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Welcome to Hennepin Thrive,
This is a new quarterly newsletter from Hennepin County’s department of Housing and Economic Development to share information about community development programs and funding opportunities that support equitable development and other place-based initiatives.
We aim to share information and stories of interest to public and private partners, especially Hennepin County cities, developers, and community groups.
You are receiving this newsletter because you previously expressed interest in receiving updates about Hennepin County’s community development work.
In this issue:
 Situated at the epicenter of civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, the historic Coliseum building on Lake Street in Minneapolis is rising with new life as testament to the power of community-led equitable redevelopment.
Supported by Hennepin County’s Community Investment Initiative and Transit Oriented Development program, the $30 million project is led by Redesign, Inc., a locally owned nonprofit community development corporation.
The project centers community leadership and visioning and will:
- Provide 70,000 square feet of commercial space
- Ensure long-term affordability to 25 Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) business owners
- Create 150 new jobs
- Be co-owned by three local Black business leaders, who will also be anchor tenants.
- Focus on community healing through innovative public lobby design, public art, and cultural installations
Taylor Smrikárova (pictured right), Director of Property Development at Redesign, Inc., says this project stands in opposition to extractive development and gentrification.
“It focuses on new models for economic justice, especially those that center BIPOC ownership and build community wealth,” she said.
Support from Hennepin County crucial
The Coliseum project received a total of $1.75 million from Hennepin County community development programs. It was one of 18 projects to receive pandemic recovery funding through Hennepin County's Community Investment Initiative.
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Hennepin County offers a variety of funding opportunities for public and private partners, including cities and developers, for community and housing development projects.
Coordinated affordable housing development request for proposals
- Open now, proposals due February 9
- Funding through multiple county housing development programs including Affordable Housing Incentive Fund, HOME Investment Partnerships, and new this year, the Hennepin Homeownership Assistance Program.
- Learn more
Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
- Opening February 9, proposals due March 9
- Grants for development and infrastructure projects that help create walkable, mixed-use, human-centered communities around high-quality transit service.
- Learn more
TOD predevelopment assistance
- Opening February 9, proposals due March 9
- Support for emerging developers, particularly those from historically marginalized groups, in overcoming barriers to financial and knowledge capital often needed to enter the development industry.
- Learn more
Community Development Block Grants
- Opening February, exact date TBD
- Funding for a variety of local community development needs.
- Learn more
Other community development funding opportunities coming later in 2023
Community Investment Initiative
- Available in Bottineau LRT Corridor only
- Guidelines will be available in June, applications due end of August 2023
- Learn more
Business District Initiative and Hennepin Planning Grants
 With the goal of reinvigorating the City of Crystal’s older business centers, Hennepin County’s Business District Initiative recently provided funding for Crystal’s façade improvement program, supporting businesses at three different commercial nodes throughout the city.
As part of the project, local artist Lili Lennox, who has a studio in Crystal, added a bright mural to the Elision Playhouse building (pictured above), a performing arts venue near the intersection of Brunswick and 42nd avenues.
Livable Communities Pre-development Grant Program
The Metropolitan Council offers pre-development grants of up to $150,000 for eligible early-stage development activities like design workshops, financial studies, project impact analyses, and community engagement. Pre-applications are due Thursday, February 9.
Learn more
Metro Transit Residential Pass Program
Metro Transit offers deeply discounted unlimited-use transit passes for multifamily developments. Property owners pay for the passes, using them to attract renters while reducing the need for parking.
Learn more
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