Waite Park Community Council

Public Meeting on the Fillmore/Polk/Tyler Street Bike Boulevard

2010-02-04T20:50:09Z

You are invited to a public meeting to discuss proposed changes to identify bicycle boulevards on 22nd Avenue between Central Avenue and Arthur Street, as well as Tyler, Polk, and Fillmore Streets between 37th Avenue NE and East Hennepin Avenue. The proposed route of the Fillmore/Polk/Tyler Street bike boulevard through the Waite Park neighborhood would be along Tyler Street from Saint Anthony Parkway to 36th Avenue NE.

The next public meeting is:
Wednesday, February 17th, 6:00pm
Windom Park Recreation Center, 2251 Hayes St NE

You can find out more information about bike boulevards and the Fillmore/Polk/Tyler Street project at the City of Minneapolis' bicycle boulevard website. You can download the flyer and more information below.

Fillmore22ndPublicMeetingFlyer.pdf

Jeff Lohaus from NEMAA at Feb. 3 WPCC Meeting

2010-01-29T16:16:03Z

On Wednesday, February 3, Jeff Lohaus from the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA) will be at the Waite Park Community Council meeting to discuss the Arts in Northeast Minneapolis and upcoming NEMAA events. The Waite Park Community Council will also discuss neighborhood participation in the upcoming residential energy saving program through the Center for Energy and Environment.

Waite Park Community Council meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Waite Park Community Center at 1810 34th Ave. NE. All Waite Park meetings are open to the public. We hope to see you there!

Waite Park Voice, Jan/Feb 2010 Issue

2010-01-19T02:33:42Z

In This Issue:

U.S./Minneapolis 2010 Census
WP/NRP Town Meeting March 3rd
Precinct Caucuses, February 2nd
MN Federal Stimulus Funding "Energy Rebates"
Foreclosure Workshop Information
WP Fall Festival Date, Presidents Day Events & More...

Download the current issue here:
WPVoice-Jan-Feb-2010.pdf

Feedback and submissions can be sent to waiteparkcc@gmail.com. Editorial submissions for the March/April 2010 issue are due no later than Friday, February 5th, 2010.

Upcoming Informational Meetings

2010-01-07T14:59:00Z

Several meetings for residents in the City of Minneapolis will be coming up in the next few weeks.

The Eastside Bike Task Force will be meeting to discuss plans for the Fillmore/Polk Street bike boulevard and the 18th Street bike path on Saturday, January 9, at the Ritz Theater (345 13th Avenue NE) from 10:00 - 11:30am.

The Second Police Precinct will be holding Training for Block Club leaders on January 27 starting at 6:00pm at the Second Precinct Police Station (1911 Central Avenue NE). For questions and reservations, please call (612) 673-2874.

The Second Precinct Advisory Committee will be hosting a program on housing inspections with Angie Hugen, Supervisor of Housing for the City of Minneapolis, on Monday, January 11, at Monroe Village (1900 Central Avenue NE) at 6:00pm.

The Waite Park Community Council Welcomes Two New Board Members

2009-12-31T14:29:40Z

The Waite Park Community Council is proud to welcome two new members to our neighborhood board, Mitch Puff and Leah Huyser.

Mitch Puff comes to WPCC with a background in event management and graphic design. He has lived and worked in northeast for ten years and a resident of Waite Park for two years. Mitch is looking forward to being a more active member of the community.

Alethea (Leah) Huyser is a two year veteran of the Waite Park Neighborhood, where she lives with her husband and dog. She is a lawyer who is currently employed by the United States District Court, District of Minnesota. Leah is excited to be a part of a community that has both deep roots and a vibrant young community and she looks forward to many great years here.

Waite Park foreclosure update

2009-12-08T12:06:27Z

Most of Waite Park was originally designated as an at-risk area for foreclosures in 2009, qualifying it for Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funding. However in the past 7 months the foreclosure crisis seems to have stabilized. From 05/01/09-08/03/09 there were 4 foreclosures in Waite Park, of which only two had been in foreclosure for more than 6 months. All of those properties have since been re-occupied.

From 08/03/09-12/02/09 there have been 5 foreclosures in Waite Park. The properties (listed below) have been referred to the Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation (GMHC), which works with the City of Minneapolis to renovate housing; any of this most recent group of foreclosures that have not yet been reoccupied could be considered by GMHC as candidates for the NSP program mentioned above.

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#              address                                                       date of foreclosure

909072    3559 Pierce St. N E, Minneapolis                   09/03/09
910235    3135 Johnson St. N E, Minneapolis               10/14/09
909300    3214 Johnson St. N E, Minneapolis                09/18/09
908365    3611 Benjamin St. N E, Minneapolis            08/27/09
910056    1612 Hollywood Ave. N E, Minneapolis         10/02/09

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If area residents have any input regarding foreclosures, the condition of foreclosed properties, vandalism of foreclosed properties, or any other concerns regarding foreclosures, please contact Jason Schoch of the Waite Park Community Council at waiteparkcc@gmail.com.

Neighborhood Input Needed After Burglary

2009-12-04T15:06:26Z

From Carol Oosterhuis at the Second Precinct:

We are notifying you of a recent arrest of an individual in or around your property or your neighborhood. We are asking that you tell us how you feel about this crime and/or offender and how this impacts your quality of life. We will give your input to the judge, who will review your input before sentencing. You do not have to be a direct victim of the crime or see the crime to give us your input. Your input truly makes a difference.

How to write an impact statement? There is no right format and you don't have to be creative. Many community members convey the same message on each of the impact statements that they write.

Generally, you can start by stating how you have been impacted: financially, emotionally, physically, and so on. You can end by describing what you are hoping the court will do: send the person to jail, order the person to get treatment, order the person to get employment, order the person to stay out of a particular area (i.e. a geographic restriction for a particular neighborhood), sentenced to service for garbage pickup, graffiti removal and so on.
Remember: it is more important to send an impact statement than to worry about how it is written. Just send it! Whatever you write will be presented and can improve the safety of your community.

Keep in mind that your statement can be written and submitted by you or any neighborhood entity, block club, neighborhood association or business. So, it is perfectly acceptable if you would like to write one on behalf of neighbors, your family, or any other group representing a portion of the neighborhood, provided they have agreed to you doing so.

Please return your statement at least three days prior to the court date to assure that your statement arrives in time for the offender's court appearance. You can download a copy of the Community Impact Statement below.

Email your statement to: 2precinctimpact@ci.minneapolis.mn.us or mail the completed Community Impact Statement Form to:

2nd Precinct Paralegal
2nd Precinct
1911 Central Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418

community impact statements (robert theodore dixon) 091203 wa.doc

Public Meeting Regarding Safety, Security and Usage at Shoreham Yards on December 14

2009-12-03T18:08:11Z

Join your neighbors to discuss constructive solutions for addressing the impact on our community from the rail yard, distribution center and rail lines in northeast Minneapolis related to the 230-acre Shoreham Yards and its adjacent train tracks.

Federal laws govern most of what goes on at sites like Shoreham Yards and on its tracks.

Noise
Proximity to schools, homes, businesses, parks
Toxic/hazardous materials storage and cargo
Hours of operation
Track maintenance
Inspections and training
2009 vs. 1889: what a 21st-century rail yard neighbor really means to us
Health, safety and quality of life
International cargo distribution center issues
Buffering and property upkeep
Workable solutions
Derailments

Special Community Meeting with aide to U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (also invited: offices of U.S. Senator Al Franken and U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison)

Monday, Dec. 14, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at 1900 Central Ave. NE, Suite 108 at the Holland Neighborhood Improvement Association office.

More information can be found at the Shoreham Area Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Neighborhood Meeting on December 2

2009-11-30T13:34:56Z

On December 2, the Waite Park Community Council will be welcoming John Harriss of Harriss Architects and Christine Levens of the Northeast Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce to our general meeting. Harriss Architects is one of Waite Park's newest tenants and Mr. Harriss will be on hand to meet with neighbors and discuss the progress they are making on their new office at St. Anthony Parkway and Central Avenue. Christine Levens will also be on hand to discuss all the new initiatives and successes of Northeast businesses in the past year.

The Waite Park Community Council meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., in the Waite Park Community Center at 1810 34th Ave. NE. We hope to see you there!

Waite Park Voice, Nov/Dec 2009 Issue

2009-10-20T18:57:16Z

In This Issue:

Harriss Architects Plans for Property Remodeling
NE Library "Renovation Kickoff" & Closing
Crime Prevention Tips for Discouraging Theft/Burglary
Election Details for Nov. 3rd, Minneapolis Offices/Issues
Photo Documenting of Waite Park, Partnership with OverExposure
Parks & Rec, Community Ed, NE School Events & More...

Download the current issue here:
WPVoice_Nov-Dec09.pdf

Feedback and submissions can be sent to waiteparkcc@gmail.com. Editorial submissions for the Jan/Feb 2010 issue are due no later than Friday, December 11th, 2009.

Architect hopes to give new life to funeral home property

2009-10-15T17:28:42Z

A vacant mortuary that's been on the brink of foreclosure for more than a year is now getting a new life as an office and community space.

Architect John Harriss owns the property at 3207 Central Ave. NE. His firm was originally hired to design a condo project at the site.

When sales got off to a slow start, Harriss and a business partner bought the property from the initial developers in 2006 with hopes of improving sales. The condos ultimately failed, and the property has been in financial limbo since 2007.

A green, thrifty renovation is now underway to convert the funeral home into a multi-tenant office building, with Harriss' own architecture firm serving as the anchor tenant.

"We saw an opportunity to take a building that was destined for the landfill and reuse it," Harriss said.
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The vision also calls for transforming the former casket showroom into a community meeting space for neighborhood and nonprofit groups.

The renovation is a work in progress, and Harriss said it will continue to be piecemeal project, with work being done as time and money is available.

Green building features already incorporated include energy-saving windows, non-toxic paints and insulation made from recycled blue jeans. Harriss would like to add more ambitious green components later like rooftop solar panels and pervious pavers in the parking lot.

Harriss hopes up to three other organizations will eventually join the architecture firm in building. Shared amenities, such as parking, a kitchenette and conference room, are aimed at making the space appealing as an incubator for design professionals.

The original condo proposal called for a four-story, 30-unit building with a brownstone exterior. Only 20 percent of the units were sold, well short of the 50 percent generally required to begin construction for condos.

When the city's condo market declined, Harriss briefly pursued a mixed-use development with street-level retail shops and apartments above that. Harriss was unable to find investors to back that plan, though.

Harriss' business partner declared personal bankruptcy last year, prompting their lender to intensify pressure for a resolution. Meanwhile, Harriss' architecture firm was laying off employees and struggling to meet obligations as clients suspended projects due to the economy.

"One year ago today it was just an absolute disaster," Harriss said. "It was a dark Christmas."

In a search for inspiration, Harriss began "nesting" at the old funeral home, spending long hours wandering its spaces. He set up a white board and started sketching out concepts that might save his investment.

"The fact that it was a funeral home kind of freaked me out a bit, but I started to feel more comfortable up here," Harriss said.

As the winter days grew longer, so too did the dark lift from around Harriss. The brainstorming and soul-searching led to the office building idea, which his lender supported. State Bank of Delano loaned $50,000 to jump start the renovation, and Harriss spent much of this year working on the space himself.

Harriss Architecture moved into the building in June, working out of boxes in a makeshift office in the former visiting room. They've since converted the old chapel into a finished office space with with about half a dozen work stations.

Harriss plans to share an update on the project with neighborhood residents at the Waite Park Community Council meeting on Nov. 4. He also intends to share a proposal to close 32nd Ave. NE east from Central Avenue to the first alley. Harriss would like to close the section of street and converted the area to a garden or green space.

"We've hardly got an easy path ahead of us," Harriss said, but "I've always stuck with this property. I've always believed in this site."

By Dan Haugen

Come meet John Harriss and hear more about plans to improve the building on 32nd and Central Avenue at the next Waite Park Community Council meeting on November 4. Waite Park Community Council meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., in the Waite Park Community Center at 1810 34th Ave. NE. We hope to see you there!

The Waite Park Fall Festival is September 19!

2009-09-09T02:30:25Z

This year's Waite Park Fall Festival will be held on September 19 from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm at Waite Park.

We hope you will join your Waite Park friends and neighbors at this annual gathering put on by the Waite Park Community Council and the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board. Planned events include a bike safety clinic, a tree planting and soap-making demonstrations. Family activities include carnival games and live music from the Northeast Community Band and other local musicians. The Fall Festival will also include our "political soap box," an informal candidate forum that will feature candidates for City Council, Park Board, Board of Estimate and Taxation and Mayor.

Waite Park is located at 1800 34th Ave NE in Minneapolis. We hope to see you there!

The Minneapolis Police Department Needs Your Input

2009-09-08T18:43:48Z

The Minneapolis Police Department and their Crime Prevention Specialists are putting together the 2010 Neighborhood Policing Plan for Waite Park. The Police Departments needs your help to identify areas of concern and issues that you feel need to addressed in Waite Park.

Please fill out the contact form below. Your ideas will be sent directly to Second Precinct Inspector Schafer and Crime Prevention Specialist for our neighborhood, Carol Oosterhuis.

How Do You Feel About Schools in Northeast?

2009-09-04T16:59:11Z

The Minneapolis Public Schools are considering making changes to some schools, redrawing district lines and creating pathways for students around the city. The Minneapolis Public Schools are holding town hall meetings on these issues over the next few weeks. The next meeting for Northeast residents and parents is on September 9.

As the debate continues over the details of the Changing School Options (CSO) restructuring plans, members of Public Education Northeast (PEN) have been watching carefully and suggest that this is a time for action.

The Waite Park Community Council supports a community high school Edison High School if it continues the excellent education that our students are receiving in elementary and middle school. To that end, we seek a college-bound curriculum at Edison for all students, including a full spectrum of Advanced Placement classes.

Academic extra-curricular activities (in addition to sports) - i.e. Community Education after school activities, debate, math clubs, etc.
Extend academic programming already offered at Northeast Middle School to Edison (i.e. Chinese, College Prep assistance, band, theater)
Allow Northeast students the option to continue academic programs they begin in middle school if they choose, particularly International Baccalaureate® (IB) in both middle and high school.

The Next Minneapolis Public School CSO Meeting:
September 9, 2009
Sheridan Global Arts & Communications School
1201 University Ave NE | Co-hosted by Area A
6:30 - 8:30

Waite Park Community Council Meeting: September 2

2009-08-31T13:06:11Z

Carol Oosterhuis, Crime Prevention Specialist from the Minneapolis Police Department, Second Precinct, will be at the Waite Park Community Council meeting on Wednesday, September 2 at 7:00 pm to discuss the neighborhood policing plan for Waite Park. This discussion is a great opportunity for Waite Park residents to meet with Carol and brainstorm ways individuals and blocks can address livability crime issues and craft ways to partner with the police to make our neighborhood a safer place. We hope that you and your neighbors will join us and share your concerns and ideas.

Waite Park Community Council meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., in the Waite Park Community Center at 1810 34th Ave. NE. We hope to see you there!