[Mpls] Park Board considering selling park land

[Meg Forney]

> Excellent points here, Mike.  Vehicles like trusts for long term preservation
> and the creation of an endowment fund for future procurements, are concepts to
> be developed with citizen input via Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC¹s ­ an
> extremely useful tool of the park Board¹s that I have served on numerous) and
> by updating the MPRB Comprehensive Plan.
> 
> Above the Fall Citizen Advisory Committee, that I sit on as the southwest
> representative, with a broad base of representation, is currently looking at
> such a vehicle, a development corporation to potentially secure Upper River
> lands and follow the Above the Falls Master Plan, adopted by the Park
> Board...yet, not completely adopted by the City of Minneapolis.  This plan is
> a healthy combination of open space, commercial, residential and industry.
> 
> Since I am a strong advocate of a revised comprehensive plan for the Park
> Board, an endeavor that is slated to seek citizen input soon, this is a very
> appropriate means to set criteria for Park Board lands.  Citizen input will
> lay the foundation for MPRB Commissioners, who will require tremendous
> leadership, leading off the same page crafted by our citizen¹s vision.
> 
> MEG FORNEY
> Candidate for Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Commissioner-at-Large
> DFL Feminist Caucus Endorsed
> West Calhoun 
> 
> 
> 
> Seems to me that historic arguments for keeping the MPRB as a separate Board
> were always based on the fact that a separate MPRB would protect and
> preserve the parklands, and not sell them off to raise cash when times get
> tight, which presumably, the city would/could do (just as the MPRB
> would/could/might do).  Perhaps our parklands should be put into a
> permanent, protective trust that protects and preserves, regardless of
> management entity or personalities involved at any point in time?  A land
> trust for future generations.  What lands should/should not be included in
> such a trust?  Is this a concept worth considering?  Pros/cons?  Any
> thoughts on the matter from list members, MPRB candidates??
> 
> Mike Hohmann
> independent candidate 13th Ward City Council
> NO party affiliation, NO special interest endorsements.
> Endorsements and contributions accepted only from individuals, no PAC money.
> "I will work for voters and taxpayers, NOT special interests."
> www.mikeforcitycouncil.org
> mike4citycouncil at yahoo.com
>