I think this is a good example of the "neighborhood fiefdom" dynamic that some have written about on this list.
Given a system, it is human nature to expect that system to work. The system of moving people around the city in cars is not working well. When asked how the system could be improved, most people will say "I need more places to park." End of loop. We will never be able to effect serious reform in Minneapolis if we do not challenge disfunctional systems, and explore and promote alternatives. Neighborhood politics is not about examining systems - it's reactive, not proactive. Neighborhood politics gave us the Highway 55 reroute: because many of the people who lived right on the road were tired of traffic congestion, they supported the destruction of common property and a natural treasure. Too often our political leaders take their mandates from this kind of self-interest, without looking at its long-term impact, or exploring solutions that may have wider benefits. We desparately need leaders who can see the big picture as well as be responsive to individual needs. 21 parking spaces may seem inconsequential. But how else do we start evolving toward a more pedestrian city? When the Wedge Coop expanded its store and parking lot, it greatly increased the traffic congestion on Lyndale Avenue. I personally know two pedestrians who have been hit by cars in that neighborhood. Is this what people want for 38th and Nicollet? I don't know who lived in the nice old four-square houses that are being demolished. I do know that it is a racially diverse, low-income neighborhood, which supports several minority-owned businesses. Low-income people need good pedestrian-friendly commercial nodes. Maybe a lot of the people in the Ace Hardware neighborhood haven't ever visited Linden Hills, and seen how nice it is. Maybe they accept the crummification of their neighborhood as inevitable, because it's the only system they know. I strongly urge the Council to vote against this zoning change, in order to give the neighborhood more time to examine alternatives to asphalt, and to demonstrate a good-faith commitment to systems that are sustainable, future focused and fair. -- Holle Brian Ward 8 _______________________________________ 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
