Dyna Sluyter writes in response to Makeda Zulu-Gillespie's comments about the Upper River Master Plan not necessarily serving those who live along the river: "You're right- a certain junk yard along the river a block south of the Lowry bridge has been totally ignored by the River Master Plan. I'm sure the proprietors of this facility will be most pleased with your advocacy." American Iron, the business to which you refer, is not being "ignored" in the Upper River Master Plan; it is scheduled for eventual relocation. And it is certainly not clear from Makeda's post that she is advocating for or against any specific property owner along the river. Her comments reflect the more general disenchantment many of us have about the effects of the Plan on existing neighborhoods and the inconsist policies applied to riverfront redevelopment. The Upper River Master Plan implementation strategies include such things as 20 story high rises and slim 50 foot ribbons of green and geese. These kinds of developments will do little to connect the existing neighborhoods to the river, will not provide much river access and will do little to enhance an already endangered river ecosystem. If we merely replace one bad land use for another, what have we done to restore the river and revitalize existing neighborhoods? Indeed, it is the opposite end of the riverfront, namely the Graco expansion in Council Member Joe Biernat's St. Anthony West neighborhood, that is being ignored in the river plan. While businesses like American Iron, Aggregate Industries and others are slated for eventual removal, Graco was allowed to expand its riverfront facility within the critical area of the river. It also was conveniently left out of the moratorium on riverfront industrial expansion in the upper river corridor the Council passed in 1999. Why is this expansion okay, while other industries are prevented from expansion? Graco has an air pollution permit from the MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and is one of the larger sources of pollution in the upper river corridor. Yet its expansion was allowed without any environmental review (according to the DNR, which oversees the State's Critical Area Act that was meant to protect the riverine area). I would be the first to say that I do not want a scrap yard on the riverfront, nor do I want to see a metal shredder installed there. But what is sauce for the goose and all that. If a riverfront industry decided to challenge the strategies outlined in the Upper River Master Plan, it would be easy to point to Graco. Why is it okay for them and not for the rest? Third Ward CM Joe Biernat was asked about the Graco expansion at the Third Ward DFL endorsing convention at which 35 people voted to endorse Biernat. He could not see the inconsistency in supporting the Upper River Master Plan, which would remove all the other industries, while praising the Graco expansion. A cynical person would conclude that the rules change as the game progresses. Makeda's statement about the plan not serving the existing neighborhoods is a valid one, irrespective of the outcome of the metal shredder debacle. Reaching back into the existing neighborhoods to connect all community elements to the river, and seizing the opportunity to restore the ecosystem of the greatest water resource on the North American continent should be the cornerstones of the upper river plan. Instead, we see a developer's paradise looming yet again for housing that will not be remotely affordable for those already living in riverfront communities. Boarded and vacant homes dot the west side neighborhoods while developers of riverfront properties are given TIF money for upscale condos. The very people who should benefit from river corridor redevelopment may be forced out of their homes by higher property taxes. While there are needs and opportunities on both sides of the river, the west side has the most to gain and the most to lose from this plan. Who holds the Third Ward City Council seat in the next decade will determine whether the upper river corridor redevelopment will become just another developer's paradise or a real opportunity to transform both the river and the river neighborhoods into the jewel along the Mississippi. Makeda Zulu-Gillespie, Valdis Rozentals and Shane Price have all come forward to challenge the incumbent in the Third Ward. Voters have a real choice for the first time in my memory to vote for change. All of them will be out in the community meeting voters. Get to know them. One of them WILL BE the next Third Ward Council Member if you get out and vote for change. Third Ward Neighbors In Action will be sponsoring a "Meet the Candidates Under the Tent" picnic in late July. More details later. Fran Guminga Bottineau, Ward 3 _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
