Thanks, Dean. That was very helpful. I have no disagreement with your lengthy response (and I, for one, appreciated the detail and have saved it), but I do want to clarify your comment on Ron in your last paragraph and to express Ron's caveat:
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dean Carlson Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 8:34 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Mpls] Let's have some GOOD news for a change When completed, Heritage Park will be a mixed-use, mixed-income development located 1 short mile from downtown. It will be connected to the City via new roads, park amenities, and bike trails. People of all races, incomes, and backgrounds will be sharing the same space and it will probably be the most integrated neighborhood in all of the City. Critics like Ron Edwards will probably never accept it but I stand by my original post -- This is Good News!! Ron would FULLY accept what you have written and, indeed, your last paragraph echoes the vision Ron shares with you as does Harry Davis in his new book about Minneapolis in his comments on Heritage Park, which I also recommend to everyone to read ("Overcoming: The Autobiography of W. Harry Davis"). In two of his between Chapter Interludes, Ron notes the good news of progress in Black prosperity and integration in Minneapolis. And he calls it a glass half full so that we remain mindful that he champions those still trying to either get out of ghetto-like conditions and areas or transform them so they are no longer ghetto-like. Surely no one on this list would disagree with that goal. Had you read Ron's chapter (why I urge people to read Ron's book before commenting on it) you could not write that he "will probably never accept it." Ron would agree with you that IF (the caveat) what you and Harry and he himself says about what it is supposed to be actually happens it would indeed be good news. His single focus is equal access and opportunity for everyone. He would love to see an integrated city as well as integrated suburbs. He would share your enthusiasm that all of the units "will be replaced" and when you say it "will be completed by October 4" he would celebrate that with you then, and I don't think he would begrudge you a few months if it goes to, say, December. But what if it goes several more years? And Ron would certainly celebrate with you your words that what is to be achieved is "All on the site of an acknowledged ghetto with buildings that were sinking into an ancient riverbed." And I'm willing to accept not only your number of 40 families but even more since the original post. Ron doesn't question the concept, nor do I, only whether it will actually be completed. None of what you wrote negates the McKinsey report that, in their words, nearly $1 billion was spent by 400-600 planners in five agencies to develop 52 units leaving the city still short the money to complete the project as well as still being short 8,300 of its affordable housing needs. This $1 billion is significant also in terms of the discussion of the LGA cuts and hopes. And it will be significant if it turns out that the Brown field some say it is requires more clean up. Ron also points out in his book that the map shown to HUD regarding what Heritage Park/Hollman was supposed to be showed less than what Minneapolis was shown on another map of what it would be. The map shown HUD shows a purging of buildings that were to be used by African American organizations. Sadly, Ron discusses in his book how this was achieved by the actions of BOTH White and Black organizations. Ron also questions why so many Blacks made to leave what Dean confirms was a ghetto, who were promised they could move back once it was completed, have since been told they cannot. In his chapter on housing he notes that last year's report from the University's Center for Urban and Regional Affairs discusses how affordable housing has been abandoned for the more profitable market-rate housing, "despite the availability of Federal funds through the 1976 Land Use Planning act, which is not being used." In other words, Ron agrees with what Dean is saying should happen but questions whether it will. On pp. 134-5 of his book Ron states "The high real estate tax is unfair. Minneapolis needs to engage with the state to set meaningful measurable goals for developing housing policy with fair housing goals, including the kind of tax breaks other developments get, so that developers and others can provide decent, safe, affordable housing at a profit." Ron sees both sides. He just wants to make sure that both sides win. To back up his argument, Ron reports that even the Metropolitan Council admits it is "only providing 10% of what they acknowledge is needed." Its continuing to delay will result in the available land being used up so there is no room left for affordable housing. Ron concludes his chapter by reporting that "the University of Minnesota calls the council's action 'a missed opportunity of huge proportions.'" Ron accepts the vision outlined by Dean. He hopes it comes through. He is fighting for it. But the evidence suggests that it will not only be missed, but, and this is a key theme of Ron's, missed on purpose, which is bad for all concerned, Blacks and Whites, and easily raises questions of ethics touched elsewhere by this discussion group. Read his book and then tell me what you think. Peter Jessen, Portland [Full disclosure: also publisher (www.BeaconOnTheHill.com) of "The Minneapolis Story, Through My Eyes," by Ron Edwards (www.TheMinneapolisStory.com)] Heritage Park is a work in progress but when it is completed will include 200 public housing units, 90 affordable rental units, 150 market rate rental units, 55 habitat for humanity homes, 55 affordable for sale homes, and 250 market rate homes. In addition, MPHA will build a 100 unit senior housing for low income seniors, including at least 40 assisted living units. When it is completed, 500 of the 900 (55 percent) new units will be for built for low income or moderate income people. All on the site of an acknowledged ghetto with buildings that were sinking into an ancient riverbed Dean E. Carlson East Harriet, Ward 10 TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
