As Northsiders we've been working hard on issues around economic development, environmental justice, safety, housing, education, and transportation. I think it's time we take a more collaborative approach and start building a community for the community and with the community.
Yes, And...
"Yes, and ... " is a concept I learned in improvisational theater. In that arena, to keep the story moving forward, you have to listen to your fellow actors, really hear what they say, and join their ideas with yours to make things work.
Businesses and other organizations use that same principle to foster creativity and effective communication, in order to achieve greater success. You know who doesn't apply this principle? Government. And you know who MOST needs to apply this principle, right now, right here? That's right.
Can we attract terrific new businesses along our commercial corridors?
YES, AND we can make sure we don't displace the people who live here.
Can we have safety and security? YES, AND we can have racial justice.
Can we have a growing economy and increased density? YES, AND we can have environmental justice. #YesAnd
Build Wealth
And Keep it Right Here!
Planners say we can't attract businesses without a higher AMI (average medium income) and we can't increase our AMI without better amenities for residents. I say YES, AND we can create higher-density residential development in spaces surrounding business corridors with a mix of affordable and market rate AND give real incentives to attract and support small businesses. We will increase employment, capture the dollars that are leaving our community, and attract more businesses. #WealthCreation
Development without Displacement
Support local businesses with:
1. Build-Out and Facade grants along our commercial corridors
2. Programs to support living wage jobs
3. Marketing support
4. Real Business technical support
5. Subsidies to purchase commercial property
6. Incentives for hiring local residents.
#CreativePlacemaking #NorthsideDestinationZone #NorthMinneapolisNeedsJobs #IncreaseTaxBase
Housing For Everyone is when...
1. We provide sufficient down payment assistance to make home ownership affordable
2. We Subsidize every first time homebuyer class so there is never a cost
3. We work with and support local developers to build high quality affordable rental units. Because local debelopers care about the overall quality and longevity of our communitites resources.
4. We always keep in mind, our aging resdidents that have dedicated their time and lives to raising children in North Minneapolis, volunteering, paying taxes, serving in leadership positions, and giving back to their community every day. When they are ready to pass their home down to their children, or a new family, they should have to leave their community. Whenever we are planning the development of affordable housing, we need to always have our senior community in mind.
5. We are always thinking about our homeless populations. North Minneapolis is home to the majority of Minneapolis Residents who are homeless. We must work to find safe spaces for them to rest while working with them to secure permanent housing. Whenever we are planning for temporary or longterm sheltering space, we must have every community member that desires to be at the table, a part of the process when it comes to locating a space for development, how it will be developed, and what programming or resources will be available to them.
#Housing4All #AffordableOwnership #SeniorHousing4Northside #Dignity4TheHome-less #EveryoneAtTheTable
Racial Justice & Safe Neighborhoods
Systemic failures Have gotten us here.....
The only way to fully have safety and security in our community is to have racial justice. Every person, especially our young people, needs to know they matter and have real, viable, equitable options. Huge systemic failures got us where we are now and there are no simple solutions. We have to come together and use our imaginations toward a YES, AND approach.
We are in need of Police Reform
This would include:
1. More time off in order for officers to rest and spend time with family and friends
2. Increase time to look back in officers record
3. No rehire after being fired for harm commited on a civilian or dishonesty on a police report.
4. Grants for residents to obtain Peace officer License and training
5. Seperate Unions between supervisors and supervisees so that Supervisors' bargaining units will not affected wheen disciplinary action is needed with their staff.
6. Implementation of a Police, Safety & Violence Prevention department
7. Liabilty Insurance requirement for Officers and the need to maintain coverage
Ways we can begin to heal
1. Restore and bring back community engagement department
2. Build community capacity to address repairing harm
3. Provide unarmed civilian protection options and training
4. Include schools, places of worship, and community organizations to recruit applicants that want to serve as officers in our community.
5. Connect with the community, while they are young. We absolutely need to build community by creating and funding coalitions of organizations, and groups that offer activities, programs, and social clubs to youth.
6. Raise the budget for non emergency safety issues such as: City Response time to deal with safety nuisances such as prompt repair of street lights, potholes, emergency call boxes, toxic dumping, and excessive speeding.
#SafetyAndJustice
Kick Out Polluters & Create Clean Energy
Northside parents whose children have suffered from asthma, forced Northern Metals to tell the truth and get out of our community. Northside activists stopped the HERC expansion. YES WE DID, AND we will put a collection site here for the batteries, fluorescent bulbs and electronics putting toxins in our waste stream and air. We will have the highest level of recycling and composting in the city, and we will be the largest producer of clean energy with our network of solar gardens.
We need to:
1. Restore our Green Spaces Clean up the river, restore Bassett Creek,
2. Remediate Toxic sites along the river, fight for grey water systems,
3. Decrease impervious surfaces, plant trees, increase boulevards on
4. Incentivize Business corridors, for stormwater management.
5. Provide funding for solar, geothermal, and solar thermal installations.
6. Reward Good Acts Resident Incentives for stormwater drain adoption & reporting, recycling, decreased waste, and mindful transportation practices.
7. Create a North Minneapolis Hazardous Waste drop off sites.
8. Continue to and sustain programs that address remediation of properties affected by lead
#EnvironmentalJustice
