Thanks for your note and response.
You may not like the term "fortress neighborhood" but it is a handy, and accurate way to sum up the intransigence that is legendary here in Minneapolis.
Handy? Lots of terms are handy, but that doesn't make them accurate or appropriate, and I don't think this one is either. Tell me about some of the "legendary" intransigence here in Minneapolis. You probably have some examples, but since I don't know of any out here in SW Mpls hopefully you have some that you can share.
They honestly report that they believe they cannot afford the time or aggravation involved in going up against Linden Hills or East Harriet (for instance), and so they feel they must pursue softer targets so they can get their projects done. On this matter there is little disagreement.
Who is "honestly" reporting this? When have they gone up against Linden Hills or East Harriet? I'm just don't agree with you when you say that there is little disagreement here.
I completely understand your frustration with how projects have been sited in some of the impacted neighborhoods. You may recall that I was (am) in complete agreement with you about Lydia Apartments and even as one who attends Plymouth Church wrote to the Neighborhood Foundation lobbying them not to go forward with the project. I supported the neighborhoods completely in this matter. Plymouth Foundation should have found another place for Lydia and I suggested the building at 42nd and Nicollet.
So I understand your frustration. I just think it's too easy an answer to simply place all the blame at the feet of non-impacted neighborhoods. As I said in my post we end up pointing fingers at each other, here within the city limits - one neighborhood against another, but I can't see where that is fair or in the end helpful.
Give me some examples of "fortress neighborhoods" that have rejected projects. I'm very willing to talk about specific projects. I just want us to get away from stereotyping and cheap shots, because that's what I think this is.
Anyway, you and I (and everyone) should be working together to solve this problem, not against each. (and hopefully, in any case, we are working together in some way.) Perhaps I'm just a little too thinned-skinned about this. There ARE a lot of us out here in SW Mpls trying to figure out ways to site affordable housing. In the meantime what I deem to be unfair comments like "fortress neighborhoods" simply inflame the situation and reinforce unfounded stereotypes.
Thanks, Paul Lohman Lynnhurst
Paul Lohman [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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