About 5 years ago I saw the potential of development along the Hiawatha light rail line. I drove up and down the potential corridor over a dozen times seeing what I and a partner might be able to buy for re-development and discovered that either the Hennpin County Light Rail Authority already owned what we wanted, (the parking lot across the street from the Cardinal Inn, where I wanted to put in a coffee shop and parking ramp and the lots behind the station), the land was already owned by other Governmental units, (The Feds or the MAC) or it was just too darned in expensive, (in Bloomington). However, in my discussions with the Hennepin County Light Rail Authority, they mentioned a lot at the corner of 38th Street and 36th Avenue, (almost directly across from Ted Cooks 19th Hole BarBQ). Well I drove by and saw a really greasy, seedy auto shop. Unfortunately, I could not see the potential to the place. Boy, do I kick myself everytime I go to Ted Cook's now. What is there now? A nice new 3 story building with a coffee shop on the first floor and apartments or condos on the upper two floors. I hestiate to think of the interest rate the Light Rail Authority could have gotten me to redevelop this property. Also go one stop north to the Lake Street Station and then go East 2 or 3 blocks to the corner of Minnehaha and Lake. Does anybody remember when it was the old Podany's building? It was terrible. Filthy, run down and not a place you wanted to go to. What is there now? A new Embers and very clean Mexican Restuarant. Similarly, go west a block and the shopping center the City of Minneapolis wanted to tear down is getting a real make over. If anyone is interested in making money off redevelopment, I would advise them to buy anything on Lake between the Station and Cedar Avenue. It looks like a pit now, but in 5 to 10 years, you won't be able to touch it. Just my thoughts. Dann Dobson Summit Hill - Saint Paul > > Ray Marshall <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: In browsing (wasting time) exploring the Internet last night, I came across the www.eastlake.net blog, that new adventure in volunteer journalism, complaining and promoting, and up there what did my wondering eyes perceive but images and 50+ pages of documents pertaining to the 38th Street Station Area Master Plan.
I had figured that there would have to be clear cutting on the east side of Hiawatha and the construction of a lot of dwellings to pay for our latest investment. You'd think with a big election coming up, they would be trumpeting this plan. Or are they terrified that the folks who delayed the construction of Hiawatha for 30 years might rise from their graves and senior citizens' dwellings and re-energize themselves for one more campaign. I can't believe that this will go through without comment from the public. And what better public than the Mpls Issues Forum. I don't closely follow the antics of the planning department, but when I wasn't watching and since they figured nobody was interested, somebody has been burning the midnight oil and got their tree stamps out and has magically gotten rid of an elevator or two and drawn up a picture of mucho condos for the well heeled on that very same east side of Hiawatha. Check out the links at http://www.east-lake.net/archive/2005/10/38th_street_sta.php http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/citywork/light-rail/38th-home.asp I think it's great, but probably so does my landlord and I can imagine either the rent will be going up again, or condo conversion time is now on the schedule. "Paper copies of the plan are available for review at the following locations: * City Hall, Room 210, 350 South 4th Street * Roosevelt Library, 4028 28th Avenue South * Standish Ericsson Neighborhood Association, 4000 28th Avenue South * Longfellow Community Council, 2727 26th Ave. South" Ray Marshall Hiawatha __________________________________ Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click. http://farechase.yahoo.com 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
