Where to put downtown? As a former sixth ward alderman from the era when almost all of downtown was part of the ward, I can offer some insight. Keep in mind there were much fewer residents downtown then, (one of the things we set about to change back then.) I can say that the district required significant time and attention. Probably 20-30% of my time. While every council member will want to meddle in the larger downtown development issues, the day to day issues fall to the council member of the area. The council member will need to understand the one way traffic issues and concerns, truck and loading dock issues, skyway issues, policing issues, parking issues, litter issues, zoning issues, etc. etc. etc. that have a peculiar relationship to the downtown area and how things are done. In addition to their carefully balanced population, they will have 50,000 more with an occasional reason to call city hall. This need for attention and action does not eliminate the needs to attend the duties of representing the residential portions of the ward. A council member with a particularly needy population and active neighborhood groups, may find it difficult to be in as many places as their constituents desire. Add to that responsibilities for a dynamic central business district and you've got overload potential.
Now to mention political implications. Inevitably the council member who tries to service the legitimate needs of the business district will find themselves at odds with their neighborhood groups. Jealousy of time spent, dollars allocated, and association with the "enemy" will provide fodder for anyone who chooses to use it. This can come form the left or the right and as often, out of nowhere. The political advantage is that as council member of the ward, you tend to be thrust into the leadership circle formal or informal because of the city wide implications of the CBD. Thus even in your first term, you will be more likely to be involved in the early stages of discussions regarding major propositions that affect the downtown. This access to knowledge about what's happening and might be happening in the early stages is the essence of power in city hall. There is a tradeoff. The power seeker may gravitate one way, the ward heeler another. If I were council member today from the 6th or 7th or 5th ward, I would want to include the CBD in my district. If I were the neighborhood groups and others interested in maximizing my council members attention to local needs and problems I would prefer they not be caught up in the CBD's issues. Ultimately, the reality that buildings don't vote, while people do, forces some choices. Had I been asked, I would have argued for a largely intact CBD attached to a less demanding ward. While it seems treasonous to say so, I think a CBD alignment with the 7th ward, makes some sense. I find that somewhat objectionable however, because I don't think the CBD should been seen as a republican or wealthy or easy ward province. The CBD is democratic territory filled with transit accessible employment opportunities and an extensive array of services and public entertainment. And it needs some attention. Unfortunately the types of jobs available downtown are not as varied as was once the case and not necessarily a good match for all the skill sets resident in our neighborhoods. Earl Netwal Minnehaha _______________________________________ 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
