The NRP Policy Board will present several options addressing the NRP's immediate and long-term future during a series of five community meetings beginning Monday, June 9 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church, 3450 Irving Ave. S.

The community meetings represent the culmination of more than seven months of work that began with a joint NRP Policy Board/City of Minneapolis staff work group charged with developing options and making recommendations that specifically address long-term funding, governance and staff support for the NRP in the face of mounting city budget constraints.

The options and recommendations forwarded by the work group and a proposed change to the City Ordinance that established the NRP will be discussed. Residents will be asked to complete a survey that will help guide the NRP Policy Board, the Minneapolis City Council and Mayor R.T. Rybak as they determine where the NRP fits into the Five-Year Financial Direction recently approved by the City Council. The Five-Year Financial Direction identifies sources for funding development activities in the city including the NRP. These are the resources from which NRP funds would be drawn.

The NRP was created in 1990 by city officials and community leaders as a response to growing concerns about the declining condition of Minneapolis neighborhoods. The program was originally established as a 20-year, $20 million per year program. Legislative reform of the tax system in 2001 dramatically reduced the funding source that has historically supported the NRP.

Minneapolis residents are encouraged to participate in these meetings so their perspective on how the NRP should operate in the future can be submitted to the NRP Policy Board, the Minneapolis City Council and Mayor Rybak. Individuals will also be able to provide feedback through a web-based survey that will be available on the NRP Web site beginning June 9.


The meetings:

Monday, June 9
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church
3450 Irving Ave. S.

Tuesday, June 10
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Folwell Community Center
1615 Dowling Ave. N.

Wednesday, June 11
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Logan Community Center
690 13th Ave. NE

Monday, June 16
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Andersen School
2726 12th Ave. S. (use main entrance on Andersen Lane)

Tuesday, June 17
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
4000 28th Ave. S.

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