[Mpls] Minneapolis Solves Its Budget Problems

[Dean Zimmermann]

April 1, 2004

After a long debate today at the Minneapolis City Council's Committee of the
Whole, the Council voted to solve its budget problems by selling four pieces of
surplus property. The Council voted 9 to 4 to rid the city of the following
eyesores:

  a.. Stone Arch Bridge
  b.. Father of Waters Statue in the rotunda of City Hall
  c.. "Cherry & Spoon" at the Sculpture Garden
  d.. The clock from the tower on top of City Hall
The City of London, England has been working for years to get their hands on the
clock, as it is one foot larger than their famous Big Ben.  Although London is
offering $64,250,000 for Minneapolis' City Hall clock, it is not clear if they
intend to replace Big Ben or simply destroy the City Hall clock. Either way, it
solves London's problem of not having the biggest clock and it solves
Minneapolis' need for some quick money to help solve its cash flow problems.

As far as the "Cherry & Spoon,"  many Council members stated they were "glad to
be rid of that ugly thing" and that "General Mills is more than welcome to it."
General Mills plans to move it to their headquarters in the western suburbs and
use it to promote their new breakfast cereal Cherryos. That deal pulled in a
whopping $159,000,000.

People have been complaining for years about the Father of Waters statue that
"just gets in the way'" for events held in the rotunda.  The City of New Orleans
was anxious to get their hands on this beautiful statue that was originally
created for them some 87 years ago.  What many people don't know is that
although New Orleans commissioned the statue, when it came time for delivery,
the city was broke and Minneapolis was able to pick up the statue very cheaply.
So, for just $82,000,000 the City of New Orleans is now able to get this
beautiful piece of art to its rightful place.

 Although it is costing New York City some $876,000,000 for the Stone Arch
Bridge, they are finding that it is much cheaper than the $1,500,000,000 that
would be needed to replace the Brooklyn Bridge with a conventional suspension
bridge.  The Guthrie Theater and the Mill City Museum have been lobbying to get
the Stone Arch Bridge out of there because it blocks the view of St Anthony
Falls from their facilities.

 Mayor RT Rybak has threatened to veto the action, but there seems to be enough
support to override the veto.

Dean Zimmermann
Minneapolis City Council Member/Ward 6
612-673-2206, Office
612-724-3888, Home
Dean.Zimmermann at ci.minneapolis.mn.us
deanzimm at mn.rr.com
Peace/Shalom/Salaam