Down by the Riverside
Having just completed the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood last Friday in my quest to walk every street in Minneapolis, this story stood out for me. (Hat tip: a David Strom Tweet) In this tough economy, somebody came up with one of the dumbest proposals I've ever seen: spend over $100 million to rehab Riverside Plaza. This complex of six apartment buildings includes several of the ugliest buildings in Minnesota, which I believe was a contributing factor to its failure.
I remember the cat-calling when it was built in 1973. Nobody liked it hence its descent into "affordable housing" status even after Mary Richards moved there after her early years in Kenwood. And no amount of money is going to make it a true landmark now. There is one and only one obvious answer to this blight: demolition. Quick, cheap, overdue, and final. Once this obstacle to growth is removed, this otherwise historic and I think attractive area can finally blossom. It's close to the U not to mention Augsburg College, and like its name implies, is along the Mississippi with good access every direction. Hey, maybe the new Vikings Stadium should take its place. There's already a Light Rail station there!
But no, let's drive a wooden stake in the heart of Cedar-Riverside once again, our own Arkham Asylum to signal and put off progress another few decades.
Cross-posted and comments welcome at Speed Gibson.
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