West Bank Community Coalition (WBCC)
NRP UPDATES
LRT Safety Committee:
The LRT Safety Committee announced that they have raised over $350,000, $103,000 short of the total needed for the Cedar-Riverside LRT Station and Pedestrian Enhancement and Sequential Gateway Public Art project. The committee expressed that it was important to proceed ahead with the phase two, which calls for four art beacons with sculptural seating and way finding signage. The committee has enough money to complete two of the art beacons and way-finding signage. Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow and Ward Two Council Member Cam Gordon will workwith the LRT Safety Committee to help raise the remaining funds.
Committee member Chris Ruiz put in his resignation. A thank-you went out to him for his hard work with writing grant applications and proposals.
Bluff Street Task Force Updates
The Bluff Street Task Force proposed a resolution and was approved for the 8-acre Mississippi River Bluff, the area adjacent to the collapsed 35W Bridge. This area is currently owned by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), which has wanted to sell the property since 2000. The resolution is to make the park into a 35W Bridge Memorial. The WBCC was in favor of supporting the resolution. The task force will write the appropriate paperwork and send it to the City of Minneapolis.
NRP Steering Committee
The Steering Committee has hired Andi Martinez to work part-time with the planning committee. The committee will also be working with a volunteer consultant who will oversee new hires. Any questions email: Rhonda Eastlund, eastlundr@pub-mn.org.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Jim Ruiz will put in his resignation from Central Corridor CAC. He has missed three meetings and is unable to attend the next meeting. He asked anyone on the board if they would like to be the WBCC representative to let him know.
Ruiz will also talk with NRP Robert Thompson and Rhonda Eastland about hiring another person to work on the safety committee and issues that have occurred with the available funds for paying staff.
COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT
Second Ward Council member, Cam Gordon, was in attendance at the meeting. He invited everyone to attend the next Roundtable Discussion on Thurs., Aug. 23, 7-9 p.m. Biking and Walking in Minneapolis will be in discussion at Brackett Park, 2728 39th Avenue South. A citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Mass Plan is being negotiated this summer. The Minneapolis City Council approved a previous Downtown Transportation Action Plan, incorporating some improvements to the bike and pedestrian areas downtown. Gordon’s staff will be exploring the “Copenhagen Model” to enhance biking opportunities. The city is also working on a “bait bike” program to catch and deter bike thieves.
Gordon also extended his condolences to the victims of the 35W bridge collapse. He also thanked all the people in the West Bank area for their patience, support and willingness to pitch in and help during the crisis. The Holiday Inn, Brian Coyle Community Center and Augsburg College were also thanked for opening their doors to house emergency family response and operations center. They provided space for Red Cross workers, chaplains and city staff who were assisting families of victims and missing loved ones. The Brian Coyle Center also hosted the Muslim response to the tragedy last week, and the associated Red Cross blood drive.
Minneapolis to make Aug. 18, “Community Gardening Day”
On Sat., Aug. 18, join your neighbors at two West Bank participants in the Parade of Community Gardens: Community Peace Garden at Hwy 94 and Cedar, and the 5th Street Community Garden, 1800 South 5th Street. The council will be passing a resolution on Fri., Aug. 17 to declare Sat., Aug 18, “Community Gardening Day.” For more information, log on to: www.gardenworksmn.org/events/index.htm#parade.
Bina land encroachment update
Gordon stated that Bina is willing to sell the building that is encroaching the Dania Hall lot for $1.4 million. Gordon’s staff has asked the City of Minneapolis to get another appraisal done on the encroachment, taking the new information into account.
Openings on Minneapolis Committees
There are openings on the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities; the Minneapolis Empowerment Zone Governance Board; Public Health Advisory Committee and the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, the last day to apply for these is Fri, Aug. 31. The Zoning Board of Adjustment is taking applications until Fri, Aug. 24 and finally the Minneapolis Ethical Practices Board is also looking for new members application deadline is Fri, Sept 7.
NEXT MEETING: Weds, Sept. 19, 6 p.m.
MEETINGS: Third Wednesday of the month Brian Coyle Community Center, 420 15th Ave. S
CONTACT: 612-338-5282, ext. 224 or www.westbankcc.org
EMAIL: cedarriversidenrp@hotmail.com or nrp@westbankcc.org
BORDERS: The neighborhood is bounded by I-35W on the northwest, I-94 on the south and the Mississippi River on the northeast.
last revised: August 20, 2007