As a board, we commit to engaging with our city, county, and state representatives to advocate that resources and services are provided to the encampment to ensure the safety of the sheltered and unsheltered residents of Logan Park. With homelessness becoming increasingly visible in Minneapolis, the Logan Park Neighborhood Association Board supports the operation of the Logan Park encampment, as permitted by the Minneapolis Park Board and administered by Junail Anderson. During the course of the encampment’s administration, we commit to engagement with local police, city, county, state, and park officials to ensure that the encampment remains safe and well organized.    

We do not believe that park encampments are suitable long-term solutions, and demand effective, pragmatic solutions from the city of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, and the state of Minnesota that will result in sheltering the encampment residents in safe transitional housing as well as long-term housing. We commit to engaging with Junail on a regular basis to maintain visibility into encampment needs, including supplies and specific advocacy actions needed to ensure they are able to operate effectively and peaceably.

-The LPNA Board of Directors 9.3.2020

*******

Please continue to contact your elected officials to share your feedback and ask for permanent, long-term housing for our unsheltered neighbors in the encampment.  You can find a template letter here. or download here.

• City Councilmember: Kevin Reich
• MPRB District 1 Commissioner: Chris Meyer
• Hennepin County Commissioner: Irene Fernando
• State Representative: Sydney Jordan
• State Senator: Kari Dziedzic 
• US House Representative: Ilhan Omar
• US Senators: Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar
• You can also email [email protected],  [email protected], and [email protected] with your feedback, if you would like to learn more, or get involved. 
• More information:
  • Sue Watlov Phillips is the Executive Director of Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing (MICAH), and before that she was the ED of Elim Transitional Housing based out of Elim church and involved with the NE Food Shelf. She has provided a very detailed report on the history of homelessness.
  • Heading Home Together: Minnesota’s 2018-2020 Action Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness from The Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness
  • MPRB encampment website.
  • Logan Park Sanctuary Aid Facebook Group: hot meal sign up and daily needs posted in stories

Chowgirls Greenhouse Project

As COVID-19 continues to bring out the interconnectedness of people, health, and the systems of our society, Chowgirls Catering has been making the most of this tough situation, partnering with other organizations with similar values to implement positive changes. On March 17, 2020, with Second Harvest Heartland and Loaves & Fishes, Chowgirls launched Minnesota Central Kitchen to prepare emergency meals for people in need throughout the Twin Cities metro area. The collaboration has been ongoing since then with Chowgirls making 10,000-12,000 meals per week and kitchens at Surly, United Health, Appetite for Change, The Sioux Chef, and others using the same model. The meals are prepared with donated ingredients as well as ingredients from local farms.

Chowgirls Greenhouse Project, an innovative partnership with urban farmer David Gray of Bullthistle Gardens, is motivated by a spirit of collaboration. David, whom Chowgirls knows through long-time work with the Northeast Farmers Market, is no stranger to growing food with a higher humanitarian purpose. Ten years ago, he developed the disabled adults job program at eQuality Farms, where they grew all organic and heirloom vegetables in Buffalo, Minnesota. He then launched his own endeavor with Bullthistle Gardens, a family urban garden in South Mpls, to grow for farmers markets, local restaurants, and grocery stores.

David recognized Chowgirls work with Second Harvest Heartland as a “powerful mission” and offered to donate a 90’ x 30’ greenhouse for Minnesota Central Kitchen and Chowgirls. The first challenge to make this dream come true was finding a space. The parking lot at Chowgirls headquarters was not large enough. Thanks to the community spirit of Solar Arts Building landlord Duane Arens and neighbors at Indeed Brewing, the big empty lot behind the Solar Arts Building was just the ticket.

The frame was built in June, rich organic compost was laid out in rows, organic peppers and tomatoes seedlings were planted, beans, cucumbers, squash, and herbs were planted from seed. A greenhouse can yield 3 times the harvest of an outdoor farm by using vertical growing methods and season extension practices. The heat from the asphalt will help accelerate the growing process. Hopes are to run the greenhouse at least through the end of October, extending the season as long as weather conditions allow. David believes he can continue to harvest into early December.

As Chowgirls target at least 10% of each Minnesota Central Kitchen meal prepared to feature locally sourced ingredients, this project goes a long way to their goal to invest in Minnesota to feed Minnesota.

Chowgirls is grateful to David for sharing his growing knowledge and willingness to experiment. Growing on a parking lot poses new kinds of challenges that are worth the energy to resolve as a way to find a higher purpose for under-utilized urban space and to make fresh food accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford it.

Instagram accounts
@chowgirlscatering
@mn_centralkitchen⁠⠀
@secondharvestheartland⁠⠀
@loavesandfishesmn
@solarartsbuilding
@cgsolararts
@indeedbrewing
@bullthistlegardens
@ne_fm

We have received  many questions and statements of support as well as concerns about the encampment. There is a  shared  concern  that encampments in public parks are not a solution and that our elected officials need to deliver on better long term housing for our community members living in the encampment. We share these sentiments.

Per the MPRB, on 8/13/2020:

“We have set the date of Aug 17 as the deadline for an application at Logan Park. At this point, we have communicated a deadline of Aug 17 for applications directly to individuals at the encampment. If an application is not received, the encampment will be identified as an unpermitted encampment and be subject to removal per Resolution 2020-267. 

We have approximately 40 parks with encampments at the moment that vary in size. We are prioritizing removal of encampments based health and safety issues and whether it is capable of a permit. Removal of larger encampments can take about 3 days if they go well. We have been working this week to address three sites. ” 

We want to share what we know about the camp and want you to be aware that the LPNA board is not sponsoring the camp. We will not be applying for a permit, and we are not directly coordinating volunteers. 

We aren’t experts, but here is the best information we could gather based on a variety of sources:

• COVID-19 has reduced the space available in homeless shelters. Board members have spoken to folks at the encampment who are hesitant to go to shelters due to safety issues.  Additionally Minneapolis, like all major cities in the US, has a drastic shortage of affordable housing units. These factors (and more) have led to a larger and more visible homeless population in our community than in the recent past.
• The economic recession will likely not improve in the short term, and has made existing homelessness worse this year. Many people facing financial hardship now are projected to lose their housing when the state moratorium on evictions expires. Homelessness is a long term problem. (news articles on future predictions: NBC, New York Times, Fox).
• Governor’s Emergency Executive Order 20-55, signed May 13, 2020:
  • Continuation of the Governor’s peacetime emergency order, originally declared on March 13, 2020, in response to COVID-19.
  • Highlights how the state’s homeless population is particularly vulnerable to the COVID-19 health pandemic.
  • Calls for specific action from local governments to help unsheltered people stay safe during the health pandemic.
  • States that homeless encampments shall not be subject to law enforcement sweeps or disbandment unless there is a documented threat to the health, safety or security of residents. This is due to the potential to increase the spread of COVID-19. As of today (8/10/20), neither the city of Minneapolis nor the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) have found the Logan Park encampment to be this kind of threat to the community.
• Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB)
  • Since June 12, MPRB has been responding to the growing number of people experiencing homelessness that are living in parks temporarily until dignified alternative spaces can be found.
  • MPRB is not a housing authority. They do not have the staff, expertise, or resources to house unsheltered people. They are providing what support they can to people who are camping in city parks while following the Governor’s executive order.
  • MPRB is working with state, county and city health and human service agencies to find short and long-term solutions.
• Temporary Encampment Permits
  • Since July 15, MPRB staff have been working to get encampments temporarily permitted and to designate parks capable of accommodating encampments. Over time, the number of encampments in the park system will be reduced to no more than 20 park Refuge Sites, with a limit of 25 tents per site, including tents for storage or support.
  • From the MPRB website: “Getting sites permitted is a fluid situation while outreach continues, encampment permit applications are communicated and processed, and park spaces are delineated.” Park board staff evaluate all permit applications.
  • We are unsure if any permit application for Logan Park is in process. LPNA will share more information with the neighborhood as it becomes available on this topic. 
  • As of today (8/12/20), encampment permits have been issued for four parks
    • Lake Harriet
    • Marshall Terrace Park
    • The Mall
    • William Berry Park
  • Park staff have designated Logan Park, along with 11 other parks, as capable of accommodating an encampment. Logan Park is tagged “full”.
  • We do not know if any other encampments have been denied permits.
• Logan Park Encampment
  • 25 tents (including supply tents), in the southwest corner of the park
  • Port-a-potties, handwashing stations and additional trash bins supplied by Park Board
  • Junail is the lead volunteer and onsight each day and holds a 7 pm community meeting every evening. Logan Park residents are welcome to attend. LPNA board members have visited with Junail and other encampment residents and will continue to interact and monitor events during this time.
  • Volunteers are providing security. More volunteers are needed and welcome, especially at night.
  • Unsheltered people have slept in or near Logan Park well before the encampment formed in the park, and some unsheltered people are staying in or near the park that  are not part of the encampment.
  • The size and visibility of the encampment draws additional traffic and visitors. Neighbors have shared concerns about this and some incidents that have taken place.
• Logan Park Neighborhood Association
  • We encourage and support our neighbors to do the following:
    • Email [email protected],[email protected], and [email protected]with your feedback, if you would like to learn more or get involved. Please also include whether you allow us to share your message with the MPRB by the Aug 17th deadline.
    • Donate supplies or your time to the encampment (if you are able).
    • Contact our elected officials, share your feedback and ask for permanent, long-term housing for our unsheltered neighbors in the encampment.  You can find a template letter here. or download here.
      • City Councilmember: Kevin Reich
      • MPRB District 1 Commissioner: Chris Meyer
      • Hennepin County Commissioner: Irene Fernando
      • State Representative: Sydney Jordan
      • State Senator: Kari Dziedzic 
      • US House Representative: Ilhan Omar
      • US Senators: Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar
• More information:
  • Sue Watlov Phillips is the Executive Director of Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing (MICAH), and before that she was the ED of Elim Transitional Housing based out of Elim church and involved with the NE Food Shelf. She has provided a very detailed report on the history of homelessness: http://wraphome.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/2010%20Update%20Without%20Housing.pdf 
  • Heading Home Together: Minnesota’s 2018-2020 Action Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness from The Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness
  • MPRB encampment website: https://www.minneapolisparks.org/encampments/
    

Logan Park Sanctuary Aid Facebook Group: hot meal sign up and daily needs posted in stories

For neighbors looking to help our new neighbors at the Logan Park Encampment, visit the Logan Park Sanctuary Aid Facebook Page or the Logan Park Sanctuary Aid Instagram for daily lists shared in the stories. Encampment volunteers and leadership can be reached at [email protected].

You can also sign up to provide a meal.

A few guidelines for meals:

*please prepare meals for 20-25 people

* one person is lactose intolerant

*all meals have to be individually wrapped and ready to serve

*if your meal requires refrigeration you must provide ice and a cooler ( they can return the cooler)

*meal brackets are breakfast (8am to 10am)
lunch (12pm to 2pm) and dinner (5pm to 7pm)

*please consider covid-19 when preparing your meals so please abide by the guidelines set up by the health department

*when signing up, on the comment section, please let them know what you are planning on making/bringing

*grill outs are encouraged

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DAEAC28A1F8C61-meals

Wednesday July 15th ·   LPNA General Meeting  · 7pm · Online Meeting

Agenda: Discussion of Call to Action and Next Steps, Vote regarding Support of Reclaim the Block’s Pledge for elected officials

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING

Joshua Howe has submitted the following land use applications to allow the construction of a new six-story mixed-use building with 111 dwelling units, approximately 3,600 square feet of light industrial space, and approximately 1,700 square feet of retail space at 1200 Central Ave NE:

• Conditional use permit to allow dwelling units in the Industrial Living Overlay District.
• Conditional use permit to increase maximum height in the I1 Light Industrial District.
• Site plan review.

The City Planning Commission will meet on Monday, July 6, 2020, at 4:30 p.m. During the declared local public health emergency, Minneapolis has transitioned to an electronic format for its public meetings and hearings, authorized under Minn. Stat. Section 13D.021, to minimize the risk of exposure to or potential spread of COVID-19. The public may view the public hearing using the following options: Watch on Comcast Channel 14 or 799, CenturyLink Channel 8001 or 8501, or live on www.minneapolismn.gov/tv/citycounciltv.   

In accordance with the Zoning Code, all property owners within 350 feet of the subject property are notified of this public hearing.  The public may submit comments or participate by phone in the meeting by using the following website: www.minneapolismn.gov/meetings/index.htm.

If you have questions about the project, please contact the City staff person listed below.  If you would like to submit comments, you may submit them via the link above or by emailing:

Andrew Frenz, Senior City Planner – 250 S 4th St Room 300, Minneapolis, MN 55415

Phone (612) 673-3790 E-mail: [email protected].

Planning Department staff will issue a recommendation to the Planning Commission. After hearing from the public, the Planning Commission will make a determination based on required legal findings of fact. Please visit www.minneapolismn.gov/meetings/planning for the agenda with staff reports (web page will be updated by the end of the day Wednesday prior to the meeting date).

For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact 612-673-3710. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-673-2157 or 612-673-2626.

_________________

The LPNA Board of Directors, with the guidance from the LPNA Development Committee, have written a letter of support for the conditional use permits.

Join Hennepin County Library for a free, live, online class, Researching the History of Your Minneapolis Home, on Thursday, June 18, 7-8:30pm. Registration is required in order to receive the Microsoft Teams meeting link, which you can join via web or app.

Learn about the historical resources at the library and across the county that will help you piece together a history of your Minneapolis house, neighborhood or property. Staff from Hennepin County Library’s Special Collections will explain and demonstrate resources, emphasizing online resources that will allow you to jump-start your research from home – including permit records, maps, city directories, photos and more.

The link to the live online presentation (Microsoft Teams) will be emailed to registrants in advance.

June 5th, 2020

The Logan Park Neighborhood Association (LPNA) supports the need for change that protesters, starting with our Black neighbors, are tirelessly working toward. Police brutality and the murder of George Floyd have no place in any community, we recognize a systemic problem that exists in specific communities and will work with and support our neighbors toward change. We stand in solidarity with those working for justice and healing in Minneapolis and beyond. 

We request our council member and representatives pursue these concrete short terms steps:

• Join the chorus of community members and organizations who are calling on Bob Kroll to resign. 
• Support Indeed Brewing and other local businesses who are requesting changes to the event permitting process – which currently requires they hire off duty officers
• Show of support for the Minneapolis school board and Park Board who voted to end their relationship with the MPD
• Enact the “8 can’t wait” policies from the Campaign Zero framework.
• Support the call for new community-based services for public safety and outreach

We have heard Black organizers ask for direct donations and direct support.

The LPNA believes the trial might call on Darnella Frazier, the young woman that videotaped the killing of George Floyd and whose testimony and videotaped evidence will play a role in the trial of Mr. Floyd. Ms. Frazier’s efforts exposed a crime of humanity and a system that has permitted racial bias to perpetuate, we offer this support to Ms. Frazier as an involved member of her community and a show of support for the emotional trauma she may encounter. This is a self-determining fund that directly supports Darnella and her family. LPNA contribution: $1000 

The LPNA also recognizes the need to support organizations that promote justice for all community members and specifically marginalized ones that encounter individuals hired to protect and serve without brutality or life threatening actions. We encourage and challenge every neighborhood group and resident of our city to align themselves with issues facing our city that have become systemic and no longer tenable as they currently exist.  LPNA contribution to Black Visions Collective: $1000 

These are merely first steps in pursuit of justice, change and policy. We recognize that anti-racism requires continuous action.  LPNA should be a source of advocacy and community, and we recognize now is the time to act, invest and commit to action. LPNA is examining our role in deeply entrenched racism, and we commit ourselves to improving how we serve our community.  We must work together to dismantle the systems that have allowed this violence and injustice to occur, and we join the voices calling for equity and justice in Minnesota.  

-The Logan Park Neighborhood Association Board

The Logan Park Neighborhood Association Annual Report is now available online for review. We look forward to going over the highlights at our Annual Meeting, Wednesday May 20th, 2020, 7pm via Zoom.

Logan Park Neighborhood Association Annual Report, May 2020 PDF

Performance Pavilion Updates 5.5.2020

Because of planning complications due to Covid-19, we have postponed the construction of our performance pavilion to the Summer of 2021. 

We are still accepting feedback from the neighborhood, please email comments to [email protected].

The Logan Park Neighborhood Association’s Annual Meeting will be held on May 20th, 2020 at 7pm via Zoom.

Zoom link Password: 682919 

Meeting ID: 954 1556 7130

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La Asociación del Barrio de Logan Park (LPNA) Reunión Anual de Afiliación de Mayo   El 20 de mayo de 2020, 7 de la noche, Reunión en línea por Zoom
Agenda: Actualizaciones de Prioridades de Planear, Elecciones del Directorio, Actualizaciones del Barrio

Proyecto de Pabellón de Logan Park: Participación Comunitaria –
15 de abril, 7 de la noche

Reunión en línea por ZoomLa Asociación del Barrio de Logan Park (Logan Park Neighborhood Association o LPNA en inglés) planea edificar un pabellón de armazón de madero y lugar de funciones en Logan Park este verano.

¡Únete a nosotros el 15 de abril para hacer preguntas y proveer reacciones!

Como parte de nuestro proceso de planear para la priorización del barrio, los proyectos relacionado a los parques se identificaron como una de las áreas de prioridad general. Entonces conducimos una sesión de lluvia de ideas del barrio y solicitamos unas ideas de proyectos específicos por los residentes a través nuestro boletín informativo mensual, lista de correo electrónico, y redes sociales.

Celebramos y se publicó una votación general del barrio en febrero de 2019 aprobando la lista de proyectos. El plan de priorización que se aprobó por la ciudad en julio de 2019. El proceso y el plan final aprobado están disponibles en el sitio web de LPNA.

El pabellón serviría como refugio de picnic además como un escenario para música y otras funciones en el parque. Actualmente, Logan Park no tiene un refugio de picnic. Participantes y espectadores para varias actividades atléticas dentro del parque disfrutarán el pabellón como un lugar sombreado de concurrentes.

LPNA se asignó un mínimo de $35.000 hacia éste proyecto por nuestro fondos del Programa de Revitalización del Barrio (NRP en inglés). LPNA ha recibido un subsidio de $15.000 por People for Parks (Gente para los Parques). LPNA también buscará contribuciones en especie por negocios locales y la biblioteca de herramientas al noreste de Minneapolis para materiales y equipos de alquiler. Residente de LPNA y obrero de armazones de madera, Clark Bremer,
dona su tiempo y pericia en este proyecto. El Laboratorio Juvenil de Acción Spark-Y (Spark-YYouth Action Lab en inglés), basado en Logan Park, se une con nosotros como una actividad de entrenamiento juvenil. Residentes y miembros de la comunidad se animarían a que se ofrezcan como voluntarios durante todo del proyecto a ayudar construir además proveer comida y apoyo a los obreros. El directorio de Parques y Recreación de Minneapolis será responsable para el mantenimiento continuo de la estructura.

Planeamos empezar la preparación del trabajo in situ en la primavera de 2020, con la finalización fijada a finales del verano de 2020.

Visita loganparkneighborhood.org para escuchar el podcast de LPNA en que aparece el líder del proyecto del pabellón, Clark Bremer.

Logan Park Neighborhood Association Board nominations open on Wednesday, April 15th, 2020. Board elections will be held on May 20th, 2020.

If you are interested in running, please email us at [email protected] and tell us why you want to be on the LPNA board!

Logan Park Pavilion Project: Community Engagement— April 15th, 7pm
Online Zoom Meeting

Logan Park Neighborhood Association (LPNA) is planning to build a Timber Framed Pavilion & Performance Space in Logan Park this summer

 Join us on April 15th to ask questions and provide feedback!

As part of our neighborhood priority planning process, park-related projects was identified as one of 5 general priority areas. We then conducted a neighborhood brain-storming idea session and solicited specific project ideas from residents through our monthly newsletter, email list and social media.

We held a published general neighborhood vote in February 2019 approving the list of projects. The priority plan was approved by the city in July 2019. The process and the final approved plan are available on the LPNA website.

The pavilion would serve as a picnic shelter as well as a performance stage for music and other performances in the park. Currently, Logan Park does not have a picnic shelter. Participants and spectators for the many athletic activities within the park will enjoy the pavilion as a shady gathering area.

LPNA has committed a minimum of $35,000 towards this project from our NRP funds. LPNA has received a grant of $15,000 from People for Parks.  LPNA will also seek in-kind contributions from local businesses and the NE Tool Library for materials and equipment rental. LPNA resident and timber framer, Clark Bremer, is donating his time and expertise to this project. Spark-Y Youth Action Labs (based in Logan Park) is partnering with us as a youth training activity. Residents and community members will be encouraged to volunteer throughout the project to help build as well as provide meals and support for the workers. Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the structure.

We plan to start site work preparation in the spring of 2020, with completion scheduled for late summer 2020.

Visit loganparkneighborhood.org to listen to the LPNA podcast featuring Pavilion project lead, Clark Bremer.

Proyecto de Pabellón de Logan Park: Participación Comunitaria –
15 de abril, 7 de la noche

Reunión en línea por ZoomLa Asociación del Barrio de Logan Park (Logan Park Neighborhood Association o LPNA en inglés) planea edificar un pabellón de armazón de madero y lugar de funciones en Logan Park este verano.

¡Únete a nosotros el 15 de abril para hacer preguntas y proveer reacciones!

Como parte de nuestro proceso de planear para la priorización del barrio, los proyectos relacionado a los parques se identificaron como una de las áreas de prioridad general. Entonces conducimos una sesión de lluvia de ideas del barrio y solicitamos unas ideas de proyectos específicos por los residentes a través nuestro boletín informativo mensual, lista de correo electrónico, y redes sociales.

Celebramos y se publicó una votación general del barrio en febrero de 2019 aprobando la lista de proyectos. El plan de priorización que se aprobó por la ciudad en julio de 2019. El proceso y el plan final aprobado están disponibles en el sitio web de LPNA.

El pabellón serviría como refugio de picnic además como un escenario para música y otras funciones en el parque. Actualmente, Logan Park no tiene un refugio de picnic. Participantes y espectadores para varias actividades atléticas dentro del parque disfrutarán el pabellón como un lugar sombreado de concurrentes.

LPNA se asignó un mínimo de $35.000 hacia éste proyecto por nuestro fondos del Programa de Revitalización del Barrio (NRP en inglés). LPNA ha recibido un subsidio de $15.000 por People for Parks (Gente para los Parques). LPNA también buscará contribuciones en especie por negocios locales y la biblioteca de herramientas al noreste de Minneapolis para materiales y equipos de alquiler. Residente de LPNA y obrero de armazones de madera, Clark Bremer,
dona su tiempo y pericia en este proyecto. El Laboratorio Juvenil de Acción Spark-Y (Spark-YYouth Action Lab en inglés), basado en Logan Park, se une con nosotros como una actividad de entrenamiento juvenil. Residentes y miembros de la comunidad se animarían a que se ofrezcan como voluntarios durante todo del proyecto a ayudar construir además proveer comida y apoyo a los obreros. El directorio de Parques y Recreación de Minneapolis será responsable para el mantenimiento continuo de la estructura.

Planeamos empezar la preparación del trabajo in situ en la primavera de 2020, con la finalización fijada a finales del verano de 2020.

Visita loganparkneighborhood.org para escuchar el podcast de LPNA en que aparece el líder del proyecto del pabellón, Clark Bremer.

Edison High School students, in partnership with Logan Park Neighborhood Association and Sheridan Neighborhood Organization, have created a video promoting the 2020 Census in several languages. Thanks to Edison High School students, Edison teacher David Salzer, and MTN TV Studios for making this video happen!

We here at LPNA acknowledge this is a difficult time for our community and will do our best to continue connecting people digitally.

The Minnesota Department of Health is leading the state and city preparedness and information dissemination. If you have health questions about COVID-19, the Minnesota Department of Health offers a specific COVID-19 hotline: 651-201-3920 (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT).

Follow the CDC’s updates on cdc.gov or their social channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube).

• Minneapolis Public School Student Meal Pickup Information
• Apply for Unemployment Insurance

• Electricity: Xcel Energy, the electricity provider for Minneapolis residents and business owners, announced over the weekend that it will indefinitely suspend service disconnections. The company also said it would work with customers who face difficulty paying their electricity bill to arrange payment plans to meet those circumstances. If you have questions about your electricity bill or service, call Xcel’s customer service line at 1-800-895-4999.
• Gas: CenterPoint Energy, the gas provider in Minneapolis, also announced it will suspend service disconnections and work with customers who need payment assistance, extensions, or other help. If you have questions about your gas bill or service, contact CenterPoint Energy’s customer service line at 1-800-245-2377.
• Internet: Comcast announced yesterday that it will open Xfinity WiFi network nationally for free, will be offering free unlimited data, and will not disconnect a customer’s internet service or assess late fees if they contact the company and let them know that they can’t pay their bills during this period. More information on what Comcast is doing to help make sure everyone has internet access, especially low-income families, can be found here.

Looking for information on coronavirus disease 19 in more languages? 
The Minnesota Department of Health has translated some of its coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) information and materials into several languages. Please share these links with your neighbors, colleagues and connections and help protect our communities:

• Coronavirus disease 19 information in Spanish.
• Coronavirus disease 19 information in Somali.
• Coronavirus disease 19 information in Hmong.
• This page offers information and materials in nine languages – including how to access health insurance and low-cost clinics – and has a coronavirus public service announcement video in American Sign Language.

• City of Minneapolis Office of Emergency Management: www.minneapolismn.gov/emergency/coronavirus
• Hennepin County: www.hennepin.us/residents/emergencies/covid-19

Logan Park Pavilion Project: Community Engagement—March 18th, 7pm @ Logan Park – Cancelled  

Logan Park Neighborhood Association (LPNA) is planning to build a Timber Framed Pavilion & Performance Space in Logan Park. Come to the March 18th meeting to ask questions and provide feedback!

As part of our neighborhood priority planning process, park-related projects was identified as one of 5 general priority areas. We conducted a neighborhood brain-storming idea session and solicited specific project ideas from residents through our monthly newsletter, email list and social media. We held a published general neighborhood vote in February 2019 approving the list of projects. The priority plan was approved by the city in July 2019. The process and the final approved plan are available on the LPNA website.

The pavilion would serve as a picnic shelter as well as a performance stage for music and other performances in the park. Participants and spectators for the many athletic activities within the park will enjoy the pavilion as a shady gathering area. LPNA has committed a minimum of $35,000 towards this project from our NRP funds. LPNA has received a grant of $15,000 from People for Parks. LPNA will also seek in-kind contributions from local businesses and the NE Tool Library for materials and equipment rental.

LPNA resident and timber framer, Clark Bremer, is donating his time and expertise to this project. Spark-Y Youth Action Labs (based in Logan Park) is partnering with us as a youth training activity. Residents and community members will be encouraged to volunteer throughout the project to help build as well as provide meals and support for the workers. Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the structure. We plan to start site work preparation in the spring of 2020, with completion scheduled for late summer 2020. Visit loganparkneighborhood.org to listen to the LPNA podcast featuring Pavilion project lead, Clark Bremer.

Elim and Strongtower Churches have pursued temporary funding to take in women and men who are without a place to sleep at night for the next 3 months.

Learn more and find out how you can help at the February 19th LPNA General Meeting @ Logan Park Recreation Center.

https://elimchurch.com/temporary-relief-shelter-announcement/

2019 Monroe Street Safety Results

Survey Summary

• Conducted summer of 2019
• Surveys were submitted either via paper or google doc
• Surveys were available in English, Spanish, and Somali 
• 186 responses

Street safety summary
View full survey comments here.
Original Survey

Results

What are your concerns about Monroe St. NE?

1. Speeding 51.9%
2. Danger to pedestrians crossing Monroe 48.7%
3. Danger to bicyclists 44.9%
4. Deteriorating Sidewalks 44.4%
5. Traffic flow/amount 29.9%
6. Lack of curb/sunken curb 26.2%
7. Street lighting 23%
8. Danger to pedestrians walking along Monroe 21.9%
9. Parking 20.9%
10. All of the above 10.2%
11. None of the above 2.7% 
12. Other: 
    1. Drivers going through stop signs without stopping or only slowing down without a full stop
    2. Rolling stops at stop signs- especially Monroe and 13th
    3. People running stop signs on 13th and 15th
    4. Hard to see stop signs (parking to close stop signs)
    5. Sidewalk is very narrow and should be wider
    6. Lack of buffer between sidewalks and cars
    7. Very narrow sidewalks! Doesn’t feel safe with folks speeding down. But luckily cars parked along the side as a buffer so it feels safer.
    8. Snow shoveling issues in winter. Very narrow this year and buses had trouble turning onto street off of Broadway
    9. allowing parking on the west side of the street. it should be removed
    10. littering
    11. enforcing shoveling in winter
    12. Turning Left onto Broadway going Southbound sometimes takes several green lights during busy time
    13. Railroad bridge lighting
    14. Danger from bike and scooter drivers
    15. Lack of development. Investment in the neighborhood.

Survey takers were also asked to share if they have witnessed or been part of a safety incident on Monroe? 

• 72 of the 186 please responded with some story of a safety incident

Survey takers were also asked to share if they had other safety concern for Monroe?  

• 57 of the survey takers had another safety concern 

The stories and safety concerns shared by survey participants mostly fell into these categories:

Minnesota House District 60A Candidate Forum, co-hosted by the the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District, Beltrami Neighborhood Council, Logan Park Neighborhood Association, NE Park Neighborhood Association, St. Anthony East Neighborhood Association, and Sheridan Neighborhood Association, and moderated by Margo Ashmore of the Northeaster newspaper.

Monday, January 13th, 2020

Doors at 5:30pm
Event begins promptly at 6pm and ends at 8pm

Solar Arts Building 3rd Floor
711 15th Ave. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

FREE