I still don't understand the objections to the project. Although I certainly was not wedded to it, it does boggly my mind why the city would turn down tens of millions of dollars of development with no subsidies required.
What really makes it strange is the political beliefs of those who oppose this project. Opposing this project seems to go against their core beliefs. If this isn't built in Uptown, then it will be built elsewhere. Certainly not the exact plan, and probably not all in one spot, but it will be built. What is better for the environment, building this in Uptown or an outer-ring suburb? Uptown is already built up. No wetlands or sensitive areas would be destroyed. What is better for transportation, building this in Uptown or an outer-ring suburb? We have roads here already. Creating sprawl just creates more pressure to build entirely new highways like 610 or 212. What is better for transit, building this in Uptown or an outer-ring suburb? There is a transit hub right next to the location in Uptown, and of course people using that development would use transit. If a similar development were to be built in Chaska, or Blaine, would there be transit involved? What is better for Minneapolis' tax base, building this in Uptown or an outer-ring suburb? Well, that's a no-brainer. I also don't get how this destroys the nature of Uptown. I see Uptown as a desirable place to live, and very walkable neighborhood, and a location with job opportunities. This development would roll all of those up into one. The height issue is a strange one to me too. A high-rise is 40 stories, not 13. There are buildings of at least 13 stories all over Minneapolis. They are not uncommon behemoths. Uptown, being a dense area, is going to have vertical development. It happens. It's not something to be afraid of. As for traffic...well, I actually take advantage of the area I live in, and I use the bus or my bike to get around to most of the places I need to go to. So auto traffic isn't a big deal. Besides, sitting on Hennepin Avenue is nothing compared to waiting in traffic on I-94, or 35W. Uptown is always changing, and it can't be frozen in time. How much of this opposition is just a knee-jerk reaction to anything that's new or different? -- Nathan Hunstad CARAG Minneapolis, MN PGP DH/DSS public key -- http://www.angelfire.com/mn/freakpower/nhpubkey.txt ________________________________________________ Do you Gonzo?! http://www.angelfire.com/mn/freakpower REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
