Along with the Star Tribune editorial board, Minneapolis for Everyone supports the goals of Minneapolis 2040 — especially regarding racial and economic disparities, increasing affordable housing and protecting (not merely “tending to”) the environment.   Unlike the editorial board, however, we believe the plan’s strategies lack the focus and specificity necessary to achieve those critical … Continue reading 13 Amendments that would actually help achieve the plan’s goals

Dear Council Members and Mayor Frey, There have been recent reports in the press about investors buying up swaths of housing on the North Side of Mpls for speculative investment. This is nothing new. After the last real estate bubble, Minneapolis and surrounding areas became more visible on speculators’ radar as a great place to … Continue reading Speculative exuberance in the Mpls real estate market: a letter to city officials

In the previous two parts, I talked about regional population, sewer and transportation planning. In this piece, I want to talk about how these regional plans are translated into municipal plans. The Metropolitan Council does other planning that is integrated with sewer and transportation plans. Sewer planning is integrated with surface water and drinking water … Continue reading Why do Comprehensive Planning? Part 3.

Part One talked about how planning for sewage drives comprehensive planning.  But comprehensive planning is also about transportation. The Twin Cities have had traffic problems pretty much since the rise of automobiles. But until the Federal Highway Act in 1956, most congestion was street congestion. But when the federal government said it would pay for … Continue reading Why do Comprehensive Planning? Part 2.

It starts with sewage. A lot of it. In the beginning, people got water from wells on their property and disposed of their own sewage, which may have been a pit in the back yard. Or not. In addition, transportation was by horse, which meant sewage literally ran in the streets. And into the drinking … Continue reading Why do Comprehensive Planning? Part 1.

Her views on building large infrastructure which would damage the environment and nature.

Developers favored over residents and a look at how the city will grow, as well as addressing the consequences of the plans.