Neighborhood Priorities
2022 North Loop Neighborhood Association Highlights
Safety and Livability
- Strategic Framework: Developed framework for safety and livability initiatives
- North Loop Block Club: Participated in this important neighborhood volunteer effort, walking the neighborhood to ensure safety and help those in need
- Washington Ave Pedestrian Safety Initiative: Continued efforts with City/County officials to develop a plan for 7ths and 8th Avenues – 2023 will see a test plan for improvements
- Safety Meetings: Worked with Councilmember Rainville, MPD, North Loop Block Group and others on neighborhood and Ward 3 safety meetings
- Self-defense Training: Promoted and participated in neighborhood training
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training (DEI): YWCA training for NLNA and DMNA boards
- Events: Highly successful events drawing thousands of residents and visitors
- 2022 Annual Meeting – 500+ attendees (in person and online)
- Candy Grab – 400+ families and kids
- North Loop Night Market / AAPI Heritage Month Event
- Food Truck Fair – 16,000 (est) attendees
- National Night Out at Target Field – 250+ attendees
- Halloween Party – 400+ families and kids
- Farmers Market Community Garden: Supported programming and maintenance for the season for all North Loop residents and workers
- Little Free Libraries: Continued to replenish books to our 6 LFLs in collaboration with Friends of the Hennepin County Library
- Volunteers: North Loop neighbors have contributed thousands of hours in their efforts to make the North Loop the best possible neighborhood. Efforts include Service Saturday neighborhood cleanup, Parks+ Pacemaking Committee work, Planning+Zoning Committee efforts, events volunteering, James Rice Park maintenance, and much more!
- Integrated Database: Brought together multiple data sources to facilitate communications outreach and engagement
- Wayfinding Map: Creation and delivery of a North Loop wayfinding map brochure (developed pro bono by Ovative) – Online app under development
- Multichannel Communications: Website, Facebook and Instagram management and daily content updates
- Northloop.org: 12,000-19,000 monthly visitors
- Instagram: 24,000 followers
- Facebook: 6,800 followers
- Monthly Newsletter: 2,300 distribution
- Service Saturday: Monthly volunteer neighborhood cleanup
- Avivo Village Collaboration: Initiated a partnership agreement to hire residents to pick up litter, pull weeds and remove graffiti along North Loop streets in 2023
- zAmya Theater Project Production: Sponsored Second Chance performance, followed by neighbor listening sessions to gain insight into homelessness; collaborated with Avivo Village
- Metro Transit Homeless Support: Provided 75 overnight care packages containing essential items for those spending nights on light rail
- Unhoused Residents: Sent letter to city requesting clarity regarding unhoused residents and improved communication for the dismantling of homeless encampments
- NuLoop Partners: Participate as steering committee member, with current emphasis on the future of the Root District
- Monthly Committee Meetings: Held 9 meetings, heard 18 developer/owner presentations, issued 8 letters of support, and another 2 letters with suggested conditions / improvements, toured 2 new neighborhood projects
- Metro Blue Line Extension: Provided written feedback to Councilperson Rainville regarding the neighborhood’s route preference
- Sidewalk Winter Upkeep: Sent letters to two developers and building managers about keeping sidewalks clear of snow and ice
- Affordable Housing Subcommittee: Formed new sub-committee; issued letter to the city regarding proposed changes to its affordable housing guidelines
- P+Z Charter: Updated
- North Loop Wayfinding Sculpture: Created in partnership with the Farmers Market
- Neighborhood Mural: Arranged for funding and approval of the 2nd Avenue installation
- North Loop Arts Vision, Mission and Priorities: Building a structure and process to guide future arts initiatives
- Future Art Developments: Exploring opportunities for art in new neighborhood developments
- Dog Park: Rebuilt existing bench and added a new one; funding park lighting
- James Rice Park / Friends of Mississippi: Volunteer-led project to remove invasive plants – 500+ volunteer hours: Held public meetings to gather input on FMR plan, approved by MPRB; added a volunteer toolbox
- 3rd Street Park: Held public meeting to get input on desired improvements; continue to seek support from MPRB for use of North Loop Park Dedication Fees for funding
- TractorWorks connection from Washington Avenue to 2nd Street: Star Tribune agreed to a property survey – results not yet available
- Trees: Planted 76 new trees in partnership with Minneapolis Parks & Recreation Forestry; continued our neighborhood “Adopt-a-Tree” watering program for new & second year trees; inventoried dead or diseased trees and open spots for spring 2023 planting
- Organics Recycling: Maintained two Community Organics Recycling drop-off sites and grew participation by 128%, held 2 community education events
- James I. Park Garden Beds: Mulched garden beds and planted 300 daffodil bulbs; volunteer group watered and weeded garden beds weekly June – October
- NLNA Bylaws and Policies: Revised bylaws and added/revised all governance documentation required by City of Minneapolis
- Payment Processing: Transferred to a bill pay via online banking process
- City Funding: Successfully allocated $72,000 in expiring Equitable Engagement Funds (EEF) to City-approved neighborhood initiatives (most importantly reaching out to our underserved segments (e.g., homeless, businesses, renters)
- Record-keeping: Converted paper archives to digital storage
2023 North Loop Neighborhood Association Priorities
Priorities were voted on by neighborhood residents and businesses attending the North Loop Neighborhood Association annual meeting on January 25, 2023.
#1 Neighborhood Safety (nighttime) 63%
#2 Walkability 52%
#3 Pedestrian Safety 40%
#4 Keeping our Neighborhood Clean 31%
#5 Diversity & Inclusion 30%
#6 Connecting Neighbor with Neighbor 29%
#7 Greening the North Loop 24%
#8 Improve our Parks 23%
#9 Support Businesses 21%
#10 Public Art 18%
#10 Neighborhood Safety (daytime) 18%