a car to get inside. And bigger garages would have a lot of that much-desired auxilliary storage space with a one-seater. Jim Mork Cooper Neighborhood = J P Mork Stress is Nature's way of telling you that you're not working enoughuncompensated overtime. Catbert, Evil HR Director __ Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos More http://faith.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Garages Required?
I don't think there should be a garage requirement either. After all, a garage is just a nicety. However, for a car owner, they should have some kind of SPACE where they can park the car within their property boundaries. It could involve nothing more than stripping off some sod and putting down some patio tiles or suchlike. That strikes me as doable by anyone. Jim Mork Cooper Neighborhood __ Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos More http://faith.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Minneapolis neighborhood entrepreneur makes the Strib
http://www.startribune.com/stories/1069/3365526.html David Brauer List manager ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Re: swap meet, garages, and more!
- - - [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote (excerpt) - - - So, let me take this opportunity to offer some good stuff to whomever may want it: - - - end excerpt - - - In addition to a tax deductable donation to the ReUse center, a good local resource for getting rid of stuff you don't need (or finding stuff you do): http://www.twincitiesfreemarket.org/ Regarding garages: I personally like having one (I don't own a car), but not everyone wants or needs one. Having the city force people to build one strikes me as a bad idea. I'm personally annoyed by how many ugly and cheaply constructed buildings are being put up and would prefer to see all new constructions be built to last 100 or 500 years as opposed to 20, but we don't have the right to tell other people (beyond a point) what they can or cannot do on their own property. This is preferable to allowing a bureaucracy to have complete control over what we do. Gated communities may work for some folks, but not for me (unless, of course, I get to make the rules). So instead of forcing people to build garages, in the spirit of capitalism, let those who use pay. The problem is not that some people don't have garages. The problem is that there are less parking spots than people who want to park. Right now, those spots are paid for by local taxpayers, whether we use them or not. There are ways to do it, but assess a cost for using the resource. If there are more people that want the resource than spots available, raise the price until the market balances. Use some of those proceeds to lower the taxes of everyone who is currently paying for those parking spots and consider using additional proceeds to increase the availability of the resource (parking ramps, etc.) Hmm.. could the city partially subsidize a mixed-use housing development by putting a municipal ramp under the property and granting the residents and business owners a discounted parking fee? It wouldn't work for every situation, but it may work in some new developments - say a mixed-use library... Construction needs to meet basic safety standards and the final product needs to be honestly represented (yes, these carpets will be outgassing toxic fumes for the next two months and the walls are good for about 35 years...) Beyond that, let the market do it's job and keep the city out of it as much as possible. . . . Incidentally, I've been trying to develop a viable model that would involve some municipal/community influence over new developments to solve what I see as a couple problems: * A development does have an impact on the community it is in. Appearance and sound do have an impact on the people who live or work nearby as well as on property values. In the case of a business, traffic and patronage can certainly affect quality of life for the neighbors. I want to find a way for the community to have an influence on these factors without being tyrannical. * Primarily in businesses, there is sometimes the situation where a business controls a property, profits for many years, and then either goes through a bankruptcy or somehow unloads the property on the city or county. If you're just talking a structure, no biggie, but sometimes there is an extensive amount of cleanup required which will cost much more than the property will be worth. The taxpayer of course, foots this as the businesses profits have long been distributed to owners/shareholders/employees and are protected by the corporate shield or bankruptcy. Big mounds of vermiculite, toxic seepings from an autobody garage, canisters of nuclear waste, etc. Even for private property, an abandoned house can cost more to deconstruct/demolish than the parcel it sits on is worth - again, the taxpayer foots the bill. I would also like to encourage the development of long-term buildings. When economics only look at the short term, there isn't much incentive to build for quality and durability, but it seems that if I can spend 100k on a building that will be good for 20 years or 200k on a building that will be good for 200 years, the latter is ultimately more cost effective (provided that the design is good enough to ensure the building stays useful). Having old buildings (in good condition) can also help an area develop and maintain a sense of history and community. Similar to the first issue, I don't want to force the property owner to do this, but if it can be encouraged or made more viable, I see that as a good thing. This is not yet viable, but I'd like to give an overview of what I'm thinking so that anyone who is interested can think about it and get back to me with comments/suggestions/critiques. My initial idea is to be certain that funds to cover the cost of deconstruction/demolition are in escrow. It is probably going to be prohibitively expensive to require the complete amount be put in escrow up front and this does not address the neighborhood or quality issues. So... First, have an expert (city employee? private practice?) review the
[Mpls] City/County Parking lot
Query for City/County Parking staff: Why is the underground parking lot between City Hall and the County Government Center still closed to the public? This lot is the most convenient lot for persons doing business in City Hall or the government Center. I recall that the lot was closed to the public after 9/11. If it is closed due to terrorist threats I cry foul. The lot under the federal court house is open to the public (albiet with a security guard there). If a lot under a federal court house is open, than there is no reason this lot, which isn't even under a building, shouldn't be open too. I respectfully request that it be re-opened to the public. I'm also curious, who is using it now and what are those users paying? Dave Harstad Whittier __ Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos More http://faith.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Crime and housing affordability: Denial?
-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 On Monday 14 October 2002 23:56, dyna wrote: Ah, the power of denial- I mutter a few truths about the prevalence of crime in parts of Minneapolis and how overpriced housing is here, and the backlash begins: I don't consider a little cheerleading for a City I love (Minneapolis, that is) to be either denial or backlash and I think saying that I engaged in either is unfair. We need to consider Minneapolis against its peer cities, not against small, rural communities. Again, I suspect that most of your favorite restaurants are pricier than my budget will allow. BTW, Glencoe has a Subway and coffeehouse too. Actually, my favorite restaurant of all time is a place called Camdi in Dinkytown. I can eat a big plate of great Vietnamese food and a drink big pot of jasmine tea there for about $5 or $6. In greater Minnesota you can grow your own, or buy from the farmer. I don't believe Minneapolis has had a working farm in some years... I had so many organically grown vegetables from my garden this year that I couldn't eat them all-- if I do the garden again next year I'm definitely going to have to get into canning. I've seen a real increase in the number of community gardens around town, as well. Now, if you can tell me that Glenwood has libraries that even come close to touching Minneapolis Central (even the slapped together interim location with its lack of stacks)... Try that DSL line I mentioned- I can't even get DSL here in the hood. I can't get DSL either, but I can (and did) get a Time-Warner cable modem for about the same price (maybe even less, I don't know). I would be surprised if they don't offer service to where you're at. And the internet quite the same as a library. I love them both, but I wouldn't want to live with just one or the other. Besides, DSL and cable modems cost about $50 a month. I don't spend nearly that much at the library. if you can tell me where I'll be able to buy a decent variety of cheeses and wines... Again, beyond my economic strata- although you can always make your own with such a variety of raw materials available. You can't afford a few dollars for a hunk of cheese and $10 for a bottle of wine, but you can afford all the raw materials and equipment necessary to make your own in small batches? How do you manage that, Reaganomics? Like I said, for us soon to be retired jobs are irrelevant. Like I said, lucky for you-- Glenwood is a great city. But retirement and moving to Glenwood are not options for a significant portion of Mpls' 380,000+ residents. And where would Glenwood put all of us? had several here in Hawthorne. What is Glenwood doing right that Hawthorne is doing wrong? If you honestly think you can compare a single neighborhood in a big city to a small rural town, then I'm pretty sure it is not I who's in denial. Glenwood has its population spread out over many many more square miles than Hawthorne does. Glenwood is not smack dab in the middle of a million-body metro area. Glenwood is nowhere near as racially diverse and Hawthorne. How about New York City, with a much larger population. Our murder rate has competed with theirs in recent years. How about it? I spent some time today and put together an analysis of the murder rate in 45 large U.S. cities, which I have put online at: http://www.ichimunki.com/Murder_in_U_S_Cities.html Minneapolis scored 19th overall, with an average of 16.86 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. Not good, number one was New Orleans with a ten year average homicide rate of 61.46 homicides per 100,000 residents. But Minneapolis was still better than NYC at 17th with 18.73 homicides per 100,000 residents -- and I would point out that only in the last few years has NYC seen a real drop in their homicide levels. In the early 90s they were in the 20s and 30s. Given what I found, we should probably send some policy makers to places like Seattle WA, Porland OR, San Diego CA, and El Paso TX. Those places all average under 10 homicides a year per 100,000 inhabitants. I'll delve into the history of Red Light districts from Storyville to Superior's another day. Suffice to say, we already have them, as several folks from the Northside and Phillips have reported on this list. BTW, as you seem to think ready access to drugs and sex is such a good thing, can we move the Red Light district to your neighborhood? OK. So we've had red light districts in the past. Where are they now? Red light districts are not typically based out of houses in residential neighborhoods. That's my point. My point was that the City razed what would have passed as our red light district(s)... and look where that crime went: into neighborhoods, yours, and a couple on the south side. Wouldn't it have been better if they'd left it where it was, centralized in a mostly non-residential area? As I
Re: [Mpls] Minneapolis neighborhood entrepreneur makes the Strib
I found St. Anthony's article somewhat uplifting but generally a downer. The red tape and asinine behavior put forth by the city bureaucracy shines through when you read the daughter's battles with the city. Could you imagine lack of greenspace in back of an existing structure could cost her a license? I am sure the city employees are just doing their job as issued from their higher ups. Now's the time when some good local Greens should step up to the plate and say this kind of regulation has to end. How bout it Zimmerman and NJL? RT if your reading, don't bother streamlining. Open a mayors appeal desk. When someone had done all that is sensible in their app, let them come to your office for the quick overrule of a bureaucrat. Then keep track of what office or employee is leading the league in overules. Then get move the city employee somewhere else or find out which reg is being bumped into the most. Craig Miller Former Fultonite [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Original Message - From: List Manager [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 5:05 PM Subject: [Mpls] Minneapolis neighborhood entrepreneur makes the Strib http://www.startribune.com/stories/1069/3365526.html David Brauer List manager ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Crime and housing affordability: Denial?
michael libby wrote: -BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 On Monday 14 October 2002 23:56, dyna wrote: Ah, the power of denial- I mutter a few truths about the prevalence of crime in parts of Minneapolis and how overpriced housing is here, and the backlash begins: I don't consider a little cheerleading for a City I love (Minneapolis, that is) to be either denial or backlash and I think saying that I engaged in either is unfair. We need to consider Minneapolis against its peer cities, not against small, rural communities. WM: Are you gonna wear the whole cheerleading outfit? Skirt, letter sweater, bobby socks, saddle shoes and carry two pompoms? Little street theater would come in welcome about now. Like I said, lucky for you-- Glenwood is a great city. But retirement and moving to Glenwood are not options for a significant portion of Mpls' 380,000+ residents. And where would Glenwood put all of us? Given what I found, we should probably send some policy makers to places like Seattle WA, Porland OR, San Diego CA, and El Paso TX. Those places all average under 10 homicides a year per 100,000 inhabitants. WM: If their junketing anyway, I think they should also go to some of the worst examples of the same size. Compare and contrast is very instructive. OK. So we've had red light districts in the past. Where are they now? Red light districts are not typically based out of houses in residential neighborhoods. That's my point. WM:I wouldn't be so quick as to say that. There have been several buildings in my neighborhood which have (and a few still do) operate as houses of prostitution. If I understand what the City Council is working on right now, it's going to move the remaining neighborhood saunas to a section of downtown. There are three designated to go on the Southside that I know of: Kim's (a.k.a. The Royale Knight), Utopia East--both on Lake St.; and the Delux on Chicago. My point was that the City razed what would have passed as our red light district(s)... and look where that crime went: into neighborhoods, yours, and a couple on the south side. Wouldn't it have been better if they'd left it where it was, centralized in a mostly non-residential area? WM: I remember cops in Cincinnati saying they liked it better when the bad guys were ghettoized, but at least recently they aren't being held up as stellar. And it's not that I think ready access to drugs and sex is a good thing (although I suppose Walgreen's and marriage seem to be civilized solutions), I'm saying that no amount of trying is going to make the trade in either one go away. We've had a drug war for 30 years now and the U.S. has tripled it's prison population in that time. Yet I would have an easier time finding dope in this town than a nice place to live that's actually affordable. WM: Actually, the jails are mostly full of minority people without money who were picked up for crack. Quieter, home office dealers in the suburbs who sell powder cocaine during toney parties aren't getting the same kind of treatment for the most part. The African American Men Project seems to be looking toward other solutions which, having been tested on a small scale, have given some excellent results. WizardMarks, Central ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] 1508 Lake Street Revitalization
Hi, thanks for posting! It is indeed critical that the city council and mayor hear from the citizens on this. Please, folks, call or write your councilperson, and let them know you support an expanded Heart of the Beast presence and new commercial space helping to anchor the corner of Bloomington and Lake. The theater's Executive Director has written a Fact Sheet on buying and re-purposing 1508 Lake which you can read here: http://www.urbancreek.com/hobt/factsheet.html Kindly, Karen Cooper [I'm a new list member, too] Fuller At 2:47 PM -0500 10/15/02, MJ Mueller wrote: Dear List, The following was sent out by Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association. Although it addresses residents of Powderhorn Park etc. I believe it to be a Minneapolis issue, so I am posting it here. I urge your support of this project. Thanks. MJ Mueller Seward Attention Artists, Residents, Business and Property Owners of the Powderhorn Park, Phillips and surrounding neighborhoods: The much anticipated Neighborhood Multi-Cultural Arts Center is in jeopardy! Planning for the Center, which would revitalize the vacant building at 1508 East Lake Street (the former Antiques Minnesota building), has been a collaborative effort of In the Heart of the Beast Theatre (HOBT), Midtown Phillips neighborhood, Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association (PPNA), and the California Building Company. The Issue: With the terms of a purchase agreement (between HOBT and the current owner) coming due, expected financial help from the city of Minneapolis has not materialized, and could kill the deal. Background: Two years ago, Heart of the Beast Theatre requested assistance from PPNA to assess potential reuse options for the former Antiques Minnesota building at 1508 East Lake Street. Of first concern was HOBTs need for permanent shop space (they currently use the theater space as a shop between productions, removing and replacing the seats each time!). A dedicated shop would mean a dedicated theater, providing a regional performance space for non-HOBT use as well. The balance of the 1508 building was to be built-out as additional retail space for artists and expansion space for the Mercado Central. With PPNAs help, the California Building Company (a for-profit, arts-based property management and developer located on California Street in Minneapo-lis) was identified as an appropriate development partner for the project. With HOBT, they entered into a purchase agreement for the property earlier this year with a tentative closing date of 4 October 2002. From the beginning of the project, it was known that the project had a funding gap of about $600,000. Fortunately, Minneapolis officials (including the Mayor and Councilmember from the 6th, 8th and 9th Wards) were very eager about the proposal and indicated that the city would do what was necessary to make this project happen. And the Midtown Phillips neighborhood committed $100,000 of their NRP funds to the projects funding needs. Currently: However, recent discussions with city staff and officials have taken on an unex-pected, and decidedly cooler, tone: MCDA has indicated that their staff report will recommend against any further city funding (HOBT had requested a grant from a fund specifically restricted to non-profit organizations). Through his attorney, current owner Selwin Ortega has made it known last week that he plans to exercise his 30-day non-performance clause of the purchase agreement, terminating the sale of the building (and adjacent parking lot) to HOBT. He further suggested that he plans to convert the structure to a food-product warehouse for his Las Americas grocery stores, having recently sold his Fourth Lake properties for this purpose to the Urban Ventures organization. Recent experience suggests that there is virtually no neighborhood support for such a proposal. In contrast, enthusiasm for the Art Center is nearly unanimous, with PPNA, East Phillips, Midtown Phillips, Lake Street Council, and the Bloomington-Cedar-Lake Commercial Association all on record in strong support of HOBT (exemplified by Midtown Phillips $100,000 contribution). What We Ask You To Do: Say Something Now! Very simply, call or write to the Mayor and your Councilmember in support of the Neighborhood Art Center. Letters have the greatest impact with elected officials (as compared to e-mail), because its generally recognized as an indicator of extreme concern when someone takes the time to pull out pen and paper. And a letter expressed in your own words is particularly powerful. So use the information in this message, but refrain from word-for-word copies as much as possible. Ive attached a copy of PPNAs letter to the Mayor for your information and to serve as inspiration for what you might say. Send your letter to: Mayor R.T. Rybak Minneapolis City Hall 350 South Fifth Street Minneapolis, MN 55415 612.673.2100 (City Councilmembers
Re: [Mpls] Minneapolis neighborhood entrepreneur makes the Strib
RT if your reading, don't bother streamlining. Open a mayors appeal desk. When someone had done all that is sensible in their app, let them come to your office for the quick overrule of a bureaucrat. Then keep track of what office or employee is leading the league in overules. Then get move the city employee somewhere else or find out which reg is being bumped into the most. I think that the general idea is a good one. In a bureaucracy, which by nature will trample special cases, you have to have some method to go outside the system. The specifics of how it would work would have to be worked out, but I think a mayor's appeal desk is a great format. Make it non-threatening and inviting so that the person who's already been kicked around by the city can feel welcome. I think using it as a tool to find problems in the machine is also a great idea! A healthy government NEEDS to have a variety of self-checks in the system. - Jason Goray, Sheridan, NE __ Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos More http://faith.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: Re [Mpls] Crime and housing affordability: Denial?
Fred is right about living in a small town. I happen to also live in a small town, its called Ventura Village. I moved to a city out in the BURPS once, but people did not like knowing their neighbors and after a while my kids and wife were spending more time back in the small town than at our 'burb' house. So I upped and moved em back. Back to all our children's foster grandparents and our close friends who absolutely surround us in our small town. Heck, I get to know more people in a week in my small town than I got to know in a year out there. Now I got to admit it was quite, but so is the inside of a coffin. Our small town just happens to be close to a bunch of other small towns. In fact really close. So close you can even walk. I delighted in proving to a Hump graduate planner that my front door is 1.1 miles from the front door of Humphrey's front door and 1.3 miles from Dayton's Downtown 8th Street door. So like any small town, I can walk downtown if I want. While I usually drive I like the fact that if I want to I can have just about any kind of food you can imagine in just a short stroll. I actually should walk that mile to 26th and Nicolett more often, I might still have my girlish figure. (The one I haven't had in so long my wife's old memory can't seem to dig it out of the file. I think she remembers marrying this short chubby guy instead of the tall slim one in the pictures) Yes I like my small town, and will be damned if a bunch of drug dealing hoodlums will move me. (well occasionally they move me to violence at criminals and swearing about Judges who need a glass insert for their belly buttons, if you get my drift). So the judges have to go back to being bad lawyers and the criminals have got to go some where else, cause I aint going no where but to bed. Speaking of which, I am missing my beauty sleep, and most people already say I must stay up too many long nights. Course like the old horse, I been rode hard and put up wet on just too many cold nights. You can say things like that when you are from a small town. Jim Graham, just me, Ma, and the crickets here in small town Ventura Village ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Twins lose...only silver lining...
Here's your answer: Rybak will have to wear Mickey Mouse ears during the first day of the World Series, according to a broadcast report in the Twin Cities. http://www.channel4000.com/msp/sports/stories/sports-172043220021015-081003.html -amanda tempel (NE Park) ---message When does R.T. Rybak wear the Mickey Mouse ears all day? (The consequences of losing his bet with Anaheim's mayor...) It'd better be a work day, and we'd better get advance notice, Laura Sether! David Brauer King Field (Who also saved $210 by not going to Games 6 7...but would've rather spent it.) ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Garages are great, bravo for basements, but fences first!
Last night a child playing on a construction site was killed when stacked construction materials tipped over on her. This tragedy is no surprise- I see poor kids, hordes of them, playing on construction sites and other places they shouldn't all over the city. Say what you will about absent parental supervision, kids never taught the basics of safety, or just plain the fact that many inner city kids lack proper toys and safe playgrounds. Requiring that all new buildings be fenced in before construction starts would have prevented this tragedy. The fence would be left standing after the building is completed, giving the occupants an extra layer of defense against criminal invasion. These fences would protect vehicles from theft and vandalism, far more a threat in our city than the elements. The fences would also deprive criminals of sanctuary in our yards, forcing them into the public right of way where they are more easily monitored. Garages make a useful addition to our homes, and basements are convenient places to put plumbing, heating, and electrical stuff. And other stuff too. But with the hordes of children and increasing criminal population calling our city home, only a fence is a necessity that should be required by ordinance. peace, Dyna Sluyter, who is quite happy with her new fence in Hawthorne -- ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
