Downtown Minneapolis
Residents AssociationP.O. Box 581492
Minneapolis, MN 55458-1492
(612) 220-3836
Downtown Minneapolis
Residents Association
P.O. Box 581492
Minneapolis, MN 55458-1492
(612) 220-3836
November 14, 1996
Elliott Park Neighborhood, Inc.
Board of Directors
719 South 10th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Dear Elliott Park Board Member:
At the October 15, 1996 Board meeting of the Downtown Minneapolis Residents Association, Inc. (DMRA), the Board of Directors unanimously passed a resolution stating that the Board of Directors wishes to maintain both the autonomy and integrity of the Downtown Neighborhood, which includes the continued unity of Downtown East, Downtown West and the North Loop.
The Board will not consider any scheme that proposes to dismantle the Downtown Neighborhood. Specifically, the Board of Directors will not allow individuals or entities to present any scheme that is designed to dismantle the Downtown Neighborhood.
The Board of Directors agreed that the continued unity of Downtown East, Downtown West and the North Loop is essential for the downtown residents that it serves.
The Board acknowledged the overwhelming number of reasons for the continued unity of Downtown East, Downtown West and the North Loop. The nine points articulated in this letter, which stress the importance of continued unity, are not intended to be exhaustive and are as follows:
1) The issues that affect Downtown East, Downtown West and the North Loop are virtually identical and shared between these areas of the Downtown Neighborhood. As a person crosses the borders from Downtown East into Elliott Park or from Downtown West into Loring Park, the issues change profoundly (i.e. maintaining housing stock, curbing male prostitution, youth related issues, etc.).
2) The logical geographical division for the Downtown Neighborhood in the future (if any) would exist between the North Loop (Warehouse District) and the twin areas of Downtown East & Downtown West. A logical geographical division does not exist between Downtown East and Downtown West.
3) The Downtown Neighborhood has spent much time, effort and money to begin and sustain the downtown Neighborhood Revitalization Program. It is deep in the process of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program. Any geographical divisions would disrupt the diligent efforts that the Steering Committee and staff have made.
4) The Board and staff of the Downtown Neighborhood have worked very hard to establish and maintain the identity of the Downtown Neighborhood as a community where people live and as a neighborhood that has legitimate community needs. Identity includes the notion that the neighborhood commands respect from its visitors and residents. Any geographical division would significantly confuse and frustrate the pain staking efforts that the Board and staff have taken.
5) Eventually the Community Crime Prevention/SAFE will have two teams to devote to the downtown area. CCP/SAFE has acknowledged that the logical distribution of these teams would be as follows. Elliott Park and Loring Park would receive one team. The Downtown Neighborhood (including Downtown East, Downtown West and the North Loop) would receive the second team.
6) At present, each component (Downtown East, Downtown West and the North Loop) are important to the meaningful development of the Downtown Neighborhood. For instance, National Night Out was held in Downtown East. This allowed relationships to be established between downtown businesses and downtown residents. Also, the Downtown Neighborhood intends to conduct National Night Out in Downtown East next year. This is very important because the Downtown Neighborhood cannot simply apply for a street permit like other neighborhoods. It must adhere to a very expensive and burdensome process. Therefore, Downtown East provides a very valuable resource for the Downtown Neighborhood. Any division would destroy this resource and these relationships.
7) The Downtown Neighborhood has established a good relationship with other downtown entities, such as the Downtown Council, businesses and various agencies. To continue solid working relationships with other downtown entities, the Downtown Neighborhood must remain as its name states--the Downtown Neighborhood, not part of the Downtown Neighborhood. This allows for a comprehensible and logical plan that allows other downtown entities to relate and work with the Downtown Neighborhood.
8) A new downtown stadium could possibly be built in Downtown East. If a stadium is built in Downtown East, then the city and the business community will wish to connect the stadium with the retail and entertainment corridor. This corridor exists in Downtown West and the North Loop--NOT Elliott Park or Loring Park. The residents of Downtown West and the North Loop must ensure that their neighborhood remains intact in order to effectively participate in the development of a potential stadium. Otherwise, the residents' voice will be lost and the neighborhood compromised. This concept is extremely important because the stadium would not be linked to any other neighborhood except the Downtown Neighborhood.
9) The Downtown Neighborhood will not condone the dismantling of its neighborhood or any other neighborhood. The Downtown Neighborhood respects the communities that surround it. The Downtown Neighborhood expects the same respect. Additionally, the neighborhoods in the downtown area have an enhanced and higher duty of respect towards each neighborhood because they have established a partnership. The Downtown Neighborhood has had a partnership with Elliott Park, Loring Park and Stevens Square over several years (Central City Neighborhood Partnership (CCNP)). Mutual respect is more significant when neighborhoods have decided to work as partners. The Downtown Neighborhood cannot condone the actions of one of its partners and neighbors when those actions intend to disrupt and dismantle the Downtown Neighborhood. This is unacceptable for the Downtown Neighborhood and should be unacceptable to the partners of the CCNP.
The Downtown Neighborhood appreciates the relationships that it has developed with surrounding neighborhoods. It wishes to continue these relationships because the success of our community depends upon collaboration and cooperation. However, these relationships must be fostered in a positive manner. Any proposal that advocates the dismantling of another neighborhood is extremely disruptive to all neighborhoods concerned and is a negative step toward unity among the neighborhoods. The Downtown Neighborhood wishes to work with the surrounding neighborhoods in any way possible to help build the community. The Downtown Neighborhood is looking forward to this continued collaboration and cooperation.
Very truly yours,
Bill Stark
DMRA, Executive Director
Paul W. Barber
DMRA, Chair