I think there are a number of reasons that recycling school buildings as senior/mixed housing would be a good idea. In no particular order:
1. Schools are a focal point of neighborhoods -- that's why so many neighborhoods are named after schools. (In fact, many neighborhoods that aren't, like Tangletown, were once named for schools that were demolished, like Fuller.) People are attached to the schools, and the neighborhood, and I've talked to a lot of Mpls residents who were heartbroken when their alma mater, or their kids', was torn down. There's usually some parking available, and park space/landscaping around the older building that makes them attractive gathering points. 2. Most schools are surrounded by good infrastructure - roads, bus lines, etc. -- that make them accessible for people with varied transporation needs. 3. Most schools are large enough to allow for a blend of uses and generations. Exterior park and playground will still be available to neighborhood residents, while there may be enough interior space to allow for community programing. (Community Education, ECFE, meeting places, etc.) There are existing spaces in most schools that would accomodate cafeterias and dining, library space, and athletic/recreational uses. 4. The architecture of most of these buildings is classic, and the structure is solid -- in fact, you can't find materials like they used in most of our old school buildings today. There are a lot of challenges here, like converting classroom space to apartment style space, making these old buildings accessible and ADA compliant, and mitigating some of our more unfortunate materials choices, like asbestos. 5. Finally, and less quanitfiably -- people really really really want to stay in their old neighborhoods. I've spoken to many of my older neighbors who are hanging onto houses that are simply too big or too difficult for them to maintain, simply because they don't want to move away from their friends, family and familiar surroundings. Senior and assisted living developments seem to be springing up all over Richfield and the metro. Demographics tell us the need is clearly there. It seems like this could be a win/win for residents, developers and the city schools. Mike McAneney Tangletown (used to be Fuller. Hey, does anyone know why Fuller was named for Margaret Fuller?) ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Brauer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 2:07 PM Subject: [Mpls] Schools re-use > Interesting, non-Mpls-specific story in the Strib today about how, > statewide, the number of preschoolers are dropping while the number of > oldsters is rising. > > http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4654710.html > > It brings up a natural re-use for soon-to-be-shuttered Minneapolis > schools: as senior housing, or mixed housing with a large senior > component. > > My sense is that many city neighborhoods don't have enough workable > alternative housing for seniors who wish to remain there. Is it logical > to suggest that many schools could naturally help solve this problem? > > David Brauer > Kingfield > 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
