This is the first photo I took when I started the Skyway blog, on Feb. 23. Today is the six month mark. I will celebrate by walking over to National Camera exchange and getting some 120 roll film for my 1930's Zeiss Ikonta folding camera. I have acquired a few old film cameras lately to expand my palette of photo methods for the blog...but there are signs that I might be slipping into a yawpish nostalgia which is almost indistinguishable from a personal mid-life phase. It is time to review things, and regain some perspective.
At the six month mark, my thoughts on the skyways are:
1. There isn't enough chaos and disorder, or improvisation and surprise, as it were. I know that is built into the precepts of the skyway in the first place, but it filters out the real drama and dynamics of urban life. Everyone knows this. I want to put it in some kind of perspective, particularly if it helps us see the skyways in relation to the city's future.
2. The lack of dynamic range in the society of the skyways is thrown into sharp contrast to the lower end of the Nicollet Mall, where all the color and impromptu encounters seem concentrated. How can we really integrate the skyways? How can we bring the good, zany, colorful part of street life into our habitrails without freaking out about the appearance of disorder?
3. American cities' core areas went through trauma in the sixties and seventies. Between mindless urban renewal, social unrest, technological change, and the complete dominance of suburban lifestyles in the American imagination, few cities survived the 70's with their spirit and heart intact. Some would argue that Minneapolis suffered less trauma because of various factors unique to our area. Sam Kaufman, in his book on Skyway Cities, even went so far as to assert that the skyways were a major factor in the sustained health and vitality of Downtown Minneapolis during the sixties and seventies, when other cities were being parcelled into dependent dystopias by the events of the time. I think there is something to this arguement, but not what Kaufman thinks it is. More on this later.
4. The rapid approach of the 50th anniversary of the first skyway opening should rouse us to contemplate a celebration, and renewed focus, on the skyway system. It shouldn't just fall on the Downtown Council or a few others to host a token event in Sept. 2012 when the ribbon cutting of the Northstar to Norwest Bank skyway is reenacted, and a few blovia are bloviated. This is an opportunity for a real civic soul-searching. If people don't like the idea that the soul of Minneapolis moves in the skyways, they shouldn't blame the skyways themselves. If they have taken them for granted too long, they should pay attention. If they like the skyways and appreciate them, lets celebrate the current vitality, and future possibilities.
5. The nominal history of the skyways began with Les Park's quirky vision, and the happy partnering with Ed Baker that gave substance to that vision over time. Let's remember those guys, for sure. But let's do more. Let's continue to nurture the real community spirit that finds expression, without fanfare or "branding" in the skyways every day.
