I don’t understand your point but to answer your question, parks and schools are missing.Which two? There are parks, which you've explained away as not "destinations," probably accurately. But people who live right across the street aren't looking for a destination, they are looking for park functions many of which are there (missing a playground).None but the boldest of families are going to move downtown (anywhere) without three things within very close walking distance: grocery stores (full service), parks/play space and schools. Right now two out of three are (almost) non-existent and thus, there are very few families.
Perhaps I am causing confusion…I want a great park in this area that has play space/open space for play. Forget that I said “destination.” I’m not looking for Disneyworld.
Gateway Park as currently designed is useless. Cancer Survivor’s Park is bad. Yes, they are not destinations, nor are they designed for “play.”
What is your point about “people who live across the street?” I’m not asking for a park on every block. If you were a family that lived in a theoretical project in the Bassett Creek area, do you realize how hard it would be to get to green space/open space/play space? Again, it’s fine if the consensus is that family’s aren’t desired “downtown” and it appears that this notion is becoming reality.
If a theoretical project at 3rd and Hennepin had 3 bedrooms (it won’t), where would a family go for play space? 4 blocks just to GET to green space and then a few more to get to a play space.
Grocery stores are the “one out of three” that are well-served.And obviously there's a Whole Foods right there, and a pair of Lunds within a short drive (which is where a lot of families would start for groceries).
Sorry, but this point sounds pedantic - I’m aware of the development patterns.We're a very long way from developing every possible site.
I am also aware that I’m an idealist so I’m asking questions that represent what I see as an interesting possibility: the idea that a family could live in a multi-family project in a dense, walkable place. I see possibility from North Loop to the Mill District IF there are good parks and schools. I'm willing to capitulate as I'm nobody of consequence and I appear to be in the minority.
Back to the speculation on the Nicollet Block...