I understand how people feel about attachments vis a
vis viruses but I thought I might forward something I
submitted to the Strib which they chose not to accept.
C'est la vie.
I would add a few points that were not in the op-ed
piece.
When the city says the Guthrie will pay full market
price for the land that may be true. What goes unsaid
is that the city/Mcda had several millions tied up in
that piece of land, some estimates goes as high as $12
million. Remember that this was the preferred site of
the Mayor and C.C. President for a Twins ballpark.
I have no problem with the Guthrie going to the river
though I believe that the city would have been better
served by them staying in their present neighborhood.
What concerns me, as it always has and forever will,
is duplicity and hypocrisy.
I do not understand Barb Johnson complaining that the
Guthrie was trying to steal "the people's land" at the
Parade Grounds site when they fully intended to pay
for the land two years ago while she voted in favor of
this land sale.
The truth is that anyone's ownership of land in this
city is precarious if the government sees fit to site
something else on the spot you occupy. I see it again
and again.
I would love to see a discussion sometime of "right of
eminent domain" wherein the city essentially seizes
land for a low-ball sum from rightful landowners,
turns the propoerty over to private developers, and
then loses in court on contested claims by original
owners who then forward the check to their lawyers,
and walk away with less than their land was worth.
Watch for the development at 13th and Harmon and don't
be talen in by the cry that the developer is anteing
up 20% of the units for affordable housing. Ten units
when we need 15,000 in the metro area. Pshaw!
This city's housing policy is scandalous.
Tim Connolly
Ward 7
Note: forwarded message attached.
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