Dear Carol Becker:
The city did have another alternative that would have allowed both expansion of of highway 55 and light rail. The current alignment proposal was an option. The plans had been drawn up. Building the project on the current alignment would have added an addititional 5 million to the projects cost. I am willing to bet the city, state, county, and Met Council have spent over 5 million on PR trying to sell the public this project. Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, County Commissioner Peter McGlauphin and Council Member Sandy Colvin Roy could have supported the current allignment project.
Unfortunately they did not support the current allignment project with all the facts before them regarding the permanent environmetal damage that would be created by the re-routing of highway 55. Instead they decided to demonize the residents that warned the public of the devastating consequences of the re-routing of highway 55. I am glad that Coldwater Spring has finally become an important issue with our elected officials. We should not have to wait for an election year for the environment to be important.
Thanks Again, Ken Bradley 612-728-8962
Carol Becker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Mr. Bradley argues a position that supporting the reconstruction of Hiawatha
Avenue means that one also is against protecting the springs. I don't see
these two goals as incompatible. It is possible to reconstruct the road and
still be concerned about preserving the springs. In fact, I would expect
that someone who was involved with the Watershed District, such as Ms.
Blixt, would be active in protecting the springs while still supporting the
reconstruction.
Frankly, I've always been confused about what the appropriate
"environmentalist" response is to the Hiawatha project. Is supporting the
construction of the region's first dedicated transitway, providing an
alternative to automobiles the appropriate environmental approach? But
should I be outraged that it meant cutting down a bunch of large trees?
But should I be happy that this provides an incentive for more investment in
the City instead of more sprawl that consumes square miles of land every
year. But what if by accident the springs went the way of Lake Sandy? But
isn't this really a drop in the proverbial bucket given all the other
springs and lakes that have been paved over and continue to be paved over as
the region expands?
I guess my point here is that I see strong environmentalists taking opposing
positions on the same issue and still being strong environmentalists.
Carol Becker
Longfellow
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