University District: Strengthen the University District’s position in the state and region as a major employment center, a world class research university and a premier destination for cultural, educational and health related activities for residents, students, workers and visitors.
THIS POLICY SUPPORTS GOALS:
THIS POLICY RELATES TO TOPICS:
The University District is a center of music, arts, theater, performance, cultural events, health care, business and education. It is rich in international and cultural diversity, natural green space, industrial and commercial businesses as well as biking and other transit options that add to its unique identity and sense of place.
The University of Minnesota and the neighborhoods that surround it represent an area with unique assets for the City of Minneapolis and its residents. The four neighborhoods, Marcy Holmes, Southeast Como, Prospect Park and the West Bank, that comprise the University District support and contribute to the value which the University brings to the City as a regional employment center and world-class research university within a vibrant urban environment. The benefits from cooperation and joint planning to create a cohesive District are highly valued by the city.
ACTION STEPS
The City will seek to accomplish the following action steps to strengthen the University District’s position in the state and region as a major employment center, a world class research university and a premier destination for cultural, educational and health related activities for residents, students, workers and visitors.
- Foster a unique identity for the University District as a positive,welcoming, and forward-looking place to live, work, invest, and visit.
- Facilitate communication and cooperation among the residents,businesses, institutions, and public-sector entities.
- Increase and improve the affordability, quality and variety of the housing stock to help broaden the socioeconomic and demographic make-up of the residents and attract a stable community of ethnically and age-diverse short term and long-term renters and homeowners.
- Attract and retain entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations to locate near the University where they can benefit from collaboration and partnerships with the University and capitalize on the natural, cultural, economic and educational assets of the District.
- Recognize and connect the University’s park-like campus and riverfront to the City and neighborhood public realm, in conjunction with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, the neighborhoods, and the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization.
- Support infrastructure and service improvements, to support increased density and intensity in the context of the surrounding built form and open space.
- Recognize the cooperation needed between University and City Police Departments to better protect all residents, students, visitors, and employees in the District.
- Recognize that rental properties in the U District, both multi-unit and single-family homes, are rented almost exclusively by groups of unrelated young people and the unique rental market in the U District.
- Support efforts to attract a stable community of ethnically and age-diverse long-term renters and owner-occupants.