Elliot Park Neighborhood, Inc.

Our Organization

This is an exciting time in Elliot Park. There is renewed vigor and enthusiasm for the potential and the possibilities that are inherent in this community. Neighborhood volunteers continue to demonstrate their positive spirit as they work together to make Elliot Park an urban village for all to enjoy. New volunteers are always welcome to get involved in the conversation and the work that benefits everyone who lives or works in the Elliot Park Neighborhood.

The Elliot Park Neighborhood has a long and dappled history, first rising in prominence and then declining, as the city grew and changed with the times. In 1976 dedicated community residents came together to establish Elliot Park Neighborhood, Inc. (EPNI) in order to resolve community issues and to improve the quality of life in their neighborhood. Their mission was to conserve the existing housing stock and participate in any decision-making that would substantially affect the future of their neighborhood. They promoted neighborhood revitalization and sought the delivery of needed services for residents of every age and economic situation. EPNI also worked to expand employment opportunities and to promote economic development and cultural activities that celebrated the diversity of the neighborhood. That work continues today.

When the city of Minneapolis established the Neighborhood Revitalization Program in the early 1990’s EPNI received funding that allowed it to increase staffing and work harder with community volunteers to improve neighborhood conditions. Significant successful projects undertaken by EPNI include the restoration of the Hinkle-Murphy mansion and the rehabilitation of the Band Box Diner; streetscape improvements; the creation of the Brian Coyle Community Gardens; and the establishment of the EP-COPP, the City’s first community policing substation.

In 2002 EPNI completed a master planning process for the neighborhood to bring coherence to the new development projects of Elliot Park. The Elliot Park Master Plan, adopted by the Minneapolis City Council in 2003, is the defining document shaping the growth and development of Elliot Park and Downtown East.  (The Master Plan, along with other community planning documents, can be viewed on the Community Planning page of this website).

With a continued commitment to diversifying the economy and housing options in the neighborhood, EPNI used $4.2 million of NRP Phase I funds to leverage over $150 million in public and private investments. As a direct result of this work, several new housing developments have been completed in Elliot Park since 2000:

• Aeon’s East Village added 180 units of new market rate and affordable rental to the neighborhood.
• Grant Park Homes, fully occupied in the summer of 2005, brought nearly 300 condominium homes into Elliot Park.
• Skyscape, another new condominium development of 240 units, opened in 2007.
• Both the historic Lenox Flats and Sexton were converted into condominium units.

EPNI continues to play a vital role in the evolution of the Elliot Park Neighborhood by actively pursuing its mission. Bringing people and resources together to preserve and promote the unique urban character of the historic Elliot Park Neighborhood.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall consist of at least seven, but no more than twenty members. Anyone who lives, works or owns property in the neighborhood can be a member of EPNI and is eligible to apply for board service. At least seventy percent of the Board positions must be filled by persons who reside within the Elliot Park neighborhood boundaries as defined by the City of Minneapolis. Directors are elected to two-year terms at the Annual Meeting in May of each year. Vacancies may also be filled with board approval throughout the year. Eligible members who are interested in serving on the board are encouraged to contact EPNI for more information.

Directors

Millie Schafer, President ~ Resident
Kim Forbes, Vice President ~ Minnesota Teen Challenge
Dean Jacobson, Treasurer ~ Resident
Patti Wettlin, Secretary ~ Resident

Arthur Agnew ~ Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church
Andrea Christenson ~ Resident
Jean Cole ~ Augustana Care Center
Gene F. Gaines ~ Resident
Michael Harristhal ~ Hennepin County Medical Center
Paul Ireland ~ Resident
Jeff Millikan ~ Resident
Brian Nasi ~ Resident
Barett Steenrod ~ Resident
Howard Young ~ Resident

Board Minutes

June 2010     May 2010     April 2010     March 2010     February 2010   
January 2010    

View the EPNI Bylaws:   Bylaws Revised May 2010     

Staff

Susan Braun, Executive Director
Masters of Architecture, Urban Design and Development focus, University of Minnesota
B.A in Architecture, University of Minnesota
612.335.5846 ext 11 susanbraun@elliotpark.org

Ms. Braun specializes in neighborhood-based urban design and development. As a research assistant at the University of Minnesota’s Design Center (1989-1992), she collaborated on several innovative urban design and community development initiatives including the Mississippi River Urban Design Research Expedition, the City of Minneapolis Urban Corridors Conference, the Armory Re-Use Study and the neighborhood planning primer Planning To Stay. As a design consultant on inter-disciplinary teams she has advised several Minneapolis neighborhoods on commercial corridors redevelopment. Ms. Braun initiated the Elliot Park Master Plan process and the Elliot Park Neighborhood Urban Design Guidelines for the Centennial Commons Initiative. Prior to her urban design career, she specialized in alternative and co-operative systems design and development in health care, child care and food co-ops.

David Fields, Community Development Coordinator
Doctor of Philosophy, American Studies, University of Minnesota
M.A. in American Studies, University of Minnesota
B.A. Journalism & Mass Communications, University of Washington
612.335.5846 ext 13 davidfields@elliotpark.org

Mr. Fields is the project manager for the Centennial Commons Initiative and has worked for EPNI since 1998. He is staff coordinator of the Building, Land Use & Housing citizen participation committee (BLUH), which deals with land use, zoning, and development issues in Elliot Park Neighborhood. He served as project manager for the Elliot Park Neighborhood Master Plan and has administered the business of the many citizen design and development review task forces that have been engaged with a variety of development proposals in Elliot Park. Mr. Fields has served in several commission and advisory capacities: a seven-year member of the Minneapolis Zoning Board of Adjustment; an Officer of the Central Community Housing Trust Board of Directors; a member of the Technical Advisory Committee for the City’s Downtown East/North Loop Master Plan. He teaches Urban Studies colloquia at the University of Minnesota.

Lynn Regnier, Finance & Communications Coordinator
M.A. in Education, St. Thomas University
B.A. in Education, Northern Illinois University
612.335.5846 ext 18 lynnregnier@elliotpark.org

Ms. Regnier’s eclectic background combines community economic development and entrepreneurship with nonprofit administration. As a former small business owner, chamber of commerce director and museum administrator she has considerable experience creating community partnerships, developing business relationships and facilitating community economic development projects that promote small business growth. Ms. Regnier has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector developing, writing and administering grants projects as well as organizing and promoting cultural, historical and educational events and developing and marketing community fundraising and outreach activities.

Building, Land Use & Housing Committee
~BLUH Committee~

Chair: Millie Schafer
Staffed by David Fields
612-335-5846, ext 13
davidfields@elliotpark.org

Neighborhood volunteers provide vision for future neighborhood development through various task forces that focus on land use, property disposition, planning, public improvements, housing and development issues, zoning variances, permits and urban design guidelines. Over a period of several years BLUH directed an intensive planning process in collaboration with EPNI staff, design consultants and city agencies. That work culminated in 2002 with the creation of the Elliot Park Neighborhood Master Plan that was then adopted by the City of Minneapolis in 2003 as part of the city comprehensive plan. The master plan is the guiding force directing the work of this committee.

BLUH meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Elliot Park Recreation Center, 1000 East 14th Street. Task forces meet as needed. New volunteers are welcome and encouraged to contact David Fields for more information.

BLUH MINUTES: May 2010
BLUH MINUTES: April 2010
BLUH MINUTES: March 2010
BLUH MINUTES: February 2010
BLUH MINUTES: January 2010