The Strib has an update/story on the Free Store and its on again off again plans to move to 2438 Bloomington, about a block from CM Zimmermann's house and in the East Phillips neighborhood:
 
 
"This is not an objection to the Free Store whatsoever," said Carol Pass, treasurer of the East Phillips Improvement Coalition. "But the level of traffic could create an unplanned element and thwart what we're trying so hard to accomplish."
 
I have to say, the level of "traffic" coming from the Free Store is a rather funny argument--there's very very little car traffic, except the occasional car or van dropping off donations in the back.  The vast majority of "traffic" is from poor folks walking to the store.  Maybe foot traffic is what Ms. Pass intended, but I find that hard to fathom as a problem, other than most folks may have to walk a little further than they did before.
 
It's also interesting to see AIHCDC's explanation of its displacement of the Free Store, for which AIHCDC is required by law to provide relocation assistance.  Seems the problem with the building of a new site or offering of new space was a problem that accompanies many folks displaced: the new place is unaffordable.
 
Gregory Luce
Project 504/Minneapolis (North Phillips)
 
 

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