HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 06-16 Maplewood in the year 2000 what would you predict? THE REVIEW } THE REVIEW Wed.,June 16,1976 _
Mapiecd in the ear 2000
what would you predict?
Maplewood in the year 2000—what will many with sidewalks,and added that he JOHN GREAVU,councilman,said he
it be like? + feels automobiles will still provide most of feels Maplewood's population should
That question was put to membels of the transportation."I'm sure we'll have reach a maximum of 55,000 by the year.
the Maplewood city council recently,and solved the energy problem by then" 2000. "By 1990 the city should be fully
here are the replies of the city leaders: `mother Wiegert prediction calls for grown,"he said."By 2000,we should be a
more schools in Maplewood,because of a settled community."
ROBERT BRUTON,mayor of the city, ,iring population.He said while many Greavu expressed concern over the
points to the city's comprehensive plan. residents would not have school-age possible loss of identity for Maplewood,
"The plan laid out 2,0-year guidelines for children,more schools will still be needed the fear it would simply be"absorbed"by
what we'd like to see happen,"he said."It because of the overall increase in the bigger governments.
establishes areas for commercial,-in- population. "Government right now is like an oc-
dustrial,residential and so forth.We will Wiegert also said the city would have a topus with all those-arms taking away
bean urban municipality-and will provide different city hall."Even if it's the sante your rights,"Greavu said.He pointed to
water, sewer, police, fire and:otherbuilding,it'll be different.By that time it the Metropolitan Council and its control
services. will be old." over municipalities,saying "We don't
Bruton said he would"like-to-see the He also added, "I still think we'll be have the freedoms we did 10 years ago.'
city develop in a logical,`orderly fashion" pretty." Freedoms are being taken away from you
instead of"here and there,"especially in little by little."
cases where such developments now BURTON MURDOCK, councilman, He said residents, even those on the
create a hardship on residents. "If we projects Maplewood to be"a bedroom local level,"should wake up to the fact of
could say 10 years from now you community the rest of the way.Right now what's happening to the country" and
(residents) have got to expect this to we're fortunate in having Minnesota work to regain more control over their
happen,it would be better,"he said."We Mining here for a business complex and lives.
have guidelines for development,but the as a tax base," he said. "But our Greavu also said he felt government is
plan isn't clear on dates." development plan is mostly residential.I often too professional,as in the case of
Bruton said he hopes that work with the think we'll have some subdued shopping professional planners,when it should be
Metropolitan Council over the next three centers,small business and residential to "using common sense."
years will establish•some dates for fill up the rest of the city."
projected development in areas of - NORM ANDERSON, councilman,
Maplewood. He said costs for large developments in provided a philosophical answer to the
He also said in the future the city could Maplewood are "excessive," so large question.
provide more than the basic services ofdevelopers will avoid the city. He also "I think it's entirely up to the people of
just water, sewer, police and fire said the city(meaning residents)might Maplewood and how they want things
protection. He noted recent citizen ap- consider bonding to buy property and done.If people want to get involved,they
proval of the paramedic program and make that land available to business in can help develop the city the way they
said that services, if they are "what order to lure such developments. would like to,"
people reasonably want and can afford" Anderson also said "a metropolitan
may be added.Bruton said basic services "Now the competition is too great from take-over"would be possible,and that for
such as sewer and water should be other areas,"he added. Maplewood to retain its identity"involves
provided city-wide by 2000. Murdock also said that Maplewood's so many variables.It all revolves around
He also said the city strives to provide large, wooded lots would attract people. It takes people to do anything,
"amenities"such as parks and trailways residential types of development. including develop a city."
and open space land,and added"Right
now people move to Maplewood because it
is a desirable place to develop or build or
live.Hopefully in the year 2000,they will
feel the same way."
DONALD WIEGERT, councilman,
answered"What will Maplewood be like
in the year 2000!"by saying"Well,I won't
be around."Asked his age,Don replied
"Don't ask."
He did predict the city would have no
elm trees then. "But we'll still have
plenty of trees.Hopefully,we'll still have
most of our oak."
He said Maplewood is expected to then
have 60,000 residents,and there would be
little undeveloped land left, although
some,such as open space land,might not
be in active use.
He said the city's developable land
, would_:be."used up,".full.of houses,
businesses and possibly some high-rise
apartments.
He also said city streets would be
"trimmed up," most with"curbs and