A list member writes me regarding my suggestion that the City sell
Meadowbrook Golfcourse:
<< who do we sell meadowbrook to? in one piece or in
parcels? would it remain a public golf course? do we
care? do you golf? got any friends who golf? at
meadowbrook?
>>
I'm not even certain the City of Mpls. owns Meadowbrook Golf Course... it was
referenced awhile back on mpls-issues. Assuming the City of Mpls. does own
the Course, my point is all that real estate (a significant real asset) is
being held by the City (Mpls. taxpayers) and there is little-to-no return
being realized on it. The course isn't even located within the City, and I
don't think Mpls. taxpayers should be subsidizing golfers on a course in St.
Louis Park; while Mpls.' elected officials are responsible for growing
deficits and reduced public services; all while city residents' are
experiencing rising property taxes. Why should taxpayers subsidize golfers
any more than stadium owners?
I don't care who it is sold to. It is located in St. Louis Park and borders
Hopkins and possibly Edina. I doubt any municipality receives any tax
revenue from the property and I'd be surprised if it is even self-sustaining
(let alone profitable) from operations. Seems that public parkland, a
parkway along Minnehaha Creek, and some mixed-use affordable/market-rate
housing would be an attractive, revenue-producing alternative for St. Louis
Park? And, I'm sure the reduced fertilizer runnoff into the Creek will
result in a lower BOD and improved water quality. Such potential projects
would offer a nice balance to all the development on the east side of Hwy 100
along Excelsior Blvd., while adding to St. Louis Parks tax base! What is the
market value of the Meadowbrook acreage? You don't know until you put it on
the market-- and that doesn't mean making a nice sweet-heart arrangement to
transfer the property to St. Louis Park at sub-standard value, at a loss to
Mpls. taxpayers.
M. Hohmann
13th Ward
