Jennifer L. Rubenzer wrote - Part 2 - The other point I've been holding back for awhile now is the attack on the suburbs and relating it to mass transit. As the burbs go further out, we will see changes in where people work as well as where they live. Just because someone lives in Albertville doesn't mean they work downtown, it could mean they work in St. Cloud or Maple Grove or Watertown. High density housing, either must depend on high density employment to match, or we'll either have people living in MPLS and commuting out for work, or a stagnant economy due to lack of business development.
Peter Vevang writes -
Strictly speaking that is absolutely true, and is 100% the source of the problem. You are correct, many people do not commute to Minneapolis. People drive from the North Metro, through Minneapolis, to the South Metro, and East to West. They also completely bypass the city in some cases. The point is, the larger the Metro area becomes, the more traffic is generated because of the distances involved, and when averaged out Minneapolis is at the geographic center. Also, in terms of geometry, if you DOUBLE the width of the metro (as has happened), the area of the metro is SQUARED, that entire area must be given road access. Some of the commuter base affecting Minneapolis on 35W reaches all the way from Rochester and parts of Wisconsin.
As far as attacking the suburbs, we are merely asserting our rights as taxpayers and outlining what we need to be successful in the city. I commute about 2 miles to work by car, sometimes by bus. I use less than 1/20th or less of road resources than a person who commutes from Blaine to Eagan. Even though I have extremely easy access to 35W, and it would be an ideal commuting path for me, I can't use it because of the amount of traffic generated by people who live outside of my community. That traffic spills into my neighborhood at various places and is inconvenient for me. Highways aren't designed for the use of in-city commuters. They are actually an inconvenience and a barrier when I try to my commute. I will benefit from light rail/mass transit by having an alternative path to get around, I need it for my personal convenience and economic well being the same way suburbanites need more roads and highways. I am not begrudging suburbanites their roads, I don't think it is fair they should begrudge me my light rail/mass transit. Transit isn't a punishment thought up by effete intellectuals to lord over suburbanites, it isn't a lifestyle brain washing technique that will lead to the abolishment of the suburbs, it is a practical solution to a real problem. I have family that lives in the suburbs, I want them to succeed, but I also want to see Minnepolis improved. I would like to see some of my nickels and dimes, that I pay in my taxes, go to things that I will use every day and appreciate. I don't see anything wrong with that, I think it is fair and appropriate. I want to see a return on my tax investments.
Peter Vevang Holland, moving to Audubon
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