08-10-92 PC Agenda � �
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AGENDA
� GOLDEN VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
Golden Valley City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
Council Chamber
August 10, 1992
7:00 PM
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - July 27, 1992
II. METRO 2015 -- VISION AND GOALS
(Presentation by Polly Bowles -- Metro Council District 11
Representative)
III. REPORTS ON MEETINGS OF THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY,
CITY COUNCIL AND BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
IV. OTHER BUSINESS
• V. ADJOURNMENT
�
MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION
• July 27, 1992
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held at the Golden Valley City
Hall , Council Chamber, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota. The
meeting was called to order by Chair McAleese at 7:00 PM.
Those present were Commissioners Groger, Johnson, Kapsner, Lewis, McAleese,
Pentel and Prazak. Also present were Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and
Development; Beth Knoblauch, City Planner and Mary Oold, Administrative
Secretary.
I. A�proval of Minutes - May 21, 1992
MOVED by Lewis, seconded by Groger, and motion carried unanimously to approve
the May 21 , 1992 minutes as submitted.
II . Informal Public Hearing - Variance and Minor Subdivision
Applicant: Golden Valley Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Address: North Wirth Redevelopment Area
Request: Variance from the Minor Subdivision Chapter of City Code, in
. Conjunction with an Application for a Minor Subdivision.
Beth Knoblauch gave a brief summary of her reports regarding the variance from
the Minor Subdivision concurrent with a Minor Subdivision application. She
reviewed the three requirements governing whether the minor subdivision process
may be used rather than going through a full subdivision process. She also
reviewed the eight items to consider in approving or denying an application for
a Minor Subdivision. Based on additional information uncovered after the staff
report was written, she indicated minor changes in two of the eight items: the
proposed utility easements will diverge slightly from standard practice, and
there is a very small title issue that is still being addressed.
Commissioner Pentel asked staff about the environmental problems on the site.
Ms. Knoblauch commented that the oil and solvent problems were not found during
routine environmental studies and became apparent during the Dahlberg Drive road
construction. The area has been cleaned up and is being monitored except for
Lot 1 which still has contaminated soil .
Commissioner Kapsner asked how Outlot A would be connected to the rest of the
_ Lot 1 and what would the site be used for. Beth Knoblauch commented that there
would be a road over the railroad tracks and the rear portion of the lot could
contain an accessory building, parking or even a second principal building if
constructed as part of a PUD.
Chair McAleese opened the informal public hearing. Seeing and hearing no one he
• closed the informal public hearing.
Commissioner Johnson commented that it made good sense to do the variance from
the minor subdivision now instead of waiting.
Golden Valley Planning Commission Meeting
July 27, 1992
• Page Two
MOVED by Pentel , seconded by Johnson and motion carried unanimously to recommend
to the City Council approval of a Variance from Sec. 12.50, Subd. 1.A. of the
City Code, thereby allowing the inclusion of unplatted land in an application
for a Minor Subdivision and to approve the proposed Minor Subdivision known as
North Wirth Parkway 4th Addition.
III. Informal Public Herain - Rezoning
Applicant: Golden Valley Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Address: North Wirth Redevelopment Area
Request: (1)Rezoning of Lot 2, Block 1 from a Mixture of Light
Industrial , Industrial and Railroad Zoning Districts to all
Light Industrial ; and (2) Rezoning of Lot 3, Block 1 from a
Mixture of Light Industrial and Railroad Zoning Districts to
all I-4 Institutional
Beth Knoblauch gave a brief summary of the rezoning request by reviewing a site
sketch of the area using various colors to represent the different districts.
Beth then explained by noting the different colored areas how the designation of
districts would change. In response to questions from the Commissioners, she
. indicated that other redevelopment lots in the area, which also encompass
multiple zoning districts, will not be proposed for rezoning until more is
known about what type of use the lots might be put to.
Chair McAleese opened the informal public hearing. Seeing and hearing no one he
c�osed the informal public hearing.
MOVED by Lewis, seconded by Groger and motion carried unanimously to recommend
to the City Council approval of the rezoning of Lot 2, Block 1 of the proposed
North Wirth Parkway 4th Addition from a mixture of Light Industrial , Industrial
and Railroad zoning districts to all Light Industrial and to rezoning Lot 3,
Block 1 of the proposed North Wirth Parkway 4th Addition from a mixture of Light
Industrial and Railroad zoning districts to all I-4 Institutional .
IV. Informal Public Hearing - Preliminary Planned Unit Development No. 61
Applicant: Dahlberg, Inc.
Address: North Side of Dahlberg Drive
Request: To build a 2-Phase Office/Warehouse with the lst Phase
(28,000 sq.ft. ) beginning in the Fall of 1992
• Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development gave a summary of his report
to the Planning Commission. Mr. Grimes briefly talked about the ponding area
and its purpose; the parking area on the site which he found to be adequate and
that the setbacks do not all meet the standard requirement but that a P.U.D.
request gives this flexibility.
Golden Valley Planning Commission Meeting
July 27, 1992
Page Three
•
Tom Gerster, KK Architects, reviewed with the Commission and staff a master plan
of the area showing where the present Dahlberg building and parking area is
located and the proposed new site, parking and ponding area. He also commented
on what the building would look like and the materials that would be used.
Chair McAleese asked about the truck traffic that would be coming and going on
the site. Mr. 6erster thought there would be one or two trucks a day that would
unload and then leave. He said he could have a more precise answer to this
question at the City Council hearing.
Chair McAleese opened the informal public hearing. Seeing and hearing no one he
closed the informal public hearing.
Commissioner Prazak commented he was glad to see the tie-in of the area that
Dahlberg is committing to and feels this is a very attractive proposal .
Chair McAleese also commented that the proposal is attractive and waiving the
required setbacks in this case seems reasonable because of the location of the
site.
Commissioner Lewis feels that this is a good use for the site.
MOVED by Kapsner, seconded by Pentel and motion carried unanimously to recommend
• to the City Council approval of the P.U.D. Preliminary Design Plan for the
construction of up to 50,000 sq.ft. of a office/warehouse building.
V. Acknowledgement of Oasis Mental Health Program Annual Report
The Planning Commission acknowledged the Oasis Mental Health Program Annual
Report.
VI. �Re orts on Meetin s of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City
oC uncil an oar o oning�ppea s
Commissioner Pentel commented on the June 2nd HRA meeting and Commissioner
Johnson briefly commented on the BZA meeting of July 14th.
VII. Other Business
No other business was presented.
VIII. Adjournment
Chair McAleese ad,journed the meeting at 8:35PM.
•
Jean Lewis, Secretary
• MEMORANDUM
DATE: August 6, 1992
T0: Planning Commission
FROM: Mary Dold, Planning Secretary
SUBJECT: Metro 2015 -- Vision and Goals
Just a short note to let you know that the City Council was
invited to attend this meeting.
I will have extra copies of the report by Polly Bowles at
the Planning Commission meeting. Any questions, please
call .
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• City pf Goiden Vailey
July 29, 1992
Ms. Polly Bowles
Metropolitan Council
Mears Park Centre ,
230 E. Fifth Street
St. Paul , MN 55101-1634
Dear Ms. Bowles:
I want to thank you in advance for appearing at the Golden Valley
Planning Commission meeting on P1onday, August 10th at 7:OOp.m. to dis-
cuss the Metro Council 's visioning process. The Planning Commission
is interested in hearing about your thoughts on the subject and how
local government is a part of this vision. I have also invited the
• Golcien Valley City Council to attend the meeting.
One of the Planning Commissioner's asked if you would briefly address
the hletro Council 's role in the planning process for the rebuilding of
TH. 100 north of Glenwood Avenue at the August lOth meeting. The
Planning Commission member that asked the question is on a citizen
advisory panel related to the proposed improvement.
Please give me a call (593-8097) if you have any questions. We look
forward to meeting you.
Sincerely,
���.� �"� � _>
�
Mark W. Grimes, Director
Planning and Development
MWG:mkd
•
Government Center, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota 55427
(612) 593-8000 Fax (612) 593-8109
• MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 20, 1992
T0: Golden Valley City Council
FROM: Mark W. Grimes, Director of Planning and Development
SUBJECT: PRESENTATION OF "METRO 2015 - VISION AND GOALS" FOR THE
TWIN CITIES BY POLLY BOWLES, METRO COUNCIL, REQUESTED
FOR GOLDEN VALLEY
The Planning Commission has invited the Metro Council District 11
representative, Polly Bowles, to discuss the Metro Councils effort to
develop a "vision" or picture of the Twin Cities for the year 2015.
The meeting will be held at the Planning Commission's regular meeting
at 7:OOp.m. , Monday, August 10, 1992 in the Council Chambers. The
City Council is welcome to join the Planning Commission that night and
meet our new Metro Council representative (Ms. Bowles replaced Dottie
Reitow over a year ago).
• The Metro Council began the process of "Metro 2015" about a year ago
in order to establish a vision for the Twin Cities. "Metro 2015" has
created goals in six categories to help decide where we want to be as
a metro area in 2015. The Metro Council wants to get feedback from
people in the community in order to determine if their goals are on
target. The Planning Commission meeting on August lOth is an oppor-
tunity to give the Metro Council that feedback.
The Metro Council and its staff have had numerous meetings to learn
about issues before the vision and goals were put down on paper. They
are to be commended for this effort.
I am enclosing a copy of the "Metro 2015 - Vision and Goals" that was
written by the Metro Council and dated 6/26/92. If you have time,
please read it before the meeting on August lOth.
Please give me a call (593-8095) ahead of time if you would like to
attend. I believe it will be a valuable session.
MWG:mkd
encl .
•
� METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
Mears Park Centre, 230 East Fifth Street, St. Paul, MN 55101-1634 612 291-6359 FAX 612 291-6550 TTY 612 291-0904
July 17, 1992
Mark Ryan
Director of Planning
City of Golden Valley
7800 Golden Valley Rd.
Golden Valley, MN 55427
Dear Mark:
Enclosed are fifteen copies of Metro 2015-Vision and Goals. As we discussed in our phone
conversation, this report will be discussed at the August lOth meeting of your planning
commission.
Polly Bowles, Metropolitan Council member from District 11, will be speaking to your group that
• evening. A capy of Polly's bio is enclosed.
If you have any questions or would like additional copies of the report, please call me at 291-
6493.
Sincerely,
�a--y,.,3-�--�,a�o-�--t.�/
Donna J. Mattson
Senior Planner
Community Services Department
Enclosures
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BIOGRAP�IY
Polly P. Bowles
� Metropolitan Council Member
District 11, Edina, Golden Valley, Robbinsdale s�nd St. Louis Park
Personal
Residence: 6020 Ashcroft Av. S.
Edina, MN 55424
Telephone: 336-3327 (o)
920-9144 (h)
291-6486 (voice-mail phone at Council) �
Educution
J.D., cum laude, U�iversity of Minnesota Law School, 1985.
B.A., cum laccde, economics, international relations, University of Minnesota, 1981.
-�� Admitted to California State Bar, 1985.
Admitted to Minnesota State Bar, 1986.
Employment
Attorney, corporate finance department at Faegre and Benson law firm, Minneapolis, 1986
to present.
Associate attorney, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, 1985 to 1986.
� Civic
Member, Metropolitan Council, 1991 to present. Member: Metropolitan and Community
, Development Committee, and Management Committee.
Cochair of Rep. Mary Forsythe's 1988 reelection campaign.
Republican Party precinct delegate, 1988 to 1990 (Dist. 42B, Precinct 9).
Member, YMCA-Southdale Branch Board of Management.
I.eadership Bloomington (program sponsored by Bloomington Chamber of Commerce).
Alpha Gamma Delta scholarship alumna adviser.
Distinguished Service Award, city oE Minneapolis.
Named an "Outstanding Young Woman of America."
Author oE Becoming a Beauty Queen (Prentice Hall Press).
Miss Minnesota-USA, 1981.
At University of Minnesota Law School: Dean's List, National Moot Court Program, and
Honors in Legal Writing.
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At University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts: Presidential Scholar, University
Student Leadership/Service Award, University Senator, and president of Alpha Gamma
Delta.
November 1991
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Metro 2015
Vision and Goals
FOR THE MEETING OF AUGUST 10, 1992
•
Metropolitan Council
Mears Park Centre, 230 E. Fifth St.
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
• 612 291-6359 TDD 291-0904
Publication No. 640-92-076B
June 26, 1992
Printed on Recycled Paper
.
• Introduction
This document is part of an effort by the Metropolitan Council to develop a "vision" or picture of
what the Twin Cities Region should be in the year 2015.
Why a Vision?
• In its first 25 years, the Council has looked ahead to plan solutions for important problems
facing the region. Now it is looking ahead to the next 25 years. What does this region want
to be, to look like and to offer its citizens in 2015? The Council is responsible for making
long-range plans today to help ensure the region's health and vitality in the 21st century.
Setting goals for the region is a first step.
• As the Council begins to update its keystone regional plan, the Metropolitan Development and
Investment Framework, it needs to examine the problems and opportunities the region will
face over the next two decades. The policies in the framework will help guide our growth and
development, but we need to know where we want to be in 2015--we need a vision.
• The Council is specifically charged by statute to prepare goals and plans for the orderly and
economic development of the region. In addition, the Council is being challenged and
encouraged to provide leadership in long-range planning for the region. Creating a vision can
help in that effort.
• Cornerstone Ideas
At the beginning of this effort, the Council set a basic assumption in establishing a vision:
To achieve the highest quality living in a community setting with the flexibility to accommodate the
changing population and compete in a world economy. To pursue the region's future with a
sensitivity and respect for our environment in our development and redevelopment practices.
T'he Council decided, after hearing from several nationally recognized strategic thinkers, that
there are really a handful of forces or factors driving the decisions needed to make this region
successful in the 21st century. Six major factors or categories emerged:
• Economics
• Governance
• Transportation
� Telecommunications
• Education
• Quality of life
Goals as a Starting Point
The goals developed in the six categories describe where we want to be, rather than ways to get
• there. At a later stage, it will be necessary to identify strategies to accomplish the goals and the
appropriate actors to implement them. Before that, however, the Council wants to share this
vision with the regional community to see if the goals are on target--whether these are the right
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goals the region should be pursuing. The goals are intended to spark a wide-ranging community •
discussion about where this region is going in the next quarter century.
Some kind of ineasures are needed to determine whether the region is meeting its goals. This
document includes examples of possible measures for each of the six categories of goals. Like the
goals, they are only a starting point for discussion.
The Process
The goals were drafted by small discussion groups made up of Council members, staff and
members of the Council's Minority Issues Advisory Committee. The groups benefitted from ideas
of national and local experts who spoke to them, including educators, economists, academicians,
planners, representatives of the telecommunications industry and others.
Over the next two months, the Council will be asking for ideas and comments on these goals.
Many organizations and individuals will be participating. The Council is making a special effort to
discuss the goals with some of the young people who will be adults when the year 2015 arrives.
The Council will then revise the goals based on what it heard in the public dialogue. After a set
of goals is adopted by the Council, the Council will move forward to develop strategies to
accomplish the vision.
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� A Vision
It's now the year 2015. The Twin Cities Metropolitan Area has achieved the goals proposed by
the Metro Council a quarter century ago. What kind of a region do we live in?
Key Themes
We've become more adaptive and proactive in shaping change. We have found that in the school
of change, the lesson is never over. We have developed our economy, our educational system
and our governmental functions to meet changing demands and expectations.
We've sought technological advances that are crucial to the region's economy and quality of life.
We used technology as a tool to achieve our goals--for example, in transportation,
telecommunications, education and business.
We've opened the doors wider to opportunities and resources. All residents have better access to
jobs, governmental decision-making, education, recreational opportunities, health care, housing
and information resources.
We've gained spin-off benefits from the decisions we've made. For example, our
telecommunication system has bolstered the economy while giving telecommuters an alternative to
traffic congestion and enriching learning opportunities. Our education system has equipped
e students with basic academic, social and personal skills to earn a living and function well as
citizens, workers and parents. And it has helped young people shape their hopes and potential.
We have successfully resolved important but competing priorities. For example, we have grown
economically, but we have preserved and improved our natural environment. We have a larger
population that is more diverse, but we have strengthened our sense of community. Government
has finally learned to do more with less.
A Closer Look
I.00king more closely, we see a region that is a strong, well-established player in the global
marketplace. We realized many years ago that metropolitan areas, not nations, would be the key
economic competitors in the international playing field.
We realized we had to be more orgar�ized in the way we bolstered the region's economy. Our
young people are achieving their full potential in school; our regional quality of life has attracted
talented people and dollar investments; and we've adequately invested in our essential
infrastructure to support economic activity and the basic needs of our urban society. The result
has been an improved regional standard of living, supported by substantial job growth and a
diverse economy. Greater Minnesota has prospered from spin-off companies and jobs located in
the region.
Communities in the region have wiilingly cooperated in seeking business, jobs and revenues based
on regional interests rather than the interests of individual communities. This cooperation
• enables the region to compete as one economic unit in national and international markets.
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We've made the region a leader in the use of technological advances in transportation and •
telecommunications, which support both our economy and quality of life. Our
telecommunications system uses leading-edge technology to link our voices, video images and data
with destinations within the region, and around the state, nation and the globe.
Telecommunications is now considered as essential an infrastructure as transportation, sewers and
education.
The region leads in using technological advances in transportation like "intelligent" vehicle and
highway systems. At the same time, we've made better use of the facilities we have by managing
travel demand and charging users a variety of transportation "prices," like congestion fees and
parking surcharges. Our transit system, now very consumer-oriented, has more passengers each
year. Our major airport is an international hub, with direct flights to cities around the country
and the world.
Government at all levels has become more innovative and cost-efficient in delivering services and
solving problems. Government roles are clearly defined so that services are delivered at the most
effective and ef�cient level. People have responded with renewed interest in governmental affairs
and higher voting rates show it. People feel a stronger sense of belonging to their communities
within the region, and they participate and feel comfortable in their community. At the same
time, people feel that they belong to one metropolitan region. They think about and work for
the Metro Area.
We still have a strong environmental awareness. But we think less now about mitigating negative
effects on the environment, and more about designing urban development and its support
facilities with nature and people in mind. Our air and water are cleaner; our waste is less toxic •
and we're producing less of it per capita. We can swim and �sh in our three major rivers and in
our lakes that have the greatest potential for recreation or water supply.
The region has an abundance of accessible recreation, cultural and information opportunities.
Health care is accessible to everyone who needs it, but most people take responsibility for
pursuing a healthful lifestyle. Families of all types get the support they need to care for their
family members, including children and elderly. The percentage of all residents living in poverty
has declined.
Housing is affordable for more of the region's residents, and it is designed to suit people at
various stages of their lives and people with special needs. More employment opportunities are
located near affordable housing and more affordable housirig near new jobs. Our aging
neighborhoods have been rehabilitated and a sense of community strengthened there. Our streets
are safer and crime rates lower.
We've planned the region's growth into a pattern that has reduced traf�c congestion, the cost of
public services, energy consumption9 air pollution, and more of the negative effects on the
environment. Urban design concepts have helped create a sense of place, with open spaces,
natural features, public buildings and transportation facilities.
We have come a long way in 25 years. We're already looking ahead to the next quarter century.
.
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• Goals
The Regional Economy
For many years the region has been a good place to live, work and establish businesses. Its
economy has experienced steady employment growth of 2.7 percent annually and relatively low
unemployment rates (4.5 percent in 1991)--well below Minnesota and U.S. rates of 5.1 percent
and 6.7 percent, respectively. Manufacturing industries gained some jobs, while service industries
gained the most. The region is home to 15 �rms on the Fortune 500 list of industrial �rms. Its
poverty rate (8.1 percent) is well below the national average (13.1 percent). In per capita
personal income, the region ranked sixth among the 25 largest metro areas in 1989 (8 percent
higher than the average of the 25 metro areas and 15 percent higher than the U.S. average).
This success has largely been credited to the region's skilled labor force and to our diverse
economy. But in recent years a number of clouds have appeared on the economic horizon.
There are questions about how well we are educating our labor force; the computer industry in
the region is in decline; some major businesses are no longer under family or local control; the
Minnesota business climate has been soundly criticized by the private sector; global competition is
increasing and world markets are changing. In addition, there are concerns about the problem of
low income burdening a significant number of people, inadequate productivity growth, our ability
to maintain competitive advantages in computers and medical equipment, and the demand for
government services versus the willingness to pay for those services.
Looking to the year 2015 raises a major question: Is the region prepared to compete and thrive in
• this changing environment? For example, no longer is the region's business competition the other
cities in the U.S.; it is other cities around the world. Can we afford to sit back and let "the
market" respond to these and other changes, or are there some roles government can or should
play to keep this region competitive in the emerging world markets? What roles should the
business community play? Are there opportunities for public/private cooperation? Before these
questions can be answered, it is important to have a vision of what we want the regional economy
to look like. Below are goals that can help shape that vision for the 2015 economy.
Goals
1. The region is recognized as a major player in the global economy, based on the following:
The region has a highly educated workforce with skills important to the regional economy,
and with the ability to learn new skills as the economy changes in response to the national
and international economies. These would include a wide range oE skills--for example, in
design and manufacturing as well as in management and finance.
The region has a quality of life that attracts and keeps both businesses and a highly skilled
and adaptable workforce.
Infrastructure developed by regional and local governments and by the private sector supports
regional economic activity and encourages job growth that meets the needs of the population.
Infrastructure financing--using cooperative arrangements, where possible--reflects the full costs
• of facilities through their life cycle--including costs of capital, operation, maintenance and
replacement.
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2. The region's economy experiences steady growth in the gross regional product per capita •
(increasing the regional standard of living), based on the following:
Job growth provides employment at liveable wages for all residents, raising low and middle per
capita income levels.
The region's economy is diverse and flexible in terms of using regional strengths and resources
(labor market, investment capital, infrastructure, natural resources, etc.) to adapt to changing
regional and world markets and to attract and retain industries serving those markets.
3. Communities in the region are more willing to cooperate in seeking business, jobs and
revenues based on regional interests rather than on the interests of individual communities.
Such cooperation--assisted by a more equitable tax structure, a more equitable provision of
needed services and more appropriate use of public investments in private undertakings--helps
enable the region to compete as one economic unit in national and international markets.
4. The region has more corporate headquarters of large public and private firms.
Banks, insurance companies, venture capital companies and other sources of investment
capital in the region provide adequate funds to invest in start-up and expansion of local firms
and to nurture entrepreneurial efforts.
5. T'he tax burden of the region's residents and businesses ranks lower than in 1992 as compared
to other metropolitan areas.
Examples of Possible Measures •
Unemployment rate compared to other urban areas
Per capita personal income in region compared to other urban areas (per capita gross regional
product compared to other urban areas)
Percent of population below the poverty level compared to other urban areas (percent of
population above 150 percent of poverty rate)
Employment growth rate compared with previous years and comparable regions (employment
growth rate in speci�c industries)
Mix of industries in region compared to mix in the nation (diversity)
Composite measures of tax burden on individuals (rankings) and on businesses (rankings)
•
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• Governance
Government in the early 1990s has fallen on hard times. Regional and local government has
experienced declining federal support; political leadership has been criticized or challenged; and
many citizens feel a strong disaffection from government, becoming active mainly when their self-
interest is threatened.
The challenge to government is to bring new people into the process both as participants and in
leadership positions, particularly minorities and women whose participation in the past had been
limited; to develop a renewed sense of con�dence in government's ability to solve problems by
allowing decision-making at the neighborhood or community levels where innovation and
flexibility can be encouraged; to act decisively and in the broader regional interest at the regional
level for those problems that need a central focus. A renewed emphasis on governance--acting
collectively to solve problems--is essential.
People and governmental units need to think of themselves as being part of one region. The
region cannot be a collection of cities ail competing against one another. The region now
competes with the world.
In governance, there is often a need to balance competing priorities--for example, the desire for
government to be "close to the people," on one hand, and, on the other, expectations for
government services to be ef�cient and economical, often requiring centralization. The Metro
Council also has a vision for its own role in governance. It includes strong leadership on regional
issues, bolstered by additional authority to decide how state funds are spent in the Metropolitan
• Area for public infrastructure and to determine where and when public subsidies will be used for
facilities of region-wide importance.
Goals
1. All segments of the public have opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their lives
and the future of their communities. Citizen decision-making takes place at the neighborhood
and community level, whenever possibie. Citizen decision-making is also fostered in our larger
governmental units.
2. People have con�dence in their elected and appointed government officials. The region has a
high level of political participation (such as voting and the number of persons running for
office). Participants and leaders are more representative of the diversity of the region.
3. Government roles and responsibilities are appropriately and clearly defined, including roles
involving education, so that regional and local policymaking and service delivery occur at the
most effective and efficient level, and gaps in services are closed.
4. Governmental units achieve the results people want by redesigning the service delivery system
and using other innovative approaches, public or private, to deliver public services.
5. The Metropolitan Council is the region's leader for policy planning, which provides direction,
integration and coordination of regional services. The Council decides how federal and state
• funds allocated to the Metropolitan Area for public infrastructure will be spent. It decides on
major direct and indirect public investments that support facilities of region-wide importance
located within the Metropolitan Area.
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Examples of Possible Measures �
Opinion poll measures on people's con6dence in local government
Voter participation rates
Number of service redesign projects completed
Level of Metro Council participation in public decisions regarding facilities of region-wide
importance sited in the region
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• Transportation
The transportation problems the region faces today and in the future stem from our need and
desire for personal mobility. Our life style involves pursuing many activities in many locations.
And to meet those needs, the automobile--specifically the automobile with a sole occupant--has
been the mode of choice for the vast majority of people.
However, using our cars as vehicles to carry just one person has been a major factor in causing
our transportation problems. For example, it is primarily responsible for the growing problem of
congestion during peak travel periods. Between 1972 and 1984, the number of severely congested
freeway miles rose from 24 to 72 miles. That total could increase to 200 miles by the year 2010,
according to estimates of the Metropolitan Council and the Minnesota Department of
Transportation.
With many cars having only a solo driver, our extensive highway system has not been used
ef6ciently. For example, during peak periods, average auto occupancy dropped nine percent
between 1980 and 1990. At the same time, people have been traveling more. On an average
weekday, the number of trips taken per person rose by a third between 1970 and 1990.
Heavy use of the single-occupant auto is also a major factor in causing the negative environmental
effects caused by the building and operation of our transportation system. It is an expensive way
to move people. And it has promoted a spread-out land use pattern that makes it dif�cult to
serve many parts of our region with economical transit service.
• Ridesharing and transit use, on the other hand, can increase the ef�ciency of the transportation
system. But bus ridership declined 24 percent from 1980 to 1990. The challenge facing the
region is to make these modes more attractive while making use of single-occupant vehicles less
attractive and convenient.
Airport capacity is another major issue. The region risks forgoing substantial economic gains if
adequate airport capacity is not available as needed in a timely fashion over the next 25 years.
Goals
1. The transportation system moves people and goods within the region and to the state, nation
and world ef�ciently and cost-effectively. The transportation system is developed in ways that
preserve the integrity of the environment, allow for economic growth and development, and
support other regional goals. The system also reflects the region's leadership in the use of
advanced transportation technology (for example, "intelligent" vehicle and highway systems,
high-speed rail, hover craft) that maximizes the system's capacity and efficiency.
2. The regional transportation system balances demand and capacity so that resources are used
most efficiently and the environment is least affected. This is achieved by managing how
existing facilities are used--for example by reducing use of single-occupant vehicles, changing
the time that people make trips, reducing the frequency of trips and changing trip
destinations. The system also balances local, state and national mobility needs.
• 3. Transit is the preferred choice over the single-occupant automobile for many more people.
An adequately funded and improved transit system makes regular-route transit, paratransit
and ridesharing more attractive for all users. With improved safety, comfort and convenience
9
of riders and drivers, the transit system increases the people-carrying capacity of the •
transportation system as much as possible, serves the needs of transit-dependent people,
supplements the metropolitan highway system, maintains and enhances the economic vitality
of the central cities and allows for intensified development in other economic centers.
Land development and redevelopment create an environment that promotes and encourages
increased use of all forms of transit.
4. The ef�ciency of the transportation system is improved, and use of the system reflects the
environmental, social and financial costs to society. For example, the region is a national
leader in using a variety of transportation pricing, including "congestion pricing," "peak-period
pricing," parking surcharges and single-occupant vehicle taxes.
5. The region has an air transportation system with the capability to meet the demand from
businesses and people in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest for air connections to the nation
and the world.
The region's major airport enjoys the presence of "home base" commercial airline facilities,
international hubbing and a competitive airline market, with a the sizable presence of several
national commercial airlines. Direct passenger and aic freight services are available to the
world's major cities.
The region's major airport, anc�its satellite airports, provide convenient and safe air travel,
and cause the least amount of disruption to the environment.
Examples of Possible Measures (comparison over time) �
Miles of congested freeways
Vehicle occupancy
Transit ridership
Air quality measures
Application of"intelligent" vehicle technology in transit service
Airline takeoffs and landings
Number of international airline flights from Twin Cities Area
Number of nonstop airline flights
•
10
• Telecommunications
Telecommunications--and access to it--will become increasingly vital to the fundamental economic
health of the Twin Cities Region in the years ahead. That's a lesson history can teach us.
This region grew to national economic prominence because the railroads, then the highways, then
today's jet airplanes gave the region's businesses good connections to the national market. These
facilities gave the region a way to overcome its remote inland location to sell and ship its ideas
and products to the nation, and more recently, to the world. Now, telecommunications is
increasingly being viewed as the next key infrastructure, as important to the region as the
railroads and highways were in the region's economic history. The region's businesses need the
same access--or better--to advanced telecommunications as businesses in other regions enjoy in
order to compete in a world marketplace.
In addition, the region needs modern, high-capacity telecommunications services because people
need access to information and because telecommunications offers seemingly boundless
opportunities for people to learn, earn a living and enjoy a higher quality of life. Unequal
opportunities, experts argue, will lead to a society of"information rich" and "information poor."
Telecommunications could help solve other problems. It could aid in solving central city problems,
where, for example, the presence of advanced telecommunications facilities could help offset the
disadvantage of high redevelopment costs. Telecommuting could also reduce peak-period travel
or travel in congested corridors.
• However, private providers of advanced telecommunications capabilities have not upgraded their
equipment here as rapidly as they have in other regions. High-capacity �ber optic transmission
lines are not available throughout the region. If the transmission of voice, data and video
experiences a boom as some predict, the existing infrastructure may not b� adequate to do the
job.
By and large, governmental units in the region have their own networks to move data or
communicate with their police and �re departments. Telecommunications--and facility-sharing--
may give them a way to provide more effective services more efficiently. But there is no
coordinated approach, or public sector planning, in telecommunications. Each unit of government
has made its own arrangements with telecommunications vendors to get its needs met.
Goals
1. 'The region has "leading-edge" telecommunications services readily available to all businesses
and homes.
High-capacity telecommunication transmission facilities and networks move information within
the region and state, and to national and worldwide destinations.
The region's telecommunications infrastructure gives businesses a competitive advantage in
producing and selling products and services to the nation and the world.
�
11
2. Telecommunications infrastructure is considered as fundamental to the effective functioning of
the region as are roads and sewers. •
The region uses telecommunications technology to its fullest extent to provide cost-ef�cient
access to information and services for all its residents. The region uses telecommunications as
a tool to implement regional policies.
Government agencies throughout the region use telecommunications technology to improve
the quality, effectiveness and coordination of their services.
Examples of Possibte Measures (comparison with previous years)
Miles of�ber optic cable in place
Region's telecommunications ranking nationally and internationally
Public-access points to data and information
Use of telecommunications in development and redevelopment activities
Percent of population that is "computer literate"
Percent of population with access to a personal computer
•
•
12
� Education
Observers of the K-through-12 education system--from education, business and government--have
said that our schools are a little better than the rest of the nation's--but not good enough for our
future. They offer some criticisms:
• Schools aren't focused on helping students learn; they are organized and run for adults, not
students.
• Expectations are low and there are not many incentives for students or teachers to do well.
� Athletic achievement and "having things" are valued, but academic achievement is not.
• The region's high school graduation rate is high (at 91 percent), it may be because the
standards are low. For example, Minnesota is one of only eight states that require less than
175 instructional days per year; 90 percent of Minnesota high school students are allowed to
spend as little as five hours in class; and only 13 percent attend districts that have established
formal homework policies.
• The education system has a dismal record of ineeting the educational needs of our growing
racial and ethnic minority populations. For example, 30 percent of the 6,000-plus students in
the seven-county region who dropped out of school in 1991 were from racial or ethnic
minority groups. By contrast, minorities make up only 16 percent of the total student
population in the region.
• • School boards have been criticized for focusing on �nancial and administrative matters at the
expense of students. School boards have also been called monopoly systems with exclusive
franchises that are reluctant to allow others to create schools.
In addition, businesses �nd an increasing number of high school graduates ill-equipped to perform
work that requires even basic language and math skills. But, at most, one-third of Minnesota's
high school districts have established minimum standards for graduates' reading and mathematics
skills. Approximately 555,000 Minnesotans between the ages of 18 and 64 are unable to read,
write, compute, problem-solve or cope with changing conditions sufficiently well to meet the
requirements of adult life in our society. If this region is to compete with the world, high school
students must be better trained.
On average, Minnesota spends more for education than most states (17 percent more per capita),
and has increased its �nancial commitment steadily over the past 20 years. In 1992-93 Minnesota
will spend 30 percent of its $15.4 billion budget on elementary and secondary school education.
But recognized measures show that performance has in fact declined. While Minnesota still ranks
high in American College Test scores, the results have been dropping more than the national
average. Scholastic Aptitude Test and Advance Placement scores have continued to steadily
decline. The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test Scores have actually dipped below the national
average. The question arises: What kind of education are our young people getting for the
money we spend?
•
13
Goals �
l. Education is valued and supported. The regional community places a high value on educating
its children and youth. It is a top priority to provide financial and other resources so that
students can develop the capabilities they need to reach their full potential.
2. Education is focused on students, and helping them learn is the highest priority of education.
Students are interested in learning and know how to learn--they can use information, solve
problems and work in teams. Being "educated" means being equipped with the academic,
social and personal skills to earn a living and function well as a citizen, worker and parent in a
rapidly changing society.
The community sets high expectations for students. It stresses students' efforts and honors
their academic achievements. Students understand the community's expectations and know
they have to demonstrate mastery of specific skills in order to graduate.
3. The community encourages innovation and excellence in teaching that improves the way
students learn. It supports and rewards these efforts. Schools and teachers are rewarded
based primarily on results.
The teaching profession is sought after by people who have a passion for teaching and
learning. People with diverse backgrounds obtain certification using their education, practical
and professional ehperiences. The profession attracts and retains the best educators.
4. The governance of public education is broadly based, involving parents, students, educators •
and many others in the community.
5. A restructured school system that provides learning opportunities from early childhood on has
replaced the conventional K-12 public school structure of the 20th century. Parents and
students choose among a broad range of school organizations, settings and schedules.
Students progress based on demonstrated competency of the material. Often, they are
grouped across ages to learn from each other. Much of their learning takes place in the
community at business, government and other sites. Learning is enhanced by extensive use of
technology.
6. The entire community--in a cooperative, coordinated effort--joins teachers in working to
nurture, support and applaud students in their educational efforts. It provides a safe, healthy
environment that promotes learning. Parents are actively involved in their children's
education and create a home environment that encourages learning. Schools are "community
centers" where citizens interact with students to help them learn. Businesses, civic
organizations, social-service agencies, and secular and religious organizations provide learning
opportunities and recognize academic achievement.
7. Cultural differences are celebrated and shared. Students learn about and respect the
practices, beliefs and historical contributions of different cultures. In order to share more
fully in the global society, students can speak languages of the world in addition to English.
•
14
� 8. Higher education in the region is available to all students based on ability to learn and choice,
rather than on ability to pay.
The region's higher education institutions foster research and development as part of their
mission to educate students and generate discoveries of new knowledge.
9. People assume that they will continue to learn throughout their lives. The community
provides affordable educational opportunities that are flexible enough to meet the people's
needs for job training, citizenship and other learning in a rapidly changing world.
10. The region's educational system produces a highly-skilled and motivated work force that fuels
our businesses' efforts to grow and compete in the global economy.
Examples of Possible Measures �
School readiness--an indicator that the student has the health, nutrition, developmental skills and
family support necessary for success in school, compared over time
Average state score on school achievement tests as a ratio to the national average, or, as an
alternative, the proposed competency-based graduation requirement of the Minnesota State
Board of Education (1992)
Schools with drop-out rates over 10 percent ("drop-out" is defined as a student absent from school
for a 12 month period, a de�nition used nationally)
Percentage of high-school graduates who are pursuing advanced education or training one year
after high-school, compared over time �
� Percentage of recent high-school graduates rated average or better in work skills by their
employers, compared over time
•
15
Quality of Life �
Quality of life is made up of all the things we expect, that we value, and are committed to
maintain through payments of time, energy or money. Quality of life is all the reasons people like
to live in the Twin Cities Area--personal well-being, living conditions, opportunities to be part of
a community, work life, physical surroundings and leisure time activities. Quality of life is all the
things that we would miss if they were gone, the things that make this region special and "better"
than many other areas.
Many people believe that the region has a high quality of life, that there are many unique and
good things here. All citizens do not necessari(y share those feelings, especially those who believe
that they do not have equal access to opportunities in the community.
There is danger in assuming that everyone participates in a high quality of life. And we risk
complacency if we do not recognize and preserve the quality of life that we have, even as we seek
ways to improve it. We need to be aware that focusing on the long-term quality of life may also
mean forgoing some short-term gains, or even sacrifices, for some long-term efforts.
The dimensions of our quality of life are diverse and growing more so, and will change over time.
We need to be flexible to respond to changes desired by future generations.
A. INDIVIDUAL WELL-B�ING, TIIE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY
A decent, affordable place to live and the safety and security of person and property are basic
needs that must be met before many other quality-of-life aspects can be considered. As important �
as they are, however, our region has a ways to go toward meeting those needs. The crime rate,
for example, has continued to go up. Between 1980 and 1989, incidents of reported violent crime
went up 42 percent in Minneapolis and 22 percent in St. Paul. The lack of affordable housing
continues to plague the region despite decades of efforts to deal with the problem. In 1990, for
example, 40 percent of all renter households in the region (1Y3,000 people) paid more than 30
percent of their income for rent, a standard measure of housing affordability. And nearly one-
fourth of renter households had annual incomes below $10,000.
Another essential ingredient of individual well-being is access to a basic level of goods and
� services, especially health care. Access to health care, however, remains a problem. In 1988, six
percent of the population was not covered by health insurance for all or part of the year.
Moreover, the infant mortality rate--often linked to a lack of prenatal care--has increased for
people of ethnic and racial minorities. In 1985, for example, the infant mortality rate for African
Americans was 16.38 per 1,000 live births; in 1988 it jumped to 20.46. For Asian Americans, the
rate rose from 5.65 in 1985 to 8.54 in 1988.
Parents should be able to expect that they can raise their children in the best possible
environment and that they and their family will not be trapped in poverty or hindered by
discrimination. But in 1990, 11 percent of all children in the region lived in poverty; and 36
percent of families headed by women had incomes below the poverty level, an increase from 30
percent in 1980. For people of racial and ethnic minorities, the percent living in poverty was
much higher: 37 percent of African Americans, 41 percent of American Indians, 32 percent oE
Asian Americans, 19 percent of persons of Hispanic origin and 24 percent of other races. We •
must provide opportunities to people for education and work that enable them to earn a living
and provide for their basic needs.
16
• As these and other issues are addressed, the region needs to foster a sense in its people that they
have a personal stake in their local communities and in other communities in the region. The
weaknesses of some communities can affect the future of others. People who have the means
should be willing to give of their time and money to make the region a better place to live--
viable, progressive and constantly striving for improvement. This spirit of contributing and caring
has been strong here and is an essential ingredient for building a better area in the future.
Goals
1. The region has a comprehensive, cost-effective system to deliver high-quality health care and
related services with choices in treatment alternatives for physical and mental illnesses. All
the region's residents have access to health care services. The region has a highly rated
emergency response system.
The region's health care system emphasizes preventing health problems and promoting health
and wellness. The region has improved the health status of its residents based on a wide
range of indicators--for example, reduced deaths and injuries of children from family abuse
and neglect, a reduced death rate from cardiovascular disease, increased levels of physical
activity of the population, and increased immunization for infections diseases.
2. All residents of the region feel safe and secure in their homes, neighborhoods streets,
sidewalks, schools and parks. They have confidence that public safety personnel will respond
quickly and appropriately, regardless of where they live or their minority or economic status.
• The region's ranking compared to the rates of violent and property crimes in other
metropolitan areas, both in the central cities and suburbs, are lower than the region's rank in
population size. Sales and use of illegal drugs have substantially decreased.
3. All types of family structures are supported so parents can carry out their responsibilities and
their children can develop into adults who take responsibility for themselves and their
community. Elderly and disabled people have every opportunity to live independently as
much and as long as possible. Extended families have more support to care for their members
and do not need to rely on institutions.
4. The basic needs of all of the area's population for shelter, food, water, clothing and energy
are met. The percentage of the region's population living in poverty has decreased.
Everyone has equal opportunities for education, employment, housing, leisure or social
activities regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, disability, age,
status with regard to public assistance or sexual orientation.
Cultural values and religious beliefs are recognized and celebrated.
5. Residents of the region have a sense of pride in and belonging to their community, and a
concern for its long-range future. The region continues to be an example to other
metropolitan areas for its recognition of and participation in volunteerism, corporate
leadership and contributions to nonprofit charitable and cultural organizations.
•
17
6. Housing is affordable and available for all income groups throughout the urban area of the •
region. An increased percentage of households in the region own their homes.
Appropriate housing is available for persons at all stages of their lives as well as for persons
with special housing needs--people with disabilities, children, elderly and others.
Examples of Possible Measures (comparison over time)
Percent of population, especially children, living below the poverty line
Number of reported cases of child abuse or neglect
Number of teen pregnancies
Infant mortality rate
Drug and alcohol-related death rate
Number of homeless people
Percent of households below the median income spending more than 30 percent of income on
housing
Ranking of region among other metro areas in health care
Rates of violent crime and domestic violence
DWI arrest and conviction rates
Rates of sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS
Percent of pretax revenue contributed by major businesses to social programs, the arts and other
activities
B. EMPLOYMENT
The region's quality of life depends upon its economic base. Its future success is dependent upon •
increasing the pool of highly skilled jobs fi(led by highly skilled labor, both professional and
technical. An individual's quality of life also depends on the economic base, and the ability to
qualify for, 6nd and hold a job that can support a family. Trends in the 1980s raise serious
questions about whether it is possible to greatly expand the number of "sustainable" jobs. For
example, the biggest increase in employment during the decade was in the seivice and retail
sectors (65 percent of new jobs), which pay the lowest average weekly wages.
Employment is expected to continue moving away from the central cities and into the suburbs
over the next 25 years. The Metro Council forecasts that the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul
will see little or no growth in employment between 1990 and 2020. On the other hand, suburban
job growth continues. For example, between 1980 and 1989, 67 percent of all net new jobs were
created in the region's developing suburbs. And suburban job growth will increase substantially in
the future, particularly in the southern and southwestern suburbs. The increases, if they occur,
will mean that people will be travelling to the job-rich suburbs in far greater numbers for service
and retail work. But their incomes may not permit them to live in the higher-priced suburban
housing near available jobs.
Goals
1. An increased proportion of jobs pay a wage that can support a family. Employment
opportunities, rates and wages of Metropolitan Area women and minorities are equal to those
of white males. •
18
• 2. Employment opportunities are maintained and increased in areas with existing, affordable
housing. More affordable housing opportunities are available in areas with growing
employment.
Residents have a wide range of employment opportunities within a 30-minute commute by
public transit within the urban area.
3. Everyone has opportunities for retraining and reemployment.
Each student graduating from high school, technical or vocational colleges has the knowledge
and skills necessary to obtain an entry level job, and over the long run, to compete and
survive in the employment market.
4. Large businesses in the region have on-site child care available. Smaller employers have
cooperative child care arrangements.
Examples of Possible Measures (comparison over time)
Per capita income for women and racial and ethnic minorities
Ratio of workers in manufacturing to service and retail sectors
Number of persons unemployed more than 26 weeks
Percent real growth in average wages per worker
Ratio of the region's average wages per worker to the national average
Number of businesses with child care available to employees
• C. PI-iYSICAL ENVIRONM�NT
The physical environment encompasses both the natural resources of the afea--water, air, soils,
minerals, vegetation and animal life--and the developed landscape that consists of the facilities
and services required by a large urban population. If the Metropolitan Area of 2015 is to be a
better place to live in than it is today, there will have to be a closer relationship between the
natural and the human-built environment. Past abuses of the natural environment will need to be
corrected, and urban development will be fully integrated into the environment. New
development will put greater emphasis on good urban design and functional efficiency. The end
result will be a metropolitan area that is an attractive, well-functioning and exciting place to live
for all of its residents.
,
The region faces major challenges in pursuing these goals:
• We need to continue improving water quality through better wastewater treatment as our
population increases, effluent standards become more strict, and costs go up.
• The amount of pollution from "nonpoint" sources (for example, from farms and paved parking
lots) must substantially decrease. It will require changes in the personal, household and
business practices of people in the region, as well as those upstream of the region.
• We need to maintain the region's competitive advantage in water resources by managing them
wisely.
• We need to reduce the amount of waste we generate and find productive reuses for it rather
than burying it in landfills.
• • We need to make better choices in the way we develop our land, to minimize the impacts on
the environment and consider the full range of physical, economic and social consequences.
19
� The region needs to develop in a manner that allows us to economically and ef�ciently
provide the full range of urban facilities and services. �
• We need to retain the historic, central role of the downtowns of Minneapolis and St. Paul,
even as the region continues to developed outward.
• We need to increase the concentration of development in the major suburban business
centers so they can become additional hubs of activity.
• We need to arrest the physical deterioration of houses and businesses, and bring deteriorated
areas into productive use.
• We need to develop and retain a sense of place and a local sense of distinctiveness within the
urbanized area.
Goals
1. All large tracts of land with high-quality or unique natural resource and scenic values will be
available for public use. All public waters have public access. All natural watercourses,
including wetlands, channels, floodplains and shorelands are suf�ciently protected to allow
them to function naturally. The region continues to be "water rich," and with careful
management of this valuable resource, meets the multiple demands on groundwater and
surface water. T'he region's soil and mineral resources are carefully managed.
2. There is swimmable and fishable water quality in the region's three major rivers and some 100
lakes with major potential for recreation or for domestic water supply. Levels of nonpoint-
source pollution generated locally are as low as possible under existing technology and within
economic constraints. Levels of such pollution generated outside the region are substantially
below those of 1992. Regional sanitary sewer service is of high quality, affordable, and �
available when and where needed within the urban service area. �411 residual materials from
wastewater treatment plants are put to beneficial uses.
The region has reduced the per capita amounts and toxicity of waste generated compared with
1992 conditions. Reuse and recycling are at the highest level that is technologically achievable
and economically feasible. There is little landfilling of wastes. T'here are no more major
pollution sites to be cleaned up, and all previously contaminated sites have been put back into
bene�cial uses.
The region attains or exceeds all federal and state ambient air quality standards.
3. The physical development pattern of the region is directed toward reducing traffic congestion,
energy consumption, air pollution and negative effects on the natural environment.
All decisions about physical development consider all the direct and indirect impacts of
development or siting of facilities, such as noise, visual impacts, land use contlicts, traffic and
congestion, environmental disruption and consequences for the social fabric of neighborhoods.
At the same time, essential facilities for the region are accommodated.
4. The region has an urban service area with a compact, contiguous development pattern and
densities high enough to make delivering services ef�cient, yet balanced with open space and
the natural environment. In the rural area, productive farm lands and open spaces are
preserved and development limited to be consistent with a rural level of public services.
•
20
. '
• The two downtowns continue to be viable commercial centers, with increased emphasis on
large-scale, unique facilities and events. Major retail and office concentrations, such as those
around regional shopping centers, are secondary focal points and hubs of activity. T'hese areas
are more densely developed than in 1992, offer a wider variety of goods and services, contain
a mix of commercial and residential uses, and are highly accessible via the transportation
system. Community and neighborhood centers continue to provide essential goods and
services for nearby residents.
The freestanding growth centers are maintained as distinct and separate concentrations of
development.
5. Aging areas have been rehabilitated so they can continue to be viable neighborhoods. Priority
is given to maintaining the existing housing stock and making it useful for the future, instead
of demolishing and replacing it. Supporting infrastructure has been updated or renewed as
needed. Maintenance and rehabilitation have focused equally on residential as well as
commercial and industrial components so these areas can continue to provide both housing
and jobs.
6. Regional and local governments make substantial use of a variety of urban design concepts in
developing and redeveloping the urban area. Open spaces and natural features, as well as the
"built" features like transportation facilities and public buildings are used to enhance the
environment. A "sense of place" has been created within the urban fabric through the use of
aesthetics and good design. Historic areas and structures are preserved when new
development and redevelopment occurs. All urban design recognizes that the region is a
• winter city that functions and is attractive in all four seasons. A healthy "urban forest" is
��
being maintained and expanded.
Examples of Possible Measures (comparison over time)
Land area in natural resource-related public ownership at all levels
Water yuality reports of the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission
Number of violations of pollution discharge permits
River miles that do not meet standards of being "fishable and swimmable"
Amount of wetland acres filled
Quantity of water used
Percentage of water supply systems meeting state drinking water standards
Quantity of solid waste not recycled
Quantity of hazardous wastes generated
Toxic chemicals release or transferred (millions of pounds per year)
Number of days per year that air quality standards are violated
Tons of soil lost (per acre of cropland)
Number of "Super Fund" sites identified and the number cleaned up
Number of petroleum release sites and the number cleaned up
Amount of prime agricultural land lost to development
Acres of land enrolled in Metropolitan Agricultural Preserves Program
Acres of land added to the metropolitan urban service area, defined by the Metropolitan Council
Number of jobs by location, downtowns and suburban activity concentrations
• Retail sales and� sales tax data
Annual issuance of building permits
Demolition permits
21
Trip generation/traf�c data for highways and transit users •
Transit ridership and level of transit service
Average annual energy use (average BTLTs per person)
Percentage of urban tree cover
D. LEISURE AND ENTERTAINM�NT
The leisure and entertainment opportunities available in the region are good indicators of our
high quality of life. T'hough not necessities--like shelter, a job, security or transportation, for
example--ieisure and entertainment opportunities are nonetheless important. They challenge us,
stimulate us, excite us and enrich our lives. Our participatory and spectator sports, outdoor
activities, cultural institutions and community events increase the pleasure of living in the region.
They help attract businesses and skilled workers to our area.
Some of the major challenges in achieving these goals:
• We need to maintain the high level of cultural and recreational opportunities available in the
region today, in light of competing demands for public and private resources.
• We currently do not have the financial resources to implement the regional parks system
currently envisioned. The current estimate is that $300 million will be needed to complete the
development and redevelopment of the system.
• As communities develop, they will be challenged to keep up with the changing recreational
needs of their population, and to establish local park systems early in their development.
• Concerns about access to activities and information will continue to grow as technology
increases and if dispersed growth patterns continue. •
Goals
1. The region offers a rich range of cultural opportunities in music, art and theater. Citizens
have more opportunities to take part as active participants as well as to view, watch and listen.
2. Everyone has access to key information sources, including the information and entertainment
media, such as newspapers, magazines, radio, television or any new media that may develop.
Libraries are more accessible and use the latest technology. All private, public, governmental
agency, school and university libraries are linked electronically.
3. A park system composed of local, regional and state parks provides a wide range of activities.
The regional park system envisioned in 1992 is now completed. Local parks are located
within walking distance of urban residents' homes. A trail system for walking, hiking and
biking is in place throughout the region, within walking distance from urban residents' homes.
Park facilities respond to users needs: they provide recreational opportunities for all residents
irrespective of age, income or mobility status.
The region has sufficient athletic fields, golf courses, hockey rinks or other recreational
facilities (indoor and outdoor) to meet the standards of the National Recreation and Park
Association. Facilities provide for year-round activities. The number of available activities
and facilities is increasing at least as fast as the population growth rate.
The region is home to major professional sports, and there are sufficient facilities to •
accommodate the teams and the fans.
22
. ' �
• Opportunities are available for game fishing in lakes and rivers within the region. Habitat is
maintained so that there is access to hunting opportunities within a day's trip from the region.
4. All major leisure and entertainment facilities in the urban area are accessible by public transit.
Examples of Possible Measures (comparison over time)
Attendance at arts performances
Number of amateur sports participants
Number of participants attending professional sporting events
Percent of homes with telephone service
Percent of homes with access to cable television
Miles of public recreational trails
Library circulation data
Acres of remaining regional parks to be acquired
Number of public access facilities on lakes and rivers
Park user counts
Attainment of National Recreation and Park Association standards
• ***
�
23
�,�.--�--•�+
•
Metro 2015
Two Scenarios of the
1�vin Cities Area in 2015
•
Metropolitan Council
Mears Park Centre, 230 E. Fifth St.
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 �
612 291-6359 TDD 291-0904
• Publication No. 640-92-077
July 7, 1992
Printed on Recycled Paper
Introduction
�
These scenarios are pictures of what the come from a personal perspective. Munson's
Twin Cities Metropolitan Area could be like scenario draws on the categories the Council
in the year 2015. They were sketched by has identi�ed as being major factors in
two members of the Metropalitan Council's shaping the region's future. Freshley uses
planning staff, Michael Munson and Hal somewhat more general categories: the
Freshley, as part of the CouneiPs °Metro regional economy, work life, community life
2015" project. and personal life. Munson writes his
scenario as if looking ahead from the present
The Council embarked on Metro 2015 to (for example, "...most of the already
shape a consensus in the metropolitan developed region will not look a whole lot
community on 25-year goals in six areas different"). Freshley writes his as if the year
considered crucial to the region's future 2015 has already arrived (for example, "Of
success--the economy, governance, the region's historically strong businesses,
transportation, telecommunications, food processing and biomedical technology
education and quality of life. Later this year, have continued into this centu "
the Council will begin working on strategies ry' ��
to carry out the goals. Scenarios can be useful in talking about the
The scenarios grow out of the planners' future, not because planners can predict it,
personal views and informed speculation but because such pictures can help a
about the future. They do not necessarily community decide what kind of a future it
• reflect the CounciPs vision of the region in wants. Spinning a scenario suggests to
the years ahead; that is described in the people that the future just doesn't happen,
Council's discussion paper Metro 2015: Vision that people have power to shape it. The
and Goals. The scenarios are nonetheless Metro Council hopes the scenarios will help
useful; they can offer insights that are stimulating thinking about the region's
sometimes the most compelling because they future.
•
1
� 1
Big Changes, Small Changes
by Michael Munson �
If I were deciding where to go for a vacation, The Look of the Region
I might want a fairly cletailed and graphic
description of the alternatives. Or I might The most basic element of a vision for the
prefer to be surprised. If I really hate the region is what it will look like in the future.
place, I cnn always leave and go someplace Assuming we can't afford to abandon ar
else. replace most of what's already been built,
most of the already developed region will not
If we thought about the future in the same look a whole lot different. There may be
way, we would probably want to reduce the some very visible and important exceptions,
element of surprise--given all the bad things but if placed on a map, these would occupy a
that can happen to people or the societies they very small share of the region's area.
forrn. Although we can't predict the future
very well,� we can at least set forth goals nbout Where the look of�the region will change
what we would like to see hnppen and work most is in areas converted from vacant or
toward achieving them. One way to do this in low-intensity uses to urban (mostly
a more tangible or compelling way is with � residential) uses. These new areas will,
scenarios--creating a more graphic vision of however, look a lot like the adjacent
the possible future. developed areas--varying mostly with regional
prosperity. If the region becomes poorer,
My scenario is not intended to be either brick facades will be replaced by aluminum
positive or negative--but thought provoking, or siding on smaller and fewer new homes that •
perhaps just plain proi�oking. It does not try are built. The proportion of new housing
to give n comprehensive picture, but just a few that is apartment buildings will also increase.
specific glimpses of one person's speculntion If the region prospers, new homes will be
about the future in ench of the Council's six bigger and there will be more of them (and
goal nreas. To make them more tangible and they'll still have brick facades).
compelling, they are written with more "wills°
than "coulds"--as if the author had little doubt The most important fact is that, unless we
about them coming to pass. But considering become another Dallas or Phoenix or
I've been making demographic forecasts for Atlanta--the earth tilts on its axis and we
nearly three decades, there is only ane thing I become part of the Sun Belt, there is going
am certain of about the future--thnt is we to be less development change in the next 25
cannot predict it. years than there was in the previous 25.
That is because the large "baby-boom°
The purpose of providing a scenario is to help generation has already entered the housing
people devise plans that will enable them to market, and now the housing market must
reach the goals embedded in their vision of depend on the much smaller baby-bust
the future. The question facing the people of generation for its growth.
the Twin Cities Area is: Cnn we agree on whnt
we want the future to be, and then figure out In addition, we have presently overbuilt
how to make it occur? It's a question worth retail and commercial development to such
considering, because, unlike a vacation an extent that some of the next 25 years will
destination, we cannot pack up and lenve a be spent just using what's on the ground.
future we don't like. This will initially limit the ability of the •
2
region's few new freeways to attract major Twin Cities' diverse economy should help us
• new commercial developments within this maintain our economic strength. But the
time frame. Twin Cities Area will need to maintain both
a real and perceived high quality of life in
Although numbers do not create a very order to offset our climatic liabilities.
tangible vision in most people's minds, they Equally important will be the region's ability
are often the quickest and most to function effectively in a global economy.
unambiguous way to describe a situation. I believe the region will be able to achieve
This is the case with respect to regional these goals. Building strong economic ties
growth. In 1965, the region had just under with Japan will be one of the ways we will
500,000 housing units (homes and apartment enhance our global competitiveness.
units). The ne�t 25 years saw an enormous
increase, about 425,000 new units added. Significant changes economically, either up
From 1990 until 2015, the Council's recent or down, would so alter the course of events
and fairly optimistic forecasts anticipate that the Metro Council would need to start
about 290,000 new housing units being over in its "visioning" process. Prosperity
constructed. That number is a sizeable gain might cause us to just sit back and enjoy the
but substantially less than in the previous 25 "surprises" brought by the future, or it could
years. Furthermore, this growth is being give us the ability to solve problems we've
added to a region that is almost twice as only been able to give futile lip-service to in
large as it was in 1965. This lesser growth the past. The prospects of economic
amount will thus be mostly distributed in a collapse raise such horrifying visions of social
much larger ring surrounding the current turmoil and rampant demagoguery that I
developed area. dodt want to think about it.
• These new homes and the related The lackluster economic trends of the past
commercial and industrial development will two decades will continue through 2015 with
fit comfartably within the existing developing the usual ups and downs, but the middle
suburbs--established suburbs such as class (still the majority of the population)
Brooklyn Park, Eden Prairie, Eagan, and will have adjusted to it. In fact, many will
Woodbury, and emerging suburbs such as stop fretting over their failure to
Andover, Chanhassen and Lakeville. continuously increase their very comfortable
standard of living, and work to find ways of
The Regional Economy equitably sharing the economic wealth of the
nation with an underclass everyone agrees
The fate of the region's economy is critical has grown much too large.
to virtually every aspect of a future scenario,
and it is one of the most difficult to forecast. The result will be a stronger economy,
Nevertheless, the Twin Cities economy has improvements in everybody's economic status
remained relatively stable in its relationship and a significant diminution of the current
to the U.S, economy for decades. If there social problems--crime, drugs, family
are no major economic shifts nationally, disintegration, etc. The Twin Cities Area
there is no good reason to expect the and the state will lead the nation, by
region's economic health to change much. example, in bringing this change about.
Our geographic isolation is diminishing as Another future economic outcome to look
telecommunications supplants transportation for is the impact of the continuing changes
as the critical access factor in the emerging in the production and marketing of consumer
• Information Age. Despite long-standing goods--that is, retailing. What will people
concerns about the business climate, the want, who'll be making it and how will it be
3
sold? Advances in telecommunications, contrived) toward approaches that analyze
narrower marketing, just-in-time inventorying things with the simple intent of making them •
and increasing desires for convenience will better. This will result in the
result in a return to a smaller scale of implementation of a range of transportation
retailing at a neighborhood scale. Clothing design and management improvements--some
can be ordered through an electronic catalog of which are already being used and others
that contains a customer's three-dimensional are yet to be conceived.
image. The computer will select styles that
will fit and flatter the customer--although The most dramatic changes will occur with
you can, at your peril, override the transit. The region's first light rail transit
computer. These changes will seriously line will directly link a number of major
challenge the major regional centers, which regional activity centers. This will include
will have to �nd mare ways than just downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, the
shopping to attract customers. Their success University of Minnesota, the airport (with
will depend on tapping people's needs to contingency plans to extend it to a new
come together. airport), the Megamall, and a tegional park
or twa
Governance
It will also extend into several suburbs that
Governance is an area that will not see much were selected because they had the best
change in terms of the jurisdictional map of proposal for high-density, mixed-use
the Twin Cities Area. Because of our development and redevelopment with indoor
relatively high tolerance of government, its connections to the new transit line.
relatively high level of performance and lack Redevelopment is strongly supported along
of genuine crises, there is not sufficient the entire line. It focuses on the need to •
impetus to erase the crazy quilt of 19th provide fully climate-protected linkages from
century political boundaries. high-density housing through retail-service
arcades to the transit stops.
However, by 2015 the number of cooperative
efforts among jurisdictions and among Although the vast majority of people still live
different levels of government will have in the suburbs and depend on the auto, the
become so numerous and effective that the new climate-proof transit system generates
need for restructuring government in a new growth and redevelopment at a rapid
formal way is not viewed as necessary--and rate. It is especially popular with aging baby
that's when it will start to occur. boom�rs, and also with the newcomers to the
region from places with much higher
Transportation development densities (and less rigorous
climates). More lines are planned based on
The real impetus for transportation demonstrable evidence that transit, done
improvements in the Twin Cities Area won't right, can shape developmenf and, in doing
come from trumped up fears of gridlock-- so, increase its share of ridership.
most of us have heard newcomers and
visitors laugh at our complaints about Telecommunications
congestion. Transportation improvements
will stem from our coming to grips with the The Council (and probably similar bodies in
fact that the Twin Cities Area is climatically every other major metro area) has come to
challenged. realize that telecommunications will
increasingly be as critical as transportation
We wil} continue to shift from a mentality systems were in the past in determining a •
that responds only reactively to crisis (real or metro area's place in the hierarchy of U.S.
4
and world metro areas. Telecommunications Many people, especially those in positions of
• will also play an increasing role in shaping power, will resist these forces, feeling that
future urban development. society will collapse without the structures of
the past. But future generations will come
The most important telecommunications to realize that focusing on important
advance will be the proliferation of the outcomes--knowledge, wisdom, self-support,
portable, flat-screened, multipurpose social responsibility and joy--do not require
communication and computing device. By such rigid structuring.
2015 it will have begun to radically change
the workplace, educational institutions and The distinctions between learning, work and
homes. This device will serve as a computer, play will become increasingly blurred. With
videophone, television, library, book, FAX, portable flat-screen technology, education
optical scanner and probably a few functions can and will take place more at home and on
that don't yet exist. This will be possible the job. Education and work will become
because of the continued advances in more integrated, beginning at an earlier age,
miniaturization and the development of a with more of it occurring in the home.
superb=quality video display.
These education, workplace and
Conventional means of communications will telecommunications changes will tend to
begin to change. Voice commands will separate people. Strong countermeasures
largely replace key strokes. Boolcs, reports, will be enacted, by an overwhelming
letters, etc., will be composed of consensus, to ensure that people do not
combinations of conventional written text, become isolated and detached from society.
spoken words or music and video. Key-word
search capabilities will give people quick and Quality of Life
• effective access to incredible amounts of
information. Books will become treasured Quality of life can be defined to cover
collector's items; the paperless society will be practically any aspect of human life. One
well under way. 'The impact on the current concern is the decline of married-
workplace and schools are not hard to couple families. An immediate outcome of
visualize, but there is potential for this trend is the negative impact on the
fundamental change in social interaction and economic status of growing numbers of
interpersonal communication. children. The long-term effects are also
coming to be viewed with increasing alarm,
Education as the disadvantages of being raised in
poverty, with only one parent, are seen as
By 2015, the routinized and regimented reducing a person's chances for future
structures imposed on people's lives as a economic and social success.
result of the Industrial Revolution will have
been significantly eroded. One major area of However, as with many trends that have
change will be in the educational system. been going on for some time, we finally
The highly structured system of grade levels realize what's happening and start to act
• and daily class schedules will be replaced when the trends have peaked and either
with ones more suited to the brightest and level off or reverse. We seldom anticipate .
most creative creature on the planet. these reversals coming, but only project their
continuation to disastrous outcomes. I would
We should also see significant inroads of this not dare to predict that we are at such a
softening of structures in the workplace, as point now or in any way want to encourage
• huge numbers of independent, middle-aged complacency. But I would not be surprised
baby boomers demand greater autonomy. if this turns out to be the case well before
5
2015, and well before society unravels million in Chicago and about that same
completely. number in Milwaukee, Detroit and St. Louis •
combined. There has been significant
How quality of life relates to income, and inmigration in the past decade, about a
more speci�ically income disparities, is fairly � 23,000 net gain. This is half the White net �
obvious. Another, less direct relationship is migration gain. This is a remarkably high
between quality of life and cultural diversity. proportion, considering that African-
Income disparities also affect this Americans make up less than five percent of
relationship. The conflict between those the population.
that want to be exposed to cultural diversity
and those that don't has become an issue of Most of these people have come here for
growing concern. The issue might be cast in social and economic opportunity. If they are
terms of socioeconomic status, age or race. able to realize these opportunities, it is likely
that the connections they have in the areas
It is hardly a new phenomenon. In fact, it is they came from, where conditions are warse,
an issue primarily because growing numbers will result in increasing migration to the
of people reject separation. And many of Twin Cities Area. We should not be
those who make decisions that keep them surprised if the region is home to 350,000 to
separate (primarily through residential 400,000 African-Americans in 2015. Perhaps
location) do so without being very open and some of these migrants will be refugees from
direct about the motives behind their Third World countries, as the Twin Cities
choices. African-American community opens its arms
� to people in need, not unlike the region's
There is also considerable focus today on the acceptance of Southeast Asian refugees in
growing gap between the haves and the the 1970s and 1980s.
have-nots. The issues of cultural diversity •
and economic disparity come together One issue this increased minority growth
because certain cultural groups in the U.S., raises is: Will there be large enough numbers
particularly racial and ethnic minorities, have of Whites who want to live in racially mixed
not shared equally in the wealth of our city neighborhoods to maintain racial balance
society. in the central cities? The equally important
flip side of this issue is how many African-
This will be important in the Twin Cities qrnericans and Asians themselves want to
Area's future because the region is going to live in racially mixed areas? Are they as
be much more culturally diverse in the interested in satisfying regional cultural
future, particularly in terms of race. The diversity goals as in reaching economic
minority populations in the regian are much parity?
younger and have higher fertility rates. This
is especially true of Southeast Asians, whose Another issue related to minority growth is
numbers are likely to continue to grow very the impact on regional perceptions of quality
rapidly due to natural increase (births over of life. The continued infusion of new
deaths). We should not be surprised if the people, who on the average have significantly
region is home to 200,000 or more Asian- lower incomes, will bring down the region's
Americans by 2015. average income. This could "hurt" us in
national rankings, one of our favorite
Natural increase will also be high in the obsessions. But if many people who come
African-American population. More here for opportunity find it, while the rest of
signi�cant, however, is the potential for the region's residents are just as well off or
massive inmigration. There are currently better off than before, how important is this
about 90,000 African-Americans in the overall regional average? �
region. There are about one and a half
6
After the "Deep Recession"
� by Hal Freshley
The Regional Economy maintenance services (vehicles, houses,
furniture, appliances and business machines),
The Twin Cities regional economy has and the human equivalent of
emerged relatively strong--at least compared repair/maintenance (cosmetology, medicine,
to the rest of the U.S.--from the difficult physical activity/recreation and long-term
economic restructuring that followed the care).
Deep Recession of 1998. Elsewhere in the
U.S., local economies are heavily dependent Compared to the years of the Deep
on multinational, foreign-owned companies. Recession (1998-2005), we now have low
However, in the Twin Cities Area most unemployment--and a surge in the volume of
employers are, in fact, local businesses. inmigration to the region. The Twin Cities
Area is drawing new residents primarily from
Locally owned businesses and industries have the Great Plains states, from the older Rust
been relatively successful in finding unique Belt cities of the eastern U.S., and
"economic niches° in the global marketplace. increasingly from California--since the series
The Twin Cities Area has emerged as a of earthquakes in 2002-3.
"business incubator" for a great number of
new small businesses in three expanding Work Life
areas of international trade: recycling
• t�chnologies (plastics, chemicals, radioactive If one were only looking at demographics,
materials, hospital and industrial wastes); one might have predicted that this would be
small machinery that meets stringent new an era of retirement. By the end of this
international air and noise pollution control decade (2010-2020) the number of people in
standards; and cold weather technologies. the Twin Cities who reach age 60 will have
increased by 150,000 persons: the "baby-
Of the region's historically strong businesses, boom" generation will be reaching retirement
food processing and biomedical technology age. But a combination of events--the Deep
have continued into this century. In Recession, which wiped out many private
addition, recent reports show that Twin pensions, the lack of personal savings,
Cities-based businesses now lead the world in decrease in housing values (loss of equity)
developing and refining cold-climate and smaller numbers of "replacement"
applications, speci�cally for agriculture, younger people in the work force--all have
construction engineering, energy and created a climate for continued employment
transportation. The primary markets for of older persons.
these new "cryo-technologies" are in the
slowly developing United Republics (former The region's industrial/service mix has also
the USSR) and in western Canada. provided relatively higher-paying jobs than is
true in the rest of the country. Coupled with
The local economy includes all the support the lowest unemployment rate in nearly two
industries for these growth areas: decades (4.1 percent now, compared to a
postsecondary education, technical research high of 13.7 percent during the worst of the
and development firms, international Deep Recession), Twin Citians generally
marketing and advertising experts, and the have the feeling that they know what the
• new Center for International Law at the. future will bring for themselves and their
University of Minnesota. Other major children. Job discrimination is increasingly
growth industries include repair and tied to genetic tests: legal suits abound over
7
this practice. Risk of developing certain As a result of these policies and mutual "self-
chronic diseases, as well as behavior sorting,° the Metropolitan Area has become �
characteristics such as "attention deficit," are a hodge-podge of small urban
now tied to speci�c human genes. neighborhoods, more and more
homogeneous along cultural, educational and
Many middle-aged people are thankful that income lines. Each neighborhood has
they have jobs at all, despite the developed its own distinct "personality,"
disappointment of losing out on the which is reflected in the composition of its
retirement years that their parents had. neighborhood-community council. In almost
Private pensions are increasingly tied to every neighborhood, there are a few very
medical problems and disability. Able active citizens who attend most of the
bodied, healthy people are not eligible for meetings and most vocal and influential in
benefits. Consequently, more and more local decisions. In some communities the
people continue to seek and hold on to at language on the street is not English but
least part-time employment well into their Dakotah, Spanish or Hmong.
60s and 70s. Almost everyone of working
age has had several jobs--and many Public services are organized to include
experienced some period of unemployment combinations of these smaller
in the past. For the majority of Twin Citians neighborhood/community units. For
(78 percent) time-limited jobs have become example, elementary schools are located in
the norm. Few employers have so-called each neighborhood, but high schools serve
"permanent" employees beyond the top combinations of eight to 10 neighborhoods;
administration, comptrollers and legal staf£ local police protection is provided in each
Other employees are hired on an "as needed" neighborhood, but investigation and
basis, as arders come in or contracts are won. incarceration services are provided for 20 to •
But with a healthy economy, jobs are 25 neighborhoods.
plentifuL
These small communities are linked by a
The vast majority of Twin Citians feel very network of public transit vehicles (some on
positive about the improving economy. fixed guideways, some via highways), and
However, there were some who were able to each community has at least one transit-
insulate themselves from the worst of the transfer hub--for traveling on to other
Recession. Many of the region's wealthiest communities. Because the places where
persons (about eight percent of the people live and the jobs that people have are
population) had either no change or almost completely unrelated to each other,
increases in their adjusted annual incomes the average amount of time each person
during the Deep Recession. Some hardly spends commuting (including transfers) is
knew it happened. 1.33 hours daily. The private automobile is
still the preferred way of getting around;
Community Life however, nearly half of the work force uses
public or private transit regularly.
For 30 years local communities have tried to
solve their social problems through The Supreme Court has recently ruled that
regulation, restrictions and redevelopment-- individuals do not have in an inalienable
pushing "undesirable" people on to the next right to operate cars that fail to meet air
community. During the Deep Recession-- pollution standards. Alternative-fuel cars
with high unemployment, intergroup violence (solar and electric) are beyond the means of
and property destruction--this approach the majority of Twin Citians--so transit and
accelerated. carpooling options have expanded. For •
those people who operate their own cars,
8
s �
transportation represents 32 percent of the turnover; incentives for multiple residency,
� family budget. coupled with more and more business and
pleasure destinations combine to inccease the
In the lower-income neighborhoods, people use of time-share condominium arrangements
have adapted to the economic times by and lavish rental units in wealthy
developing a kind of barter economy. neighborhoods.
Money doesn't change hands as much as
goods and services are traded. Child care, About 63 percent of the total voting-age
household carpentry and plumbing, car repair population voted in the last election, but the
and gardening are among the skills that are political process is dominated by the older
in high demand among family members and middle-age population. Political decisions
neighbors. Mutual identi�cation and mutual increasingly favor older people. A large
support have provided a great deal of social share of public expenditures go to police and
cohesion among these groups. Bypassing the fire protection. Toll highways link the
medium of"money" greatly reduced sales tax region's manufacturers to the national
revenues in these communities. Region-wide roadway system. Manufacturing and industry
there is a debate over whether or how the are largely protected by private security
state can tax these in-kind transactions. forces that control access to the plants and
maintain order on the premises.
Upper-income neighborhoods are identi�able
by the necessary security precautions, guards Personal life
and electronic surveillance. Most of our
region's wealthiest residents live in the Twin Everywhere the influence of"age
Cities Area at least part of every year, in identification" is apparent. In work life, a
� "secure communities" (i.e., privately guarded) major issue for management is senioriry.
in the western and northeastern suburbs. Younger workers (the majority of whom do
not identify with a White-European value
One of the most controversial issues now system) are increasingly in conflict with the
facing federal and state lawmakers is sorting increasingly staid middle-aged population
out which jurisdiction gets tax revenues from (most of whom are White). Despite the
multistate and multinational enterprises. weakness of the union movement in the past
Telecommunications and commercial few years, there has been a recent
transport systems have made it increasingly resurgence of union activity, frequently with
difficult to determine where money is made two rival unions within the same industry--
and where the economic transactions actually one representing the views of your�ger
take place. Declaring primary residence in workers, and one representing older workers.
one state or another has become yuite
complicated. The median household income (in constant
1990 dollars) fell from $36,678 in 1990 to
Lower- and middle-income neighborhoods $27,750 today. Two (or more) adult incomes
have become increasingly "stable"--with less are necessary for households to maintain a
yearly residency turnover. The decline in the comfortable standard of living. As a result,
regional housing market greatly reduced there has been a big increase in "co-
housing costs--especially in the older housing"--where several families live in one
neighborhoods--and increasing numbers of building and share some common space--
Iower-income people have been able to buy especially among people who are nearing
the cheaper housing. retirement age and very young families.
iIn contrast, wealthier neighborhoods are Nonetheless, the life-style of the average
characterized by signi�cant seasonal Twin Citian bears very little resemblance to
9
..._... ...._>
the perceived ideal of the last century. The concentrations: 1) vocational and business
average work-week is 38 hours (little skills, 2) science and math, and 3) arts and �
changed over the years), but more of humanities. Upper-division students in all
everyone's time is spent on "family matters." three areas are required to have a working
With the maturing of the work force, the age knowledge of English, Spanish and one other
of most workers' parents is in the 80s and language.
90s. The relatively high cost of chronic care
(due to the shortage of younger workers) has Crime statistics show that the major increases
forced many middle-aged baby boomers to are occurring in white-collar crime:
bring their older parents in to live with them. billing/computer fraud, electronic transfer
For older people who maintain separate hackers, and blaekmail extortion via illegal
homes, the bulk of caring and personal access to private (personal) files. Since
support is provided by family and neighbors. people often shop and pay bills by FAX,
computer vandalism (e.g., "jamming wires") is
It is beginning to be popular among younger a threat to reliable commercial activity.
people to be married; but the majority of
middle-aged househalds with children are not There's fun here, too. Videovision (W) is
wife/husband parents, but single persons and the diversion of choice, and "media junkies°
multigeneration households in cohabiting and have video games as well as "Leave It to
cohousing arrangements. Beaver" reruns at their fingertips. Spectator
sports are especially popular--people have a
The school year parallels the work year--12 fascination with the struggle between the
months long, but with two-week vacations, good guys vs. the bad guys. Outdoor and
approximately midsummer (around July 4th indoor recreation attracts middle-aged
is popular), and midwinter (Christmas/New people striving to keep fit. Most middle- .
Year's). The public school has become a class households have their own version of
kind of one-stop shopping for child the "total-body exerciser." These machines
development. In order to help working are programmable for any age or fitness
parents, the public schools offer everything level.
from infant day care to vocational training
and retraining. Video-photography is a rapidly growing art
form. Arts events reflect the new ethno-
The curriculum for grades 1 through 12 identity craze that has been sweeping the
focuses on language skills (English and at country. Hispanic fiestas, German polkafests
least one other language), computation and and Swedish chorales now vie with
science, and physical education/health. The Cambodian dancers, African-American
outcomes that are required for graduation gospel choirs and American Indian
from each grade also include age-graded drum/singers for attention. The new wave of
standards for self-discipline and social skills arts is nontraditional, a hodge-podge of
(self-motivation, study habits, taking cultural references--unlike high-brow arts of
responsibility, etc.) We are still trying to old, which appealed only to a small corps of
�gure out how to instill tolerance for intelligentsia. Spiritual and religious
"cultural pluralism" in the next generation. affiliation is also increasing gradually, with
growing interest in meditation and self-
Secondary education provides three optional impro�vement sects.
***
•
10
t Z
•
Presentation Graphics
Polly Bowles
Metropolitan Council Member, District 11
Presentation to the
• Golden Valley City Council and Planning Commission
August 10, 1992
Metropolitan Council
Mears Park Centre
230 E. Fifth St.
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
612 291-6359
•
s �
KEEP THE REGION'S
ECQlVOM� HEALTHY •
• be a player and earn more of our
; Income in a more demanding
: world economy
.
� • act as one community on worid
� stage
:
• • a lower tax burden than today
.
:
.
. _
Popuiation and
employment forecasts
s o o ..,.�:
v
Number(000's) ��,,,. .��`'•"�
250 ,�..�:�:...v
.�r,..
• 200
' 150 •
.
• 100
.
' SO
.
.
� . . ....ti . f...•. r.. . .. . ...•
• 1975 1980 1983 1990 1895 2000 2005 2010 201 S
' Year
. �EmploymentForecast
' Population Forecast
�
The Competition
Amsterdam •Athens • Atianta •
Baltimore •Bangkok• Beijing • Berlin •
Boston • Brussels • Budapest• Buenos
Aires - Cairo • Calcutta• Chicago •
Cincinnati • Cleveland • Copenhagen •
: Dallas • Denver• Detroit• Frankfurt•
• G�neva • Hamburg • Helsinki • Hong
. Kong • Houston • Jakarta • Kansas City
; • London • Los Angeles • Melbourne •
• Mexico City • Miami • Milan • Milwaukee
: • Montreal• Moscow• Munich • New
• Delhi • New York• Paris • Pittsburgh • •
; Phoenix • Philadelphia•Quebec• Rio
• de Janeiro • Rome • St. Louis •San
: Diego•San Francisco •Seattle •
• Singapore •Stockholm •Taipei •Tampa
.
T�1 A.�.. T�1...� \�/__L..����_ 11 /� .
.
PRESSURE G(�VERNMENT
TO LEAD ANC� WORK
�
• get results
: • efficient, effective services
.
� • people confident of
- government, participate
.
� • Metropolitan Gouncil teads
.
:
.
:
"GQVernmen#s must spend
, iess, save more and become more
; entrepreneurial. They need to shed
� : their inflexible, top-down
� managerial style, whi�h has become
.
; a dinosaur in today's computerized,
: information rich worid."
• Ted Gaebler, author,
� Reinventing Government
.
.
PUT TRANSIT
BACK INTO �'RAVEL
• move people efficientiy and
• cost effectively
:
• many more peopie choose
: transit
.
: • airport that meets demand
� for air connections
� ;
.
.
.
.
� . .
Most drive to work alone
90 •
80
PeroeM
70
• 60
.
• 50
.
. 40
. 30
. 2 0 ,.`
.
, 10
• 0
; Drive slone Carpool Transit Other
' �i.1970
• �1990
.
. Tomorrow's transportation
� system wlli rely on technotogy �
; to stretch the capacity of
: today's facilities. The days of
� building new roads to meet
� demand are over.
.
:
.
BUILD"CD��IPETITIVE-EDGE"
�
TELECOMMUNICATI4NS
• "leading-edge" services to
: ali businesses and homes
:
• • businesses here wifl have a
= competitive advantage
.
; through telecommunications
; • seen as basic infrastructure, �
: like roads
.
.
.
• ,
. Many residential phones in '
: France are computers that
.
• offer access to the "white
� pages" and data bases such
:
• as airline reservations,
� restaurant guides, etc.
.
.
.
.
:
• Being abie to use a computer
.
; tomorrow wiii be as Important
� • as reading is today.
;
:
.
:
.
:
PUT EDUCATION IN
THE CENTER RING
, • a top priority for resources
.
; • high expectations set by
; community
' • flexible schooi structures
.
:
• • • trains high(y skilied work force
:
.
.
:
•
"Education is a castie where
; the occupants come out only
; when they need provisions."
� Ted Kolderie
:
.
.
.
.
:
While Minnesota's ninth graders did
. comparatively weli on the 1990
� mathematics assessment, only 20 •
: percent could perform simple
; operations with fractions, decimals,
� and percents, cafculate averages, or
: so{ve simple geometry probiems.
.
:
.
"The education system fails
� to provide adequate numbers .
:
. of skilied workers and faiis to
� educate whofe groups w�thin
: our society."
• Lawrence Periman •
:
.
.
.
:
CONTINUE TO KEEP
THE REGION "LIVABLE"
�
.
• individua! weli being
,
' • • employment
.
.
: • environment
.
: • leisure and entertainment �
.
:
.
.
Accordtng to a 1990 survey,
; 98 percent of the peopie
: who live here think this
� '
• reglon is a better piace to
.
; iive than other metropolitan
: areas.
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
According to the Census,
: 64,798 Twin Cities Area
� children and 33,039 famities
.
• were living in poverty.
.
.
.
� �
.
.
:
�
According to a national
; study, a chiid whose father
; Is ln the towest 5 percent of
: earners has a two in five
: �hance of remaining poor.
.
:
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