AT On: Livability & Lawn Signs

Something besides withering echincea and political signs have cropped across our Minneapolis hood: entreaties to go slow. Prompted by road-construction detours, they made us think. First, how fast are we going? Whoa, that fast?!

What X-factors influence livability for you? What little changes would you like to see where you live? What's sign-worthy for you—if anything?

Minneapolis loves its lawn signs. They support higher taxes, public education, farmer's markets, parochial schools, etc. They're fast becoming the ribbon bumper stickers of the yard. And every election season, you read about partisan sign tampering.

But apparently, they work. It's hard not to glance at the speedometer as you pass. Maybe the best way to get the word out is good old advertising, since neighborhoods at large are less connected without the Elk's or Lion's or bowling team of yore.

Then, there's the cause. Before the crews broke asphalt, we all grumbled about the inconvenience of major thoroughfare shut-down. But neighbors mostly agree that it’s been a good thing.

There’s less traffic. It’s quieter. More people seem to be out, about and talking. Crime is down—way down. And signs like this have popped up.

Again, tell us:
What X-factors influence livability for you?
What little changes would you like to see where you live?
What's sign-worthy for you—if anything?

Comments (8)

It's so true that Mpls loves its lawn signs! I recently moved into the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood where everyone seems to have matching signs in their yards welcoming students for the fall.

I live on an up-and-coming mixed-use street in Toronto where a new bar opens every month. Its great - until you have to live through the noise of the patrons outside the bars at 2am. (The bars themselves, save one frat-bar example, respect the neighbours and keep it down.)

I'd love to post signs saying to patrons to just keep it quiet and respect the neighbours. There are other hot social areas nearby where the bars and restaurants have posted those signs themselves, and it works.

If I put anything in my "lawn" it would make me feel passive aggressive. I don't have anything I feel is so important I need to tell everyone who drives past, so whatever it is, it'd probably just be for my neighbors.

I wish MTC busses actually ran at night. A friend was over Saturday night watching a movie with me and when he decided to catch a bus home at 12:30, he'd already missed the last bus. Seriously?! At least through bar close -- maybe a partnership with state troopers and MADD and something to subsidize it?

There was one occasion where I was at a show with a friend and ended up walking five miles home in heels on a Saturday night in November because the busses weren't running and you couldn't get a taxi to save your life (we didn't see a single one the whole way, all down major Mpls thoroughfares in densely populated neighborhoods).

I guess that's my pet peeve du jour.

I feel your pain, Happify. I, too, have been caught out late at night with no buses in sight. ): That or your bus comes early on the weekend, meaning you have to wait 30 minutes longer to get anywhere...

Where can I get that sign, please??

First of all, I'd like to know what the speed limit is on the street in your photo. And, how do they know people are exceeding that?

If the residents feel the speed limit is too high, they should speak to the city engineering department about changing it. If they feel that drivers are exceeding the speed limit, they should request extra police patrols.

I don't like the idea of signs like these. I never know what's the story behind them. I always drive the speed limit, especially in residential areas and resent these kinds of signs. I just don't like anything that smacks of citizen patrols or vigilantism. We're told what to do and how to live enough already, as it is.

I would post several signs on my "lawn"...

1. Shut up

2. Turn your car stereo down...I like my own music, thanks

3. You aren't the only ones who live in the building...stop leaving your bike on my patio and breaking the door locks so your delinquent friends can come in without a key

Can you tell my neighbors are getting to me?