In the recent past, we've subsidized key retail outlets. But everything I hear suggests we're getting close to having retail be able to stand on its own two feet downtown. This is because of the dramatic increases in the downtown population. Why send the message that we need to subsidize when it seems so clear that we're close to seeing things stand on their own two feet?
Mayor Kelly deserves clear credit for several downtown residential projects taking shape. Several of the downtown residential developments during Mayor Kelly's term would probably have happened on their own, given the planning that had been done and the hot residential market. But I am quite certain that the City's leadership - including the Mayor's commitment to Housing 5000 - has made a key difference in pushing several other downtown projects forward.
We tried retail redevelopment, mall style, in the 1980s, and it ended up being a flop. I think it is unfortunate that five or ten years ago we couldn't have found a way to keep those developments from failing so totally - and perhaps retain some limited retail presence. We spend so many resource on directing people to these developments, and then poof, they're gone. Yet unfortunately, keeping these developments alive may have only continued the unfortunate trend of City subsidization.
It seems to me now we need to work as best we can to create a strong and authentic retail market downtown. I think there is a limited City role here. That means encouraging major private investments - grocery stores, movie theaters and the like - to be located as much as possible in places that spur complimentary development. Without a clear organizing principle for downtown retail - the Nicollet Mall or Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis, for example, we need to think some about how retail development complements one another. This goal can be pursued without subsidy, and I hope there will be some neighborhood-level involvement in these key decisions. I suppose that this work may be part of the Economic Development focus Mayor Kelly intends for his second term.
Lund's recently announced two downtown Minneapolis stores, the first of their kind in the Twin Cities. It seems the race may be on to lay claim to the downtown St. Paul market. So, I'm willing to be patient. Eventually, I will want to make sure that these amenities do come on line, but in the meantime, I think we may be at the point where the competitive pressures of the marketplace push us forward to a future that in the long term will create a more stable retail presence downtown.
I and many others worry that largest obstacle to creating the long-awaited downtown retail revival may not come from decisions downtown, but from City's possible participation in Jerry Trooien's Bridges of St. Paul project across the river. Elizabeth Dickinson's email yesterday talks about some of the discussions happening on that. But that's another whole can of worms for another day.
Bob Spaulding Downtown
_____________________________________________
To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________
NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [email protected]
To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul
Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
