Aug 22, 2008

Urban Renaissance Coalition: Declining cities .. and Minneapolis is next: If they were truly trying to attract middle-income families to this city they would lower taxes, improve the schools, spur business development and growth, and get serious about crime. (via)

I’m confused. How is the city supposed to improve the schools, spur business development and growth, and get serious about crime, while also lowering taxes (for all)? When each of those departments get cut every year, where will the money come from? I suppose if we stopped wasting federal money on wars and tax breaks for the richest of the rich, then we could invest in the core cities. But I guess that makes too much sense.

Seeking the grain of truth: Will industry still fit in Minneapolis’ redeveloped Hiawatha corridor?: Flush with success from their efforts to revitalize the Midtown Greenway area and the Lowry Avenue corridor (PDF) on Minneapolis’ North Side, Hennepin County officials now are in the beginning stages of a similar effort aimed at the city’s Hiawatha-Minnehaha Avenue corridor, which runs parallel to the light rail tracks from Lake Street to Minnehaha Park.

So, can a historic grain-milling area be transformed into a livable, healthy, environmentally stable 21st century success story even while it’s still carrying out it 19th century mission?

I’d hate to see the grain elevators torn down, at least not all of them, but I am also very excited about the development along Hiawatha, especially at 38th St. Oh, what to do.