Many of you are probably not aware that DeLaSalle High School (on Nicollet Island) has proposed that the Park Board convey (either outright or by 99 year lease) Nicollet Island park land to the school so they can build a football/soccer field, bleachers, lights, concessions, and other athletic facilities on the Island. The property at issue is the land between East Island, Grove Street, Nicollet Street and the railroad tracks (if you know the Island, it's the section where the tennis courts are now). This would mean permanently closing one block of Grove Street, which would become part of the field.
DeLaSalle has been soliciting Park Board support for this transfer since summer and the proposal apparently has support from Commissioner Dziedzic and others in the majority faction. The neighborhood only learned of this proposal in December (thank you Larry Pogemiller and Phyllis Kahn). Neighbors, park visitors and Island residents are very concerned. Many of us believe this is an inappropriate use of park land - especially for a regional park whose focus is history and the river. The whole Island is a national historic district, we believe a football field is the wrong use. If this land were sold for top dollar, it would bring millions - yet all the Park Board would get for conveying the land to a private institution is the right to use the field in the off season, even then only when DeLaSalle isn't using it. It is ironic that, on this list in the last few days, we proclaim that one benefit of an independent Park Board is that they zealously protect our park lands (I AGREE with this), but that's not happening here. Rather, the DeLaSalle plan is part of a trend the list has also taken note of--privatization of public parks. Another serious issue is access and circulation. Railroad tracks that cross the Island carry frequent trains, many of which stop and park for a while, blocking traffic on Island Avenue. Fortunately, there's a bridge over the tracks, but if part of Grove Street is closed, emergency vehicles and Island visitors and residents will have to make a U-turn (tough with a hook and ladder truck) and drive around the Island to access the bridge. Meanwhile, the DeLaSalle football field would force recreational bikers, pedestrians and joggers four blocks out of their way. Finally, the aesthetics of the proposed plan leave a lot to be desired. Bulldozing public park land to build a football field for a private school is almost never a good idea. But building an elevated field with bleachers on top facing the street would be awful. (Imagine a 20 foot wall consisting of treated lumber and the backside of a set of bleachers - that's the picture you will see as you walk, bike or drive around the Island). There are lots of ways to stop this. It involves a sale (or long term lease) of the land, so it takes a 2/3 vote at the Park Board and court approval; the City Council needs to approve closing the street; it's a national historic district; there are right of way issues with the railroad, etc. Notwithstanding these hurdles, Park Board considerating could easily come as early as February. The neighborhood is circulating a petition - but please make your views known to your Park Board Commissioners asap. Barry Clegg Nicollet Island 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
