Our downtown is anything but on the edge of death. A healthy downtown gives
us a good tax base to provide for the services that are used by our citizens
and visitors. Many of the facilities and services provided by the City of
Mpls and the Park and Library Boards are heavily used by non-residents who
do not, as residents, pay property taxes to the city. In other words, the
city, Park Board, Library Board provide regional services that are paid for
by Minneapolis taxes. This is possible, because we have a large regional
entity, called downtown, that generates the needed revenues to provide these
services to non residents.. If it were left to the non-downtown property
base to support this infrastructure, it would be a very heavy burden on the
average home owner or tenant. The point being that a healthy downtown is
critical to the economic health of Minneapolis.
What some, rightfully, object to is that the current powers that be in city
hall seem to be giving away the store in order to keep or attract business
to Downtown. We have a great city and region with a great educated
workforce. We do not need to bribe the giant corporations and millionaire
ball players to be a part of our great city. Balance is needed. I think it
is important that we do not let the arguments about these issues be framed
as a downtown vs. neighborhoods type of argument. This is a false
dichotomy. Downtown and the neighborhoods, along with industrial zones, are
critically important components of a balanced, livable and sustainable city.
What would really be unhealthy, as the legislature seems to be trying to do,
is to shift the tax burden from those who have the ability to pay to those
who do not.
Dean Zimmermann
Commissioner District 3
Mpls Park and Recreation Board
Candidate for Mpls City Council, Ward 6
612-722-8768
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of
M Smith
Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2001 9:56 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [Mpls] More Property Tax
I'm just wondering how Minneapolis' downtown
fares with other cities that have had issues with
"the death of their downtown areas", and thus the
"death of the inner cities".
I know whenever I hear of the criticisms of
downtown development I get a little upset. I
find it is mostly those folks that have
transporation and can afford to go to the Mall of
America or other Malls that are doing the major
criticizing.
For those of us that don't have the
transportation, it is very good that the downtown
if being revitalized, healthy and growing. I
know this is not a popular stance of this list,
but I tell you, those stores were getting pretty
expensive downtown. The Woolworths and other
stores were taken out, and I am glad that there
is a Target Store coming in that I and many of my
friends can afford that will be VERY, VERY bus
accessible.
Gosh, and I thought I heard from someone that
strong downtown areas helped the neighborhoods
particular those poor neighborhoods.
I know folks that live in Detroit, which is a
disaster for poor folks. Unless you are middle
income you tend be have very few choices.
I am personally happy that I have choices with
our present public transporation system. I am
also happy with what is happening in Downtown
Minneapolis. How many poor folks, or people of
color are complaining?
Matthea Smith
Powderhorn - 9-4
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