Postby twincitizen » June 6th, 2016, 7:03 am
While a noble cause, I remain skeptical that MSPyimby will ever have much more effect than piling up retweets among the group of people that are already on board (i.e. forum users, streets.mn writers & readers, etc.). Also, a joint organization covering both Minneapolis and St. Paul is inherently problematic, because they are completely separate governmental structures. Having a bunch of Minneapolites emailing St. Paul city councilmembers won't accomplish anything.
Furthermore, Minneapolis already has a group called "Forward Minneapolis" that has been advocating these exact same issues, choosing to wield their force wisely and selectively - i.e. only causing a stir (emailing councilmembers, email blasts, social media) for controversial projects that truly need to have public support shown. The local YIMBY crowd would be wise to remember that ~95% of every project that has been proposed in recent years has been approved unanimously by the City Council, and most of those with little to no public opposition whatsoever. It's simply not necessary to get all boosterish for every project that is going to be approved anyways - better to save the collective organizing energy for the rare project that does face organized opposition (past: 2320 Colfax; present: Alatus condo tower; future: any large project in The Wedge or Whittier)
Full disclosure: I am a member of Forward Minneapolis and one of the administrators of the Facebook page. Not trying to "defend my turf" or anything like that, but advising that there is already a group of actual people who have organized in real life on past projects (not just posting here, retweeting things, etc.)