Critiquing the First Woonerf in Minneapolis

"Minneapolis has its first woonerf," writes Peter Callaghan. "Or does it?"

Callaghan explains the woonerf term (for people who "aren’t on a planning commission or land-use groupies") as "a Dutch import that translates as 'living street' (sometimes 'living yard')," serving as a street or alleyway shared by all modes.

"When it comes to Minneapolis’ first woonerf, however, it might be hard to envision such an idyllic scene," cautions Callaghan, however. One of the main problems with the woonerf is its devotion to parking—80 head-in parking stalls in all.

Michael Schroeder, the assistant superintendent for planning at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, is quoted in the article saying the woonerf might be better described as a "nice parking lot, a REALLY nice parking lot."

In speculating whether "Minneapolis’ first woonerf woonerf-y enough to actually be called a woonerf" Callaghan looks into the complex planning and land use process that produced the new facility. The final proclamation in the article comes from Minneapolis City Council Member Lisa Goodman, an early supporter of the project, who says, "If we had done nothing, we’d still be looking at a 400-car surface parking lot. Don’t let the great get in the way of the good."