| The impact of the interstate highway system on inner-city America is fully apparent around this and the Nicollet Avenue node where the freeway creates a physical and visual barrier. Undesirable conditions below the highway overpass impede commerce between the nodes because of safety, maintenance, and aesthetic concerns for those traveling by foot, bicycle, and public transit. Further, loss of southbound highway traffic access at Lake Street in the 1960’s devastated one of the City’s most vital commercial districts that is only now recovering.
A new renaissance has begun at this node in the form of private and nonprofit development, business incubation, and residential revitalization. Very much in keeping with the City Comprehensive Plan designation as a growth center, the variety of emerging small businesses have made a very positive impact in the area and have generated significant additional private investment. Building on this development activity by exploring opportunities for business/job growth and increased residentiall density would further strengthen this growth center. Based on the node’s economic development history, efforts should be made to ensure that non-profit activities supplement rather than displace private investment. The node has a unique and vibrant multicultural spirit where many ethnic groups mingle and enjoy shopping, dining, theater and public art.
Urban Ventures, a nonprofit developer and social service provider in the area, hopes to develop several recreational facilities for its youth programs adjacent to the Greenway. Surrounding neighborhoods and other stakeholders have expressed appropriate concerns about the privateness of these facilities; venues are enclosed or turn their backs on the public Greenway. The unique at-grade conditions at the crossing of 5th Avenue and the Greenway result in a significant widening of the Greenway corridor and suggest that a more public recreational development would be an appropriate addition. A small but well defined and developed public park would fill a void in this area.
Finally, housing and quality of life remain a high priority for this community. The need to continue the burgeoning housing reinvestment while looking at affordable mixed live/work opportunities requires a concurrent commitment to improve the public realm and craft visionary solutions to land use incompatibilities and negative freeway impact. | | |
