List, There have been expressed some appropriate concerns about what may appear to be a loss of opportunity at the Lake and Nicollet Corner. These concerns have been expressed as two: -the potential loss of the current developer to their "development rights" on the site; -or if the community is not involved.
I can not speak for all of the neighborhoods or even for the one in which I live- but as a board member of the Lyndale Neighborhood Development Corporation I can tell you that the neighborhood has been involved in many aspects of this project. In fact we had a contract, with city funds, through the developer to be part of the business recruitment for the corner. Significant questions and concerns have been raised by the community, the business community, and our councilmember which would make an additional extension on the development rights at least worth seriously revisiting. Without all the details, and only reading notes from conversations, I know that these concerns include, but are not limited to: -The developer has not delivered despite previous extensions -The current proposal does not seem to have numbers that work. -The proposed development no longer meets to urban design standards of the community: specifically to have 2+ story buildings facing Lake Street. -The proposed development does not currently meet the needs of the county, specifically HCMC's Family Clinic which is an important part of our community, and an important resource for low and moderate income residents in neighborhoods striving to maintain its economic diversity. -Concerns about the impact of the 35W ramp project on this development, including configuration and timeline. -The process has always been developer rather than community lead. Although it should be noted that there has been significant community involvement and the credit for that goes to Sherman and Associates. The 10th ward council member has been in regular communication with the Lyndale neighborhood about this matter. I know that the new 8th and 6th ward coulcnil members have also been activly engaged with their neighborhoods on the issue. There is a deep commitment from public and private partners to make a development solution which include mixed housing, and a mix of commercial work at the Nicollett Lake corner. The current development proposal may or may not be the solution - but a thoughtful consideration of development rights on the corner is clearly part of a comprehensive and sustainable solution. Joseph Barisonzi Lyndale Neighborhood Board Member of the Lyndale Neighborhood Development Coorproation -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of DeWayne Townsend Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2002 9:50 AM To: Mpls list Subject: RE: [Mpls] Nicollet & Lake Reopening Kimberly > I heard MPR reporting this morning on Thursday's Morning Edition: > "The Minneapolis City Council is expected to discuss what to do about > Nicollet Avenue at Lake Street. A K-Mart store has blocked Nicollet at the > Lake Street intersection since 1979. A developer has an agreement with the > city to reopen the street, but it expires this week. Neighbors hope the > deadline will be extended." > > Should it be extended? Opinions and facts are welcomed. If the neighborhood group is actively engaged with the developer and they are satisfied with the way the project is progressing the city should extend the agreement. I too heard the report and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. This sounds so much like the city council trying to re-do something that the community has a handle on without even talking to the community about it. From my experience the community almost always gets it right and always does better than a development directed by downtown. The council job is to make sure that the neighborhood process is open and that they have the resources to make an informed decision. Given those resources it will be a good development. Maybe not perfect, but certainly better and the community has a stake in the long term success. Just MHO. DeWayne Townsend Cooper Neighborhood [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________ 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 _______________________________________ 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
