38th & Chicago Taskforce
changes the world right in front of them

BY DWIGHT HOBBES

There’s an old saying that goes, You may not being able to change the whole world, but you can sure do something about that three square feet you’re standing on. In line with said principle, the 38th and Chicago Task Force can’t change Minneapolis all by itself. But its members sure do convene each month to be about the sustained, ongoing business of working to benefit the square blocks that comprise their neighborhood.

The objective, as stated on the website, “is that 38th and Chicago will be the hub of prosperous, inviting, safe and artful communities, a unique place and destination where people connect with each other and have the opportunity to grow and develop socially, artistically, economically and ethically.” Toward this end, the group has spent the past few years crafting its Community Development Plan, which is sponsored by the Bryant Neighborhood Organization, the Bancroft Neighborhood Association, the Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization and the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association (all four areas converge at 38th St. and Chicago Ave.). Presently, in order to support improvement and revitalization of the area, they’re working with Antonio Rosell of the Community Design Group on a Small Area Plan that is to be adopted by the City as part of the Minneapolis Plan. In addition, the Corridor Housing Initiative is helping the task force to explore housing choices with representatives from the City of Minneapolis Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED) being part of the process and the Minneapolis Department of Health and Families Support conducting a Health Impact Assessment. The 38th and Chicago Business Association has been working on improving the area by planting flowers, cleaning the streets, and creating a grant program to help with getting adequate exterior lighting. Recently they’ve approved hiring youngsters (who will be dubbed the 38th and Chicago Avenue Ambassadors) to clean the streets a few days a week.

At the group’s, August 21st Small Area Plan Kick-Off, more than 50 people are there, in the basement assembly hall of Calvary Lutheran Church, including Rosell (who gave a thorough introduction to the Small Area Planning Process), Bancroft Neighborhood Association’s Donna Sanders, Gretchen Nicholls (Center for Neighborhoods), who gave and overview of the Corridor Housing Initiative, Michael Larson and Kevin Walker from Community Planning and Economic Development, David Johnson and Commissioner Gretchen Musicant from the Department of Health and Family Support, and Ward 8 City Council Member Elizabeth Glidden, who, it turns out, is one of the ringleaders and has helped the task force get the ear of City Hall—an unexpected, warmly welcomed guest tonight is Mayor R.T. Rybak.

Before things get started, Mayor Rybak briefly addresses the meeting and assures everyone, “I’m a big fan of the work that Elizabeth has been leading and the community has been leading. Which is really about saying, ‘How do we begin to build an even stronger community?’” He adds, “Thirty-Eighth Street was very much on my mind as we delivered this budget. We’ve put more money into commercial corridors in our community development budget, exactly because we believe in the work [the task force]. I’m really excited [to see] what you come up with.” Then Rybak sums up, “The vision is yours. My job, Elizabeth’s job is to make it real.”

After the various headliners spoke on their areas of expertise, things were turned over to the community at large, which broke into small groups. Among the subjects they put their heads together on were: what changes would you make to our area?; what would you keep?; what do you want to achieve through development?; and what are your concerns?

Speaking after the meeting, Council Member Glidden reflected on the 38th and Chicago Task Force’s greatest value. “[It] has together the energies of the four neighborhoods that surround that corner, Central, Powderhorn, Bancroft and Bryant,” she said. “The task force has been meeting for years, primarily to discuss crime and safety issues for the area. Out of that work has grown a commitment to address the broader needs of the neighborhoods for investment in the 38th Street Corridor, Chicago Avenue, and some sections of Bloomington. Neighbors … have devoted hundreds of hours to this work, plus have cooperated through contributing NRP dollars to inproving and investing in this area.” As for the most important thing to come out of that night’s meeting, “With more than 50 community residents in attendance, this is an energizing start to the work to come. Even the mayor came to show his support for the work of the four neighborhoods. The final product will be a small area plan for the area which will be completed by January of 2007. In addition, two current projects will help neighbors see action.” Heather Doyle, a Central neighborhood resident and metal sculpture instructor with MCTC, has designed a public art project by recruiting and working with neighborhood youth. These sculptures will be installed [at 37th & Chicago] on September 9th.” Glidden also notes that a purchase agreement has been signed for a long-vacant property at the southeast corner of 38th & Park and that the purchase is due to the work of “a small group of Central and Bryant neighbors who have hopes for a neighborhood-friendly coffee cafe.”

Clearly, this community organization is about self-empowerment. And, while they’re not making headlines, anyone who takes the time to go to meetings and invest their energies in how their neighborhood can be improved is doing important work. That is how things get done.

It’s not a closed shop. The 38th and Chicago Task Force meets the 3rd Monday of every month at Calvary Lutheran Church on 39th and Chicago and welcomes residents to attend.