I've been mulling over something in my mind for a while that I'm interested to hear feedback on.
There are at least two projects that have recieved attention recently that bring concerns of gentrification in St. Paul. They are the Bridges of St. Paul proposal on the West Side, and the Phalen Boulevard project on the East Side. Bridges of St. Paul is a retail, entertainment and housing project. Phalen Boulevard is a less glitzy commercial, industrial, transportation, and housing project. Given our homogenous roots, Minnesotans perhaps have less experience with gentrification than most. And because it is a touchy subject, with definite class and cultural overtones, it isn't always talked about in casual conversation. But for that reason, it's probably important to talk about -- RESPECTFULLY. WHY CARE ABOUT GENTRIFICATION American Heritage defines gentrification as, "The restoration and upgrading of deteriorated urban property by middle-class or affluent people, often resulting in displacement of lower-income people." In American cities, this has the added dynamic of white people displacing ethnic minorities. In context, I think gentrification isn't a 100% positive or negative force, though more often than not it has negative connotations. For me, the displacement of the poor is usually a bad thing. History is replete with examples of "urban removal". But I also think it's quite possible that in some cases, in areas that desparately need reinvestment, gentrification is the necessary by-product of something even more important, even to the poor -- the injection of resources, jobs, and a degree of stability into urban neighborhoods. But thoughtful people can disagree on which is which. Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of gentrification to me is the way it takes away the ability of many of the poor (who are often minorities) to create stable communities with a strong identity, and strong social cohesion. In other words, it hinders the ability of the poor and poorer minorities to get ahead in our country, destroying the community bonds (family, school, church, storekeepers & friends) that help all of us share a better life. It makes economic isolation a self-fulfilling prophesy, generation after next. LONG TERM EFFECTS OF PROPOSALS ON EAST AND WEST SIDES I think it is interesting to compare the way gentrification might function on the West Side Flats, and the East Side, around Phalen Boulevard. Maybe it is just my imagination but.... Given what I've seen, my best guess is that the Bridges of St. Paul might set in motion a series of changes to Concord Street and the Upper West Side that would fundamentally change the character of the larger West Side over the long term. In twenty years I could easily imagine the West Side as a much whiter, wealthier area with only a few remaining Latino enclaves. On the East Side, I think the Phalen Boulevard project will likewise result in some spillover gentrification, but it would be more gradual, and force less people from the neighborhood. But unlike the Bridges, it would more directly force some people from their homes in the very short term. There is immediate discussion of gentrification there (see http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/business/7338479.htm). Twenty years from now, I'd predict history will look at the effects of the Phalen Boulevard project more favorably than the Bridges project. Perhaps my prediction is related to the current demographics and trends in the two areas. And I'm quite sure my prediction is related to the relative scope of the two projects, at least in terms of residential changes the projects would bring. Perhaps I'm all wrong. I'll probably expand more on my thoughts in future posts, but I thought I'd give others a chance to weigh in. And keep in mind that this forum may overrepresent certain St. Paul demographics, so this may not be the most representative discussion. Any thoughts? Disagreement? Post with care & respect. Bob Spaulding Downtown _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul _______________________________________________ Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ _______________________________________________ For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract
