This note was passed on to me from Karin DuPaul:
"why not a super target shopping area like on uni. and hamline area? If you had shops like Target and Menards I would never leave the eastside."
I agree somewhat but have also heard many people say that they don't want big box retail or Wal-Mart. I agree with both sentiments, so maybe there is a middle path. I shop at Target on White Bear all the time and would prefer to go to a closer location, but I also don't want to see oceans of parking lot in this development. The Target that went into downtown Minneapolis cost the city big time but maybe there is a way to build something similar that is still compact and cost effective.
There is definately a need for basic retail service like Target in the area. Does it fit within people's vision for the site? I don't know. I think if there is one I would like it to be a bit more compact than the University location.
Any thoughts?
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Personal bias against Walmart aside (I will always oppose them wherever they want to locate), I cringe at the idea of a big box. I've been seen shopping before at the White Bear Ave. Target, and agree that such an anchor at the 3M site could sustain itself and help draw other business.
ReplyDeletePart of why I'd risk saying this in a public forum is because I think such retailers are starting to realize that bigger does not equate to better, and potential suitors would likely bear that in mind (at least in today's economy). However, I think that the Port Authority's goal of creating real wage jobs should be supported by the neighborhood at least when it comes to such a large scale of physical space. That being said, I do believe that we should also be asking for a mix-use compromise that would allow for some reasonable size commercial space and/or residential space to bring some balance to a portion of the East Side that has long been unbalanced.
I also think we need to pay extra close attention to how local people will be moving in the next few decades. If we can anticipate automotive trends (or lack there of) on 7th street, and from service roads to the Phalen Blvd artery, we should plan accordingly, and I think it'd be wise to have the site reserve some rail frontage space for future commuter rail.
Apart from that, I'm all in favor of industrial jobs (especially green energy ones) and the prospect of being hired for one.
-David Skelton of Conway Street