Copyright Star Tribune
The built environment is more than the physical backdrop of our cities — the buildings, houses, roads and parks we see every day. It is the physical manifestation of our policies and priorities. It reflects what and whom we value. It is a codependent ecosystem with interconnected systems: Housing links to transportation, schools to neighborhoods, and open spaces influence community life. The Center for Transformative Urban Design believes that these conversations must move beyond aesthetics or individual projects to address spatial justice — the fair and equitable distribution of resources and opportunities across space. Frey’s leadership will be tested not only by policies but by how those policies take shape in the physical city around us. Meanwhile, India’s financially precarious manufacturing workforce has immediately been thrown into turmoil by increased U.S. tariffs. I realize that Trump and his minions care less than zero about citizens of foreign nations, but collateral damage from knee-jerk tariff policies can have a deleterious effect on relations with important trading partners like India … at least it was an important partner during the previous administration. Per Trump, “The case ‘is one of the most important in the history of the country,’ Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. ‘If a president was not able to quickly and nimbly use the power of tariffs, we would be defenseless, leading perhaps even to the ruination of our nation.’” First, a minor point (or is it?): Anyone who believes that Trump came up with the relatively advanced vocabulary of “nimbly” and “ruination” is naive. While making nimble decisions about the economy sounds good, his tariff choices are missing the finesse and intelligence that would make any major decision “nimble.” This quotation is just him parroting the words of one of his handlers. While the quotation does use the hyperbole that Trump applies to every issue, more’s the pity. Though Trump considers himself a great businessperson and economist, anyone who’s been paying attention knows he obviously skipped his college course on tariffs. His willy-nilly play with tariffs is tanking the economy and that affects us all. Compounded by the government shutdown and all of Trump’s other “gifts” to us, he’s punishing those who didn’t vote for him — and really punishing those who did vote for him. Thank goodness he didn’t have to suffer and cancel his recent lavish Great Gatsby soiree and the marble toilet installation in the Lincoln bathroom. My family bought our home in 2016, and we could not afford our home if it was on the market now (“Minnesotans losing chance to buy a home,” Nov. 3). The price has risen by nearly $120,000 in nine years and with two small children, and the cost of day care, our income could not possibly stretch that far. So, Andy Testin’s story in the article is deeply relatable. In the same way that reforms to allow more homes in Minneapolis have made rents stabilize, and for some folks go down, we could see homeownership become more possible across the state if the state Legislature made it easier to build new homes in Minnesota. By legalizing more townhomes on smaller lots, the Legislature could make it possible to split existing lots and build more homes where people want to live. Townhomes are more attainable because they reduce the amount of land people have to buy, and by sharing a roof and walls, they can lower the costs to build a new home. Building more homes on one lot has similar cost savings, and allowing more homes near shops would reduce commuting costs, lowering the overall cost of living. The Legislature should take action in 2026 by legalizing smaller home types — duplexes, townhomes, backyard cottages and apartments near shops — so that they can be built in communities across Minnesota. In the recent commentary from Meghan Cashman Sebold, she stated Target stock improved in 2021 due to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts (“Correct news heading: Weak leadership results in mass layoffs,” Strib Voices, Nov. 5). The question is, was the stock increase due to DEI efforts, or COVID? Target was one of the few retail stores allowed to stay open during COVID, which gave it an advantage in 2021. The stock has been in a decline since then. Target had significant backlash from its Pride rollout. As you carry on your loud phone call at Starbucks (or in the doctor’s office, or in the grocery store), I wonder if you realize I can hear every word of your conversation. I now know that you have a flat tire and your mechanic has been jailed for embezzlement, which will make you late for your Pilates class. And I hope your manicurist gets over her phobia of spiders and that her son does well in his fortune-cookie-writing business.
