Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
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- Stone Arch Bridge
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Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
I lived in St. Paul for a year.
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- Moderator
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Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
I finally got that underground parking space, nearly 9 months after moving into my apartment. At age 33, I truly feel like I have arrived.
I immediately sent a note to maintenance about all the shit* people have piled up in their spaces, despite the fact that we have storage units in the building.
*car tires, bottles of various car fluids, boxes, animal kennels, and all sorts of other garbage. Some of it is literally garbage.
I immediately sent a note to maintenance about all the shit* people have piled up in their spaces, despite the fact that we have storage units in the building.
*car tires, bottles of various car fluids, boxes, animal kennels, and all sorts of other garbage. Some of it is literally garbage.
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- Capella Tower
- Posts: 2625
- Joined: September 16th, 2012, 4:31 pm
Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
So you're saying people treat communal garages like homeowners treat their regular, private garages?
Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
You need a snootier buildingI finally got that underground parking space, nearly 9 months after moving into my apartment. At age 33, I truly feel like I have arrived.
I immediately sent a note to maintenance about all the shit* people have piled up in their spaces, despite the fact that we have storage units in the building.
*car tires, bottles of various car fluids, boxes, animal kennels, and all sorts of other garbage. Some of it is literally garbage.
Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
Fancier junk.
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- Nicollet Mall
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- Location: Hamline Midway
Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
When I saw FISHMANPET's location displayed as "Corcoran", my mind immediately (but thankfully, briefly) went just to the west of Maple Grove.
- FISHMANPET
- IDS Center
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- Location: Corcoran
Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
Hey you never know...
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- Nicollet Mall
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- Location: Hamline Midway
Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
I grew up out that way, so I guess I have some excuse for how my mind works. But I don't think I can reconcile the thought of you in a snout house with five acres, a riding mower, septic tank, and all the other lovely accoutrements that come with life in that part of town.
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- IDS Center
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- Location: Where West Minneapolis Once Was
Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
... and no broadband ...
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- Nicollet Mall
- Posts: 131
- Joined: February 15th, 2014, 10:49 pm
- Location: Hamline Midway
Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
Back in the late 80's, the biggest issue in our (nearly rural) western Maple Grove neighborhood was the lack of cable TV. At that point in my life, I could actually stomach the morning show on KQRS (back when it was just "Tom and Dan"). I would hear Barnard griping about his lack of cable on the show, knowing he was just on the other side of our rather large "block".
Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
I said this in the introductions thread, but was directed here. I actually like City Center. Something about that late-'70s concrete-laden despair just gets go me. Same goes for Moos Towers. Is this confession exile-worthy?
Oh and I like Williams Hall, however that is a pretty incredible building. You can be several floors underground and not even realize it in certain areas.
Oh and I like Williams Hall, however that is a pretty incredible building. You can be several floors underground and not even realize it in certain areas.
Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
Not at all, many of us are into brutalism, I'm not a huge fan of City center though
- Sacrelicio
- Union Depot
- Posts: 364
- Joined: November 11th, 2015, 6:38 pm
- Location: Field
Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
I don't understand the appeal of Peavey Plaza at all.
Also, I don't think even as urbanists that there is anything wrong with sometimes doing things that don't align with our beliefs. It's not our fault that we live in a climate that is sometimes harsh and in a country that doesn't value walkable or transit friendly neighborhoods as much as the rest of the world. America tends to be a little too heavy on always practicing what you preach and being a absolutist or zealot about things you believe in or are passionate about. Think of the European or Canadian multi-modal commuter, or the European on a town bike wearing business clothes vs. the American "Cars-R-Coffns" hardcore cyclist.
That said, still a fun thread! I also sometimes go to the Taco Bell drive thru and I definitely get annoyed by buses and cyclists when driving even though I bike/bus to work 95 percent of the time.
Also, I don't think even as urbanists that there is anything wrong with sometimes doing things that don't align with our beliefs. It's not our fault that we live in a climate that is sometimes harsh and in a country that doesn't value walkable or transit friendly neighborhoods as much as the rest of the world. America tends to be a little too heavy on always practicing what you preach and being a absolutist or zealot about things you believe in or are passionate about. Think of the European or Canadian multi-modal commuter, or the European on a town bike wearing business clothes vs. the American "Cars-R-Coffns" hardcore cyclist.
That said, still a fun thread! I also sometimes go to the Taco Bell drive thru and I definitely get annoyed by buses and cyclists when driving even though I bike/bus to work 95 percent of the time.
Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
Embarrassing Confession of a Suburbanist: I sat on a public bus for the first time in almost 30 years last month, although I didn't pay a fare since it was being used as a shuttle for the 101 Bridge Opening. It was one of the commuter coaches with the reading lights and all. The last time I rode buses, you kept hoping you'd get a nice white one with air conditioning instead of a red one, and once in a while you'd really strike out and get one with hard seats.
Just for fun I used the metro transit trip planner to see how long it would take to use a bus to the office (Bloomington to Eagan). It was just short of two hours and involved three transfers in what is a 20 minute trip by car.
Just for fun I used the metro transit trip planner to see how long it would take to use a bus to the office (Bloomington to Eagan). It was just short of two hours and involved three transfers in what is a 20 minute trip by car.
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- IDS Center
- Posts: 4666
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Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
I wish the Twin Cities metro had a hundred more suburban/exurban governments who fought as hard as Lake Elmo to keep itself rural-esque forever. I think it would give the metro a functional green belt development boundary.
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- Stone Arch Bridge
- Posts: 7760
- Joined: June 19th, 2012, 2:04 pm
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Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
Good point... I know Lake Elmo gets a lot of flack, but would it be any better if Lake Elmo was a Woodbury? If cities want to really limit their own development, it's fine by me - it's not like the traditionalsprawl that would supplant it would be any better. Then, agencies like Met Council (sewer), MnDOT (roads), etc should simply just make sure they are investing in serving a city like Lake Elmo in a financially sustainable, cash-neutral basis. That probably means no interchange upgrades, no Gold Line BRT, more expensive sewer connections, or whatever. But, if they pay their own way and prevent ubersprawl, good on them.
All equity concerns aside, of course... but let's not pretend Woodbury is any better.
All equity concerns aside, of course... but let's not pretend Woodbury is any better.
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- IDS Center
- Posts: 4617
- Joined: December 4th, 2012, 11:41 am
Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
We bought a LEAF over the weekend.
Today I drove a gas car to work for the first time in three months.
Today I drove a gas car to work for the first time in three months.
Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
I like that Lake Elmo is rural and think there are so many closer in suburbs that should become better urbanized and don't think Lake Elmo needs to at all. I think we need better rural AND urban spaces, and the problem is just the default mode of suburbanization means those seeking good urban or good rural places end up with a poor compromise. Of course if they pay their own way and prevent ubersprawl. I really like the idea of a green belt development boundary.
Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
In a similar vein to David's:
I did two things last week - bought a new(er) car and went on a vacation to one of the country's most urban cities...
...I'm a bit conflicted about which one was more exciting (and, yeah, I've been driving more than usual).
I did two things last week - bought a new(er) car and went on a vacation to one of the country's most urban cities...
...I'm a bit conflicted about which one was more exciting (and, yeah, I've been driving more than usual).
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- Foshay Tower
- Posts: 913
- Joined: November 17th, 2012, 6:53 pm
Re: Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists
I also bought a new car this year, a 2016 red Jeep Wrangler. I love it.
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