I second what Dennis and Barbara are saying in their posts about
non-subsidized or not over-subsidized local development in individual
neighborhoods. By reporting on these project you legitimize alternative
possibilities for solving problems. What goes into the newspapers is not
always the full story. But the neighborhood papers are a good source of
what is happening on the ground (often without the spin).
The is one final point that I would like to make and have list members
respond to--in Minneapolis there are a limited number of development
models. The MCDA has different tools (TIF is the most notable) in which
to finance or subsidize business and housing development. The same
formulas are used over and over, even when a "better" alternative may work
in a particular situation. The "tool box" is not quite a cookie-cutter,
but it sure approaches one. If you asked MCDA staff and some smart
developers to come up with alternative solutions, they could probably
generate a long list. I'm sure the response would be something like
"Funny you should ask. Nobody ever came to me before with that." I have
a lot of respect for some of the MCDA staff and some developers. If they
could shed the blinders of the current development toolkit, we would have
solutions like the one Barbara writes about for 27th and Lake.
Risk-aversion in politics has it's uses, but the Minneapolis version has
many problems when you want to build and maintain a liveable city.
On Fri, 2 Mar 2001, Barbara Nelson wrote:
> I have to agree with Mr. Shapiro. For example, the former Podany building at
> 27th and Lake is being rehabbed and will house some new businesses, including
> the police who will have the whole basement, I believe. This work is being done
> by a local developer who was lured into doing it by some savvy neighborhood
> folks, at least that's what it sounds like to me.
>
> Unfortunately, I don't know anything more about it than that, but if happenings
> like this were raised on the list, perhaps other neighborhoods with large
> buildings that are deteriorating, or problem properties would perhaps be more
> aware that there are places which have found solutions -- and they would know
> who to contact for more info, too.
>
> Moreover, the merits of these projects relative to TIF percentages, downtown
> development, which neighborhoods are using their NRP monies more successfully,
> etc. would be brought forth in the ensuing discussions.
>
> I think Mr. Shapiro has come up with a winner, as long as the people who post
> don't go overboard in the cheerleading aspect of it all.
>
> Barbara Nelson
> Seward
>
>
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