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By Anne, August 10, 2008 2:24 pm

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the table at the Longfellow Park Corn Feed on 7 August. We had lots of visitors who offered excellent ideas, and thanks to Community Advisory Committee members, County and project staff, our partners from Latinos En Acción who gathered input en Español, and the park staff who where exceptionally helpful to everyone.

There will be many more opportunities for input, but if you’re impatient, go to What do YOU think?
¿Qué piensa usted? on the right and complete the survey.

See detailed input here, and see below for a quick look at participants on this perfect summer evening.

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By Anne, August 4, 2008 9:42 am

The question posed by volunteers from the Community Advisory Committee, County, and consulting team was, “What kinds of improvements do you think would create a more vibrant community and increase your quality of life?”

About 40 people at this event offered their ideas. Responses fell into several categories:  retail/ commercial/ entertainment; community beautification; community image; sense of community; safety; housing; and transportation/traffic. Click here to read detailed input.

Many people wanted more small businesses, a grocery store, and family-oriented restaurants. A number focused on beautifying the corridor area that they thought looked rundown and seedy. Some people highlighted the value of community activities like the Corn Feed and National Night Out that bring people together, and many suggested similar outdoor and indoor activities and opportunities for kids, families, and teenagers.

Some identified safety as the biggest issue and the need for more police presence and crime control. Others focused on more family housing but not condos, high rises, or apartment buildings. Many highlighted the importance of accommodating bike and pedestrian traffic in the corridor as well as the need to find solutions to getting across Hiawatha by car, bike, and on foot.

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By Anne, July 21, 2008 10:28 pm

Below are themes that are emerging to date. These will be continually expanded and detailed as community input on issues and priorities continues into spring 2009:

• People very much appreciate the sense of community and the walkability of the neighborhoods and locally owned businesses and services, but are concerned about pedestrian and bicycle safety between Hiawatha and Minnehaha, especially at night with major roadways, the rail line, and poor lighting
• There are serious traffic flow problems along Hiawatha due to poor signalization; that also pushes more traffic onto Minnehaha
• People are concerned about vacant and poorly maintained commercial and residential properties that create a poor community image and discourage new investment; they also attract drug use and graffiti
• There are continued concerns about crimes against people and property, including at and around LRT stations
• Hiawatha is a huge barrier between people and communities
• People desire more trees and other greenery along streets, including Hiawatha, to make the community prettier and more attractive to residents and businesses
• Community members have very mixed feelings about increased residential density; this may vary by location and current land use
• Minnehaha Avenue: Some people focused on this being an important connection between the Midtown Greenway and Minnehaha Parkway and as a gateway to Minnehaha Park; some are interested in strengthened and continued high quality development so it’s exciting and vibrant like Grand Avenue in St. Paul (traffic and parking issues would have to be addressed)