[Winona Online Democracy]
Title: Re: [Winona] RE: Planning
Phil/all
I haven't been paying close attention, but I think the issue isn't about studies and a comprehensive plan. I agree with you that the city has had some fine planning and studies done. The current comp plan has a lot of input - and that's good.
The fly in the ointment is that the city has a track record of shelving studies and voting regardless what the plan advises.
I recall a parking study that had just been put up on the shelf when a bank in town wanted to buy the city's central downtown parking lot. They swapped land for parking a block away and justified selling the property without the required hearings - calling the land at 4th and Center "marginal property."
I don't think the parking study was looked at as the city moved forward and got the land sold.
It's not about having a good plan.... It's about having a plan and following it. The city tends to get the "plan" part right- It just has terrible follow through.
Jim Galewski
From: "Phil Carlson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2006 10:13:51 -0500
To: "Winona Online Democracy" <[email protected]>
Subject: [Winona] RE: Planning
[Winona Online Democracy]
There have been several posts recently bemoaning the lack of planning in Winona and I'm not sure if folks are aware that there is a major planning effort underway as we speak - a comprehensive plan for the city, including growth areas; a downtown revitalization plan; and a riverfront revitalization plan. The city has hired a talented and experienced consultant team, URS from Minneapolis, to head up this effort in conjunction with city staff. The project started a couple months ago. Those of you who follow my posts know I am in the planning consultant business myself and our firm (DSU) put in a proposal on the project, were short-listed, but were not selected. In fact, 17 firms responded - a whopping number in my experience, evidence of the interest in Winona's planning efforts - and 4 firms were short-listed to submit more detailed proposals.
There is a 13-member steering committee, advisory to the City Council, and several sub-committees dealing with various issues. All these meetings are open to the public, some will be designed specifically to gather public input. The entire planning effort will take most of this year. Joe Barbeau, Assistant City Planner, is coordinating the effort on the city's side. Details, including agendas and minutes, are easy to find on the city's website - click the Comprehensive Plan Update box.
As a planner with almost 30 years in the field I can say that the city is in good hands with the URS team. Understand that this is like the manager at Chevrolet praising Ford, but I have known Dave Showalter and Julie Farnham, and their work, for many years. They are experienced, smart, personable, and have been through this kind of effort with dozens of communities over the years. This is not to say it will be easy. Formulating common goals and making decisions about the future can be excruciating, but what's the alternative? I would urge all those who are interested in the future of Winona to find out about this effort, attend the meetings, follow its progress, and make your views known in constructive fashion along the way.
Phil Carlson, Mpls
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