Why haven't developers stepped forward with a megaproject idea? One would think that they could take the Block E project and multiply it by 10. Here's my idea for any developer trying to figure out a way to make more money in Minneapolis.
Instead of one stadium that taxpayers oppose vehemently, why not add other projects to it that taxpayers and their elected leaders have more difficulty opposing? I suggest adding mixed-income housing. Of course, there will be a very large percentage of these units that would be affordable at the 30% and 50% of area median income. But why stop at apartment and townhome development? We could add retail, restaurants, and other business establishments to serve the new residents and weekend visitors. But wait, there's more. Residents need greenspace and schools, so add a community school and a park and parkway. Throw in a dog park and you've got the dog owners on your side. We might as well throw in decorative pedestrian street lights before the money runs out. Of course residents need jobs to pay for their homes and amenities. Small, multiple-use commercial building could be built for light-industry, technology, and any other industries that pollute less than older industries in the city. Now we're courting support from all who want jobs and greener urban areas. Maybe it could be located on the Hiawatha LRT line or on a future Central LRT line? The great thing about this idea is that public monies are used to build a stadium, but it can be marketed to the public as public financing for infrastructure and for subsidizing affordable housing. Beginning to see the similarity with Block E? While I might be a little facetious with this posting, the only way I see Minnesotans supporting a professional sports stadium is to link a stadium with the public good. Brian Brian Hanninen Cedar-Riverside _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
