May 2021 E-News

Dear Neighbors,

We hope you are finding ways to care for yourself, your loved ones, and your communities as we continue to navigate the collective trauma and grief of the past year. From loss of life and social isolation throughout this pandemic to unrelenting state violence against our Black neighbors, this is such an important moment to reconnect & build community.

We look forward to the day when we can gather together again – soon, hopefully, as vaccines become more readily available. Until then, please read on for ways to connect virtually with our neighborhood.

- Kim Forbes
  EPNI Board President

EPNI Calendar for May

Vaccine Clinic

In partnership with Hennepin Healthcare and North Central University, EPNI is hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic.  We have been visiting community members through out the neighborhood and are thrilled to learn so many individuals have been vaccinated.  We would like to assist as many people as possible and ask that you may share this clinic flyer & information to those looking to get vaccinated may have easier access to the clinic at North Central University.

LOCATION: NCU Gymnasium, 910 Elliot Ave
DOSE #1: Saturday, May 15, 9 AM - 1 PM
DOSE #2: Saturday, June 12, 9 AM - 1 PM

PLEASE NOTE: You must receive both doses for maximum protection. Please attend both clinics.

Pre-registration is required. The clinic is open to all, and no ID or insurance is required.

Reserve your spot today: elliotpark.org/vaccine

Community Vision

Check out the 2021 Community Vision and share your feedback at elliotpark.org/vision.

In 2019, EPNI embarked on the creation of a new community vision. Until recently, a 2002 master plan guided development in Elliot Park. With enormous neighborhood growth since 2002, EPNI determined a new community vision was essential to proactively review and provide feedback on proposed developments.

That year, EPNI hosted community conversations to learn more about what residents loved about the neighborhood and what they wished could change. With a local planning firm, EPNI launched an online survey, installed in-building participation boards, surveyed residents through door-knocking and public interception, and requested feedback at committee meetings.

Guided by this community input, a task force composed of EPNI staff, board members, and community members drafted the 2021 Community Vision. The primary purpose of this document is to serve as a guide for the future of Elliot Park. Unlike the 2002 master plan, the 2021 Community Vision is a living document that EPNI will review and update annually.

EPNI will use the 2021 Community Vision to advocate for community priorities when:
1) meeting with elected officials
2) meeting with developers
3) convening the community to review proposed development
4) identifying EPNI program and project priorities.

Need help accessing the document? Call us at 612-335-5846 or email [email protected].

Chicago Avenue Safety Patrols

In partnership with neighborhood residents, businesses, and institutions, EPNI is hiring a community based safety patrol vendor to address the persistent safety challenges along Chicago Avenue between 15th & 17th Street. We are currently finalizing a contract and expect the patrols to activate in May. The patrols are trained and experienced in violence prevention and intervention through security detail and community outreach.

How You Can Help
EPNI received a $10,000 grant from the City of Minneapolis Great Streets Business District program to support safety patrols over the period of four months.  We are now seeking to raise an additional $30,000 to fully fund this work.

EPNI is accepting restricted donations for the safety patrol program.  These restricted donations will only be used to address safety along the Chicago Avenue corridor between 15th & 17th Street.  Donations are tax-deductible as tax laws allow.

To make a donation for this work, send a check payable to EPNI with a letter noting the intent to restrict the donation to the “Chicago Avenue Safety Patrols”.  Checks can be mailed to EPNI, 810 S 7th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415.

Donate online at elliotpark.org/patrols.  Please note there is a 3% fee deducted from your donation.

Thank you for your support!

Spring Clean-Up 

Thanks to all who attended EPNI’s semi-annual neighborhood clean-up on April 10th! Your incredible participation helped us collect 53 bags of trash, helped brighten our community & made a difference in our neighborhood. Check out these great photos of the event, courtesy of Jade Patrick from Gamut Gallery. 

We hope they inspire you to join us again in the fall! 

Missed the April BLUH meeting? We've got you covered!

  At the April Building, Land Use, and Housing (BLUH) meeting, we discussed Community Advocacy around the I-94 Project.
 
Alex Burns of the Sierra Club North Star Chapter presented about the community stakeholder group that has formed in response to MnDOT's Rethinking I-94 Project. This project seeks to reconstruct I-94 from downtown Minneapolis to downtown St. Paul.
 
The stakeholder group’s working priorities include: re-evaluate infrastructure, co-create plan with communities along the corridor, advance equity, reduce air and noise pollution, reconnect neighborhoods and improve access, improve street safety, reduce carbon emissions, increase transit options, reduce traffic injuries and deaths, support economic vitality, and prevent displacement.
 
Check out the meeting recording here! Register here for the next BLUH meeting on Thursday, May 20th at 6 PM.

From the Elliot Park Archives 

Halima Ahmed, EPNI’s Community Organizer, dug up some fascinating images from Elliot Park neighborhood’s history. We wanted to share a few favorites!

Images from left to Right are: Bandbox Diner, Minneapolis POP Orchestra circa 1985, EPNI Volunteer Awards circa 1991 & the Elliot Park Neighborhood House.