Sw Journal: Byrn Mawr Park Concept Creates Political Storm -- Scott Russell
"The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is developing plans to make Bryn Mawr Meadows a less intense, kid-oriented park and build a new Parade stadium in Lowry Hill, returning that site to its former glory as a citywide sports venue, said Interim Supt. Jon Gurban."
"It seems an odd time to float a major new initiative. The Park Board, like most cash-strapped local governments, is struggling to maintain current services, let alone add new amenities."
"The problem is, the community heard rumors of the plan well before it saw anything. It raised questions and touched the old neighborhood nerve.
BMNA caught wind that Park Board Commissioner Bob Fine had met privately with City Councilmembers to discuss the plan. It wrote the Park Board Aug. 3, reminding it of the neighborhood's past opposition to field upgrades. It questioned how the plan fits with the area's master plan or land use plan.
BMNA's letter criticized Fine for excluding Commissioner Vivian Mason from discussions. Mason's district includes Bryn Mawr and Parade. Her exclusion "has damaged the neighborhood's trust" in the Park Board, the letter said."
"Fine called Bryn Mawr Meadows a central city park that affects everyone in the city. "Why do I need to talk to her [Mason]?" he asked. "We work differently than the City Council. One person doesn't own the whole district."
Johnson said Fine asked her to set up a meeting with Councilmembers Lisa Goodman (7th Ward) and Natalie Johnson Lee (5th Ward), an effort to broach the future use of the city-owned land.
It appears he made little headway.
Johnson called the meeting "tense."
Goodman, who represents Bryn Mawr and Lowry Hill, declined an interview request. She said it is not a city project.
However, in a July 23 e-mail to Mason and constituents, Goodman raised many concerns and objections to the plans.
Fine showed "audacity" in promoting a major proposal in Mason's district without including Mason, Goodman wrote. The Park Board's plan conflicts with other area plans. It is "unfunded" and "very costly." She questioned pursuing a park expansion when the system lacks money for general upkeep.
Johnson Lee didn't recall many meeting specifics, except that Goodman "pretty much reamed" Fine. "For me, it was not a relevant plan because it had not gone through any [neighborhood] committee process," she said."