Star Tribune: Park Sought To Tame Minneapolis' Urban Jungle
In a story subtitled "United Health CEO William McGuire wants to build a $5 million park just east of the new Guthrie Theater" reporter Rochelle Olson writes:
» United Health Corp. CEO Dr. William McGuire is offering to build a $5 million park just east of the new riverfront Guthrie Theater as part of a personal effort to preserve a leafy urban reputation.
When McGuire and Council Member Lisa Goodman looked at a map Wednesday of properties surrounding the new Jean Nouvel-designed Guthrie, McGuire said, "There's too many buildings, too many buildings."
McGuire's proposed 7.5-acre park would feature tall shade trees, winding paths and a mound as tall as the Guthrie's first floor, offering views of the river and the city skyline.
Late last year, the city requested proposals for the lone undeveloped parcel on the central Mississippi Riverfront just southeast of downtown. Proposals were due late Thursday.«
McGuire also says: "Great cities have open space, and great cities have parks." What McGuire may know and others would be interested to learn is that Minneapolis did have a great downtown park at one time, right across the street from the post office.
The article continues with:
» Minneapolis has long been known for its public park system and the boast that every resident is within six blocks of a park. But in recent years, the city's Park and Recreation Board has been known for divisions rather than leadership on green space management.
"There is a history in Minneapolis of having these spaces, and I think this vision's been a little bit lost, to be polite," McGuire said.
Goodman, who lives and represents downtown, saw drafts of the park plan for the first time this week. "I like the fact that it's a passive park. It's truly a green space ... contemplative green space," she said, adding that that has been "sorely missing" as more housing came to downtown. «
Read entire story online at the Star Tribune website.
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