Bryn Mawr NRP Phase II Planning
Area 3 Focus Group
Thursday, February 24, 7-8:30 PM
In addition to Greg Lecker, facilitator and note taker;
attendees include: Michael Welch,
Elizabeth Streich, Casey Streich, Mark Hoch, Kristin Fretheim, Barbara Becker,
and Ruth Lindh. Area 1 is the area
bounded between I-394,
Neighborhood
strengths:
- People, location, close to work
- Property values, parks, trails
- Neighborhood, neighbors, our block
- Look and feel of the neighborhood and our homes
- Close to parks and trails, Downtown Bryn Mawr; able to bike, walk or rollerblade to downtown Mpls
- Close to schools
- Volunteers
- Well put together neighborhood
- Unique people
- Proximity to downtown Mpls
- It’s a neighborhood; yet it’s within a large city
- Shared spirit of improving your bit of the neighborhood
- Interest in making your home and lot look nice, though unique; it’s a crazy patchwork
- We are fortunate to have many talented and committed neighbors willing to be involved in the neighborhood. This is evident in the work of the neighborhood association and its many projects and in the neighborhood gardens. Both the number of homeowners and their longevity is an asset (as well as our good renters).
- Our small businesses have improved and grown and are an asset – and the boulevard gardens in our business district and gas station are wonderful improvements.
Neighborhood
weaknesses:
- Not racially diverse enough; the perception that Bryn Mawr is exclusive. I’ve heard the comment “Oh, Bryn Mawr, blacks not allowed”; usually perceptions are based partly in reality
- Neighborhood housing and price ranges could be more diverse. Housing could be more dense or at least offer options or areas that are more dense and thus more affordable.
- Mass transit could be greatly improved.
- Bryn Mawr Meadows is over booked – there has been an increase in usage over the past several years. It’s all organized suburban leagues. There is no room for children. Afraid of MPRB plans to expand it further. On the other hand, it’s nice to see the park used so efficiently by so many people – for example, church groups picnicking
- Path under the freeway is unsafe – no lighting, no white striping, weird people; this needs attention
- School system! My child is in the 5th grade and we are concerned about Anwatin. We’ve visited classes. The teacher didn’t seem particularly interested; and the children were not focused. The teacher was interrupted many times during a single class period. Concerned about MPS cuts. Class size is 27 to as much as 31. The vast majority of testing, even quizzes, is now standardized with a computer scanning and evaluating a student’s work and the teacher writing the briefest remarks. Lack or shortage of gym offerings – at most only one half a year.
- Some drive too fast and too ragefully on Penn Avenue
- Garbage – there is more on our streets. People who don’t scoop after their dogs.
- We face similar problems as most neighborhoods – susceptibility to crime (car thefts, burglary) due to our proximity to downtown Minneapolis and to I-394, freeway noise, relative costs of homeownership outpacing income – especially property taxes – thanks to the state passing on its budget crisis to the cities and counties.
What issues are important or will be important in the future?
- Concern about what is going to happen to BCV ROC, uncertainty about LRT. Is there a plan in place for development around the creek? By Fruen Mill? Concerns about development
- Development is going to further compound traffic problem on I-394 – trying to get on highway east bound to I-94 can encounter 20 cars ahead of oneself.
- Schools are going in the wrong direction
- Traffic can be dangerous, especially at Ewing, Cedar Lake Parkway and Franklin: speeding, not stopping at stop signs or walkways, traffic signs are not always visible
- Schools are headed in the wrong direction
- Cost of living; housing prices
- The extent and amount of housing renovation is nice; but the prices are increasing 15-20% in just a year or a few years
- MRPB plans for Bryn Mawr Meadows
- Diversifying housing stock can be a positive attribute
- School quality is an issue; but this is a global and national problem
- Maintaining neighbor and volunteer involvement over time; it’s critical to stability and continuity in the long run
- Maintain strong connections among neighbors,
- crime deterrence,
- impact of the toll lanes of I-394 on our neighborhood
- use of our parks. What is happening to the MPRB proposal of adding fences and lights? I prefer that the Meadows be left as is, without such intrusive “improvements”!
One service, project, program or thing that BMNA could provide:
- A restaurant
- Senior housing
- Better school programming for MPS
- Maintaining and improving our parks
- Keep up the good work in downtown Bryn Mawr
- The Bryn Mawr Mobil gas station is 1000x better now
- A system/program to provide support to neighbors in their efforts to improve the environment, for example, rain gardens, storm water management
- Building a sustainable community; one that is a net energy producer rather than consumer; one that is a carbon sequestration area. NRP could provide the basis for this.
- While it’s nice to support improvements to individual homes, it is important for these improvements to be distributed through neighborhood
- Addressing the fact that many of our trees, especially Ash, are reaching maturity and will need to be replaced. Inappropriate trees and tree care is being provided. A program and publicity to educate public on proper tree selection and tree care (don’t cover tree roots with black plastic; don’t bury tree roots and don’t change grade during construction or regrading)
- Continue with downtown Bryn Mawr improvements
- A restaurant – a place to gather in the evening. Although it could attract more people and could be an annoyance; it would probably serve mostly the neighborhood so parking shouldn’t be an issue.
- I wish we had a neighborhood restaurant/bistro (our coffee shops are great, but I’m thinking of a larger, more extensive menu). I wonder if future development along the I-394 south frontage road could attract and provide a location for this (since it is already a commercial zone with parking)
- I would like to remain in the neighborhood as I grow older. Maybe we need a senior living facility in the Qwest complex
- Care for our trees
What types of
housing programs should BMNA provide?
- It would be nice to be able to remain in Bryn Mawr: provide housing for all stages of life and living: families, young people, couples and seniors
- Senior housing
- Develop senior housing in areas that development is going to happen anyway
- Programs to help people, especially seniors, keep up with their property maintenance
- An education program – provide “how to” information
- Support to keep housing affordable
- Keep housing affordable so families can remain in the neighborhood – we’re losing too many children and too many students
- Provide assistance for long-time residents and older folks who need help
- Help maintain housing
- Maintain housing stock
- Maintain mix of income and ages
- We would accept senior housing and apartment buildings if they are well designed and put together
- Maintain the diverse group of people of all different income brackets
Other Comments?
- NRP was intended to break down barriers – empowering people – you can fight City Hall
- Spend NRP on the public parts of the neighborhood – parks and public spaces – and the benefits to our residential property stability and values are immeasurable!
- Assist and encourage, jump start LRT – southwest metro line – anything we can do to keep up the momentum that LRT seems to have gained!
- I think the BMNA has been invaluable in providing current information to neighbors about projects that will impact the neighborhood – especially through the Bugle. I appreciate the work of the officers and area reps to attend city planning meetings, sponsor neighborhood meetings (such as this one), tracking and establishing guidelines to guide future development, etc.