Readers Write: Love for Minnesota, lack of love for Minneapolis’ Uptown and downtown

Opinion editor’s note: Strib Voices publishes letters from readers online and in print each day. To contribute, click here.

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Like David McGrath, I’m a believer in Minnesota (“Minnesota wonder,” Opinion Exchange, Aug. 16). Unlike McGrath, I actually moved here because of the state’s appeal. I was raised in Indiana, went to school in the east, and, in 1974, took a long summer road trip of cities from Washington, D.C., to Seattle in an effort to find the right place to settle after graduating from law school in 1975. I spent a week in Minneapolis, and none of the other places I visited seemed to measure up to the Twin Cities. I had been on canoe trips in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness when it was just Quetico-Superior, and that was a powerful draw for me. I also was seduced by the Chain of Lakes park system, the mild summer days and the Mississippi River.

I moved to Minneapolis in 1975 and have never looked back. My work took me to all of the medium-sized and larger cities in the U.S., but I never saw one that appealed to me as much as Minneapolis-St. Paul. Aside from the metropolitan area, the state itself is a cornucopia of fascinating places to visit. The karst region of southeastern Minnesota and the Mississippi River bluffs are beautiful. The prairie country of western Minnesota is also magnificent in a big-sky, open-plains kind of way. And no other state has anything like Minnesota’s vast lake country. I am, however, partial to the north shore of Lake Superior. I’ve been coming into the BWCA since moving to Minnesota, and my wife and I built a log cabin on a lake in the Arrowhead.

There are those who complain about taxes in the state and its “progressive” government. I’ve never considered relocating to a tax haven for six months a year. I’ve always believed that I get a lot for the taxes I pay. Few other states have as many parks, recreational trails, nature areas, etc., that are available to the public for the small price of admission. You could ride a bike for days, or months, on the various bike trails around the state. By most assessments I’ve seen, the quality of life and life expectancy in Minnesota always rank high among the 50 states. And now Minnesota apparently is being “discovered” by those who are seeking a place with clean air, clear skies, a more affordable lifestyle and a haven from the more severe consequences of climate change.

I didn’t grow up in Minnesota, but I’ve become a Minnesotan. I made the right choice 50 years ago.

Fred Morris, Minneapolis

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Regarding “Is Minnesota really a bad place to retire?” (Aug. 10): As a full-time resident and a retiree, the low ranking of our state as a place to retire (except for health care and other “quality of life” indicators), I can’t help wondering how many Minnesotans avoid paying state income tax by declaring out-of-state residency. These same individuals return to Minnesota to enjoy our many state benefits for essentially the other six months of the year. Being able to afford two residences is not something that should be criticized, but Minnesota should at least levy a nonresident property tax assessment or a six-month state income tax assessment. In some ways I resent paying my state taxes so these snowbirds can enjoy the benefits of Minnesota for free! Perhaps in the not-too-distant future the rising temperatures and increased storm-related insurance issues will see those nonresident Minnesotans happy to return to our weather and quality of life.

Michael G. Wade, Minneapolis

I just read through the article “We spent eight hours in Uptown: Is there anything to do?” and as someone who has lived in the heart of Uptown for 23 years now, I could certainly relate to the reporters’ experiences described in the article. My question is one that many of us in the neighborhood share: Namely, does anyone at City Hall care about Uptown? Both present and past City Council members seem to ignore the health of the Uptown business community, and I have never seen evidence that the mayor’s office cares much either. It is frustrating because I believe that this neighborhood could and should be every bit as vibrant and exciting as Northeast, the Mill District and the North Loop — all neighborhoods that appear to get much more attention and care from city officials. But again, the city seems to only treat Uptown with disregard by idly standing by and watching major retail locations sit vacant for years on end, piling up construction project after construction project on the neighborhood (which, by the way, may not really add any value to the commercial health of the neighborhood) and taking no concrete action on the growing and persistent crime problems that plague the area.

I understand that Bde Maka Ska is one of the most visited recreation spots in the metro area, but the city seems to undervalue, maybe even devalue, the Uptown neighborhood. My ask to the mayor and other elected officials is to help the folks out who live here and have invested in the neighborhood for many years understand why. Thank you.

Jim Rowader, Minneapolis

As an almost-retired businessman immersed in the construction world of Minneapolis, I find myself reflecting on the remarkable journey our city has undertaken. I have had the privilege of supplying essential tools and safety materials to those who build and maintain the buildings, streets, bridges and infrastructure we all rely on. Each day, as I drive home to my 62-and-over apartment in northeast Minneapolis, I am reminded of the profound impact that construction has had on shaping our community.

Throughout my years, I have forged relationships with countless contractors of all types in the vital role in constructing the impressive buildings that define our city. I take pride in having contributed to this magnificent tapestry of labor and creativity. The skyline is not just steel and concrete; it is a symbol of hard work and the dreams of those who sought to build a better future.

Sadly, some dismiss the downtown area as dangerous or unworthy of respect. The entire metro area owes its vibrancy and prosperity to the inner city. Suburbs and exurbs wouldn’t exist without downtown. We must support our inner city, for it deserves admiration and investment.

I urge all metro residents to reflect on the contributions of those who have worked tirelessly to construct our city and to recognize the importance of the inner city in shaping the vibrant metropolis we enjoy today. Let us support our urban core. It is a place that deserves respect, appreciation and all the encouragement we can offer.

Kenneth Breske, Minneapolis