RE: [TCMetro] Lots of little downtowns?

[Ann Treacy]

Wendy,   I love the idea of the music in the park and the farmers’ market. Those are great events and spaces for folks to build a sense of community. Do you head out to the market and park often? Are the events well attended?   I visited the Downtown web site you sent (www.downtownlakeville.com/design.htm). I also visited the links to community shops. Do you find that you get a good mix of independent and franchised storefronts? I am mourning the loss of Aquavit – which I know was not really a MN-based restaurant – but its closing and the fact that I just drove by the new larger-than-life Hard Rock Caf� downtown Minneapolis makes me worry for independent storefronts. I was wondering if the design parameters in Lakeville might be a good way to keep the franchises physically contained (no giant guitars in the parking lot) and therefore help the independent – or might the parameters be too hard for the independent to comply. Do you (or anyone else on the list) have any feel for this? �����Thanks!�� Ann   Ann Treacy St Paul   -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Wendy Wulff Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 12:16 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [TCMetro] Lots of little downtowns?   Lakeville has been working to preserve and improve its historic downtown area, and was mentioned in Larry Werner's article in the Strib.  Our downtown has a set of architectural guidelines for development and redevelopment, and the DLBA sponsors concerts in the park plaza, and we have a growing farmer's market on Wednesdays. (www.downtownlakeville.com/design.htm has an overview of the design guidelines) The shopping opportunities have increased in the past few years, and I spend a lot of time down there because I like the small-town ambiance. As for the "real" downtown - I once lived within shouting distance, and worked there.  I rarely go there anymore, though. Great restaurants like the Pickled Parrot are moving my way, and I can find plenty of shopping and entertainment/recreation opportunities closer to home. I used to go to the Lake St./Nicollet Ave area to grocery shop, as it was the only place that I could find good Asian grocery stores.  Now, there are several in Burnsville that meet most of my needs, and even the chains are carrying things like fish sauce, coconut milk, and fresh cilantro.  Plus, the parking is free, and I am not adding to the highway congestion.... Wendy Wulff Lakeville