Wizard Marks wrote: >From observation only, I'd say these businesses are owned/run by people who know how >to do retail. They are not naive, but they are savvy in Spanish, Somali, and who >knows what else. Unless you are trilingual, you're unlikely to learn what they >understand.
Tom sez: So, is Wizard Marks trilingual? Does Wizard Marks actually know any of the business people? Interesting that WizardMarks tries to speak for them. I happen to know that a few of the tenants of Basam Sabri's buildings are gone now, and they told me that part of their falling out with Basam was their opposition to the Access Project. Apparently Basam believes the project will increase the value of his buildings, but most of his tenants are worried about the corresponding increase in rents if the area were to become a target area for chains and that suburbanization process, chains can afford more rent and appeal to the employees of Abbott and Wells Fargo. The other scenario, that the extra traffic will destroy the business climate, is equally unacceptable, making it a lose-lose situation if the project happens; right now there are many Latinos who are working on a plan to thwart Peter McLaughlin's anticipated run for mayor because of his support for this plan. WizardMarks wrote: They're (immigrant business owners) certainly smart enough to understand that if the road comes near their doors, they'll get more business. Tom sez: I find this comment highly insulting, in addition to the fact that it assumes the road won't just run them right over - which it will in for several businesses where Lake St will be widened to 8 lanes. WizardMarks wrote: Business people voted at their node associations first; node associations keep records of their votes. What business people who came to the open houses think of the project also appears in the stenographer's record of comments dictated to him/her. Tom sez: Problem with this scenario: most of the current business owners were NOT in business over four years ago when the "input" phase happened. Lake St is far more vital now than it was then, and has accomplished this WITHOUT the $200 million Access Project. WizardMarks wrote: With the project in place, trucks and people going to work at Abbott, Children's, Phillips Eye Institute, Anderson and Four Winds schools, Wells Fargo, the Sears site in the future, St. Mary's College, etc. will be steered onto 28th St. (snip) I will love not having so many semis playing the air brakes outside my windows and coming down my tiny street to cross over to 29th St.(snip) I support this project even though it offers me personally very little gain for several years of disruption (part of which will be a nightmare as they tear up the street alongside my fence) Tom sez: There you have it folks - Wizard Marks supports the Access Project at least in part because she believes it will mean less truck traffic on Lake Street, which is where her house is; she may also be betting on a higher property value as the suburbanization of Lake St proceeds. Tom Welling CARAG _______________________________________________ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) ________________________________ 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
