Scott's & Barbara's discussion about the grocery store brings to mind a
particular concern in the Target store debacle and, perhaps, the coming
grocery store development.
Although Montgomery Ward's wasn't closed at City Center when the Target
Store subsidy was being voted upon, everyone knew it was on its last legs.
It frustrated me that no one was talking about retrofitting parts of our
overbuilt downtown retail core for an enticing new tenant (Target). Wouldn't
have buying out & renovating Wards - on the so-called "100 percent
corner" -- been MUCH cheaper than new construction, while giving "Struggling
City Center" a new tenant?
I mean, the idea that city leaders spent $62 million on Target AND many of
the same leaders will support a renovation of City Center makes one ask:
couldn't we have at least combined the two? (Opponents of both subsidies: I
agree with you. I'm just trying to minimize the worst case.)
And I wouldn't want to limit my argument to the Ward's space - perhaps there
are other struggling retail spaces that could more easily house a Target.
Now to the grocery store. I've been in the Central Supervalu. Unless it's
changed in the last six months, it's a slightly better-than-average
inner-city grocery: tight on space, as Scott notes, and not that great on
selection. While I favor the market - Supervalu's owners - recognizing that
their market has changed and they need to improve their store, I can
understand why the wouldn't in the face of the mayor's grocery subsidy talk.
If we HAVE to subsidize a downtown grocery, why couldn't we work with the
Central Supervalu on a deal that will almost certainly be cheaper?
Third thing: a bit of political analysis -
I think we all owe a big thanks to Council Member Lisa Goodman for so
persistently taking on the city number-crunchers on the Target Store. You
take a lot of grief when you go against the power structure, and it's sweet
to be vindicated. For all the trashing we do of politicians we disagree
with, we should remember the ones with guts when they are proven right.
Thanks, Lisa.
Politically in the mayor's race, I'd say Lisa McDonald is the big winner
because she has been a persistent critic of the store. Mark Stenglein, who
wasn't near the scene of the crime, will also have a wonderful issue to
critique the mayor with. Sharon Sayles Belton, of course, has to deal with
the major-media bold-facing of a growing political problem. I'd say RT Rybak
is also bleeding, as many neighborhood activists such as myself (the sort
who read that far in a long piece) probably looked up from their paper and
said, "HE supported a subsidized Target?" RT - please make a quick but
detailed explanation! I'd also like to hear from persistent Target critic
Jim Niland, who is now an enthusiastic RT supporter, on how RT won his
support given his past position on Target!
Final thing: to everyone at the Star Tribune who gets frustrated with the
critiques on this list: I believe we get down on Strib at times because we
know it is capable of producing the tough, detailed public interest stories
that Mike Meyers produced on Sunday. He deserves tremendous thanks, as do
the Strib brass who let it see the light of day.
David Brauer
King Field - Ward 10
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of
Scott McGerik
Barbara Nelson wrote:
> Isn't there a grocery store on Central just over the 3rd Avenue
> bridge, north of downtown, corner of Central and University? It used
> to be a Red Owl?
It is still there, however, it now is a Supervalu store.
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