The Arts District is being threatened and we need your voice. Creating an arts district was hard 20 years ago. It took anger, organization and conviction to make it happen. It will be just as hard to keep what we’ve developed. Writing a letter to your city council member and the mayor is an integral part of protecting the district. It’s time for you to help protect artists of the arts district!
Many of you may have been following the situation on Quincy St. and the Logan Park Industrial project. For those catching up at the bottom, there are seven articles about the proposed project and its backlash from the artists, businesses and residents. There are links to the 2040 plan to reference and consider using if you write to your city council members and the Mayor to support the artists in the Arts District.
Keep Quincy weird
Logan Park Industrial Neighborhood Street Reconstruction Project Falls Short of Stated Goals
Public Works missing the point on Quincy
Keep Logan Park Industrial weird
Unusual Minneapolis enclave skeptical of city’s planned redevelopment
Quincy St NE who’s it for
Street renovation will affect arts buildings on Quincy Street
A short recap: Public Works (PW) is assigned to redo multiple streets, including Quincy, Northrup King Building, Solar Arts and Tyler Street, this area encapsulates almost half of the Arts District artists and numerous art buildings. After several rounds, the artists and residents have pushed back on Public Works planning. However, according to the articles, Public Works continues to push concepts the community does not want. Many artists have referenced the city’s past, when artists were in the downtown warehouse area from the 1970s to 1990s, and the city built sports stadiums and pushed artists out.
We are asking concerned artists and community members to write letters that ask the Mayor and your City Council member to put a pause on this project because it isn’t taking into account that this area is an industrial area. Here are some concepts we would suggest using:
“Public Works has come from the view that the streets in this proposed reconstruction area use “Complete Streets” design guidelines and include sidewalks on both sides, parallel parking, trees and grass, to name a few. The area they are trying to reconstruct in the Logan Park Industrial area is a PR1 production mixed zone, has unique needs and is the heart of the Arts District, which must be preserved and strengthened.”
“I recommend that the project to be paused and restarted with a new planning group that includes urban planners with expertise in industrial and art production areas with collaboration from the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District and additional City enterprises to create a vision of the area to ensure the necessary expertise, knowledge and funding to guide the project.”
“I would like to see the city should follow the policies and goals they set out in the 2040 plan such as Policy 31 which states
‘The design should be made by listening to the artists, entrepreneurs and businesses.'”
There are many parts of the 2040 plan that you could reference. The 2040 plan is the guideline for all development for the City of Minneapolis. Public Works is not using the complete definition of the 2040 plan for this project. The Logan Park Industrial area project is a prime opportunity for the city to learn and build as the plans state. Here are some Policies and Goals to reference in the 2040 plan:
Policy 30
Emphasize the Value of Minneapolis’ Arts and Culture: Support the creative economy, cultural organizations and the city’s quality of life by raising awareness of and promoting the value of local arts and culture.
Policy 31
The design should be made by listening to the artists, entrepreneurs and businesses.
To sustain the creative sector, the resources that support small businesses need to be tailored and targeted to their unique needs.
Policy 32
Arts and Culture in Community Development: Build healthy and resilient communities through arts and culture.
Goal 7
History and culture: In 2040, the physical attributes of Minneapolis will reflect the city’s history and cultures.
Goal 8
To achieve the goal of creative, cultural, and natural amenities, the City of Minneapolis will steward, support and strengthen its creative, cultural and natural amenities.
Take the Public Works survey. Note it is a leading survey so make sure to write in more in depth thoughts. https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8095818/Logan-Park-Industrial-Street-Reconstruction-Community-Survey-2
City of Minneapolis Logan Park Industrial project page https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/logan-park-industrial/
City of Minneapolis Logan Park Industrial project page
https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/logan-park-industrial/
Contact us with questions:
Katie White, Senior Transportation Planner – Public Works
612-283-2097 katie.white@minneapolismn.gov
Andrew Schmitz, Associate Transportation Planner – Public Works
612-673-2721 andrew.schmitz@minneapolismn.gov
Proposed letter to your City Council Member and the Mayor (Personalize for your letter)
Dear [City Council Member’s Last Name],
I hope this letter finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am a resident of Minneapolis living at [Your Address]. I am writing to express my concerns and thoughts regarding
Logan Park Industrial Area Project
[Optional: Briefly introduce yourself and mention any relevant background or experience you
have related to the issue.]
I believe this project needs to be placed on hold because Public Works is failing to meet and understand the needs of this unique cultural area’s artists, businesses and residents. There is a need for urban planning to create the vision for this section of Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. It is my understanding that the City Council plays a crucial role in addressing community concerns, and I am hopeful that my input will be considered in your decision making process.
[Include any relevant facts, data, or personal experiences that support your position.] Using any of the points or language in the article above or from other article links provided will be useful to make your points.
I kindly request that the City Council take the following actions:
- Pause the Logan Park Industrial project until it can be properly visioned for the future. Getting it right is more important than finishing it by an arbitrary deadline.
- Make sure the Arts District, artists, business owners working on those streets needs are addressed and are part of the process of any urban planning.
- Utilize the 2040 policies and goals to guide any development of this area. Policies 30,31 and 32 specifically should be referenced. Goals 7 and 8 should be part of any planning.
I appreciate your dedication to serving our community and am confident that, with your thoughtful consideration, we can work towards a positive resolution.
If possible, I would be grateful for the opportunity to speak at an upcoming City Council meeting to further discuss this matter. Please advise on the procedure for public participation or any other necessary arrangements.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing from you and
appreciate your continued service to our community.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]