People often ask “What makes the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) so unique from other city’s community engagement programs?”
Citywide Minneapolis neighborhoods have invested $280 million through a neighborhood driven action plan that’s reviewed by city departments and then approved by the neighborhoods, NRP Policy Board, City Council and Mayor. Here’s just a partial list of the resulting projects and programs in the 4th Ward because of NRP and resident identified priorities during Phase I of NRP from 1995-2007:
Housing: Home improvement loans, emergency loan programs, first-time home buyers loans, housing developments, affordable housing, housing for seniors, housing for folks with disabilities, mortgage foreclosure prevention and predatory lending.
Hosting and partnering on community events: Ice cream socials, park picnics and concerts, movie nights, talent shows, garden tours, home tours, business and health fairs, school carnivals, Spring Art Party, Holiday on 44th and Heritage Day.
Youth programs: Phat Summer and other MPRB youth programs, Camden Youth Engagement Project, Victory’s Senior/Youth Program, Kid’s Cook, after-school and summer programs.
Schools, parks, library improvements: Totlots, skate-board parks, wading pools, tree plantings, signage, community gardens, books, equipment.
Community planning and improvements: Housing, business improvements, parks, schools, libraries, vacant properties, boarded properties.
Collaborative events and community-wide meetings: Camden Alliance of Neighbor-hoods, Northside Neighborhood Alliance, Northside Clean-up and Green-up Day, Household Hazardous Waste day, Shingle Creek and Ryan Lake clean-up and planting, Lyndale Blooms with Youth, environmental and livability community meetings.
Crime and safety: Forums, stroll patrol, street clean-ups, streetlight inventories, block club celebrations and training sessions.
Marketing venues: Newsletters, websites, local newspapers, brochures, postcards, flyers, posters.
Economic development: Facade improvements, node and corridor plans, lighting improvements, safety improvements, banners and signage.
For a full list of NRP Phase I highlights by neighborhood click here. For a full list of city-wide investments click www.nrp.org. For info on the city’s proposed “Framework for the Future” click here To watch the full webcast of residents comments click here.
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