Thanks to John Goodman for pointing this out: Today's strib article by CNIA Chat member, and strib reporter Steve Brandt: > > http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/2114824.html > from the article:
The center is proposed by the Urban Ventures Leadership Foundation, but there's some skepticism among neighbors that the community-development corporation can raise the money. The foundation said the project will cost $17 million, and it wants a $10 million endowment to finance the center's operations. .............................. Shields said that the Guard probably would bring more than $1 million to the project and that U.S. Rep. Martin Sabo has expressed willingness to seek federal funding for 75 percent of that. The state would be asked for the balance. "The issue is whether Urban Ventures can raise the money to really make this thing happen," Shields said. There's some skepticism from neighbors based on Urban Ventures' failure to raise the money to follow through on intentions to convert a former pornography warehouse on Lake Street into a kitchen-business incubator. That tied up the building for years, until businessman Basim Sabri renovated it. Urban Ventures later opened an incubator in part of its 4th Avenue headquarters. Urban Ventures President Art Erickson declined to say how much progress the nonprofit group has made in a fundraising campaign that began in June 2000. Secretary of State Colin Powell, after whom the building would be named, spoke at the kickoff event. Urban Ventures has produced a fundraising video that includes Powell's comments, a computer-generated image of the building on its site and New Age music. The Minnesota Senate's bonding bill would contribute $700,000 to the project. The center would be built midway between two YWCAs along the Lake Street corridor. Erickson said that although the center's programs are similar to the Y's, barriers such as Interstate Hwy. 35W, gang turf issues and the fee-based nature of the YWCAs argue for going ahead. ...................... The facility would need several city zoning approvals. Council Member Robert Lilligren said he has pushed Urban Ventures to do a housing-retail project for the area. Lilligren said he'd prefer to see the community center on Lake Street and the housing-retail project along the greenway. -- Steve Brandt is at [EMAIL PROTECTED] EY: Robert Lilligren also indicated to me, that he believes it is premature for the council to consider any zoning changes until Urban Vultures clearly shows they have raised the funding for the project. Anyway, if folks have feelings about Urban Ventures getting federal funding for this program, feel free to write or call Martin Sabo about the subject. Urban Ventures was at the legislature this week -- the architect was late for this meeting because he was meeting with legislators. Also, yesterday I wrote: The architect's plan looked wonderful -- and I think it would be wonderful if Central could have a center like this -- but I question whether Urban Ventures is the appropriate outfit to offer this. Central has a large gay and lesbian population, and Urban Ventures leaders -- especially Art Erickson, has been quoted making anti-gay statements in the Star Tribune. And Denise Mazone asked: Who do you think should offer this? EY: That's a good question. I've been talking to others in the neighborhood about this center, and have since read Steve Brandt's article on the subject, and have come to the conclusion that this would duplicate things already in the neighborhood -- especially the YMCA on Blaisdale, and the Midtown YWCA (which is a wonderful facility -- and reaches a good variety of people). So I guess I've been thinking, is this really what the neighborhood needs -- another social program? Or is it better to focus on working with major employers -- such as Wells Fargo and Allina, to start hiring people in the neighborhoodhood to career track jobs in the company. I also as a taxpayer, object to funding organizations that are anti-gay. I agree with what the Supreme Court said about the Boy Scouts being a private organization. They are -- but they do not have the right to getting taxpayer funds, or preferential treatment in the schools. I don't want to see another organization that has a track record of being hostile to gays receiving public funding. Let those who agree with discriminatory policies fund organizations such as Urban Ventures. In my opinion, I would like to see the Central Neighborhood because an attractive place for professionals to live, raise children, and grow in their careers. The location is close to a number of lakes (go a couple miles in any direction, and you come to water). There is potential with some employers with professional jobs in the area -- and people who live here could walk to work. We have a growing diverse population. We need to focus on developing and making Chicago and Lake into a thriving corner, rather than the magnet for drugs, prostitution, and traffic accidents it now is. We need to look at getting a traffic study on Chicago and Lake. It makes no sense for Eliot and 10th Av to be blocked off between Lake and 31st. This is NIMBY gone crazy. This just redirects the traffic from those corners to Chicago and Lake, and also to Portland. Part of living any place means there is some traffic in front of your house. It's not fair for a block to have that traffic pushed over from their block to other blocks. I've heard that these blocks are looking for empowerment zone money to make the ugly barracades look nicer. This is just silly. Eva Eva Young Central Eva Eva Young Central Neighborhood Minneapolis "You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone - not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc., but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be." --Article II of the Bill of Non-Rights. _______________________________________ 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
