Keith says; I submitted this piece to The StarTribune after reading their Editorial titled "West Broadway". They appear to have declined the piece.-------------------------------
Regarding the StarTribune Editorial "West Broadway". The Editorial is correct: "West Broadway, more then any commercial street in the Twin Cities.. retains the scary feel of urban abandonment...too many vacant lots and storefronts, too much trash blowing in the breeze." West Broadway is the Northside's main Commercial Corridor. It is also the major Commuter Corridor, County Hi-way 81, for those traveling to and from far Northwestern suburbs, and Downtown. Why is it so moribund, and appears less vital each succeeding year? Why have political leaders shied away from leading this avenue forward toward it's proper place as the Northside's "Mainstreet"? Answers: Starting with the simplest first: Because it is the borderline of three City Council Wards, and a dismal, and complicated 'no-mans land'. It has been easier for beleaguered Council members to turn their backs as they focused on inner Ward issues. Because of this same 'tri-cotomy', comprehensive planning never seemed to 'cross the street' to create necessary retail and pedestrian amenities: egress, access, parking, lighting, greenways, art, and identifiers, etc. Because "mainstreet" is slashed, filet style, by a busy County Hi-way, traffic is dangerous; and discourages critical, cross street, pedestrian vitality. And because of an intended, or default concentration of poverty and crime. More contentious: I call this phenomena the "Shlepping" (carrying) away of West Broadway' Juice (our potential vitality) from our Avenue. To our north, Lowry Avenue; a more minor Neighborhood Corridor and County Hi-way, was selected over far more appropriate West Broadway, to be the County Works Project. Hence, much County, Federal, Met Council, and City money will flow toward that simpler Avenue; "Shlep, Shlep". Lowry also garnered a big piece of BRT, Bus Rapid Transit, money. BRT does not belong on Lowry, but it will be routed there because the buses are loaded with development cash. Cash taken away from more appropriate West Broadway; "Shlep, Shlep". The planned North Star Commuter Rail line had a, proposed, station at Broadway Street and Central Avenue in Northeast; perfect for Northside residents who seek suburban job opportunities. The possibility of a quick West Broadway bus ride over the river and transfer to a train ride to suburban jobs would attract retail investment on our Avenue. New business would serve those commuters when they brought their new paychecks home to our neighborhoods; and bought their consumer goods on our Avenue. When the rail system is created, no station will be at Broadway/Central, it will be closer to Downtown; "Shlep, Shlep". We are currently denied a bus route that traverses the full length of "The Broadways", that is both North and NorthEast. Such a route would allow bottled up Northside workers to expeditiously access existing warehouse, and other jobs, over NorthEast. And thus bring home the bacon to West Broadway. Proposed, and current; "Shlep and Shlep". To our south, Plymouth and Penn is planning a huge, new, higher density residential/commercial development on a large parcel assembled by a Non-Profit Developer. It is fueled with public funds. Included is the demolition, and rebuilding, of the modern, and functioning, shopping center that exists there now. Nice plan, nice development, nice (huge public funds) subsidies, but shouldn't this be a West Broadway Development? A part, and a parcel, on THE Commuter and Commercial Corridor of the whole Northside? Nope. Not this time; "Shlep, Shlep". Sometimes, when I drive over the Broadway bridge of the Mississippi, I wonder if anybody has found a way to shlep the water away. I am comforted when I see the water is still flowing down below; no "Shlep, Shlep". Returning to the StarTribune Editorial which states, "...Broadway's rescue won't be easy, given the city's scant resources...the days of big government solutions are long gone, and good riddance." I agree that "What works are genuine partnerships - among governments, foundations, businesses, schools, churches, civic groups, and constructive citizens." There is substantial funding above and below West Broadway. Funding for the exact type of projects that OUR Avenue needs. And, by any objective measure, West Broadway should be the beneficiary of those funds. Those developments, and that funding, should be on West Broadway; for the benefit of the whole Northside. Is the actual shortage a lack of will, and focus by our political leaders? And a lack of adequate political currency, power, by our West Broadway? Right now, West Broadway should be recognized as "The Avenue with the Most Potential" because it is situated in the midst of so many incredible recent developments. And because of it's inherent, and unique, importance, it's renewal is assured. We must get busy now; enough time has been wasted. The "Shlepping" away of West Broadway's Juice, and funding, must stop. Sincere planning, partnerships, and funding, must begin. Keith Reitman NearNorth Resident and Multi-property owner/ 22 years on West Broadway REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
