News

We’re Open … But Physical Office Temporarily Closed Due to COVID-19

  • Our physical office is closed until further notice due to COVID-19 restrictions, but we are still operating off-site. You can reach us by email at info@windompark.org or by leaving a voicemail at (612) 788-2192.
  • WPCiA’s home fix-up loans and commercial rehab loans are still available. Call our vendor CEE/The Lending Center at (612) 335-5858 for details and to apply.
  • Home Energy Squad visits are still taking place to address energy-efficiency concerns. Call (651) 328-6220 for details.

  • For fastest action on your Home Security Rebate during COVID-19, please email your completed applications to us instead of mailing or dropping them off at the office. Our physical office is not open at this time.

More Raingardens Moving Forward in 2021

WPCiA provided partial funding for 15 neighborhood rain gardens in 2019 and 2020; we have now allocated $5,600 for eight more of these environmentally smart, stormwater-filtering gardens in 2021. We are working with Metro Blooms on this project. Estimated cost to the resident installing the rain garden is $300-450, depending on size of the garden and plants used. Deadline for applying is April 30, 2021 (first come, first served). If you are interested in participating, send your name, address, email and phone number to info@windompark.org

The ‘Minneapolis 2040’ Comprehensive Plan

The Minneapolis City Council on Dec. 7, 2018, approved the “Minneapolis 2040” Comprehensive Plan and forwarded it, as required by state law, to the Metropolitan Council for final approval during 2019. The plan provides a roadmap for where the city sees itself in the coming years. Urban design, density, zoning, housing, transportation, heritage preservation, equity, community engagement and more are detailed for each area of the city. Check this link for details from the city. 

The plan and its public meetings generated debate and news coverage; in the Windom Park neighborhood, debate generally centered around the city’s initial proposal to allow dwelling structures of up to four units (four-plexes; later reduced to tri-plexes plus an Accessory Dwelling Unit) on all residential properties – in conflict with the Small Area Plan the neighborhood approved. The Small Area Plan called for zoning to remain “as is” in this neighborhood.  WPCiA submitted comment to the city stating that we support the Windom Park Neighborhood Small Area Plan and wish to have it incorporated into “Minneapolis 2040.” Your neighbor volunteers worked for over two years seeking community input, conducting surveys, holding community engagement sessions, working with a special consultant, conferring with city staff, listening to neighbors, revising and ultimately creating a plan for this specific area of Minneapolis.

The City of Minneapolis’ approved 2040 plan can be found here. WPCiA remains committed to its Small Area Plan. If you are interested in volunteering to help work towards implementation of the plan, contact WPCiA or attend our monthly meetings.

Small Area Plan Documents

WPCiA has completed the Windom Park Neighborhood Small Area Plan (SAP). This important document will provide direction for the neighborhood and the City of Minneapolis for the coming years on topics such as land use, zoning, density, transportation, parking, commercial area revitalization, and gateways. We thank all of you who provided input, answered our surveys, attended meetings, and served on the Steering Committee!

Please note that on Jan. 23, 2018, after considering the many comments on the SAP and motions made by neighbors attending the Jan. 16 neighborhood meeting, the Board of Directors voted to remove the Johnson Street opportunity site from the plan. Also removed are references to rezone the neighborhood to R3 (higher-density residential); instead, the document will express a preference that zoning in the neighborhood remains “as is.” 

You can access the WPCiA Small Area Plan by downloading Volume 1 and Volume 2 here (approximately 12 MB each).

Other Key Milestones:

See also: Lowry Grove redevelopment plans

Background on Lowry Grove Redevelopment

Redevelopment has been proposed for the Lowry Grove mobile home park area adjacent to our neighborhood on Stinson Parkway at Lowry Avenue NE/Kenzie Terrace. In early 2021, WCPiA heard from developers about a new proposal for senior housing for a portion of the site along Stinson Parkway.

General Chronology of Past Events

  • A community meeting on the possible redevelopment was organized by SAVNE Neighbors for a Livable Community for Monday, Feb. 13, 2017. Details here.
  • A proposed settlement was reached Aug. 1, 2017, with the former residents, according to the City of St. Anthony Village. The proposed settlement was reportedly in part contingent on density factors that later were not approved by the city.
  • The developer in July 2017 filed a revised development plan (see right-hand column links on the village’s web site) with the City of St. Anthony Village.
  • After a public hearing Aug. 28, 2017, the St. Anthony Village Planning Commission voted to deny the developer’s applications. The city council agreed to postpone action on this agenda item until its Oct. 10 meeting.
  • At its Oct. 10, 2017, meeting the St. Anthony Village City Council unanimously approved a resolution to Deny the Comprehensive Plan Amendments, PUD Preliminary Development Plan/PUD Rezoning, and Preliminary Plat related to The Village, LLC project located at 2401 and 2501 Lowry Avenue.
  • In October 2017, another revision was proposed by the developer (see right-hand column links on the village web site for related plans and exhibits).
  • At a community meeting held Jan. 24, 2018, the developer presented revised plans that no longer include the Bremer Bank site and noted the development team expected to file an application with the city in the coming days. The property owners noted they may offer RV parking at the site this summer in order to recoup some of their investment. The project is now being referred to as the “Kenzie Terrace and Stinson Parkway Development.”
  • The St. Anthony Village City Council approved the developer’s revised preliminary plan, now scaled back to 414-430 units of rental housing.
  • St. Anthony Village, like Minneapolis, is undergoing an update of its Comprehensive Plan. See what is suggested here, and see how it might impact the Windom Park neighborhood.

WPCiA  continues to monitor and discuss these topic at our meetings and with our Minneapolis city council member and park board representatives, due to the proximity of this potential development site to our neighborhood. A group of residents, SAVNE Neighbors for a Livable Community, has also been organizing meetings and collecting documents on the project, which WPCiA will post here as they become available. (See also information on the WPCiA Small Area Plan.)

Other Documents

April 2017

Neighborhood Meeting Minutes

Board Meeting Minutes

March 2017

Neighborhood Meeting Minutes

Board Meeting Minutes

February 2017

Neighborhood Meeting Minutes

Board Meeting Minutes

January 2017

Neighborhood Meeting Minutes

Board Meeting Minutes

December 2016

Neighborhood Meeting Minutes

Board Meeting Minutes

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mission

Windom Park Citizens in Action (WPCiA) is a 501c3 non-profit that serves as the voice of Windom Park neighborhood in Northeast Minneapolis. It is the city-designated citizen participation organization for this geographic area of Minneapolis, as well as the neighborhood's contracting organization for the city's Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP).

Our Goals

  1. Eliminate Disparities – Learn more
  2. Encourage Healthy, Safe & Connected People – Learn more
  3. Develop Complete Neighborhoods – Learn more
  4. Ensure a Clean Environment – Learn more

» Read more about how we selected these goals.