Ray Harris here. Welcome to my life, so far. I have spent 95 whirlwind years on this planet, about 90 of which I have been making my own decisions of what to do and what not to do. The first five years I listened to my parents. For the most recent 90 years, I consider… Read More: Ray’s First 95 years. »
For several years, I’ve been writing a blog about Minneapolis and about my activities in Minneapolis during the 94 years that I’ve resided on this earth and in Minneapolis. During this time, Minneapolis offered a wonderful quality of life. During these years, Minneapolis also had many challenges – problems. I consider myself a problem solver… Read More: Opportunity »
I’ve written blogs about dogs – about people – about buildings and about my adventures during the 94 years that I’ve occupied space on this planet – So far, all of these blogs have been in the past, describing things that have already happened. This blog is going to be different – about something that… Read More: Mid-Hennepin – A Vision for the Future »
All of my blogs have related to the years during my professional career in Minneapolis. During these sixty plus years, the physical environment has changed greatly. Some of these changes to streets or parks or public buildings have been the result of public decisions and community needs. Most of the changes, however, have resulted from… Read More: The Infamous Block E »
The installation of the Interstate Highway System during the Eisenhower Administration caused major changes in urban areas throughout America; changes to our psyche, our lifestyles, and our physical environment. The massive roadway expansion cemented our love affair with the automobile – increasing our reliance on it for our groceries, our vacations, to travel to our… Read More: Cedar Riverside »
The need for more affordable housing is one of the top priorities for every community in the United States. Minneapolis is no exception. City officials, developers, politicians, and community groups have consistently focused on this problem – a wide variety of efforts to mitigate this problem have been tried. New construction, rehabilitation, and rent control… Read More: Affordable Housing and Rent Control »
In the early 70s when Douglas School was demolished, the future use of the site and the effect it would have on the surrounding area became a concern for the surrounding neighbors. The School Board wanted to sell the site – for a use supported by the neighborhood and one that would put the property… Read More: The Douglas School Site »
The first development proposal for the 4 and 1/2 acre Dunwoody property in the Lowry Hill neighborhood was submitted to the City of Minneapolis and the Lowry Hill Homeowners organization (LHHO) in 1959 – more than 20 years of controversy and negotiations followed before the property was developed – to everyone’s satisfaction. Part One –… Read More: The Dunwoody Saga »
In writing about Minneapolis I have so many stories surging around in my noggin that, so far, I have been providing random stories about our city. However, there is usually a connection, a relationship between most of which happens/happened. This is true about the Uptown Story. The stories in this blog will connect history, the… Read More: Uptown and Calhoun Square »
A five year saga dominated by controversy and national interest rates of 18 percent. Developer Selection Five serious proposals were submitted to the Minneapolis School Board and Minneapolis Planning Department: A Free Parking lot – proposed by members of the Business Community. A Community Center – proposed by members of the Resident Associations. A Greek… Read More: The Calhoun Square Planning and Development Process »
Where it is – Why and How. In the early seventies I received a call from Stephen Pflaum, one of my attorneys at the Leonard Street and Deinard Law Firm. I thought to myself “What have I done wrong now?” Stephen replied “Nothing this time, but we need your help.” The Minnesota Orchestra performed for… Read More: From Stanislaw to Osmo – The Orchestra Hall Story »