Lileks: Without vibrant downtown, civic life of the entire city pays price

Article by: JAMES LILEKS , Star Tribune
Updated: February 7, 2013 - 7:46 PM

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swschradFeb. 8, 1312:13 PM

brewpubs and sheet shooting a fail? what? the party ain't started until there's whiskey and shotguns for everybody, including the kids.

twvacekFeb. 8, 13 7:50 PM

I like think of Downtown neglect as future redevelopment potential. Twenty years of neglect, and we could create some real potential for the future.

dorkeemnFeb. 9, 13 8:06 AM

The number one thing missing from downtown is safety and security. I've been on street level 4 times in the last month - 3 out of the four times, I witnessed women getting hassled, hustled, and harassed by punks. In all 3 cases either I, or another man finally said something to the punks and they went on looking for their next mark. The 4th time, I was harassed by a guy looking for money. I finally told him if he didn't move along, I was going to call the cops on him. He muttered something under his breath and walked away yelling about "Whitey". What needs to happen is a police sweep of the streets every day at 8:00 am and another at 3:00 pm. Round them all up a few times and eventually they will get the message to not loiter, harass and panhandle aggressively.

davehougFeb. 9, 1312:54 PM

Security really needs to happen first and foremost. Look at what killed Brooklyn Center mall. Folks have too many options to CHOOSE to go somewhere they clutch the purse tighter.

billybillyFeb. 13, 13 9:31 AM

The stadium is going to be the albatross around our necks. NO ONE wants to develop or live next to one, and offering MORE taxes in the form of TIF to help development is insane. It's Block E all over again, but on a massive scale. Kill the deal and let the Eliot Park and East Downtown areas come together. Housing, small business and retail is what is needed, and they will happen if the stadium is out of the way.