Elliot Park Neighborhood, Inc. (EPNI) has been selected as a 2021 host site for a full-time, Tenant Organizer VISTA through HOME Line's Affordable Housing Preservation Program -- a part of the AmeriCorps system. We are looking for candidates who will inform and activate at-risk renters to preserve their affordable homes and prevent displacement.  The project will build a network of existing tenant associations, identify opportunities for building tenant associations, begin building needed tenant association(s), identify funding opportunities to continue supporting tenant associations, and connect tenant associations EPNI.

EPNI is a small organization and our team members are encouraged to learn and participate in areas outside of their role to gain a broader understanding of working with community and non-profit management.  With this VISTA placement, you will gain skills in: community organizing, interpersonal communication, external communications, relationship building, stakeholder analysis, fundraising, grant writing, non-profit management, and more!  In addition to the benefits and stipend provided by the AmeriCorps program, EPNI offers an additional housing stipend of $200 per month.  

This position requires the VISTA to be located in the Twin Cities, and the work environment will include both remote and in-person responsibilities. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.  For more information on this opportunity and to apply, visit our AmeriCorps position listing. 

Due to COVID-19, EPNI postponed our annual meeting to September 14th. This year, there are 7 seats open for election – (5) of the seats have a term of 2020-2023 and (2) of the seats have a term of 2020-20 (filling a vacancy).  To enhance accessibility, EPNI is mailing a voter guide to residents and offering an extended online and mailed voting period. 

If you are interested in the EPNI Board of Directors, please review the information available at www.elliotpark.org/board, consider attending a board information session (August 7 or August 12), and submit your application by August 17th.

Missed this month's BLUH meeting?  Here's what we covered!

Revised Development Proposal for 500 S 7th Street

Bob Loken, ESG, returned to BLUH meeting to share a revised proposal for 500 S 7th Street.  The design of the development remains virtually unchanged from what was presented to BLUH on February 20th, with the exception of adjusting the height of the building from 8 stories to 10, following the recommendation of city staff and Planning Commissioners.  This change results in an increase in residential units from 195 to 240.

View the presentation slides for this development proposal (pdf) here.

Questions from the audience:

- Is the daycare for the general community or for Thrivent or for the development itself?  It's open to the general community.

- Are apartments market rate?  The units are market rate with a mix of unit types: studio, 1 bdrm, 2 bdrm.

- Landscaping along bus stop area?  Trees are allowed in bus stop area if they are in tree grates.  

- Exterior materials: Base will be a dark brick and top stories will be a composite metal (silver) panel

- Height of building in comparison to Thrivent?  The height of the building will be similar to the height of the Thrivent HQ.

- Will the skyway public?  Yes.

- Parking?  The parking under this building and Thrivent combine to serve both buildings.  

- Will there be a dedicated bus stop midblock on 7th, or is the picture of the bus on that slide just coincidence?

- Any provision for future skyway to the south? No skyway planned for the south.  There have been discussions about a skyway to the east which would connect with HCMC, currently being lobbied for at the State.   

Motion to support the land use application for 500 S 7th Street.  M. Dustrud/Schafer.  Motion passed. 

Elliot Park Skate Park Project

The much anticipated Elliot Park skate park project is moving forward with construction scheduled for summer of 2020.  Andrew Schilling, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and Paul Forsline, City of Skate, presented a few final details require consideration by the Elliot Park community. 

See the presentation slides here.  

First, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is submitting a Land Use Application for variance for patio located within the front yard setback (15 feet from property line adjacent to 8^th street S) exceeding 50 square feet, walkways within required yards (15 feet from property line adjacent to 8^th Street S, 8 feet from 9^th Ave S) exceeding 12 feet in width, and skating infrastructure encroaching into the setbacks (15 feet from property line adjacent to 8^th St S, 8 feet from 9^th Ave S).

Questions & Comments:

- Will the concrete be strong enough to withstand freezing winters? Yes

- Concern the space isn't large enough for the design and worried it will encroach on the soccer and basketball areas.  Andy reassured that there is adequate space and the skate park will not encroach on the field or basketball court.

- Lighting and supervision?  Hours of operation?  Skate Park will be better lit and has a separate switch and can be shut off after hours.  Current closure is at 10 PM and will likely continue.

- Concern that trees will be cut down.  Two trees will be removed and 10 will be planted.

- How much water will there be in the landscape design?  The water features will be planted rain gardens and will only fill up when it's raining and designed to drain within two days.

- Does the new design discourage camping under the ramps?  Yes, the ramps are solid and there's no ability to sit beneath. 

Motion of support for the Elliot Park Skate Park land use application including variances for the patio, walkways, and infrastructure encroachment.  M. Anderson/Nasi.  Approved. 

Second, MPRB requests use of additional Park Dedication Funds to support upgrades to the skate park project: 1) patio with seating & walkway, 2) salvaged fence added to NW corner of project, 3) concrete stamping, 4) colored concrete on ramps.

Questions & Comments:

- What funds are available for future park improvements after this skate project is completed and funded? $903,226 remains if the $237,503 goes toward additional skate park items

- What other parks projects are competing for these dollars?  Other parks eligible to receive these park dedication funds are: Franklin Steele and Triangle Park (the one in front of Drexel, not to be confused with the park next to Grant Park).  No other projects are pending that would be eligible for these funds at this time.

- Use of park dedication funds should be equitable across Elliot Park neighborhood parks and future fund use should go toward Franklin Steele and Triangle Park (at Drexel).  Andy noted that MPRB is happy to work with the Elliot Park community and EPNI to make these future determinations.  

Motion of support for utilizing additional $237,503 in park dedication funds for Elliot Park Skate Park project upgrades. M. Hirst/Nasi. 

------------------------

We hope to see you at our next BLUH meeting on Thursday, June 18, 6:00 PM on Zoom! 

Wrapping up surveying: The Food Solutions team has wrapped up surveying!  Thank you to all the residents who participated and helped us to understand more about the food access needs in our neighborhood.  Although this does wrap up our qualitative data step, we will still be learning through stories, testimonials, conversation, and more, so please feel free to share your food stories with us!  

Problems with the data: Our Food Solutions team has been examining the data and has concluded that the data, while very helpful, under-represents some demographics and over-represents others.  Also, the data doesn't always give us the full story -- for example, in some cases, folks who rely on food shelfs answer that they can always afford the food that they want because the food shelf is free.  The Food Solutions team will use their close relationships with lower income residents, Somali residents, elderly residents, and others to make sure that all voices are included and accounted for where the data is lacking.

Interesting take-aways: One of the most interesting trends so far has been that many people have mentioned that they would like a healthy food option.  For some that means access to produce.  For others that means a healthy restaurant or healthy grab-and-go food.  For others that means food made from scratch with no artificial ingredients or preservatives.  Across all demographics, a lot of people are talking about getting access to a healthy option!

Another interesting trend is that many lower-income residents carpool with friends, family, or neighbors to get access to groceries.  Carpooling saves them lot's of time and money.  However, there are many lower-income residents who do not have access to carpooling and have mobility difficulties caused by age or disability.  For these folks, getting groceries is quite time consuming and physically demanding.  

A lot of students in our neighborhood struggle with food affordability.  They would like to have access to affordable and healthy food beyond the NCU cafeteria.

Community Food Event: We are planning a biiiig food event for October, where everyone in the neighborhood can come together, celebrate, and weigh in on what sort of a solutions we want/need -- a coop, an innovative restaurant, an innovative food delivery service, etc. -- so stay tuned for more information on that!  

Shout out to Headwaters Foundation for Justice for helping to make this work possible!

Bellow is the overall results from our data.  Please keep in mind that this data does not tell the full story of our neighborhood.  When we look at the data we usually filter it by some special criteria -- for example we can look at just data from specific buildings or data just from people who have difficulty affording food.  Nevertheless, the overall data is interesting.  Enjoy!