urbanMSP

Like, tomorrow Friday? Or today, now that it's past midnight?

I believe so. I was just told "Friday".

This is classic. The NIMBY's succeed, so now we'll have a largely vacant rundown eyesore for five years that everyone will get sick of and THEN approve basically the same type of project.

I left a very polite comment on the status The Book House posted regarding their victory telling them that I was disappointed and would no longer be shopping at stores that promote bad city planning and empty storefronts. It's been deleted without comment. Their employee is elsewhere suggesting that all negative Strib comments are from streets.my and Opus PR and that they may actually be the same thing. I loved that store, now I'm not sure my opinion of them could sink lower.

I contacted both my current CM (Lilligren) and cc'd future CM (Goodman).

CM Goodman's response:

Hi Phillip,

Thanks for the email, I already voted against this rezoning and stand by my vote. You are the first constituent to contact me in favor. I sat in the hearing, they have a small area plan in process now to be done in October. This is a process to determine where and what kind of development makes sense for this area. For now to up zone means the rest of the small storefronts and business will also go for larger more dense development that will only support chains and big box retail. House of Hanson is leaving due to a CVS and big grocery in a new project down the street. This is a unique area, more thought is needed.

Now if this was the site at the dollar store on Nicollet I'd support high density development!

Hope this explains a bit of my thinking.

Lisa

The dollar store comment is weird. Without being familiar with that site, it smacks of classism.

Too good for the Dollar Store, are we?!

I think the dollar store comment was because I put my address, which is less than a block from the Family Dollar, in the email.

Also, we all should be writing our CMs. (She said I was the only person to write in support, c'mon everyone!)

The council meeting is a week from today. No agenda is posted yet, but it's fair to assume this will be on it, unless Opus requests a delay to round up votes or something.

Where are the building & trade unions on this one?

Where is Mayor RT "450,000 people by 2025" Rybak with the bully pulpit?

It seems like every possible supporter (including all of us) are dropping the ball on this.

Wish I could help you guys, but even though I'm on campus at least every other week, I'm on the wrong side of 280 to have any say in the matter. So send extra messages for the rest if us.

I sent a couple messages anyway. I'm a future and past resident. The ramifications of this are more than just the 500 permanent residents and business owners in Dinkytown. If the Save Dinkytown supporters can use the fact that the area is a destination for people who don't live there as a reason to keep its character and businesses, then certainly the people like me who travel in regularly should have a say in the destination I want it to be, right?

I'm sure plenty of the 'Save Dinkytown' folks do not live in Minneapolis. In fact I highly doubt that their petition signatures were even 75% city residents.

Is it too late to start a counter protest movement, "Really Save Dinkytown" or something like that?

and now this...

http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/201 ... great.html

I love Matt, and also the fact that Minneapolis is his little pet city he advocates for.

Sent out an email to council members of ward two and three. show your support, y'all.

I emailed Cam Gordon yesterday... will update with his response (if any). Although I don't really anticipate that he'll change his mind...

he's so awesome. *cough* we have far too many lifer councilmembers. how does a "green" politician justify 70% surface parking? maybe someone will put in a rain garden lol

This is getting off topic, but what do you mean by "lifer councilmembers?" There has actually been a fair bit of turnover on the Council, and there will likely be more turnover this year. Cam Gordon has served 2 council terms...hardly a lifer at this point.