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The challenge to the CVS store's plans for a single-story, suburban style
store on Snelling and University was continued to today. There is an appeal
to the planning commission's approval of CVS' plan and a request for
vacation of the alley that would be required by CVS' plan.
The challenge was laid over (continued) to allow for more negotiation of the
parties. CVS' original plan basically had a blank wall to the street at
Snelling and University, with the door facing a parking lot north and behind
the store. CVS' did compromise a little bit and has included a fake facade
with two levels of opaque windows and a bus stop on University.
University UNITED and the other groups and individuals working on this
project, don't believe the small compromises go far enough. The windows
need to be clear to give assist with pedestrian comfort, the building must
be oriented towards the major streets and there must be a density of
jobs/housing to justify use of this major transit corridor.
CVS claims that they cannot build an urban style building with the density
and design requirements that we demand. They continue to maintain this
position even though their website proudly touts urban style buildings and
stores throughout the country.
Most amazing, is that we have learned that CVS plans to build up to three
stores in Minneapolis with the design standards we are asking from the
Snelling University store. On Franklin and Nicollet, CVS is producing a new
construction two-story store with housing. On 12th and Hennepin, CVS is
converting an existing building to a multi-use structure with a store.
Finally, at 25th and University, they are putting in a 2-3 story multi-use
building near the UofM.
As I type, Jay Benanav, Brian McMahon, CVS representatives and other are
meeting to discuss better options for the corner. Snelling and University
is the busiest traffic corner in the state, it is on the busiest transit
corridor in the state and is located in the center of a major residential
and commercial area. There is no reason we should not expect the very best
development on this corner and there is no reason CVS cannot invest in a
building that would help build up University Avenue.
CALL TO ACTION
The City Council will vote on the challenge and the vacation of the alley
this afternoon at 3:30pm. Please call your city councilmember to encourage
them to support a better building for the corner. Vacating the alley is a
form of subsidy to CVS, and if they are not going to invest in a quality
building in our neighborhood, we should not subsidize their bad building.
If you can, show up at the City Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, City Hall to
show your support.
Jim Mogen
LexHam
University UNITED Board Member
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