Sorry for the long post, but earlier this week, there was some on-list discussion of the proposed development at 11th and West River Parkway. The following is a Counterpoint article from Steve Cramer, Executive Director of the MCDA. The article also ran in the Strib today. -- Robert Cooper Minneapolis Community Development Agency Powderhorn Park Editorial Department Counterpoint Star Tribune 425 Portland Ave S Minneapolis MN 55488 The Minneapolis Community Development Agency has been a guiding force behind a remarkable Central Riverfront renaissance in Minneapolis. Over the past 30 years, MCDA staff and Commissioners have transformed the remnants of a forgotten industrial era into the promise of a unique urban district serving generations to come. Because of this deeply ingrained commitment to riverfront revitalization, it was especially disappointing to read Tuesday¹s editorial "Riverfront plan: Council should seek urban design" about the proposed office development at 1101 West River Parkway. This disappointment was compounded by the fact that no one from MCDA was contacted prior to publication. Our input may not have changed the editorial¹s conclusion, but I believe a more balanced and complete picture could have been presented. The editorial places the office site "in the midst of an urban historic district," and characterizes the development as "suburban." The site is actually part of a light-industrial business park area formerly known as the Minnesota Technology Corridor and is three blocks from any historic structures. The proposed design is contemporary. For some, contemporary architecture may be synonymous with a suburban aesthetic, but given the newer buildings in the surrounding business park and the likely contemporary design of the proposed Guthrie Theater, a contemporary design seems more appropriate for the site than a pseudo-historic design. The office building location was never intended to "charm the after-theater crowd in search of a sandwich," as the editorial calls for. Retail and entertainment uses that complement the Guthrie and planned Mill City Museum and serve their future patrons are proposed along Chicago and Washington avenues and include housing, shops, cafés, and restaurants. An extension of 11th Avenue is funded as a part of the office project and creates a vehicular connection to the river, as well as an important linkage for the Elliot Park and Phillips neighborhoods. Trees, sidewalks, bicycle and parking lanes and curb bump-outs at West River Parkway will define the pedestrian realm and make it friendly. People should feel safe walking and biking to and from West River Parkway. However, the uses along the proposed 11th Avenue from Second Street to the river differ from the uses at the proposed Chicago Avenue, as 11th Avenue will be the transition point between the mixed-use community upriver and the business park downriver. The editorial also takes issue with parking for the project and lack of street ambience. The proposed development has an accessory surface parking lot, which is well-screened from West River Parkway. The only alternative to a surface lot to support hundreds of workers in the office is an above-grade ramp, as a sub-surface structure would require many millions of dollars and many years to clean up contamination in the water table. A several-story parking ramp would be not only very expensive and require subsidy, but also would be more visually intrusive along the parkway. As a result of working with Park Board and Planning Department staff, the developer has added a decorative wall, ornamental lighting, a sidewalk, and plazas along West River Parkway to enhance the pedestrian experience. The plan also calls for substantial landscaping. Pedestrian links are planned throughout the area. For the foreseeable future, the eastern edge of the Guthrie site�from the Xcel Energy power lines to the new 11th Avenue�will likely be surface parking for Guthrie employees. Although the address of the proposed office building is West River Parkway, it is more than one city block away from the river. Between the site and the river is a large natural gas peak shaving plant. It is doubtful that either the power lines across 11th Avenue or the peak shaving plant across West River Parkway will be relocated within the next several decades. Therefore, the proposed office use appears to be the highest and best use for the site for the foreseeable future. It will serve as a good transition between the Guthrie and the adjacent light-industrial/office uses. The proposal and design resonate with the current neighbors and are compatible with the future surroundings. I have pointed out several times that the proposed office is also a project which pays MCDA fair market value for land in public ownership for 10 years, requires no subsidy and retains a valued Minneapolis firm. It¹s not always possible to achieve these goals through the development process. When they are achieved, the normal critics of development in Minneapolis are left to scramble to find new grounds for their opposition. That is now happening after two-and-a-half years of Council actions directing development of the site in a manner consistent with the pending office proposal. The MCDA¹s deeply ingrained commitment to riverfront revitalization is as strong as ever. The office development at 1101 West River Parkway is part and parcel of the commitment to the City of Minneapolis. Sincerely, Steve Cramer Executive Director, MCDA 105 5th Ave S, Suite 200 Minneapolis MN 55401-2534 (612) 673-5125 _______________________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
