PAGE: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A Superstore for Harmon Park is not a fair trade
By Brendon A. Beyers (October 28, 2009)
What? You’ve got to be kidding me.........what are these guys thinking??
Those were the two questions that immediately jumped to mind when I read the news that the Coborn Corporation plans to destroy Harmon Park with a new “superstore” and forever change the landscape in Pipestone, both literally and figuratively.
I hoped at first this was some kind of a goofy joke, but unfortunately, it’s not. Just because the city is currently running low on funds (for whatever reason) is no excuse to retaliate with a knee-jerk reaction and eliminate one of the best amenities the town has, in favor of short-term (i.e. short-sighted) gain. As an architect and planner, I know how very important things like parks are for a city, and to even remotely think about destroying one as beautiful and established as Harmon boggles the mind. Do you really want to bulldoze all of the beautiful mature trees, lawns and landscaping for a couple of acres of asphalt, a car wash, gas station and grocery store? All great cities are judged by their public spaces, and if this one goes, there goes the town too, as far as I’m concerned. It becomes another faceless commercial strip, devoid of anything special or unique. Every single time I’ve brought a visitor to town the very first thing they comment on is the park and how beautiful it is—it never fails. Now, I guess, they’ll maybe have the chance to marvel at the 24-hour glow of a Little Duke’s gas pump.
People of Pipestone, think long and hard before letting this happen to your (and my) town. Once it’s gone, it’s gone, and the replacement park you’d get as a trade-off will be nowhere near the facility Harmon is. In all likelihood, it would be a few wind-swept acres on the edge of town, with 18-inch-high trees and little, if any, usage.
Even remotely considering a proposal like this shows incredible lack of vision on the part of the city fathers, in my view. Face it, planning this has been going on behind the scenes for a while now, if there is already a preliminary site plan drawn up and there are options to purchase the existing houses to the north. Too, they’re talking about moving dirt already in November, so what’s up with that? Is it the old “I’d rather ask for forgiveness than permission” tactic?
Here are a few items I think are worth everyone’s consideration:
•Don’t buy into any argument that Coborn’s has so much time and effort invested into the Harmon site that things can’t be stopped at this point. It’s the PUBLIC’S park, not private ground, and can be stopped dead in its tracks right now. Remember, your elected officials are supposed to be representing what their constituents want, and it’s clear residents do not want this at the park location.
•Don’t buy into the scare tactics stated by one of their corporation’s officials (as quoted in the Star recently), that said that Coborn’s has been considering closing its Pipestone location when the lease at the current building is up. That’s the oldest trick in the book—don’t fall for it. They are in business to make money, and they’ll make it wherever the location may be, and believe me, they’re not going to “take their toys and go home.” Besides, if they do indeed follow through with that threat, I’m sure Hank’s Foods would be thrilled.
•Consider other locations. At one point, land across from the new school on west Hwy. 30 was in contention. What about the current Brown school site? You know the issue about keeping Brown Elementary open and/or consolidating it with Hill Elementary in the not-so-distant future is going to be on the table soon. Too, what about east or north of town? Clean up some buildings and sites that are empty, and kill two birds with one stone. Trust me, wherever it ends up going, everyone is going to know where it is and will have no trouble finding it.
•According the Coborn’s website, 11 of the 26 standard Coborn’s stores sell liquor, and all but two of their Cash Wise subsidiaries do. I don’t know if a liquor store component is included in this proposal, but even if it’s not, I would wager a guess that there is a fairly good chance that pressure will be applied down the road to add one, putting the municipal store in jeopardy. If that ever happens, say goodbye to the Ewert Recreation Center and other great programs funded by it.
•Also, if this gets built, say goodbye to at least one locally-owned gas station and one car wash as the profits are sent out-of-town. The taxes the project would generate, and the purchase price of the land, are a small price for them to pay in exchange for the profits that will ultimately (and permanently) head to St. Cloud.
•Another piece of the heart of Pipestone was ripped out when the new school was built, leaving a gaping hole in the center of town. Now you want to do the same with the most visible and attractive civic space left? Whenever I’m back home, I always notice a large number of residents walking “the square,” and particularly around the perimeter of Harmon Park. If you want to spend your evening walks transversing a monolithic parking lot, squinting from the bright lights and dodging traffic instead of experiencing what’s there now, be my guest.
•Traffic. I think just about everyone is in agreement that adding a significant amount of vehicle trips per day to an already congested intersection is not a smart thing to do.
•Get involved. Speak up and let your leaders know how you feel about this! I’ve talked with many folks in the area, and virtually NO ONE I’ve visited with is in favor of the Harmon Park location. They’re not against Coborn’s building a new store (neither am I), just not in that location. Get vocal and get active, or get ready to say “so long” to Pipestone’s own version of Central Park. I understand there will be a public hearing soon on this matter—if you feel strongly about it, attend it and make your feelings heard. Don’t just sit there hoping somebody else does something.
Harmon Park is a jewel in Pipestone, and you don’t sell off your best asset when the chips are momentarily down. Take a look at the big picture, as hard as that may be. Demand more of your elected officials and make your voices heard. And one last thing I’d like folks to know—even though I do live out-of-state, I own a home in Pipestone and pay taxes there just like you do, so please save any comments about an “outsider” interfering in this issue.
Respectfully submitted,
Brendon A. Beyers, AIA
Manhattan, Mont.
Those were the two questions that immediately jumped to mind when I read the news that the Coborn Corporation plans to destroy Harmon Park with a new “superstore” and forever change the landscape in Pipestone, both literally and figuratively.
I hoped at first this was some kind of a goofy joke, but unfortunately, it’s not. Just because the city is currently running low on funds (for whatever reason) is no excuse to retaliate with a knee-jerk reaction and eliminate one of the best amenities the town has, in favor of short-term (i.e. short-sighted) gain. As an architect and planner, I know how very important things like parks are for a city, and to even remotely think about destroying one as beautiful and established as Harmon boggles the mind. Do you really want to bulldoze all of the beautiful mature trees, lawns and landscaping for a couple of acres of asphalt, a car wash, gas station and grocery store? All great cities are judged by their public spaces, and if this one goes, there goes the town too, as far as I’m concerned. It becomes another faceless commercial strip, devoid of anything special or unique. Every single time I’ve brought a visitor to town the very first thing they comment on is the park and how beautiful it is—it never fails. Now, I guess, they’ll maybe have the chance to marvel at the 24-hour glow of a Little Duke’s gas pump.
People of Pipestone, think long and hard before letting this happen to your (and my) town. Once it’s gone, it’s gone, and the replacement park you’d get as a trade-off will be nowhere near the facility Harmon is. In all likelihood, it would be a few wind-swept acres on the edge of town, with 18-inch-high trees and little, if any, usage.
Even remotely considering a proposal like this shows incredible lack of vision on the part of the city fathers, in my view. Face it, planning this has been going on behind the scenes for a while now, if there is already a preliminary site plan drawn up and there are options to purchase the existing houses to the north. Too, they’re talking about moving dirt already in November, so what’s up with that? Is it the old “I’d rather ask for forgiveness than permission” tactic?
Here are a few items I think are worth everyone’s consideration:
•Don’t buy into any argument that Coborn’s has so much time and effort invested into the Harmon site that things can’t be stopped at this point. It’s the PUBLIC’S park, not private ground, and can be stopped dead in its tracks right now. Remember, your elected officials are supposed to be representing what their constituents want, and it’s clear residents do not want this at the park location.
•Don’t buy into the scare tactics stated by one of their corporation’s officials (as quoted in the Star recently), that said that Coborn’s has been considering closing its Pipestone location when the lease at the current building is up. That’s the oldest trick in the book—don’t fall for it. They are in business to make money, and they’ll make it wherever the location may be, and believe me, they’re not going to “take their toys and go home.” Besides, if they do indeed follow through with that threat, I’m sure Hank’s Foods would be thrilled.
•Consider other locations. At one point, land across from the new school on west Hwy. 30 was in contention. What about the current Brown school site? You know the issue about keeping Brown Elementary open and/or consolidating it with Hill Elementary in the not-so-distant future is going to be on the table soon. Too, what about east or north of town? Clean up some buildings and sites that are empty, and kill two birds with one stone. Trust me, wherever it ends up going, everyone is going to know where it is and will have no trouble finding it.
•According the Coborn’s website, 11 of the 26 standard Coborn’s stores sell liquor, and all but two of their Cash Wise subsidiaries do. I don’t know if a liquor store component is included in this proposal, but even if it’s not, I would wager a guess that there is a fairly good chance that pressure will be applied down the road to add one, putting the municipal store in jeopardy. If that ever happens, say goodbye to the Ewert Recreation Center and other great programs funded by it.
•Also, if this gets built, say goodbye to at least one locally-owned gas station and one car wash as the profits are sent out-of-town. The taxes the project would generate, and the purchase price of the land, are a small price for them to pay in exchange for the profits that will ultimately (and permanently) head to St. Cloud.
•Another piece of the heart of Pipestone was ripped out when the new school was built, leaving a gaping hole in the center of town. Now you want to do the same with the most visible and attractive civic space left? Whenever I’m back home, I always notice a large number of residents walking “the square,” and particularly around the perimeter of Harmon Park. If you want to spend your evening walks transversing a monolithic parking lot, squinting from the bright lights and dodging traffic instead of experiencing what’s there now, be my guest.
•Traffic. I think just about everyone is in agreement that adding a significant amount of vehicle trips per day to an already congested intersection is not a smart thing to do.
•Get involved. Speak up and let your leaders know how you feel about this! I’ve talked with many folks in the area, and virtually NO ONE I’ve visited with is in favor of the Harmon Park location. They’re not against Coborn’s building a new store (neither am I), just not in that location. Get vocal and get active, or get ready to say “so long” to Pipestone’s own version of Central Park. I understand there will be a public hearing soon on this matter—if you feel strongly about it, attend it and make your feelings heard. Don’t just sit there hoping somebody else does something.
Harmon Park is a jewel in Pipestone, and you don’t sell off your best asset when the chips are momentarily down. Take a look at the big picture, as hard as that may be. Demand more of your elected officials and make your voices heard. And one last thing I’d like folks to know—even though I do live out-of-state, I own a home in Pipestone and pay taxes there just like you do, so please save any comments about an “outsider” interfering in this issue.
Respectfully submitted,
Brendon A. Beyers, AIA
Manhattan, Mont.