I read with interest last Friday's Strib editorial urging Minneapolis
residents to "get over their phobia about tall buildings." Development
issues continue to be a hot topic all over Minneapolis and especially along
the Hiawatha LRT line in my neighborhood.
To set the record straight, the Hiawatha "locals" (as the Strib board
disparagingly referred to us) are not opposed to increased density or
building height. Oversimplifying the discussion only further polarizes
neighbors and developers.
For proof that locals are not phobic about increased density, one needs only
to review the neighborhood-driven station area master plans for the 46th
Street LRT station, as well as the 38th Street area. The 46th Street Master
Plan calls for adding approximately 1,000 new housing units. A similar jump
in new housing is envisioned in the newly created 38th Street Master Plan.
(See http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/citywork/light-rail/46th.html and
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/citywork/light-rail/38th-home.asp for more
information about these master plans.) To suggest that locals are "choking
off the city's future vitality," as the Strib does, is an irresponsible
charge with no basis in fact.
Considering the time and energy neighbors invested into the station area
master plans, it isn't asking too much that these plans be given careful
consideration by developers. Actually, the Strib Editorial Board is
advocating many of the very items included in the neighborhood plans. For
example, the Strib piece stresses the importance of how "a building touches
the ground whether it provides "sidewalk-level amenities that benefit an
entire neighborhood" or if it is "nicely landscaped." These are laudable
features and are consistent with what neighbors have been saying at
community meetings and during master planning sessions.
I also take issue with the Strib's suggestion that redevelopment along the
Hiawatha LRT line should somehow be reserved for the "throngs of young
professionals and aging empty-nesters [that] want the urban lifestyle that
Minneapolis provides." Many of us "locals" see opportunities for a diverse
housing mix that has room for seniors, families and people of modest
incomes. Why cant the many benefits of LRT (e.g., lessened dependence on
the auto) be shared by all? Also, we've experienced several public school
closings this year in Ward 12. New housing starts in our neighborhoods may
bring new families with school-age children and increase the need for our
neighborhood schools.
Out here in Ward 12 where the "locals" roam free and are not afraid to
speak their minds we have a healthy dialogue going on about future
development. I hope we'll be able to positively channel these discussions
into small area plans refined planning documents that can augment our
existing station area master plans. The current piecemeal approach to
development is not working well for neighborhoods. We need to get onto a
more proactive track to better guide redevelopment. By doing a better job of
laying out plans ahead of time, we can avoid many of the conflicts
referenced in the Strib editorial.
How about an editorial about that? Or is it only conflict and divisiveness
that sells papers?
Kevin McDonald
Hiawatha
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