Amy Draeger wrote: 1. The developer said he would not go ahead with the project if a liquor license was not approved. I've only lived in Audubon since January, but it strikes me as a very quiet neighborhood - I don't think a Bryant Lake Bowl type establishment fits it anymore than a 3 piece suit fits a day at the beach or monster trucks fit the Harriet Bandshell. -------------
I just bought a home in Audobon Park two years ago, and have been looking forward to some development on Johnson Ave. I was sad to see Nan's restaurant go, but look forward to the new one that will be taking its place. I shop for clothes for my kid at the retro kids clothes (Oh Cool Baby) store down the block, and hear about important neighborhood issues at the coffee shop. I also frequently go to Bryant Lake Bowl and (the restuarant part of it) reminds me of the Modern, a restaurant in the middle of a quiet Northeast neighborhood. They both have and NEED their liquor licenses to survive. I think that it would fit in quite well, and I hope that the project doesn't hit a wall over this issue. The Modern has been a huge asset to that part of Northeast, and this theater could do the same for Windom Park and Audobon Park. I know that the merchants on Johnson that I have talked to are very excited about the business that this project will draw to their stores. Allysen Hoberg Audobon Park -----Original Message----- From: Amy Draeger [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2003 12:20 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] Hollywood Theater R. Leurquin wrote: "I for one will be glad to see that wonderful old theatre revitalized after all these years." I will, too. I would love to see the Hollywood restored the way the Heights has been restored. I would love to walk to a neighborhood movie theater with my partner on a date. I'm not convinced this project will be what I'm looking for but it appears to be what the majority of the neighborhood is looking for right now - at least the ones who showed up to vote at the meeting on the issue last month. 2 things about that meeting give me great pause about this project: 1. The developer said he would not go ahead with the project if a liquor license was not approved. I've only lived in Audubon since January, but it strikes me as a very quiet neighborhood - I don't think a Bryant Lake Bowl type establishment fits it anymore than a 3 piece suit fits a day at the beach or monster trucks fit the Harriet Bandshell. 2. Prior to the vote on the theater, the neighborhood voted to make loan funds available to the owners of the restaurant taking over the space where Nan's used to be. If we want the new restaurant to succeed, why would we vote to have a direct competitor move in at the same time the restaurant is trying to make a name for itself and establish a regular customer base? A. Hoberg wrote: "someone has sent out a strange mailing to neighbors in the area warning folks to look out for the GAY BAR!!!! and the SUBSIDIZED HOUSING!!! moving to the neighborhood." I haven't seen the flyer yet but it sounds pretty ugly. I truly hope this doesn't turn into a "northeast is racist and homophobic" because my experience so far is that this simply isn't true. My partner and I have been warmly welcomed by the neighbors on our block. If pink flamingos and rainbow flags are any indication, there are plenty of gays and lesbians in the blocks around us as well. I see young women and men of color with their babies in strollers walking past our house all the time and the basketball court down the street from us is filled every afternoon and night with young men (and even a few women) of color. It doesn't look any different to me than Loring Park. The project has a number of hurdles to jump before it is finally implemented. I'm hoping rational people of all persuasions and races will prevail in future neighborhood discussions so what's best for the neighborhood has a better chance of becoming reality. Maybe the people who sent this letter don't even live in NE. Amy Draeger Audubon Park _________________________________________________________________ The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail 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 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
