According to an article written for the September 26th Northeaster, more than 80 residents and business owners attended a meeting for a proposed Cub Foods store on Central Avenue. Though not in attendance was either the developer (Sherman and Associates) or a representative from Cub Foods. Apparently, they left the hard part of selling it to the residents to cm Ostrow and third ward cm aide Becky Hunter. According to the article the proposed site would be on the 2300 block of Central Avenue northeast. US Bank, about 18 apartments, three houses and six commercial businesses currently occupy the block. Many residents and business owners are wondering what kind of negative aspects this kind of development will have on the avenue. The developer is talking about a two story parking ramp to accommodate customer parking. Cm Ostrow is quoted, "The fact that they're interested is a positive thing. Major corporations have to pay high rent."
I have to admit my great bias.....I'm skeptical and a little bit cynical of major corporations. I am also interested in seeing the Eastside Food Coop succeed. The way the Eastside Food Coop has proceeded seems to be with great resident and Central Avenue business support. It seems the coop would add and not subtract from the varied feel of Central Avenue. I cannot say the same for a proposed Cub Foods store, whatever shape it takes. The first question I have is..... Is there a need for a huge grocery store on 23 and Central when only a couple of blocks away is a Rainbow. Wouldn't a Cub Foods destroy the look and scale of Central Avenue. It was brought up at the meeting that an increase in traffic, noise, and trash will have negative effect on the avenue and the neighborhood. My second concern is the loss of 18 apartments and three houses. Affordable housing was an issue in the last election, what has changed? I do not know if these apartments are affordable or not but the loss of 18 apartments is 18 apartments. We should not be knocking down any dwellings, unless they are legally condemned, not ED'ed. Especially right now. Six commercial business would also be gone. Am I missing something here? How is destroying all of this stabilizing a neighborhood? What is also disturbing is cm Ostrow and cm aide Hunter role in this....What are they doing? It doesn't seem right to me. Yes, we should attract businesses to the city, but at what cost? I expect this from cm Biernat, but I am disappointed that cm Ostrow seems to be willing to jeopardize the community this way. Robert Yorga St. Anthony West _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
