Wednesday, September 04, 2013

Crabgrass, growing, prospering in Wayzata.

Strib reports on the unfortunate infestation on Wayzata's "nice little town" lawn of life.

And wouldn't you know, usual problems, usual suspects:

That’s one of the big questions left to answer: the price tag. As the city continues to get feedback on the design concept, the third phase of the project will break it down into individual projects and determine cost estimates and funding. The design concept will also be presented to other lake cities and agencies such as Hennepin County.

“This is where the rubber meets the road,” City Manager Heidi Nelson told the City Council last month. “This is where all the work we’ve been doing … starts to come to life.”

"Rubber meets the road," the City Manager said. Some deserve tire tracks across the forehead for past sins, in places other than Wayzata. Rubber meeting the forehead. Waking up memories.

You want more?

The city has compiled more than 600 ideas from residents, businesses and community members since launching its ambitious 10-year lakefront improvement plan last September — part of the city’s goal to remake itself as a Twin Cities year-round destination and boost development.

On Tuesday, the project unveiled a fourth concept design to the City Council based off feedback from three concept designs drawn up last month. That fourth plan will also be presented this weekend at the annual James J. Hill Days.

“What Wayzata has said to us is, we’re a lakefront community and we haven’t really built ourselves to do that. … This is a plan that helps them do that,” said Patrick Seeb, executive director of the St. Paul Riverfront Corporation, which is facilitating the project, the Wayzata Lake Effect.

Over the last year, community members have suggested the city revitalize its lakefront with everything from a band shell to beach yoga, a microbrewery, more docks and even food barges like popular food trucks. Others suggested building a floating island for a lake concert stage or creating a city icon such as a fountain.

[...] But keeping the small town feel of the 4,000-resident suburb is also something “we keep … in mind always,” he said. “We’re not looking to turn it into a metropolitan.”

Not everyone is keen, though, on broad changes.

"Amen," shouted the choir back at the preacher who'd said sin hurts, and is as awful as Crabgrass.

“We need to do things to bring people to Wayzata,” said [resident Terri] Huml, who also owns Gianni’s Steakhouse. “Why can’t Wayzata be like a little Aspen or a little Vail Village and there’s activities year-round?”

One of the worse things about sin is some think it attractive, and that everyone should look forward to doing it.