[Winona Online Democracy] I truly believe the Walmart debate has become one of those issues that defies compromise, at least for some. And that is an okay thing...we are not always going to agree about everything. I also have no doubt the store will become a reality.
Because I am so old and have been a part of the community since somewhere in the Hoover administration, I've actually developed some contexts for development issues that are playing out today. I'm not saying all of recollections are correct or that I've got all my facts straight, but here are some observations, for what they're worth. Let's start out with land use and zoning. When the lake dredging and land reclamation project was first talked about in the nineties, I argued that the land developed should be industrial...providing better wages than retail. If we have more workers earning decent money, I argued, retail would follow them to Winona. The perspective I got back was that the reverse could be true, as well. That adequate retail is a significant quality of life issue, like health care and schools, and that additional retail would make Winona a stronger competitor in other indistries. At the time, Winona county was one of the most under-retailed areas in the state...so many dollars going to LaCrosse and Rochester. I bought the argument then, and I still do today. Having said that, we did make some mistakes. The lack of design standards for the area was one of them. It doesnt have to cost more to make something attractive, but it will be more work and thus is something that probably will be avoided. I don't think anyone realized how fast the retail portion of Riverbend would develop in spite of a sluggish economy. I do know that some are now supportive of letting the whole park go retail. That would be a violation, to my mind, of the trust of people like myself who paid to develop the land so that a portion of it would be reserved for industry. I don't really understand the whole downtown connection to this development. While I had hoped that Walgreen's would locate downtown, I don't think the other businesses that are going to consider Riverbend would consider locating downtown. Red Wing tried for a downtown Target for years and failed. Downtown Winona is offices, specialty retail, housing, and entertainment (bars, restaurants, movie theaters). Midtown is a wonderful exception! But its future is as a destination, not a Saturday morning run for paper towels and juicey-juice. Some are pointing out failings downtown as a reason for us to get that house in order before we move elsewhere, but again, it was a lot of decisions over many years that produced the downtown we know today. The Federal Bakery burned down years ago. As a result we have the modern building that houses Holtans et al. These things happen. The old Post Office (actually a real live federal building in its day) was torn down after folks were shown a new ten story County/Federal building in Central Park. They were sold a bill of goods, but at least they didnt take down the courthouse. The Chicago Northwestern Depot was razed in the early 80's to make way for Riverview Drive...a decision made in the 70's when the flood control system was designed. Our downtown is huge for a town our size...that we have not lost more buildings than we have is a miracle. But I don't cry over milk that was spilt before I was born, like the Post Office and 1st National Bank. And at age four I was in really no position to do anything about the Morgan and Latsch and Steak Shop blocks. We'll do our best with what is left. By the by, the city razed the watertower in about 3 minutes when they faced a deadline to do an asbestos abatement job on the old girl. And The Kensington was unable to rent out the units on their south side because of the view of the brick wall on the Opera House. The old Kresge building bought it at the same time the city was contemplating taking down The Choate building. At least that was saved, and city staffers since seem to have woken up and smelled the coffee on tearing down buildings for surface parking (a side note: the city promised to beautify the parking lot at 3rd and Center but never followed through because it would have made it too difficult to clear snow in the winter...how come staff ends up making so many of these decisions?). And downtown is really doing pretty good. It's a sea change from ten years ago, anyone will tell you that who was here then. For those of you who cite Walmart for low wages, you are absolutely right. But there are a lot of people in Winona who do not earn a lot of money. You may not visit their neighborhoods on a regular basis, but the poor are amongst us, as it were. They'd probably like a Walmart in town for the deals along with the rest of us. And I do believe that we'd get more people choosing Winona as a destination instead of LaCrosse if it is built. As for Midtown East, it is my understanding that Menards contacted local grocers to see if they were interested in developing a new store, The Daily News reported that Menards said Walmart was the only one interested. And has been observed, local grocers already own land on the site that I believe is signed as for sale. I know I am rambling, but I am trying to say we made our bed in decisions we've made over the years. You can't think of everything thirty years in advance. But that land was slated for development thirty years ago...and its been a slow crawl forward ever since. By the by, if you can ever find a copy, I suggest The 1960 City of Winona Comprehensive plan. It is a good read. Enough rambling, but I tried to cover issues raised in posts that I have received today. Bob Sebo Winona _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. 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