2020-00584 – Great Streets Program changes

2020-00088 - Great Streets Program Eligible Areas

2017-01284 - Great Streets Program Areas Categorization

2017-00366 - Great Streets Program changes

The Great Streets Business District Support (BDS) Program provides grants to local business associations, community development corporations, neighborhood groups, and other not-for-profit organizations working on commercial district health. This report recommends awarding $441,250 to 18 organizations.

The Business District Support Program began funding business district revitalization strategies on an annual basis in 2008, to help improve the economic health of the City’s business districts. The design of the BDS Program offers a customizable approach to assisting commercial districts. The program intentionally supports a variety of initiatives, some new and innovative, others the bread and butter of grassroots business organizations. All share the foundational goal to enhance business district vitality, benefit existing businesses, diversify an area’s client base, or increase the diversity of goods and services provided, particularly in communities where there are existing racial, ethnic, and economic disparities.

The program sought proposals for a wide range of activities with the overall goal to strengthen the economic vitality of a business district or group of businesses, enhance the cultural identity of a district, or expand a culture’s reach in the community; particularly those that support the work of Black, Indigenous or People of Color (BIPOC) businesses, that respond to the changing needs, economic conditions, and character of each business district and support work in the City-designated Cultural Districts.

Great Streets Eligible Areas

The Great Streets Program began in 2007 to provide funding tools for commercial district revitalization. Great Streets consists of three primary tools: (1) Façade Improvement Matching Grants, (2) Business District Support Grants, and (3) Real Estate Redevelopment Gap Financing Loans. The City partners with community organizations to implement the program across Minneapolis. Great Streets resources are limited to the geographic areas in the City that are guided for commercial uses in the City’s comprehensive plan.

The program also categorizes the eligible areas according to an areas’ relative economic health. In May 2020, the City approved the approach to eligible area categorization based on four existing designations to identify parcels in one of two categories: eligible and priority eligible.

If an eligible parcel is within one of four designated areas listed below, it qualifies as a “priority eligible” parcel. All other eligible parcels would simply be “eligible.” Priority eligible parcels are those that lie within one of the following areas of the city:

1. Cultural Districts
2. Green Zones
3. Areas of Concentrated Poverty where 50% or more of residents are people of color (ACP50)
4. Promise Zone

This approach uses existing data analysis and aligns with existing City designations.

An online map shows all the eligible areas in blue, orange or purple. The blue parcels are simply eligible parcels. The parcels in orange are those within one of the four designated areas and are priority eligible. The purple parcels indicate City-designated Cultural Districts.

Notice of Funding Availability

Proposals for BDS grants are solicited on an annual basis through a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) process. As outlined in the NOFA, there are four evaluation criteria: (1) service area; (2) proven need, clear outcomes, and significant impact; (3) capacity of organizations, connection to engaged partners, and readiness to proceed; and (4) amount of leverage and reasonableness of budget.

Staff issued the NOFA on October 4, 2023, with proposals due November 21, 2023. CPED received 36 proposals requesting a total of $1,385,207. The proposals were reviewed and evaluated by a team comprised of representatives from CPED Business Development and Small Business Team, Arts & Cultural Affairs Department and LISC Twin Cities. This team scored the proposals based on the evaluation criteria outlined in the NOFA.

Recommended for Funding

This round is highly competitive given the high demand for funding. The review committee and staff formulated recommendations that had to cut over half of the requested amount. The review committee and staff formulated recommendations based on the highest scoring proposals and the most impactful strategies. As a result, staff recommends partially or fully funding eighteen proposals, and not funding eighteen proposals. The staff recommendation is shown alphabetically in the chart below. Administration expenses are capped at 15% of the total award.

Camdentown (fiscal agent: Minneapolis Regional Chamber Development Foundation) $9,000

Camdentown has received Great Streets BDS funding over the years for a variety of marketing, business recruitment and placemaking activities. This year’s proposal is for a Summer Market Series. The Summer Market started in 2023 and they would like to continue it by planning and implementing three markets in the summer of 2024. The markets attract hundreds of community members, for a neighborhood event, drawing renewed interest to businesses in the area. This is an opportunity to reconnect people with place, and with each other, leading to new relationships and increased vitality Additionally, Camdentown requested funding for permanent artistic metal face panels that feature the diverse faces of Camdentown. The review committee didn’t recommend funding this activity due to the lack of information regarding the community’s involvement in the development, selection of location or execution of the panels.

Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES) $20,000

Last year, CLUES received funding for public art with a Latino artist to encourage residents and businesses to work together through community-involved arts and cultural workshops; and events celebrating Day of the Dead. CLUES is proposing to continue to restore community vitality through cultural engagement, arts programming, workshops, public art creations and celebrations of cultural holidays. They will involve local businesses and the community in creating and celebrating culturally specific art. These partnerships will include a celebration of Day of the Dead, community altar creation, installations, and community art activities. Another partner is Midtown Global Market, where they will display the artwork so that it’s accessible to the community. The review committee was supportive of the proposed projects and would like to see the organization highlight their connection to the business district further. The recommended funding will assist them to expand their collaboration with businesses along Lake Street.

Folwell Neighborhood Association $5,000

The Folwell Neighborhood proposed two activities to identify strategies to minimize displacement of business, assistance for Folwell Neighborhood to improve their strategic thinking and planning for district vitality. The first phase would be to develop relationships and collect input for local businesses on their needs. The second activity would create a print directory and website directory for area businesses. The review committee recognized the value of identifying the businesses and surveying them to determine what efforts could be developed to support new and existing businesses in the area. The recommended funding would assist with the initial outreach and data collection. The second activity is not recommended for this funding cycle because business support for the project hasn’t been identified. The outreach and data collection in this cycle can be an opportunity to gather support for the proposed business directory, or show support for other ideas and opportunities.

Friends of Global Market $21,000

Friends of Global Market is a 501(c)(3) organization, created to improve communications regarding the mission of the market and its long-term sustainability. This year, they submitted a proposal for six events at the market celebrating a mix of cultures. Each of the events have their own unique purpose, all with the same intention of supporting the economic vitality of the market and its entrepreneurs by generating larger crowds. Additionally, the events are designed to create a cultural environment that is inclusive to all. Given the proposal’s scoring, staff recommends funding events at a lower level than requested. The funds can be allocated towards three or more planned events that they determine are most beneficial to the business and community members.

Jungle Theater $23,000

The Jungle Theater proposal requested funds for the LynLake Street Art Series (LLSAS), which is currently planned for July 13-14, 2024. This is a free community festival that celebrates aerosol arts in the public realm, uplifts artists, employs skilled laborers, supports local small businesses, and promotes connection and commerce in the LynLake commercial corridor. Through collaboration with LynLake property owners, the LLSAS invites local and national aerosol artists to paint murals and write traditional letterforms on LynLake buildings. To broaden the access points, the festival will include an indoor gallery exhibit with public artist talks, interactive youth-focused activities led by SPRAYFiNGER and partnerships with local businesses to host live music, glass-blowing demonstrations, sidewalk chalk art and more. The LLSAS is a weekend event that is a year in planning that plays a significant role in the well-being of the corridor – aesthetically and economically. During the event, visitors bring vibrancy and their economic power to the area. Once the art is installed, it provides ongoing beautification, vandalism deterrence and tourist traffic. The review committee supported artists undertaking this effort, particularly the successful efforts in engaging local businesses and property owners, and felt it would increase foot traffic for neighborhood businesses resulting in a positive economic impact that may extend beyond the dates of the event. Due to the overall ranking of this proposal, staff recommends funding the activities albeit at a lower amount.

Lake Street Council $50,000

In previous years, the Lake Street Council (LSC) completed activities served long-term needs of the small business community and supported the businesses to thrive and grow. This years’ proposal includes activities which expand on the “You Belong Here” marketing campaign, which focuses on driving customer traffic to small businesses along the corridor. They also propose to support businesses impacted by planned road construction with custom-designed “Open for Business” signs, a website dedicated to construction information for the community and the Lake Street Loyalty program which offers unique benefits to customers supporting businesses in the area. Lastly, they will evolve the “Lake Street Reimagined“ campaign to promote Lake Street as an arts destination with the success of their creative placemaking program in creating community art and murals in the past. LSC believes there is a clear need to connect the events and art being created along Lake Street to the broader narrative of the corridor. The review committee gave high scores to this proposal and staff recommends fully funding both activities.

Latino Economic Development Center $20,000

The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) is proposing to organize and host the 2024 Taco Tour in September of 2024. This one-day event will highlight 20 to 24 Lake Street restaurants that specialize in dishes from several Latin American countries. LEDC surveyed the participating businesses and determined that they would benefit from continuing the Taco Tour in 2024. This event is designed to increase business revenues and promote Latino and immigrant-owned businesses so that these businesses can rebound and remain a vibrant part of the cultural heritage of Minneapolis. They anticipate that these activities will draw existing, long-time customers to these businesses and new customers to East Lake Street. Staff recommends funding the event and marketing, at a reduced level due to the overall scoring of the proposal, because they engage both the local businesses and the community.

Longfellow Business Association $11,050

In the previous BDS round, the Longfellow Business Association received funding for the Solace at the Palace event, and Food and Drink passport business marketing. This year they proposed two projects, (1) Greater Longfellow Holiday Stroll and (2) Greater Longfellow Food, Drink and Activity Passport. The review committee felt that some components of this proposal would build off success of last year’s deal booklet, and allow them to expand it to the entire greater Longfellow service area, including Seward businesses. Staff is recommending funding for the deal booklet.

Native American Community Development Institute $30,000

The Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI) requested funds for management and marketing of their Four Sisters Farmers Market (FSFM) on Franklin Ave. The FSFM will continue to support new and emerging vendors by providing accessible and free space and a place to grow their entrepreneurial skills. The market provides services to the community such as being able to accept SNAP benefits, S/FMNP vouchers, and “Market Bucks.” NADCI plans to implement a community outreach plan by expanding signage and media exposure to highlight the vendors and increase attendance by a goal of 15%. Additional Farmers Market goals include featuring seven to nine local growers/food vendors at each market date, two to four community groups for tabling, additional tables for artists and makers, live music from community members, gardener workshops/advice from expert community gardeners, local artists, and cooking and cultural demonstrations. The Great Streets program has supported the market in the past and it is now able to leverage other funds to support over seventy percent of the market costs. The review team recommends funding in line with last year to continue the growth and offerings of this market on this Cultural Corridor

Northeast Minneapolis Chamber $47,500

Last funding round, The Northeast Minneapolis Chamber received funding for a variety of activities that highlighted the history and art of NE Minneapolis. Their current proposal requests funding for three activities that are part of their strategy to create energy and provide unique activities 9 months of the year through new and existing partnerships. First is Art-A-Whirl Quincy Street Corridor Activation. The Northeast Minneapolis Chamber and the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA) will develop a communications and marketing plan to recruit businesses, artists, and performers to further activate the corridor and heighten the pedestrian experience. Second is 30 Days of Biking, Walking, and Connecting where, the NE Minneapolis Chamber and Recovery Bike Shop creates a bike/walk tour in which bike folks, community members, and visitors will make stops at local businesses and non-profits to receive special discounts, promotional products, and special experiences. Lastly is Art Drop – Northeast where, in partnership with NEMAA, the NE Minneapolis Chamber will create, develop, and launch a scavenger hunt series “Art Drop-Northeast” modeled after the successful Lake Street Council community and economic development project (with permission). The review team recommends funding in the amount requested for these activities.

Pillsbury House and Theatre $20,000

Pillsbury House + Theatre is proposing to host the 3rd annual INSIDE OUT Block Party to focus on local MAKERS to highlight, celebrate and promote 6 social enterprises, 2 independent caterers and their apprentice chefs, 12 arts/community organizations and 15 independent artists who live and/or work in their service area – the Bryant, Bancroft, Central and Powderhorn Neighborhoods that converge at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue/George Floyd Square. The theme INSIDE OUT reflects the many opportunities these resources create which may be invisible out in the neighborhood but are community anchors that help define the eclectic/multicultural/entrepreneurial/creative character of the area. After several years of reduced activity due to the overlapping pandemics of COVID-19 and racial injustice, Pillsbury House + Theatre is committed to supporting these primarily BIPOC independent, small, and nonprofit businesses to remain anchored in the neighborhood and be part of shaping its future. The review committee was supportive of the efforts to highlight the various businesses and artists at this community event. Staff recommends funding the event at a level similar to last year.

Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association $30,000

The Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association (PPNA) currently serves as the coordinating body of the 38th Street United (38SU) coalition. This group consists of more than two-dozen business owners, organizations, residents, and elected officials with shared interests in amplifying and resourcing the needs along the corridor. In 2024, PPNA will participate in the University of Minnesota, Center for Regional and Urban Affairs (CURA) - Kris Nelson Community-Based Research Program project. This will allow the association an opportunity to partner with a graduate student who will compile ownership profile data for the 38th Street Cultural Corridor. They are requesting funding to support the additional forms of outreach and business owner engagement that the capacity of the graduate student will not support. PPNA is also proposing to develop seasonal corridor branding materials to promote businesses within the 38th Street Cultural corridor. Staff recommends funding to support the marketing materials and a reduced amount for the data collection activity.

Seward Civic & Commerce Association $5,600

The Seward Civic & Commerce Association proposal is requesting funding for (1) Seward Winter Frolic (2) Solopreneurs. Seward sees the Winter Frolic as the most successful neighborhood event during the month of December. Businesses participate by offering deals and incentives featured on a bingo card. As individuals utilize the offers, they receive validation from the business.  This approach incentivizes people to shop locally and check out businesses they may not be familiar with. During the event, Seward will be organizing spaces in the neighborhood where people can participate in crafts and children’s activities. They will also connect with solopreneurs (solo/home-based entrepreneurs) to include them in the event and give them more exposure. The second activity is centered on connecting solopreneurs with each other and organize meetings to discuss needs and training opportunities. This activity is not eligible for Great Streets BDS funding, which is not meant to support home-based businesses. The review team recommended funding for the Winter Frolic Event to support businesses in the commercial district.

Southwest Business Association $16,400

The Southwest Business Association requested funding for three activities. The first is to further develop the “Experience Southwest” website, updating the organizations’ role and resources available along with business directory updates. The second request was for updated welcome packets for new businesses. The welcome packets provide a variety of useful information to businesses new to the area. The third activity is a social media campaign to boost traffic to businesses’ social media accounts and websites, which will help increase sales. The review committee recommends activities two and three which provide direct outreach to businesses and will have a greater impact on their vitality and sustainability of the business association.

Uptown Association $20,000

The Uptown Association is proposing to host the Uptown Art Experience, which is multi-day immersion into the world of art. This event will showcase art installations created by invited artists and groups, strategically placed in vacant storefronts throughout Uptown. The Uptown Art Experience is necessitated by the limitations posed on the traditional Uptown Art Fair by the redesign of Hennepin Avenue. This event introduces an opportunity for existing businesses to actively participate by showcasing art and hosting partner events and become integral contributors to the multi-day and multi-location festivities. Staff recommends funding the event to encourage the public to visit the area businesses during road construction

Webber Camden Neighborhood Organization $28,200

The Webber Camden Neighborhood Organization received funding last year to develop a plan for marketing and branding opportunities for the area. Their current proposal builds on last year’s work by putting the marketing plan into action. They also propose a second activity for community outreach and promotion of home-based, emerging, and small businesses throughout the business district. This activity cannot be funded because BDS is not meant to support home-based businesses. Staff recommends funding the first activity to support the organization’s newly developed marketing and branding plan.

West Bank Business Association $34,500

The West Bank Business Association (WBBA) again proposes a wide variety of activities to activate the business district and showcase the arts, entertainment, and diversity of the area. Those activities include (1) West Bank History Digitization and Celebration, (2) Quarterly Business Luncheon, (3) Grocery Store Analysis, (4) Segregation Study, (5) Cedar Cultural Center mural, (6) West Bank Skills Series, (7) West Bank Puppet Show. Staff recommends funding five of the seven proposed activities (1-3, 5, 7) to focus on those that have the most potential to impact the vitality of the business district.

West Broadway Business and Area Coalition $50,000

The West Broadway Business and Area Coalition (WBBA) submitted a proposal for three initiatives: (1) Minneapolis Black Business Week, (2) West Broadway Business Partnership Program and (3) Black Friday and Warm Up on West Broadway. The Minneapolis Black Business Week aims to showcase businesses in the area with a focus on Black owned businesses in Minneapolis. Partnering with NEON and the Black State Fair, they provide a platform for networking, visibility, partnership creation and customer base expansion. The West Broadway Business Partnership Program fosters collaboration among small businesses along West Broadway Avenue to increase consumer engagement and cohesive business marketing. Warm Up on West Broadway would include events in the fall and winter months that would encourage people to gather in spaces along the West Broadway corridor. The review committee was supportive of these events and recommends fully funding the proposal.

Not Recommended

Ten proposals are not recommended for funding this year. The chart below lists the activities proposed. Some of the proposals were lower scoring because the service area was not located in a Great Streets Priority Eligible area, or they had less compelling strategies for strengthening neighborhood business districts.

Not Eligible

Eight proposals did not meet the overall goal of strengthening neighborhood business districts either because they were only focused on a single site, or their proposal was not focused on eligible areas and/or eligible activities. Therefore, these proposals are ineligible.