About DMNA

The Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association, Inc. (DMNA) is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit corporation governed by a volunteer board of directors. It is recognized by the City of Minneapolis as the official neighborhood organization for Downtown East and Downtown West neighborhoods (click to see map). Anyone who lives, works or owns property in Downtown East or West is eligible to volunteer, support, and become a voting member of DMNA.

DMNA is involved in a variety of projects including Crime & Safety, Land Use, and Transportation. Funding for many of DMNA’s projects come from the Neighborhood Revitalization Project (NRP)

MISSION STATEMENT

The Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA) exists to promote the common good and general welfare of the residents, businesses, and employees of Downtown Minneapolis. Activities include neighborhood meetings, support of neighborhood improvement projects, reviewing commercial and residential development proposals, and reviewing and commenting on neighborhood matters to be discussed at higher governmental levels. The DMNA serves as the official liaison between its constituents and Minneapolis’ City Council and Planning Department (CPED).

BOUNDARY MAPS

Click here to view a PDF map of downtown.

DMNA DOCUMENTS

DMNA NRP Phase I Plan
DMNA NRP Phase II Plan
Aggressive Solicitation Ordinance
DMNA Bylaws as amended October 11, 2011
Community Expectations

DMNA BOARD MINUTES

Current DMNA board minutes
2010 DMNA board minutes
Board minutes archive (1995-2009)

BOARD MEMBER PROFILES

CARLETTA SWEET

Carletta is a homeowner at RiverWest Condominiums in the Downtown West neighborhood of Minneapolis and an editor for a small business consultancy also located in the Downtown West neighborhood.

Carletta promotes public and private sector collaborative relationships that foster affordable housing, business development, culture and educational opportunities for the residents, businesses, employees and visitors to the Central Business District of Minneapolis. To accomplish these goals she has forged relationships with such organizations as Aeon, the East Downtown Council, and 2020 Partners.

Carletta joined the DMNA to assist in making the downtown neighborhood attractive, safe, economically viable, and a great place to live, work, play and visit, similar to what she experienced during the renaissance in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s in the South Loop (Burnham Park Neighborhood) downtown community of Chicago, Illinois. Carletta has been a board member since 1998.

WALLY SWAN

Wally Swan is the DMNA Board Secretary. Wally has served as an elected official on the Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation for several terms, he is currently an adjunct professor in public administration at Hamline University’s School of Business, contributing faculty member at Walden University, does consulting work, and is active in the non-profit community. He has a Master of Arts in Public Administration fom the Humphrey Institute, a Master of Public Administration and a Doctor of Public Administration from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, where he currently holds an appointment as an Instructor in Public Administration.

JESSE WINKLER

Jesse Winkler is a resident of the downtown community. He has lived in Elliot Park for 7 years and now more recently, resides in the downtown West neighborhood. In addition to enjoying everything downtown has to offer, he hopes to help market downtown as a safe and vibrant city for people to live, work and enjoy. Jesse was elected to the DMNA board in 2010. He has also served 2 years on the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission.

PAULA KLIMEK

Paula is a 20 year downtown resident who loves living downtown and wants to serve on a board that promotes community and preserves our city and heritage.

GERRY EWALD

Born and raised in St Paul, Gerry moved to the Downtown West neighborhood in October 2006. The commercial interior design firm he co-owns has been located in the North Loop for 5 years. He joined the DMNA to have a more active role in what is happening in his community. Gerry enjoys art, music, architecture and design. When the weather is nice he takes full advantage of the bike trails that connect Downtown with the rest of the city. Board member since 2008.

ERIC LASKA

A Downtown West resident since 2008, Eric joined the board on October 11, 2011. He has worked for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage for the past 8 years and enjoys cross-country skiing, biking, running and all the amenities the downtown neighborhood has to offer. His passion lies in urban planning and he is currently a member of the American Planning Association as well as a Young Leader with the Urban Land Institute.

As a new father, Eric strives to make our downtown a safe, vibrant and family friendly neighborhood. He is also dedicated to forging new avenues to engage downtown residents.

CHRISTIE ROCK

Christie Rock has been working as the neighborhood coordinator for the DMNA since July of 2002. Her duties and responsibilities include facilitating the work of the board and committees, coordinating the implementation of the NRP Plan, organizing the annual meeting, and managing the organization’s finances. Christie has over 15 years of experience working for Minneapolis neighborhood organizations. She has a MA degree in Public Administration from Mankato State, and is in the process of writing her dissertation to finish her Doctorate in Public Administration at Hamline University.  She has completed the National Development Council’s Economic Development Finance Professional Certification Program. She is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).