The Nicollet Island-East Bank Neighborhood Association (NIEBNA) is on the cusp of significant change, as is much of the East Bank the organization represents. To date, a substantial amount of NIEBNA’s work has largely been reactive, driven to a great extent by proposals put forth by others, be they private developers or governmental agencies.
But in its recently-adopted Small Area Plan (SAP), approved by the City of Minneapolis in October of 2014, NIEBNA set forth an aggressive vision for the neighborhood that would result in numerous physical changes, especially in the East Bank, and substantial population growth.
To achieve that vision, the neighborhood organization itself must evolve. It must add pro-active elements to its agenda to inspire necessary actions by governmental agencies and the private market alike. And it must seek more active involvement by more people in the neighborhood to bring its vision to fruition.
With that intent in mind, on February 25, 2015 the NIEBNA Board established the following committees to concentrate on the wide variety of goals and actions set forth in the SAP and to address other issues and needs:
Communications & Outreach
The role of the Communications & Outreach Committee is to deliver NIEBNA’s messages to its members – residents and owners of businesses and properties in the neighborhood – and to other interested parties, including potential developers, prospective businesses, future residents and governmental agencies.
Economic Development
The role of the Economic Development Committee is to strengthen the neighborhood’s role in the regional economy and attract a rich mix of residents, cultural experiences, businesses and other institutions, building types and styles, and employment opportunities.
Livability
The role of the Livability Committee is to Guide infill development while increasing density, cultivating mixed-use corridors, and increasing communal green space. Also to act as stewards of the environment, valuing sustainability, energy conservation, minimal surface water run-off, and re-use/reduce/recycle economies.
Technology
The role of the Technology Committee is to develop and manage information technology to support NIEBNA operations.
Transportation
The role of the Transportation Committee is to expand and improve pedestrian, bicycling and transit infrastructure throughout the neighborhood, and provide an exceptional urban pedestrian experience for people of all ages.
Ad Hoc Task Groups
Sometimes matters arise which cannot be handled conveniently in the context of Board meetings – for example, larger development projects requiring extended discussion with developers, City staff, the local business community and adjacent neighborhoods.
In these cases, the Board creates an ad hoc Task Group to handle the matter. While it will be chaired by a NIEBNA Board member, Task Group members will include Board members, members of the NIEBNA community at large, representatives from adjacent neighborhoods and local businesses, City staff (ex officio), and others.
The Task Group meets with developers, City staff and members of the community as needed to handle the matter. While there is no set schedule for a Task Group, usually there will be multiple meetings over a 4 to 6 month period with the schedule determined by the pace at which the project evolves.
In the end, the Task Group will make a recommendation for action to the NIEBNA Board and the boards of the other participating organizations. The Task Group is then disbanded.