tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498571578300107.post3683570514257557425..comments2024-01-03T04:02:30.439-05:00Comments on Hub and Spokes: Central Corridor lawsuitsmides@hunter.cuny.eduhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17692416995015371649noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498571578300107.post-78779329878160140582010-02-17T10:45:12.827-05:002010-02-17T10:45:12.827-05:00The "Pioneer Press article" that you quo...The "Pioneer Press article" that you quote is actually not from a reporter - it's an opinion piece from Joe Soucheray, a local radio talk show host that is quite conservative. I'm not at all surprised by what he said given that context. Since it appears you are not from the Twin Cities, I thought I would shine some light on that for you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498571578300107.post-25416389119888989092010-02-11T15:12:50.873-05:002010-02-11T15:12:50.873-05:00The University's actions have been embarassing...The University's actions have been embarassing, frankly. I know their concerns are real but throwing a legal hissy fit in a brazen attempt for federal mitigation funds has thretened to delay a project few will benefit from more than the U. At least until MPR filed suit recently they could be held up as a more reponsible public institution. But I think they saw some softness and unconditional support from the feds, and decided to attempt to shamelessly pad their own coffers. Time to get all these institutions sailing in the same direction.<br /><br />I completely supported the Rhondo/Frogtown residents bid for the extra three stations, and thanks to the shift in the federal funding formula, they got them. I understand concerns about losing parking and construction headaches for businesses, but how on earth does demolishing huge swaths of neighborhoods for the freeway system invite any comparison whatsoever to running a train down University Ave? I am not familiar with any buildings slated to be torn down, nor will the train divide neighborhoods as the freeway did. In fact, the central corridor will provide much needed neighborhood connectivity for the transit-dependent folks along its path. Many other poor neighborhoods would love to have the "problems' that come from LRT construction.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12641696368436190310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498571578300107.post-88122806743150649752010-02-11T11:20:46.895-05:002010-02-11T11:20:46.895-05:00It's interesting that you bring this up. I wo...It's interesting that you bring this up. I work with the Ramsey County Historical Society (I'm in the historical research end) and I have been working with a variety of people from this area. Most recently we were approached by a group hoping to do a before and after documentary to capture the environment before. The hope was to capture what might be lost, something no one thought to do with the Rondo area. There are a handful of community let groups doing exactly the same thing. The Hamline History Corp and it's counter part in Frogtown. Both have recognized the potential threat and are scrambling to collect whatever 'before' info that they can. Since our collection contains all the existing building permits between 1883 and 1975, we are an ideal first stop for built environment research.<br /> I think you are absolutely right, the small business has far more to lose than the U of MPR. But I also think that these little guys are least likely to get anything out of the lawsuit. There is a group that we have worked with in the past to produce an exhibit 'twin cities at the crossroads, the history of University and Prior' www.universityunited.com They are development based, with a STRONG focus on history. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone that knows more about the University area than Brian McMahon. I hope to do more work with them in the future, especially in the face of this major change to the area.<br />Also working with the groups doing the restoration and updates to the St. Paul Union Depot. VERY happy that they are historically minded in their approach! Even though they are from out of state, they are committed to understanding the historical context of the building and the rail infrastructure! It's reassuring to us history folks!<br />Thanks for your blog!Garden Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18272167386748021932noreply@blogger.com