Having Trouble Understanding How the Twin Cities Neighborhoods Work

[Mason3000]

Try Trulia - Real Estate, Homes for Sale, Sold Properties, Apartments for Rent . Not trying to shill for their site, but their map of the neighborhoods/search feature is pretty solid imo. Just type in Mpls and hit search, then the neighborhood map will pop up and you run your cursdor over them to see their names & you can highlight whichever ones you're interested in.

[Camden Northsider]

Originally Posted by Glenfield

These are, I believe, typical NRP projects from the later phases. Early on, I think some money was granted to homeowners for residential improvements but, at least where I live, no NRP money was spent on that in the later years.

There is a non-negotiable requirement that 60% of all NRP funds to a neighborhood had to be spent on housing-related projects/activities/improvements- this could take a number of forms, however, e.g. home improvement loans, staffing, residential development, etc. If your neighborhood wasn't spending money on housing-related activities in recent years, it could have meant that Phase I/II were already spent to the 60% requirement (probably not too likely), the N.O. didn't publicize their housing-related activities well, or they hadn't contracted some of their (likely Phase II) monies for housing projects. Of note, it sounds like the state legislature will be reversing the recent freeze/raid performed by the City Council on remaining/uncontracted NRP funds.

[Glenfield]

Originally Posted by Camden Northsider

There is a non-negotiable requirement that 60% of all NRP funds to a neighborhood had to be spent on housing-related projects/activities/improvements- this could take a number of forms, however, e.g. home improvement loans, staffing, residential development, etc. If your neighborhood wasn't spending money on housing-related activities in recent years, it could have meant that Phase I/II were already spent to the 60% requirement (probably not too likely), the N.O. didn't publicize their housing-related activities well, or they hadn't contracted some of their (likely Phase II) monies for housing projects. Of note, it sounds like the state legislature will be reversing the recent freeze/raid performed by the City Council on remaining/uncontracted NRP funds.

More likely, I wasn't paying attention to the KFNA newsletter. Thanks for the clarification, Camden Northsider.

[uptown_urbanist]

Glenfield, it's my impression that Kingfield may be a bit different than many of the other local neighborhoods; not about the percentage of money they have to spend on housing, but on their attention to details like businesses. I could well be wrong or overstating the matter (and I haven't lived there myself), but it's my understanding that Kingfield essentially had a complete overhaul of neighborhood organization members back in the '90s, as the old guard wasn't doing much and was deemed anti-business, or at least anti-new neighborhood-friendly business, and newer residents who wanted things like cafes and neighborhood gathering places got themselves elected, set about creating a real sense of community, and from all appearances, have been extremely successful at doing so. In any case, it sounded like from the start they've been more focused and deliberate when it comes to some of those larger issues (and more business-friendly) than have some of the other southwest/calhoun neighborhoods. Most of that I picked up from the introduction in Jay Walljaspar's neighborhood book (which I haven't read for awhile), but I found it interesting stuff, especially since Kingfield really is, I think, one of the most successful examples of neighborhood organizations in the city. (along with adjacent Lyndale Neighborhood).

To the OP: hope we're not completely confusing you! The ways in which different neighborhoods define themselves, and how they operate, can vary tremendously even within the city.

[Glenfield]

I agree with your impression that the KFNA has really seen the revitalization of its businesses to be a key issue, and they've been very successful at it. Business nodes like 38th and Nicollet were getting kind of dicey and are starting to turn around. There have been some neat projects here like the Wall Dogs murals project and the graphic on those big boxes that control the traffic lights. I'm going to have to get a copy of Jay Walljaspar's neighborhood book. I've never read it. Thanks, U_U!

[uptown_urbanist]

Originally Posted by Glenfield

I agree with your impression that the KFNA has really seen the revitalization of its businesses to be a key issue, and they've been very successful at it. Business nodes like 38th and Nicollet were getting kind of dicey and are starting to turn around. There have been some neat projects here like the Wall Dogs murals project and the graphic on those big boxes that control the traffic lights. I'm going to have to get a copy of Jay Walljaspar's neighborhood book. I've never read it. Thanks, U_U!

He has a new book out, too, about public commons -- haven't read it yet, but that reminds me that I should get myself a copy soon!