Final draft of Northside market scan to be presented April 3

Last month’s Beam had the incorrect date for the market scan report. It’s this month that Mike Berne of MJB Consulting will make the final presentation on the Northside economic market scan, which will be used by the Northside Neighborhood Alliance (NNA) to partner with the City to develop a comprehensive retail development plan for North Minneapolis. All those interested are invited to attend the meeting on Tuesday, April 3 from 6-8pm at NorthWay offices, 1501 W. Broadway Ave.

Stable homes change lives

Have you ever wondered what you can do to help solve the affordable housing crisis?

Start by coming to a free, one-hour session of information and inspiration presented by Central Community Housing Trust (CCHT), a nonprofit organization that develops and owns high-quality affordable housing. The program will be held on Wednesday, April 25 from 6:30-7:30pm at NorthWay Community Trust, 1501 W. Broadway. Please RSVP to Philip Schaffner at CCHT, 612-341-3148, x237.

Investing in North Minneapolis Youth

Everyone who cares about the future of youth in North Minneapolis is invited to attend an important forum on Thursday, April 26 from 6:00-7:30pm at the Minneapolis Urban League, 2100 Plymouth Ave. No. Youth and young adults are welcome. A light meal will be served. Forum sponsors are NorthWay Community Trust and NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center as members of the Northside Youth Development Collaborative. For more information, contact Lance Marcus Knuckles, Outreach Program Manager, NorthWay Community Trust, 612-521-4500.

NMECA Update

North Minneapolis Early Childhood Alliance (NMECA) is hiring a staff person to collect information from residents, care providers and parents. For a job description and more information, please contact Patty Wilder at Catholic Charities. NMECA will meet periodically to hear updates on the process and review recommendations for a final report due next spring 2008.  The report will provide recommendations for changes in policies, programs and coordination to better serve young children in North Minneapolis.  For more information about upcoming NMECA meetings, contact Allan Malkis at NorthWay, 612-521-4500.

Telling our Northside stories

The Northside Marketing Task Force held a community kick-off meeting on March 27 to begin the process of telling the North Minneapolis story.  Further community meetings will take place across North Minneapolis later this spring. People also heard from two consultants who proposed how to help turn community input into themes. For more information on the outcome of the meeting go to www.northminneapolis.com.