How do we decide if a downtown grocery store is needed and if so should it be subsidized. The ultimate decision is up to the grocery store owner. If and when there is some interest by an owner then here are three possible scenarios. Let the owner be and let them do their own deal. or If an owner is interested but does not feel they can make the numbers work let the Mayor and Council decide on subsidies and give it to the MCDA to implement. or Let the NRP(s) that are affected make the decision. If they think it needs to be subsidized let them do it with their NRP funds and help from the Planning Department. The debate on the forum about whether a grocery store is needed is interesting. But where is the discussion on the bigger question of subsidies and who allocates them, who determines the vision that supports them and who is to pay for them? I think the Mayor and Council members will have to explain their support of subsidizing Target as well as some of their other developoment choices. That is how democracy works. If they can explain their thinking to the voters, they get re-elected. Those opposing them have to do more than just complain however, they need to explain how they will be different. TIF and government subsidies are not evil of themselves. Their misuse however is another matter. I'm not sure about others but I would prefer number one above, let the owner do his own deal. If it just doesn't work without subsidy, I would feel better knowing that it was the neighborhoods served by the new store that decided to invest in the project. I know neighborhood organizations are not perfect (thanks to Centrals constant airing of their dirty laundry), but with appropriate help from city staff I feel more confident that money is being directed where neighborhoods feel it is needed. Bob Gustafson SW __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35 a year! http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
