Mound resident takes planning ideas to the web
Planning commission member George Linkert starts “A Place in Mound” to blog about community ideas
George Linkert surveys one part of Mound, Commerce Boulevard, that he feels could be easily changed to provide a better downtown experience. He believes allowing on street parking would help support businesses, and having community events there would spark interest as well. (Photo submitted by George Linkert)
When George Linkert moved with his family to Mound in 2005, he started developing ideas about what would make the city a better place to live.
After joining the Mound Planning Commission in 2011 to gain an outlet for some of his ideas, Linkert wanted another way to discuss ideas for the community. That was when he started “A Place in Mound,” a website where he blogs on a nearly daily basis.
“The planning commission is a great place to have some of the discussion,” he said. “The website is an outlet for more ideas.”
Blog entries are posted almost daily on the website, and a majority of the topics are about the infrastructure and development of Mound. The website is located at aplaceinmound.com.
“I’ve had these ideas built up in me,” he said. “(My goal is) to make my city I live in and my daughters are growing up in a better place.”
As of Monday afternoon, recent blog posts included topics on the Metropolitan Council, the upcoming Scarecrow Stomp event by Celebrate Greater Mound!, the future of the Lost Lake Villas, traffic flow on city streets and other city development topics.
There is also a Facebook page for A Place in Mound, with over 30 page “likes.” The page has links to Linkert’s blog posts, and comments are posted on some of the topics.
As part of the Mound Planning Commission, Linkert said his ideas for the city development are cost conscious as well. When Local Government Aid was cut from the state, cities have to provide more revenue than in years past.
“They have money issues too,” said Linkert about sources providing Local Government Aid. “They are basically passing the buck down to the cities.”
Citizens in Mound have started to take notice of the blog, said Linkert. He now receives comments from Mound residents who check out the website.
“Everyone has been really appreciative,” he said. “I’ve have several good conversations, including one with a current council member.”
The future of Mound in Linkert’s ideas would be one with more parking downtown, and easier access for pedestrians.
“I see a downtown that people will go to,” he said. “It would ideally be easy to access, and people would be able to walk to several businesses.”
One of Linkert’s ideas for parking downtown is to increase street parking downtown.
“Mound is really hurting itself with the no parking signs in downtown, in some neighborhoods and around some parks,” he said.
Surfside Park and Beach is another spot where Linkert wants to see street parking options when events are taking place.
“I spent the spring and early summer engaged with the city to change the ‘on street parking’ situation at Surfside, and they don’t even want to consider giving it a try for events like Music in the Park,” he said. “It astounds me that they wouldn’t even try it.”
Linkert added that improved streets and walking paths are needed in the city to allow for convenient transportation.
“I also see kids being able to walk to their friends houses,” he said.
The broad goal for Linkert’s website is to create a Mound where people want to gather together. If there are places where people will want to gather, then Mound will be more attractive as a community.
“I am trying to focus on creating places of value,” he said. “Places where people want to be, or drive their boats to during the summer.”
Linkert also said that he wants more events to happen in Mound, and mentioned plans he is trying to create for a Mound bike tour.
“I envision us doing more than just talking about ways to improve Mound, but to actually go do things to make Mound a better place,” he said.
A Place in Mound can be found online at www.aplaceinmound.com, and the Facebook page can be viewed at www.facebook.com/APlaceInMound.
