Wow, the bluster (and spin) of the Editorial page in yesterday's Pioneer Press is something to behold! (see http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/editorial/11465650.htm)
A *tremendous* thanks again to John Mannillo, who in addition to being one of those individuals most knowledgeable about downtown history, is one of the most willing to share his knowledge for the public good. John wrote:
There has been little focus on cost or opportunity lost. There is no acknowledgement of poor public policy or long
term investment concerns when it comes to development. Perhaps this is because the Editorial Board and the Chamber Of Commerce don't pay much for these developments.
For years, the shadow of the stadium has loomed large over the future of downtown. Much evolution and growth in downtown has been delayed for the stadium proposals. To add a little depth, I thought I'd list projects which have been hindered by the stadium proposal over the years.
A) WACOUTA COMMONS/NORTH QUADRANT. An entire neighborhood was delayed years because of the stadium. During much of Norm Coleman's term, he wanted to build a Twins stadium in what today is the Wacouta Commons neighborhood. Downtown was a little slow to latch on to the housing boom, in part because this neighborhood, one of the first phases of the housing expansion, always rested under the shadow of a possible stadium. Finally, around 2000, the idea of a stadium there was dropped, and now there's hundreds of new condo and apartment units there, along with a new park. Developments like: The Essex, the Dakota, Sibley Park, Sibley Court, 9th Street Lofts, and Printers Row.
B) CLEVELAND CIRCLE. Norm Coleman helped develop two proposals for a retail/entertainement complex on the Cleveland Circle (Ice Palace) block. When Randy Kelly came into office, he put the kabosh on the proposals, because a stadium had significant impacts on the site. Not the least of which was that the roof of the stadium was to travel across 6th Street and hover about 20 stories in the air over the block. So the area has sat undeveloped now for an additional four years.
Further, St. Joseph's hospital has made decisions about how to expand based on the possibility of a stadium. St. Joe's wants to build a building over 10th Street rather than expanding within their own property to the west, in part because of the possibility that a stadium would go there.
C) LOWERTOWN. A major plan to develop the area east and south of Lowertown has sat shelved for years, while the site was considered for a stadium. The "River Garden Plan", which ties Lowertown, Union Depot, riverfront, and Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary together, is finally a possibility, and some long-term planning can begin.
D) WEST SIDE FLATS. A stadium set back the Bridges proposal a.... Well, maybe lost opportunity costs aren't always entirely bad.
Bob Spaulding Downtown
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