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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn
Marinan, Communications, 612-348-5969
County board actions
The board approved designs for an expanded NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center and Hennepin County Library - Southeast and awarded grants for natural resources projects and clean-up of contaminated sites.
 Expanded NorthPoint campus design moves forward
The board approved a design for an expanded NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center at the intersection of Penn and Plymouth avenues in North Minneapolis.
On Tuesday, the board also approved a contract to continue design of the new facility, which will cost an estimated $39 million. The NorthPoint campus expansion is one component of a larger North Minneapolis Community Wellness Center project budgeted at $67.6 million.
As part of the larger project, the Estes Funeral Chapel is moving to the southwest corner of Penn and Plymouth avenues. Thor Construction is also developing a corporate office, parking ramp and retail space on the southeast corner of the intersection.
NorthPoint will remain open throughout construction, slated to take place between fall 2018 and summer 2020.
Read more about this action.
Read more
about the campus expansion project.
The board approved an initial design for
renovations to the Hennepin County Library - Southeast, located in the
Dinkytown neighborhood of Minneapolis. The project will improve the building's
infrastructure, improve access for patrons and renovate the lower level of the
library, which is currently closed due to its deteriorating condition. The library
will be closed during renovations, between summer 2018 and spring 2019.
Read more about this action.
Read more about the project.
The board awarded $70,865 of Natural Resources Good Steward grants to three landowners and the following organizations to preserve, protect or improve natural resources and water quality:
- Minneapolis Public Schools – Field Community School to install rain gardens, provide educational signage and enhance curriculum
- Metro Blooms/Nokomis East Neighborhood (Minneapolis) to install a variety of stormwater management systems, including rain gardens, native plantings and permeable pavement throughout the neighborhood
- Standish-Ericsson Neighborhood Association (Minneapolis) to install up to 20 rain gardens throughout this neighborhood
Hennepin County also awarded a larger $100,000 Natural Resources Opportunity grant to Metro Blooms to implement the first two years of a five-year storm water retrofit plan for an apartment complex in Brooklyn Park.
Learn
more about this action.
Learn
more about Hennepin County natural resources grant funding.
The board awarded $1.4 million of
Environmental Response Fund grants for 10 projects to assess and clean up
contaminated sites where added environmental costs hinder site improvements or
redevelopment. The following organizations will receive grant funding:
- City of Lakes Community Land Trust
- City of Maple Grove
- City of Minneapolis
- City of Robbinsdale
- Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
- Minnesota Brownfields
Read more about the grant awards.
Read more about Environmental Response Fund grant
funding.
By proclaiming February Human Trafficking Awareness month, the board recommitted to protecting and supporting a safe future for young people in the community. Sex trafficking occurs year-round in Hennepin County, not just during large events like the Super Bowl. During 2017, Hennepin County staff served 73 youth who had experienced or were at risk for exploitation or trafficking. The No Wrong Door and Safe Harbor initiatives guide the county's work on the principle that these sexually exploited youth are survivors and victims, not criminals.
Learn more about this proclamation.
Learn more about the county's work to help sexually
exploited youth.
Current and archival board meetings, agendas and minutes are available online. View at www.hennepin.us/boardmeetings.
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Look for more news on
the Hennepin County website at www.hennepin.us/news.
Discover how we're making a difference in our communities at www.hennepin.us/stories.
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