Ward 6 News ~ March 12, 2012

City of Minneapolis sent this bulletin at 03/12/2012 02:19 PM CDT

Minneapolis Ward 6 Council Member Robert Lilligren

March 9, 2012

In the early morning of March 2nd, KMEB 88.5 FM Radio’s Live in the Neighborhood series took place live at The Nicollet coffee shop on the corner of Franklin Avenue and Nicollet in the 6th Ward. Council Member Lilligren was invited to speak at the series and was interviewed on two of his favorite topics – streetcars and the reopening of Nicollet Avenue at Lake Street. The City of Minneapolis recently received a federal grant to continue studying reintroducing streetcars to our city. Minneapolis has identified seven streetcar lines as a “primary network,” defined as a line extending from Nicollet Avenue in south Minneapolis, through downtown, then continuing through Northeast Minneapolis on Central Avenue to the city limits. Council Member Lilligren has been busy leading the City’s efforts to bring streetcars to our City, you can read more about this project here.

Mondays with Robert

Council Member Lilligren has always believed that it's important for regular people to have access to government. Robert is still committed to that value today. For that reason, Robert makes himself available to community member visits on a walk-in and appointment basis.

You can meet with Robert on the first four Mondays of the month at each of the neighborhoods he represents. Call or email Alondra at 673-2206 or alondra.cano@minneapolismn.gov to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome, however - you will be asked to wait if there is a scheduled appointment.

NOTE: If a meeting is scheduled, walk-ins will be asked to wait until the scheduled appointment is over.

First Monday of the Month

Whittier Alliance, 10 E. 25th Street

9:30am - 11:30am

Second Monday of the Month

Phillips West, LSS Bldng (2400 Park Ave.)

9:30am - 11:30am

Third Monday of the Month

Stevens Square, 1925 Nicollet Ave.

9:30am - 11:30am

Fourth Monday of the Month

Ventura Village, 2323 11th Ave. S.

2nd Floor of Phillips Community Center

9:30am - 11:30am

Public Hearings

Every 10 years, based on new census data, the City of Minneapolis goes through a process of redistricting. Charter Commissioners and Redistricting Advisory Board members draw ward lines that define who is able to run to represent your neighborhood and community. Read more about the redistricting process here and attend the final public hearings to share your views:

Tuesday, March 20

5:00 – 7:00pm

Sabathani Community Center

310 E 38th St, Minneapolis

Wednesday, March 21

5:00 – 7:00pm

Urban Research & Outreach Engagement Center (UROC)

2001 Plymouth Av N, Minnepolis

Partnership Highlight

150 Nonprofits partnered with the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County to end homelessness, Heading Home Hennepin has been a tremendous success and we're looking forward to continuing the work. Since 2010, we have seen a 40% reduction in street homelessness. We'd like to recognize St. Stephen's Shelter and Church for housing over 350 people since 2007. Read the full five year report presented to Committee of the Whole, Chaired by Council Vice President Robert Lilligren, here.

We want to hear about your highlights!

We know lots of stuff is happening in the wonderful world of the 6th Ward so help us share the news. If you have a meaningful project that you are helping to lead, are a part of, or know about please tell us know so we can include it in our regular newsletters. Getting featured in our highlights section is as easy as one, two, three! Send us an email at Ward06CouncilOffice@minneapolismn.gov with 1) a 250 word or less description of what's happening, 2) a photo that we could use to depict the highlight, and 3) your full name, title (if applicable), and contact information. We look forward to hearing from you!

Congratulations!

Heidi’s Restaurant, located in the 6th Ward, is one of Several Minneapolis Eateries Nominated for 2012 James Beard Awards!

Congratulations to the numerous Minneapolis restaurants and chefs that were recently nominated for the prestigious 2012 James Beard Awards: The Bachelor Farmer (Best New Restaurant), La Belle Vie (Outstanding Bar Program), Tim McKee, La Belle Vie (Outstanding Chef), Michelle Gayer, Salty Tart Bakery (Outstanding Pastry Chef), Restaurant Alma (Outstanding Restaurant), Richard D’Amico and Larry D’Amico (Outstanding Restauranteur), Manny’s Steakhouse (Outstanding Service), Sameh Wadi, Saffron (Rising Star Chef of the Year), Steven Brown, Tilia (Best Chef: Midwest), Doug Flicker, Piccolo (Best Chef: Midwest) and Stewart Woodman, Heidi’s (Best Chef: Midwest). Five finalists in each category will be announced on March 15, and the winners on May 7.

Teen Job Fair!

Saturday March 24, 12:00pm - 3:00pm

At the Minneapolis Central Library

Special Arts Event at Center for Changing Lives

On Monday, March 5th Robert attended the opening of "Older Than America," a showing of the work of two young Native American artists Carolyn Lee Anderson and Bobby Wilson at Lutheran Social Service Center for Changing Lives at 24th St and Park Ave. LSS regularly uses their lobby to showcase community art, Anderson and Wilson’s art will be on display through April. Council Member Lilligren spoke to help put this exhibit into context, within American Indian history, culture and the emerging idea of the Native American cultural corridor on Franklin Avenue. Robert spoke of the history of U.S. laws and policies that prohibited Native Americans from speaking their languages, practicing their religions and creating their art. He feels exhibits like this are in line with the idea of the Indian community generated cultural corridor, two important efforts to rediscovering a community voice. Below, a photograph of some of the work of these talented Indigenous artists.

Opportunities

Get Your $25 Tree!

The City of Minneapolis is offering 1,500 trees this spring for only $25 each. The trees are approximately eight feet tall with one-inch trunks. Starting March 12, any Minneapolis property owner – whether resident, business or nonprofit – can order a tree to plant on private Minneapolis property this spring. Varieties of trees are Bali cherry, bur oak, Black Hills spruce, Fall Fiesta maple, Honeycrisp apple, ironwood, Prairifire crabapple, Princeton elm, red bud (tree form) and Whitespire birch (clump form). Ordering begins March 12, online here or via phone 952-767-3886. Paper order forms will also be available at UROC (the University of Minnesota's Urban Research and Outreach Engagement Center at 2001 Plymouth Ave. N.) and at North Side Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board recreation centers. The City Trees program helps meet Minneapolis’ eco-focused goal recognizing trees as a solid green investment. Since 2006, the City of Minneapolis has funded the City Trees program, a low-cost way for folks to help build the city’s tree canopy. The City Trees program is a partnership between the City of Minneapolis and Tree Trust, a local nonprofit that works to improve the community environment. So go on, order your tree!

Façade Improvement Grant Money Available

The Minneapolis City Council authorized new Great Streets Façade Improvement Matching Grant contracts with eight community organizations in February 2012. These contracts expand the program to cover 58 different commercial areas of the city with $5,000 or $7,500 matching grants for building façade projects. For more information, visit the Community Planning and Economic Development website or contact Rebecca Parrell 612-673-5018.

With a facade improvement grant, 6th Ward business owners can polish up the exterior look of their restaurants. Proprietors can also choose to invest in preserving the unique architecture of their building's outdoor look, much like the owners of Rainbow Restaurant have done. Visit the City of Minneapolis' Community Planning and Economic Development website here for more information on how to improve the look of your business.

Support for Small Businesses

SBA District Director Nancy Libersky has announced the kickoff of its 2012 e200/Emerging Leaders executive-level training initiative for businesses located within the cities of Minneapolis or Saint Paul. Since 2008, the e200 Emerging Leaders initiative has helped nearly 1,000 promising small business owners across the country grow their businesses with support, resources and skills to succeed.

Developed by SBA, e200 offers qualified small business owners powerful benefits including innovative strategies to grow, acquire financing, access new markets and leverage networking. In 2011, an e200 program was held in the City of Minneapolis.

"The SBA's E200 program brought tremendous value to 19 Minneapolis businesses last year. The businesses lucky enough to be selected to participate were provided significant guidance over nine months in developing ambitious growth plans," said Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. "We saw real outcomes right away in Minneapolis, with the businesses opening second locations, hiring additional staff, launching new ventures, landing lucrative contracts and securing international joint ventures. I'm thrilled that this program will be offered again in 2012, opening doors for another class of expanding Minneapolis businesses."

E-200 is considered a mini-MBA type of training with the case study being the owner’s business, but it does require a major time commitment of the CEO. The eight-month program offers approximately 100 hours of combined classroom training, homework and peer-to-peer mentoring. It will provide the opportunity for small business owners to work with experienced mentors and develop connections with their peers, city leaders, and financial communities. Classes will begin mid-April and will be held every other week through early November. There is no charge to participants; the only costs are the CEO’s time and commitment to complete the curriculum.

To be eligible to participate, the small businesses must: be located in the cities of Minneapolis or Saint Paul; generate revenues between $400,000 and $10 million; have been in business for at least three years; and have at least one employee.

Interested small business owners are invited to learn more about the initiative and request to have the one page application emailed by contacting Cindy Collett at the SBA office at (612) 370-2312 or cynthia.collett@sba.gov.

From the Office of City Council Vice President Robert Lilligren
350 South 5th Street, City Hall, Room 307, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Robert.Lilligren@minneapolismn.gov · Ward 6 website · (612) 673-2206

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