during the mayoral election, as it should. I'm sure we will hear a lot of
campaign rhetoric from the candidates about community involvement in the
decision making process and transparency in the city planning process. Even
with a community conversation that according to some has been going on for 10
years or more there still are many questions about the master plan among
Highland Park residents and residents city-wide. See Pioneer Press coverage
at:
http://www.twincities.com/2017/05/13/fans-foes-of-st-pauls-ford-site-plans-launch-opposing-coalitions/
Now compare the planning process going on regarding the Ford Site to the
process that was followed regarding the Midway Soccer Stadium at Snelling and
University. The developers where allowed to fast track the decision through
the planning process with Mayor Coleman and the majority of the City Council
tuning out the concerns and questions that to this day remain unanswered by
owners of the soccer team and the Midway Shopping Center. Even the deadlines
for beginning construction and completion of the stadium seem to have been
moved back now that the public approval process has been completed.
I'm not saying the Ford site doesn't warrant more public input, I'm just
wondering why there is a double standard when compared to the once in a
generation decision made in the Midway Area regarding the soccer stadium
project?
Dennis Hill
St. Paul