no more mega houses!

So Minneapolis is ticked (or at least some people are) that some are tearing down older houses and replacing them with bigger, nicer houses. There is now a claim that these old neighborhoods have some sort of "retro aura" or something. As if 40 year old ramblers are anything to reminisce about. The story even points out that Minneapolis takes in more taxes from the new houses. You would think that this would make them the most popular people in town sharing the love.

This reminds me of a story a couple of years back about two tall buildings in Minneapolis, the IDS tower and the First Bank building. The IDS was believed to be the tallest in town and there was even some deal about nothing can be taller thanks to some famed architect or crap like that. This is somewhat similar to the deal in St. Louis, where nothing can be taller than the coat hanger.

Anyways, the engineer building the First Bank building decided to raise the flourish on the top of the building while it was being built, making it taller than the IDS. When this was revealed (years later) there was this huge swell of disdain: who did that engineer think he is? A real architect designed the IDS tower? He's just some punk! The ego! The disrespect!

You would think someone pooped on their mom's grave. They screwed with some measurement until the IDS was bigger to make them feel better.

I like the US Bank building better. And you know what, the engineer was RIGHT. Build it big. Don't ask for permission. Shove the establishment's nose in the gall of wanting it your way.

So more power to the McMansion crowd. Rock on! Just be careful walking down the street. Minneapolis is not exactly safe.