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 Pictured left to right, Hennepin County Libraries Director Scott Duimstra, Administrator David Hough, and Commissioner Debbie Goettel.
On January 20th, Hennepin County hosted a community engagement event so residents could see a presentation, learn more, and ask questions about the new Southdale Library Project scheduled to complete in 2027. When this more accessible, open concept, multi-level, naturally lit space is completed, the Southdale regional library will no doubt be the crown jewel of the Hennepin County Public Library system. The concept behind this $95 million capital investment in our public library network completely flips the modernist, concrete, parking lot heavy Southdale Library (completed in 1973) on its head.
The current property is 80+ percent surface parking lot, and impervious. When completed, it will be rewilded to include park and recreation land which will account for 90 percent PERVIOUS surface, allowing a historical floodplain to return and to interact with the seasons and weather naturally. Not only is this smart from an environmental approach, but this allows for potential enrichment and programming for our communities and kids to seamlessly flow from indoors to outdoors. Solar, geothermal, natural water mitigation, and smart environmental design will allow this building to reach carbon "net zero", perfectly aligning with the county's Climate Action Plan. Technology, acoustics, and a diversity of reading, studying, and recreation spaces will be state of the art and employ current best practice in design throughout the building. In addition, we have amazing opportunities to partner with the Cities of Edina and Richfield, aligning transit investment and reconstruction along York Ave., co-locating the Edina Arts Center on-site, and reconnecting the Nine-Mile Creek Trail through the proposed campus.
All in all, this is an absolute homerun. I want to thank our amazing staff, design team, Hennepin County leaders, and most of all, YOU, the residents for engaging in the essential community engagement portion of this process. I am proud of the investment that we are making in generations of activity, enrichment, and our youth across the south metro.
Learn more about the proposed project here.
See more design concepts here.
Sincerely,
What's happening at Hennepin County and across the district:
Make sure to follow me on Twitter! 👉 @HennepinDebbie
Grants are available for schools to start or improve programs to reduce waste and keep recycling and organic materials, including food and non-recyclable paper, out of the trash. Grant flyer with program overview (PDF).
Eligible organizations include preschools, K-12 schools, colleges and universities in Hennepin County. Note that 2024 eligibility expanded to include colleges, universities, and preschools.
Grant funding can be used to fund staff time for project implementation as well as to purchase equipment and supplies including recycling and organics recycling containers, sorting stations, reusable food service ware, and bulk condiment dispensers.
Two-year colleges, Head Start, and preschools and K-12 schools with at least 50% of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch may apply for grants of up to $20,000 until 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 29. Applications of up to $15,000 from any K-12 school, preschool, college, or university (regardless of free and reduced lunch percentage) in the county will be accepted beginning March 20 through November 15, as funds remain.
Visit the school recycling web page to learn more and apply.
With the new year comes change, growth, and new opportunities. In this spirit, we would like to welcome Kate Nelson to the District Five team, our District Director.
Kate brings with her over twenty years of experience in both policy and administrative positions. She previously served as the Senior Policy Aide in Council Member Andrew Johnson and Council Member Aurin Chowdhury’s office at the City of Minneapolis. She also held the position of Aide to the Director of Public Works while working at the City. Prior to joining the City, Kate worked for nearly 15 years with local nonprofits, including the Minnesota AIDS Project (now Rainbow Health), Headwaters Foundation for Justice, and OutFront Minnesota. Kate lives in South Minneapolis with her three kids. You can often find her outside playing sports (pickleball, softball, broomball), going for a walk or run around lake Nokomis, and riding the Light Rail to work.
Please join me in welcoming Kate to Hennepin County. We are lucky to have her!
VEAP (Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People) and Hennepin County share a community space at 9600 Aldrich Avenue South in Bloomington. Together, we are exploring how we can best meet the needs of families in nearby communities.
Let us know about the type of supports that you would find helpful. Complete this survey by January 31 to be eligible for a prepaid debit card drawing.
If you are looking for ways to volunteer in your community, consider becoming a Hennepin County Community Recycling Ambassador!
Community Recycling Ambassadors are trained on waste prevention, recycling and composting, and effective communication skills through a six-week course, with one class each week, taught by industry experts and community leaders. This training program is free to participants.
Apply for the spring 2024 class
The spring 2024 class will be held every Thursday from February 15 through March 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. The class will take place virtually via Zoom.
The application is open from Monday, January 22 through Sunday, February 4.
Visit the website to learn more about the program and apply.
If you have Medical Assistance of MinnesotaCare your health insurance needs to be renewed annually. Follow these 4 steps to renew your health insurance if you haven’t already.
Step 1: Get ready
Know your renewal date and make sure your contact information is current, so important time-sensitive materials gets to you.
Step 2: Look for your Blue Dot envelope
Watch your mailbox for an envelope with a blue dot saying Important Information Enclosed. Once your renewal envelop arrives get started right away.
Step 3: Fill out your paperwork
Gather your documents and fill in the forms completely.
Step 4: Return it on time
Be sure to return your renewal before your deadline to your county, tribal or state agency. Follow the steps to mail your renewal form or upload the form to DHS here.
Get help
Get free help, including help to upload your renewal form, from a navigator. Click “Assister Directory” under Find Free Help. Search the directory to find a navigator near you and one that speaks your language. https://www.mnsure.org/help/find-assister/find-navigator.jsp
Learn more at https://mn.gov/dhs/renewmycoverage/
Here are several resources to update yourself and your family on road construction projects happening across the district and the entire metro area.
Hennepin County construction projects
Metropolitan Council weekly construction update
MnDOT- Metro Area State highway and bridge projects
Join a fun-filled night of board games at the Richfield Community Center! Games by James and Air Traffic will be providing newly-released games and modern classics to play. Recreation staff will be on hand to help learn the rules and help with any questions that may come up. This will be a great way to connect with other community members looking for a fun night of board games! Ages 10 and up; under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Free; no registration required!
This February, join the City of Bloomington and Hennepin County for a month-long commitment to reduce plastic use in your daily life. Throughout the month, you will have access to a wealth of online resources as well as virtual and in-person events to learn about the most impactful ways to reduce plastic and try plastic-free swaps that fit your lifestyle.
Join the City of Bloomington team to participate! Participants will be entered into a random chance drawing for a secondhand book on reducing plastics in our daily lives.
Start strong: attend the Bloomington-led virtual kickoff “Goal Setting & Go-Getting” event on Monday, January 29 from 6-7:30pm. Bloomington staff will review the different action categories, deep dive into one or two categories, and ask reflective questions to help attendees select specific and achievable goals for the month. Register for the Webex webinar.
The Outdoor Center opens its doors on most Saturdays for free family fun! See the resident animals and learn about future programs and events. No registration needed; just drop in!
Date: Jan 27 2024
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Author Talk with R.C. Christiansen on his new book “Mill City Scrum”
February 17 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am CST- Pay as you can
Cap off football season with this fun and informative look back at Minnesota’s first team in the National Football League: join author R.C. Christiansen as he shares fun and interesting stories from his latest work Mill City Scrum, the definitive history of an early National Football League Franchise.
Learn more here.
Title image courtesy of Ryan Christiansen.
Check out events happening at a library near you. Filter for specific areas, age groups, and different types of event to find something unique and specific to you and your family!
Learn more at Hennepin County Library events.
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Whether it's a housing crisis, energy assistance question, or child protection concern, we are here to help you navigate these and other issues.
Please call our office at 612-348-7885 or contact us to seek assistance or ask a question.
Contact
Commissioner Debbie Goettel
Hennepin County District 5
Bloomington | Eden Prairie | Richfield | SW Minneapolis
612-348-7885
Graham Faulkner
Policy Director
612-596-7078
Kate Nelson
District Director
612-348-7885
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