Minneapolis residents can now bring their unwanted pumpkins and other organic decorations (but NO YARD WASTE!) to the organic drop-off locations listed below:

Armatage Park
Audubon Park
Pearl Park
South Transfer Station
Van Cleve Park

In Northeast, this obviously means Audubon Park (1320 29th Ave. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418) or—a little further away—Van Cleve Park (901 15th Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414).

By Thanksgiving, participants of the drop-offs will have received the code to the locks and will be able to access the drop-offs at their own convenience.

For more information, contact City of Minneapolis Recycling Coordinator, Kellie Kish:

Phone: 612.673.3536
Email: [email protected]

Following the termination by the State of Minnesota of its contracts with Community Action of Minneapolis, the City of Minneapolis is committed to ensuring that those who need the services that Community Action provided will still receive them. Effective immediately, Community Action of Suburban Hennepin (CAPSH) will deliver the Energy Assistance Program in Minneapolis.

Energy Assistance applications that were previously submitted to Community Action of Minneapolis will be delivered to CAPSH and processed in the order in which they were received. Clients do not need to submit new applications unless notified by CAPSH. Minneapolis residents who have received Energy Assistance applications should mail them to CAPSH at the address below rather than to the address printed on their application:

Mail new applications to:

Energy Assistance Program, 8800 Highway 7, #403, St. Louis Park, MN 55426

The Energy Assistance application can be downloaded online at www.capsh.org or by calling 952-930-3541. Residents who are interested in weatherization services for their home should contact Sustainable Resources Center at 612-870-4255.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

A fundraising run/walk event to be held on Saturday, October 11, 2014, will benefit Dickman Park Summer Program and other projects in the St. Anthony West neighborhood in Northeast Minneapolis.

The “Historic Riverfront 5K Run/Walk,” sponsored by the St. Anthony West Neighborhood Organization, in conjunction with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board and Mill City Museum, commences Saturday, October 11, at 9 a.m. at Boom Island Park (700 Sibley St. NE), Minneapolis. The USTAF-certified course winds through several of Minneapolis’ most scenic areas, including Boom Island Park, Nicollet Island, the Stone Arch Bridge, and the Mississippi Riverfront. In partnership with the Mill City Museum, this year the course will showcase historical facts about various landmarks throughout the route. Registration is $30 until October 8, and $35 on race day. Prizes will be awarded to top male/female finishers.

Registration and other event information is available at http://stawno.org/events/5k-runwalk/

From the Engineering Firm, SEH Inc: 

As many of you know, Centerpoint Energy has been performing utility work (gas main relocation) along St. Anthony Parkway and surrounding roadways (Main Street, California St., Columbia Ave., 31st Ave.). Centerpoint Energy anticipates that it will be done with the utility work along the roadways after the first week in September, and then it will continue relocation work in the railyard through the end of September. Estimated timelines may change, but all Centerpoint Energy utility relocation work is anticipated to be done by the end of September.

Xcel Energy utility work (power line relocation) has not yet been scheduled, but may take place this year or in the Spring of 2015.

For more information, visit the project website: www.stapbridge.com

Open Streets – Central Avenue

Lowry Avenue Community Works had a busy day at the Central Avenue NE – Open Streets Mpls event. From our station at Central and Lowry Avenues, we shared information about corridor planning with hundreds of people as they waited to cross the intersection.

People had opportunities to vote on roadway concepts for Lowry Avenue NE and share comments and ideas at the “big table,” a 25-foot-long community conversation space. Meanwhile, kids redesigned intersections using crayons, pipe cleaners and play-dough. Go to hennepin.us/lowry to see the roadway concepts for yourself.

Save the date: September 25 public workshop

Hennepin County is hosting a third and final public workshop dedicated to the Lowry Avenue NE plan: Join us on Thursday, September 25 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at East Side Neighborhood Services, Inc.

The Community Works team and partners will share information on final design recommendations for street design, intersection concepts, redevelopment opportunities and streetscape design.

Safely dispose of your household hazardous materials

In order to provide residents with a way to get rid of unwanted batteries, thermometers, drain cleaners and a host of other household chemicals and hazardous products, Hennepin County organizes an annual series of community collection events.

If you missed Northeast Minneapolis’ community collection event earlier this month, head to the University of Minnesota campus September 18 to 20. Materials will be collected on from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day at Parking Lot C66 at 2904 Fairmount St. SE, Minneapolis. Materials are accepted for free from households only. Businesses must manage their waste properly. For a full list of accepted materials and directions, visit hennepin.us/collectionevents.

Items can also be taken year-round to drop-off facilities located at 1400 W. 96th St., Bloomington; and 8100 Jefferson Highway, Brooklyn Park. For more information, call 612-348-3777.

Business grants available for recycling

Did you know that Hennepin County offers grants of up to $50,000 to help businesses manage their waste? Funds can be used to start or improve programs to increase recycling and decrease food waste.

From large office buildings to small churches, restaurants and apartment buildings, most county businesses and non-profits are eligible to apply. Grants can be used for the purchase of containers and equipment, installation and hauling service charges and minor improvements to loading docks or waste enclosures.

Applications for the final round of grant funding for 2014 are due by October 15. Get more information at hennepin.us/businessrecycling or call 612-543-1316.

In July, 470 people gave feedback about corridor planning for Lowry Avenue NE through an online survey. Of the respondents, approximately 72% live, work or own businesses along or near the corridor. Among residents who noted their neighborhood, 240 (or 51%) are from neighborhoods directly along the Lowry Avenue NE corridor.

West of the Central Avenue intersection, respondents’ first preference is for a roadway with a bicycle lane, with a second preference for wider sidewalks. For Lowry Avenue east of Central Avenue, the first preference was a buffered bike lane and the second, a bicycle lane.

Survey responses about the six study intersections emphasized better signage for turn lanes and general wayfinding, improvements to building facades and streetscaping, wider sidewalks and redevelopment.

The survey data will be evaluated along with additional community input received to date, in the decision-making process for final recommended roadway and intersections designs.

Things to do Northeast …

Saturday, September 13th,  11:00am – 2:00pm

Waite Park Fall Festival
featuring the 6th Annual Waite Park Pushcart Derby!
1810 34th Ave. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418

Minnesota Housing loan programs offer up to $70,000 in assistance

Residents affected by June flooding in Carver, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Wright counties may be eligible for state loans up to $70,000 through Minnesota Housing. Funds are for capital improvements that return the home to pre-disaster or comparable condition.

There are two loan programs available:

• Community Fix Up flood loans can provide up to $50,000 in repair funding for residents with qualifying credit. The interest rate for these loans has been reduced to 3.00%.
• For residents who do not qualify for a Community Fix Up loan, or those who have flood repair needs beyond what is covered by the Community Fix Up loan, the Quick Start Disaster Recovery Program can provide additional assistance up to $20,000. Quick Start loans are interest free and forgiven if the owner remains in the home for 10 years. Funding for rental housing properties is also available under similar terms and conditions.

“These programs are critical resources for people who experienced this year’s flood damage,” said Mary Tingerthal, Minnesota Housing Commissioner. “I encourage property owners in affected areas to contact our lender partners to learn more.”

To be eligible for loans, residents in the declared counties and tribal areas must first contact their insurance company. Only damages that are not covered by insurance can qualify.

Informational public meetings for homeowners to learn more about the application process and speak with a CEE Lending Center representative have been scheduled at the following locations and times:

Hennepin County residents are encouraged to call the CEE Lending Center directly at (612) 335-5851

The application deadline for both loan programs is October 24, 2014. Eligible residents should contact the local administrator, Center for Energy and Environment, to learn more and apply:

Center for Energy and Environment
212 3rd Avenue North, Suite 560
Minneapolis, MN 55401
612.335.5851