The West Side Citizens Organization has been very active in how development on the West Side Riverfront meets four key principles that in my opinion address some of the issues Bob addresses.
Our principles of access to the riverfront, connections from the riverfront back into the neighborhood, economic opportunity and quality development that fits within the character and history of the West Side. I have to say that our work has paid off with a West Side Flats Master Plan and the Harriet Island/District Del Sol Opportunity Site Plans. Developers in those areas must demonstrate how their projects meet those standards.
As for the Bridges Project, it does not fall into the geographic areas represented in the Master Plan or Opportunity Site Plan, but we have already had conversations with JLT about the importance of their project adhering to WSCO's principles and I have to say that they are listening.
At this point I don't think there is a fear that the West Side will be gentrified in the way that Bob describes. Instead, I think there is general agreement that the West Side needs and would benefit from much of what Eric describes, namely housing and economic development that would bring together the residents of the West Side. Our goal is for District del Sol and the new developments on the Flats to broaden our community, providing opportunities for people to spend their money on the West Side (instead of in W. St. Paul and beyond) and expanding our community through new residents.
Bruce Vandal
West Side
Chair, WSCO Riverfront and Development Committee
Erik Hare <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Erik Hare <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
I've written on this topic before, and it is a tough one. I think the
projects we're talking about most do not have a dislocation problem, so
the main downside to gentrification is not there. Still, I think some
perspective is needed.
Traditionally, cities had rich and poor living relatively close to each
other. Certainly, there were rich 'hoods like Summit Avenue, but just one
block off of them would be the apartments on Grand and the less wealthy
Portland. And there were carriage houses where the wait staff might live
with their whole families.
What changed all that was transportation -- specifically, the technology
that got us out of the horse and buggy era. Trolleys came first, and
later cars, but the real point was that the rich felt they could segregate
themselves when moving long distances every day was reasonable.
I think this approach to life, and the subsequent adoption of zoning laws
that literally restrict what class can live where, were the begining of
the end for cities. There is little doubt in my mind that a city has to
operate as a single entity, like a very extended family, to be successful.
Once people no longer saw the effects of city structure and policy on a
group that was not like "them", this coherent whole started to fall apart.
Separating by race and class has always happened to some extent, but I
still hold that a healthy city has had a significant component of mixing
between them.
Now, what's that got to do with gentrification? Gentrification is a good
thing to the extent that it encourages diversity of a neighborhood. If
there are nothing but the poor around, a few wealthier people are good for
you. If it's nothing but Hmong, having some blacks or latinos or anglos
move in makes everyone at least a little more aware of each other.
The East Side, frankly, could use this kind of gentrification, IMHO. It's
not like the rich are taking over to any degree. Someday, this could
easily go to far and I'd feel different. But not now. I think this sort
of thing is good for the city.
Erik Hare [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://tcfreenet.org/people/hare
Irvine Park, West End, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA, North America, Earth
Fine Amish furniture, cedar chests, and crafts http://www.harmonycedar.com
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