The 30 best neighborhoods have been announced in the September issue of Twin Cities Metro. Did your neighborhood make the cut?
Will Craig and Jeff Matson of the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) were the experts who did the rating. How exactly did they determine which neighborhoods rated the best? They used a point system adding up to a maximum of 100 points. The points were determined by housing cost, transit systems, recreation, safety, schools, arts and culture, diversity, restaurants, retail outlets, food/gas, and bars in those neighborhoods.
Based on CURA’s system, the top neighborhood in the Minneapolis area was Downtown West with 99 out of 100. Merriam Park, Lexington-Hamline was the top neighborhood in St. Paul with a 99 out of 100 rating.
Loring Park, Diamond Lake and Marcy Holmes all tied in second place with 90 points for Minneapolis. Summit-University was St. Paul’s second best neighborhood with a rating of 94.
See the full list and explanation in the September issue of Twin Cities Metro. Or visit Twin Cities Metro to see how you can get a copy. Learn more about CURA. Then let us know what you think about their list.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Week In Review
This week we are reviewing land development. Read these articles to see how different parts of the metro area are developing and which ones are not.
Read about Plymouth’s growth pattern here.
Read about how Minneapolis’ housing growth here.
Read about how the how the Central Corridor Light Rail will affect development here.
Read about Plymouth’s growth pattern here.
Read about how Minneapolis’ housing growth here.
Read about how the how the Central Corridor Light Rail will affect development here.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Possible New High-Rise Development in Downtown Minneapolis
There’s no doubt that it’s better to build up rather than to the side. And that’s what Chicago’s Magellan Development vice president wants to do in downtown Minneapolis at the corner of 14th Street and Lasalle Avenue, near Loring Park. The plans are to build a 36-story apartment complex with 355 units in the site they already own. The building will have a doorman, an outdoor pool, a movie theater and a business center. Magellan will propose this to the Minneapolis Planning Commission in October.
There is a lot for the Minneapolis Planning Commission to think about. The new building may be a good idea since young professionals want to reside near downtown but cannot commit to buying condos, which is what Magellan had originally wanted to build. There is less than a two percent apartment vacancy rate downtown. Plus, the area is high in density.
“High-rise development in the neighborhood has been controversial,” the Star Tribune article reported. Brad Hoyt’s proposal to build a 21-story tower near Loring Park was denied earlier. In addition, if Magellan’s proposal is approved, it’ll be overshadowing neighboring buildings.
Keep an eye out for the Minneapolis Planning Commission’s decision in a couple months.
Click here to read the full article.
There is a lot for the Minneapolis Planning Commission to think about. The new building may be a good idea since young professionals want to reside near downtown but cannot commit to buying condos, which is what Magellan had originally wanted to build. There is less than a two percent apartment vacancy rate downtown. Plus, the area is high in density.
“High-rise development in the neighborhood has been controversial,” the Star Tribune article reported. Brad Hoyt’s proposal to build a 21-story tower near Loring Park was denied earlier. In addition, if Magellan’s proposal is approved, it’ll be overshadowing neighboring buildings.
Keep an eye out for the Minneapolis Planning Commission’s decision in a couple months.
Click here to read the full article.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Bridge Builds Better Neighbors?
Last Tuesday's Star Tribune reports that Governor Dayton will not order a review of a proposed three-lane Stillwater bridge option. The proposed alternative bridge would have cost less, created less environmental impact and was supported by environmental groups. Instead the earlier option for a $690 million dollar bridge will be pushed forward. This bridge project, with its long history, is unlikely to sail smoothly from here, but the narrowing of options is noteworthy.
Which raises a question about how land develops, who benefits and how decisions are made.
Certainly no matter what bridge is developed, the Wisconsin side of the river is less developed and therefore seems more likely to benefit from additional development. Stillwater is a well-developed community with a long history and tradition that makes it unlikely to dramatically change in the coming decades. If the lack of a bridge was hindering development, commerce and access, then it follows that the Minnesota side has already seen decades of advantages. So, if you were going to open a pizza shop, you'd look far more favorably on the Minnesota side of the river: where the population existed. The traffic will be diverted prior to getting to Stillwater and will gain easier access to Wisconsin.
Not that we're against Wisconsin. The Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area rightly claims much of western Wisconsin already. Workers come from the Wisconsin side to Minnesota jobs; marketers consider it a single market, blind to the State boundaries. More borderless thought exists. Stepping away from the governmental view of place, the land use view is that metros will continue to expand and legislative lines will be only temporary hurdles to this expansion.
Perhaps the better discussion should focus on when bridges, roads and legislative districts get retired. The rational and free flow of decisions works with school districts: no one keeps a school open for a handful of children. Yet, bridges and roads with only a handful of trips are kept open because they were built, even when viable options exist. This makes for an unsupportable long-term system. No one suggests that every school that needs to stay open, maintained and in working order indefinitely.
Why do roads, bridges and even other constricts, such as counties, continue to be either frozen in time or perpetually supported? More than a new bridge perhaps there needs to be new decision-making options.
Read the Star Tribune article.
Which raises a question about how land develops, who benefits and how decisions are made.
Certainly no matter what bridge is developed, the Wisconsin side of the river is less developed and therefore seems more likely to benefit from additional development. Stillwater is a well-developed community with a long history and tradition that makes it unlikely to dramatically change in the coming decades. If the lack of a bridge was hindering development, commerce and access, then it follows that the Minnesota side has already seen decades of advantages. So, if you were going to open a pizza shop, you'd look far more favorably on the Minnesota side of the river: where the population existed. The traffic will be diverted prior to getting to Stillwater and will gain easier access to Wisconsin.
Not that we're against Wisconsin. The Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area rightly claims much of western Wisconsin already. Workers come from the Wisconsin side to Minnesota jobs; marketers consider it a single market, blind to the State boundaries. More borderless thought exists. Stepping away from the governmental view of place, the land use view is that metros will continue to expand and legislative lines will be only temporary hurdles to this expansion.
Perhaps the better discussion should focus on when bridges, roads and legislative districts get retired. The rational and free flow of decisions works with school districts: no one keeps a school open for a handful of children. Yet, bridges and roads with only a handful of trips are kept open because they were built, even when viable options exist. This makes for an unsupportable long-term system. No one suggests that every school that needs to stay open, maintained and in working order indefinitely.
Why do roads, bridges and even other constricts, such as counties, continue to be either frozen in time or perpetually supported? More than a new bridge perhaps there needs to be new decision-making options.
Read the Star Tribune article.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Another Great Example of Mixed Land Use
Edina Mayor Jim Hovland is in favor of Lund Food Holdings Inc.’s major redevelopment idea for its Edina Byerly’s. And so are we!
There’s talk that the 38-year-old building will be renovated to incorporate mixed land use including housing units above the shopping center. This would be great for the community since mixed land use offers a sense of community as it shortens distance between destinations, offers opportunities for different people to interact and helps to enhance the human-scale of surroundings.
The renovation might even have extra room for additional retail. Right now, the site is 9.4 acres. It would be great to use this efficiently.
The only possible issue is that this idea isn’t final yet. A company spokesperson said that “all options are on the table” still.
There are some challenges that Byerly’s will be facing. There is quite a bit of competition around the France Avenue area. SuperTarget, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market are all relatively close or will be in the next few months.
Some ideas that Byerly’s could take from Jim McComb, a retail market consultant at McComb Group in Minneapolis, are to include services that the other stores don’t offer—restaurants, coffee shops, postal-service center or others. This will help drive customers to Byerly’s since all of those services are in close distance, decreasing travel time.
Hopefully, Byerly’s uses this redevelopment project to create a level of mixed land use because it will help their business, the local economy and the community as a whole.
Want more information on this project? Click here.
There’s talk that the 38-year-old building will be renovated to incorporate mixed land use including housing units above the shopping center. This would be great for the community since mixed land use offers a sense of community as it shortens distance between destinations, offers opportunities for different people to interact and helps to enhance the human-scale of surroundings.
The renovation might even have extra room for additional retail. Right now, the site is 9.4 acres. It would be great to use this efficiently.
The only possible issue is that this idea isn’t final yet. A company spokesperson said that “all options are on the table” still.
There are some challenges that Byerly’s will be facing. There is quite a bit of competition around the France Avenue area. SuperTarget, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market are all relatively close or will be in the next few months.
Some ideas that Byerly’s could take from Jim McComb, a retail market consultant at McComb Group in Minneapolis, are to include services that the other stores don’t offer—restaurants, coffee shops, postal-service center or others. This will help drive customers to Byerly’s since all of those services are in close distance, decreasing travel time.
Hopefully, Byerly’s uses this redevelopment project to create a level of mixed land use because it will help their business, the local economy and the community as a whole.
Want more information on this project? Click here.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Busing System Faces Budget Decision
Suburban transit opt-outs like Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) may have to dip into their budget reserves to keep up with recent budget cuts.
But maybe that isn’t such a bad thing.
This isn’t the first time that the suburban services’ budget reserves are in the middle of conversation. Many critics, including the Met Council, have said that suburban services have “too much cash on hand while other parts of the regional systems are scraping for money.”
Steve Berg of MinnPost wrote in a 2010 article, “According to the Metropolitan Council, the opt-outs get about 15 percent of the region’s transit dollars but provide only 6 percent of the service. Even when the service is of a similar type—say, long-distance express routes—the suburban opt-outs’ subsidy is higher per passenger. In the case of SouthWest, it’s nearly twice as high — $4.02 compared to $2.38 for Metro Transit express routes,” wrote Steve Berg in the article “A bus gap: Are fancy suburban bus lines taking taxpayers for a ride?”
“The bill also designates $15 million in special sales tax money collected by five counties to pay for transit expansion to instead be put toward operating expenses,” states Star Tribune.
Suburban transits are unhappy with the decision and Shakopee Rep. Mike Beard felt “snookered.”
Suburban transit providers will be meeting with the Met Council this month to further discuss this matter.
What do you think?
But maybe that isn’t such a bad thing.
This isn’t the first time that the suburban services’ budget reserves are in the middle of conversation. Many critics, including the Met Council, have said that suburban services have “too much cash on hand while other parts of the regional systems are scraping for money.”
Steve Berg of MinnPost wrote in a 2010 article, “According to the Metropolitan Council, the opt-outs get about 15 percent of the region’s transit dollars but provide only 6 percent of the service. Even when the service is of a similar type—say, long-distance express routes—the suburban opt-outs’ subsidy is higher per passenger. In the case of SouthWest, it’s nearly twice as high — $4.02 compared to $2.38 for Metro Transit express routes,” wrote Steve Berg in the article “A bus gap: Are fancy suburban bus lines taking taxpayers for a ride?”
“The bill also designates $15 million in special sales tax money collected by five counties to pay for transit expansion to instead be put toward operating expenses,” states Star Tribune.
Suburban transits are unhappy with the decision and Shakopee Rep. Mike Beard felt “snookered.”
Suburban transit providers will be meeting with the Met Council this month to further discuss this matter.
What do you think?
Friday, August 12, 2011
Suburbs to the City
Some companies are moving from the suburbs to the city. Older workers are willing to commute into the city to work now more than ever. Why?
The cost of living is lower in suburban cities because of the lower taxes, plenty of parking space and cheaper price per square foot. But workers are willing to commute into the city now because companies are hiring more and more qualified young innovative people. Most of these young people want be in the city, where there is more for them to do. We are seeing a pattern of companies coming to the cities for these young people, which is one of the reasons for the shift of older commuters.
For example, vacant buildings and homes are so cheap in Detroit that companies have been moving into the city. Quicken Loans relocated more than 1,500 employees into the city from the suburban areas. Here’s the article on this.
It’ll be interesting to see how many businesses will be moving forward, toward their future employees.
The cost of living is lower in suburban cities because of the lower taxes, plenty of parking space and cheaper price per square foot. But workers are willing to commute into the city now because companies are hiring more and more qualified young innovative people. Most of these young people want be in the city, where there is more for them to do. We are seeing a pattern of companies coming to the cities for these young people, which is one of the reasons for the shift of older commuters.
For example, vacant buildings and homes are so cheap in Detroit that companies have been moving into the city. Quicken Loans relocated more than 1,500 employees into the city from the suburban areas. Here’s the article on this.
It’ll be interesting to see how many businesses will be moving forward, toward their future employees.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Landof.org dives into the waters
Last year, zebra mussels began to infest Lake Minnetonka. There is concern at other area recreational lakes as well. It raises a question. Who will keep our Minnesota lakes clean from zebra mussels? The land-owner associations? The boaters? The DNR?
Voices are being raised at Chanhassen City Hall tonight at 7:30 p.m. to discuss this matter.
See http://www.startribune.com/local/west/127280903.html for more details.
The correlation between natural amenities such as lakes, rivers and parks and where people live is very closely aligned. The authors we've been discussing on this site point to it, the data we've uncovered points to it as well. In the ongoing conversation about which came first, the economic center or the natural amenity magnet it is almost always the case that the natural amenity led to the economic center. So, invasive species such as a zebra mussel do damage in obvious ways, like those that will be discussed this evening. However, as the natural amenities diminish in value so does the viability of the place to be an economic center.
A large corporation doesn't need a lake nearby, but the knowledge worker of today desires it, so ultimately the large corporation does need the lake to attract the top talent.
While we don't expect the CEO of General Mills or Cargill in attendance this evening's meeting, maybe they should...
Voices are being raised at Chanhassen City Hall tonight at 7:30 p.m. to discuss this matter.
See http://www.startribune.com/local/west/127280903.html for more details.
The correlation between natural amenities such as lakes, rivers and parks and where people live is very closely aligned. The authors we've been discussing on this site point to it, the data we've uncovered points to it as well. In the ongoing conversation about which came first, the economic center or the natural amenity magnet it is almost always the case that the natural amenity led to the economic center. So, invasive species such as a zebra mussel do damage in obvious ways, like those that will be discussed this evening. However, as the natural amenities diminish in value so does the viability of the place to be an economic center.
A large corporation doesn't need a lake nearby, but the knowledge worker of today desires it, so ultimately the large corporation does need the lake to attract the top talent.
While we don't expect the CEO of General Mills or Cargill in attendance this evening's meeting, maybe they should...
Friday, August 5, 2011
Week In Review
This week's selected local coverage of land use, transit issues and other topics regarding smart growth.
Spirited debate over Vikings stadium proposal (MPRnews)
Which way should riverfront development go? (Star Tribune)
Minnesota's county highway funding system supports roads to nowhere (MinnPost)
Study: Minnesota so-so for new businesses (Finance & Commerce)
Spirited debate over Vikings stadium proposal (MPRnews)
Which way should riverfront development go? (Star Tribune)
Minnesota's county highway funding system supports roads to nowhere (MinnPost)
Study: Minnesota so-so for new businesses (Finance & Commerce)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
