Longfellow Community Council (LCC)
SEWARD REDESIGN: Brian Miller from Seward Redesign, a non-profit community development corporation that serves the Seward and Longfellow neighborhoods, updated the board on the partnership between Redesign and LCC. In January 2005, LCC committed $40,000 over two years to assist Redesign in augmenting its work in Longfellow. Miller laid out elements for a work plan through 2009.
Miller asked the board to support Redesign’s application for Great Streets funding. The Great Streets program focuses on areas in the City of Minneapolis that have been identified in The Minneapolis Plan and other land use policy documents as places where the city supports commercial activity and development. The board declined to take action because there wasn’t sufficient time on the agenda for discussion.
MINNEHAHA TASK FORCE PLAN: Jan Pearson presented the Minnehaha Avenue Task Force plan to the board for its support. Longfellow’s Neighborhood Development Caucus has already approved the plan. The board approved the plan with the understanding that LCC’s contribution is contingent upon receiving Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) funding.
DOWLING COMMUNITY GARDEN: The board approved extending the water service at the Dowling Community Garden so that all plots are within 100 feet of a water source. LCC will bear $2,988 of the total $4,481 project cost.
HIAWATHA PARK SCHOOL SIGN: Randy Leys from Wells Fargo Bank and Michelle Chavez from the city asked the board to provide $3,500 to install a sign at the Hiawatha Park School. The sign will allow the school, community center and LCC to post announcements to inform students, parents and residents. The board agreed to provide $3,500 with the understanding that LCC’s commitment is contingent upon approval of its NRP contract.
CLIMATE CHANGE GRANT: LCC and the Seward Neighborhood Group (SNG) had applied jointly for a $10,000 climate change grant from the city. Since SNG is in a financially uncertain position, LCC will need to act as fiscal agent. Although the $10,000 will go to LCC, the grant will still be used to benefit residents in both Seward and Longfellow neighborhoods. The board approved acting as fiscal agent for the grant.
MIDTOWN ECO ENERGY GOOD NEIGHBOR AGREEMENT: Craig Wilson from Midtown Eco Energy (MEE) outlined his company’s plan to open a biomass power plant at 2850 20th Ave. S. MEE would generate electricity by burning waste wood that might otherwise decompose in landfills, creating methane gas. The electricity would connect to Excel Energy’s grid and serve approximately 2,000 households in Longfellow and nearby neighborhoods. Power lines to the city are running at full capacity and the new Buffalo Ridge wind electricity does not reach the metro area.
The by-product steam will be piped down the Mid-Town Greenway to heat local businesses. Children’s Hospital and Abbot Northwestern Hospital have already signed contracts. The plant is considered carbon neutral by Kyoto Climate Treaty and European Union standards.
Wilson asked the board to join East Phillips Improvement Coalition, Corcoran Neighborhood Organization, Seward Neighborhood Group, Hi-Lake Business Association, and Friends of the Cemetery (Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery is nearby) in signing a Good Neighbor Agreement. Representatives from each organization would attend quarterly meetings with MEE during the construction phase and the first year of the plant’s operation. After the first year, MEE and neighborhood representatives would meet at least annually. The committee’s job is to “provide a reasonable process for MEE to hear and respond to resident concerns about the operation and management of the biomass power plant.” The board committed to signing the agreement.
NEXT: Board meeting, October 18, 2007
MEETINGS: 3rd Thursday monthly, 6:30 p.m. at Hiawatha School Park, 4305 East 42nd Street
CONTACT: 722-4529, www.longfellow.org
BORDERS: Mississippi River to Hiawatha Ave., Minnehaha Park to 27th St. railroad tracks
last revised: October 5, 2007