In a message dated 2/19/02 10:26:20 AM Central Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<<
I want to stress that I want Nicollet-Ace to do well in that
location. They should know that there are studies that show that parking
lots in urban areas actually HURT businesses.
(Snip) Keith says; The local Ace Hardware folks live and breathe the
business they have been in for decades, day in and day out. It is likely they
speak with every customer that crosses the threshold of their store. They
hear every comment and critique their customers toss at them. And they make
conclusions based on up close and personal, hands-on sensory input. The
owners and employees pick up trash, clear snow, receive semitrailer loads of
supplies (probably through the back or side). They help carry out sold items
and carry in repair items. They do this and more, around their site, over and
over; for days, weeks, months, years and decades.
They need more parking, they have concluded. They may not even know that
side-lot parking lots are indeed approved by modern urban planners. They may
not know that parking areas at the front of the lot, with the building set at
the back of the lot, is the "suburban style" that is frowned upon by modern
urban planners. That style is, I believe, prevalent at Nicollet and Lake St.
and supposedly "unfriendly" to pedestrians.
But, hold everything, cause Ken Avidor has found a study somewhere
"...that show that parking lots in urban areas actually HURT businesses."
(Snip) Back to Ken below
The most successful Twin Cities neighborhood business districts
(Linden Hills, Saint Anthony Park) are ones that maintain an unbroken
streetscape and restrict parking to the
rear of the stores. Parking lots are a boring blight. Studies show that
drivers slow down in a business districts with intact storefronts and
speed up in parking lot-blighted business districts (Picture Nicollet
and Lake Street...plenty of parking, but not a nice place to stroll and
browse.)
A better solution to the parking problem is to reserve the space in
front of the store for carry-out service like they do at supermarkets.
I'm sure there are other solutions.
(Snip) OK Ken, I will park in front of the neighbors house up the street
or around the corner. I will walk to the store. When I am done I will walk
down the block and retrieve my car and pull it up to the "carry-out" area.
But, human nature being what it is, if four other shoppers decide to park in
that area and just "run in"; what comment will I offer my Nicollet-Ace
Hardware hosts? And how often will I come back? Also, what about a few spaces
for the humble folks who live upstairs?
(Snip) Back to Ken
Many of the people who support Nicollet-Ace are assuming that
Nicollet Hardware knows what it's doing because they are business
people. The business people at Enron, Global Crossing and K-mart said
they knew what they were doing too. Rushing important desisions without
a proper hearing is exactly how we end up with "biggy-sized" mistakes.
(Snip) Keith says; I just want a place to park, not an end-run or global
crossing through a K-Mart sized, suburban style parking lot. I am Positive
the hardware folks know when they need more parking at the site they tend and
nurture everyday. They know their needs far better then you, I, or a study.
Keith's poetry: Wave all PC flags, and salute social justice; When we
double park at Ace, I hope they
don't bust us. (See below)
(Snip) Ken continues-
Will those public officials who ran on a platform supporting
livable cities, the environment, social justice and affordable housing
have some faith in those ideals and stand up to this example of the
Old Way of Thinking that has failed us time after time after time?
Ken Avidor
Kingfield
>>
Keith Reitman, Hey, is that Ken double parked up ahead?, NearNorth
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