The Tricky Nature of Community Involvement

In spring 2008, the Wedge (LHENA) approved the neighborhood’s NRP Phase II Action Plan. As described in the executive summary, the plan “aims to promote a neighborhood vision through stakeholder-identified goals and strategies.” In an attempt to identify these goals, a survey was distributed at neighborhood meetings, at National Night Out events, through emails, and through publication in The Wedge, the neighborhood newspaper.

The results of this survey are a vivid example of how many important neighborhood decisions – in this case the shaping of neighborhood decisions, those involving large amounts of money – are being directed by a small group of active and involved individuals. The survey, its results made available in Appendix E of the Phase II Plan, shows a grand total of 21 respondents. Of these respondents:

90.5 percent owned and lived in their homes
This is compared to a rate of 14.7 percent of the neighborhood as a whole, based on 2000 census numbers. That percentage likely went up in the 2000s due to condo conversions, but most neighborhood residents remain renters.

4.8 percent were renters
One respondent chose not to answer this question, so in a best-case scenario less than ten percent of survey respondents were renters. In a neighborhood where 85 percent of homes were rentals in 2000, this is obviously a major disparity. The one renter was also “highly satisfied” with his or her landlord; while that’s good news (especially for him or her), I know that there are some slumlords in the Wedge, too. It would be nice to see some of their tenants getting active and involved and advocating for change from a renter’s perspective.

71.4 percent lived in single-family homes
I don’t know the exact statistics on this, but given the large number of duplexes and apartments in the Wedge I would assume that the percentage of single-family homes is nowhere near 71 percent.

On average, respondents had lived in their current home for 18 years; the average tenure in the Wedge neighborhood was 22 years.
In other words, these respondents were a self-selecting group of people with deep-rooted ties to the community. They may well be the best people to make informed decisions and suggestions about the future of the neighborhood, but they’re certainly not representative of the neighborhood’s demographics.

There were no respondents younger than 45
Given that only 15.7 percent of the Wedge’s population was 45 or older in 2000, this number is also skewed. There needs to be a way to get at least a handful of younger people involved in neighborhood issues. I know there are many younger people out there who do care about the neighborhood and who have strong opinions on its evolution, but for various reasons few of them are choosing to become involved through the traditional means favored by older residents.

Nine respondents had children under the age of five
I was quite happy to see this; Uptown, and the Wedge in particular, aren’t often seen as “family” neighborhoods. This number is skewed too, of course, but I’d rather see over-representation than under-representation.

No one made less than $29,999 household income in 2006
I know there are people in the Wedge making less than $30,000. Let’s get them involved, too.

One third of respondents had a graduate degree
While certainly not a bad thing that this group of respondents was highly educated, it is another indicator of the imbalance that so often occurs when dealing with neighborhood decisions, boards, and community-wide conversations.

90 percent of respondents were white, with the remaining 10 percent declining to answer.
87 percent of the population in 2000 was white, so maybe this isn’t too far off. Still, a little more ethnic or racial diversity would have been nice.

I’m not bringing up this survey to fault the Wedge or its NRP Phase II Plan; I think they made a strong effort to provide all residents with the opportunity to participate. The small response rate – 21 people out of a neighborhood with close to 6,000 residents, most of them adults – shows how hard it can be to engage the majority of a neighborhood’s residents in local issues or politics. While most people living in the Wedge probably have opinions about what can and should be done to improve the neighborhood, many of them aren’t going to get involved unless they see a pressing need. On the one hand, this may suggest that many residents are happy with the neighborhood the way that it is. On the other hand, by not getting involved or expressing their opinions they run the risk of a small but vocal minority of fellow residents potentially defining the future of the neighborhood, and possibly in a different direction than the quieter residents would like.

The Wedge, along with its fellow Uptown neighborhoods, is lucky to have a core group of neighborhood activists. These people care about the area and are willing to invest time and energy to make their neighborhood a better place to live, play, and work. But, as both neighborhood board demographics as well as surveys like this show, the people who actively participate in more formalized forms of neighborhood governance or decision making tend to reflect a small sliver of the larger neighborhood demographics. In a city where neighborhood boards, DFL conventions, and similar activities have a great impact on both political and practical matters, it is even more important that every effort be made to involve a broader cross-section of residents in the community.

I’m not sure what the solution should be. We’ve all heard that old saying, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” That doesn’t mean we should give up. This lack of involvement needs to be a priority in all four official city-defined Uptown neighborhoods. While it’s unrealistic to think that everyone, or even a majority of, local residents are ever going to attend a local board meeting or even a neighborhood block party, it’s not far-fetched to think that the rates of participation across different demographic subsets could be increased.

Locally, the Kingfield neighborhood seems to be doing a good job with their outreach efforts; their excellent website and e-letter provide an easy way for even those with odd hours to feel connected, and their recent annual neighborhood association offered free childcare. Although not a Kingfield resident, I’ve now subscribed to their email-based newsletter, and continue to be impressed with their community-building efforts. The Uptown neighborhoods have many achievements and innovate ideas of their own, of course, but I, for one, will continue to keep an eye on Kingfield for additional inspiration of how the neighborhoods of Uptown can continue to build community, engage all citizens, and generally go about building and sustaining the vibrant, safe, and thriving Uptown that we all want.

Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve, Uptown-Style

I wear my Uptown sweatshirt with pride. It’s warm, it’s soft, it has an Uptown logo. For those of you out there who also are looking for some Uptown-wear, whether for yourself or as a gift, here’s a brief tour of some of the Uptown-themed apparel for sale out there. Go ahead – wear your heart on your sleeve, Uptown-style.

I’m Down With Uptown: one of my personal favorites, despite not having the money to actually spring for the shirt myself.

A Lakeside View of Uptown: for those of you who don’t like words on your shirt, this landscape painting-turned-t-shirt is by artist Michael Sciortino.

Condos are Ruining My Neighborhood: I happen to think that the Uptown condos are mostly a good thing, but I know that not everyone agrees with that point of view. If you happen to hate condos then you might love this shirt.

Options, Options, Options: Design your own sweatshirt or other piece of clothing at Neighborhoodies, or take this general concept and bring it somewhere local.

Uptown Business Association: Buy Uptown Art Fair shirts or choose from an assortment of Uptown-themed shirts and hats.

Wearing a shirt with "Uptown" splashed across the front might not exactly save the neighborhood, but there's still possibly more benefits to be found than just a new piece of clothing for the closet. Schools have mastered the art of building a sense of student body (or alumni) community; maybe the symbolic act of purchasing and wearing a piece of "branded" clothing isn't so insignificant, after all. And hey, even if it doesn't enhance our shared community spirit, at least you'll have something to wear.

When Is "Near, but Not In" Enough?

One of my recent posts ("Filling in the Gaps: Things I Wish Were in Uptown") was recently picked up by the Secrets of the City, giving a broader spectrum of readers the chance to weigh in on their personal visions for Uptown. There were some great suggestions (personal favorites include a toy store, gay bar, and Norwegian sweaters) but what really got me thinking was one poster's comment that both a farmer's market and good Mexican food both exist within relatively close proximity to Uptown. This is true, of course, but where does one draw the line between unnecessary and necessary (or at least desirable) duplication of services? It's an issue I've been struggling with for some time now, and for me, at least, I think the answer is that - unscientific as it sounds - I'll know it when I see it.

Unnecessary duplication homogenizes neighborhoods: In an ideal world every urban neighborhood would contain (and support) core basics. Everyone deserves to have a grocery store or market within close walking distance to their home; same with a pharmacy, a laundromat (or dry cleaner), a coffee shop, and other similar businesses. I'd like to think that every neighborhood could have their own bookstore, a basic array of restaurants (my personal must-haves would include Thai, Chinese, pizza, tacos/burritos, and a greasy American diner type of place), bakery, pet store, and hardware store. The exact mix doesn't need to be the same in every neighborhood, and it's that individual blend that helps create a distinct neighborhood feel.

Independent stores make duplication less of an issue. I like certain local chains - Davanni's and Dunn Brothers, for example - but wouldn't want to see one in every neighborhood. Independent, one-site-only businesses, even those located within walking distance of other businesses of similar types in adjacent neighborhoods, help define local communities. This doesn't work for all businesses - some stores simply need to draw from a larger area to survive - but others, your local neighborhood burrito purveyor, for example, have a better chance of making a go of it by serving primarily their immediate neighborhood. Sometimes you don't want to walk ten or fifteen blocks just to get a good taco/bagel/boba tea/ice cream cone.

Physical distance alone doesn't necessarily matter. Uptown is fairly close to the main Minneapolis farmer's market. I wouldn't suggest that an Uptown farmer's market would or could ever replace it, or even provide much direct competition. The farmer's market on Lyndale is both socially and physically separated from Uptown; Uptowners can and do walk or bike there, but once you go past Loring Park and the freeway it ceases to offer that larger community feel. It does provide a broader Minneapolis/Twin Cities appeal - certainly something to embrace and support - but I think, in this case, an Uptown farmer's market offers far more than just good food. It offers a sense of local community, and is therefore not an unnecessary duplication of services.

The Creative Kidstuff question: I've been thinking for some time now how nice it would be to once again have a toy store in Uptown. There used to be a great one in Calhoun Square; I think it was there for most of the 1980s, and possibly some of the 1990s. There is, however, a perfectly nice toy store - a major destination in its own right - in nearby Linden Hills. Creative Kidstuff is, after all, only a short bus or bike ride, walk, or drive away from Uptown (and is sort of the Minneapolis Farmer's Market of local toy stores). Given the close proximity, then, does Uptown really need a toy store of its own? Speaking from a community point of view (and not as a potential shop owner worrying about profits), then yes, Uptown could benefit from its own toy store. An independent toy store with its own unique vibe and inventory would be a great asset to the neighborhood. Linden Hills helps define that neighborhood; a great toy store in Uptown would help further define Uptown and to distinguish it as a separate and unique community from its neighbors.

Really, when it comes down to it, not every neighborhood needs or wants every given type of store or business. Sometimes just having something close is good enough. In other cases, though, I think it's appropriate and desirable for Uptown residents to be able to enjoy a broad array of businesses in their own backyards. It won't stop anyone from going out to explore the many other fascinating areas of the city, but it will provide people options for those times they just want to stay near home.

Neighborhood Board Diversity that REALLY Matters

We like to talk about diversity a lot. Uptown in particular likes to pride itself on its "diversity," even if the reality is that it's not all that diverse. Usually when people are talking about diversity they're talking about race and ethnicity, but here in Uptown - as with elsewhere - diversity can and should be a great deal more than just race or ethnicity alone.

Some other examples of diversity to consider in Uptown:

• Age
• Marital Status
• Households with children
• Income level
• Type of work
• Political party
• Sexual orientation
• Nationality
• Language spoken at home

I'm sure there are many more categories you could add to the list. The biggest diversity in Uptown, though, isn't just race or age or income; the biggest issue, particularly when it comes to the neighborhood boards, is renter versus owner.

Uptown and its neighborhoods are inhabited primarily by renters. Shouldn't it follow that the neighborhood boards are dominated by renters? In reality, renters are few and far between. Relatively new ECCO board member Anders Imboden (brother to former CARAG renter and board member Thatcher Imboden) is the only, or at least one of a very few, renters on that neighborhood's board. The other neighborhood boards have equally dismal renter participants, although some neighborhoods have been more successful than others. CARAG, for example, has 2 renters and 8 homeowners (plus one board member living in a parish). In a city system that looks towards these boards as the local voice of the masses, this skewed renter/owner schism is obviously a major problem.

Why don't renters join the board? Or should the question be why do home owners join the board? It makes sense if you think about it. While both owners and renters have an investment in the neighborhood, owners have a long-term economic motivation. A desirable neighborhood increases their home value. Conversely, a crime-ridden, unpleasant neighborhood means home values will go down and homes will be harder to sell. A renter wants a nice neighborhood, too, but they have the option of bailing out cheaply and easily if the neighborhood becomes dangerous or just unpleasant. They also face the opposite risk of putting in too much work, dramatically improving the neighborhood, and then seeing their rents go up as a result. I doubt most renters or owners think it through in this much detail, but it's obvious that there are more incentives for owners to get involved.

Renters, too, are diverse in perhaps a broader sense than are Uptown's homeowners. Renters range from young college students living with roommates to old people who have lived here for many decades. Renters, especially the younger ones, might be more likely to have jobs with evening hours; if you're waiting tables at night, for example, you're not going to be able to make it to regular board meetings no matter how much you love the neighborhood. A larger percentage of renters do probably just see themselves as temporarily passing through; for every longterm renter there is another who see Uptown as a fun place to live for a couple of years before settling down somewhere else.

It's also worth noting that renters and homeowners have many of the same concerns. Crime, environmental issues, transportation, parks, among other things, all impact everyone. Also, just because someone owns a home does not mean that they aren't concerned about the issues facing renters, or vice-versa.

As I've said elsewhere, I think the neighborhood boards would gladly welcome more diversity in their ranks. The time has come to go beyond just openness and towards active recruitment. Every neighborhood should have a nomination committee, as well as a renter outreach committee. It's possible that many interested renters may never have even considered joining a neighborhood board. Perhaps there are some renters who think you have to own a home to participate. In any case, it's the job of the neighborhood to go out to their residents and make sure that everyone feels involved and welcomed. The result would not just be a more diverse board, but also an overall increased sense of larger community.

Filling in the Gaps: Things I Wish Were in Uptown

I might complain about the people who spend their time trying to make Uptown into something that it's not, never has been, and never should become, but that doesn't mean that I don't have my own wish list of things that would make this neighborhood better place to live. The difference, I think, is that my list builds on what Uptown already has, rather than trying to fundamentally change the area and its nature. I think these additions will only improve the neighborhood and boost its already-considerable assets.

So, in no particular order, here's a wish list for Uptown:

1. A Farmer's Market. What's not to love? A weekly farmer's market gives locals the chance to buy fresh, locally-grown food, all while enjoying wandering around outdoors with your friends and family. The best farmer's markets offer something for everyone: fruits and vegetables, of course, but also local soaps, nuts, crafts, prepared foods, and entertainment. They attract a diverse audience, and would be beneficial to all of Uptown's various constituencies. A farmer's market could truly be a community gathering place. Our farmer's market should accept food stamps, welcome and encourage Uptown vendors, offer a broad selection of food, including "ethnic" options, and be open as much of the year as possible.
2. Good Mexican food. Minneapolis has plenty of good Mexican restaurants and bakeries in other neighborhoods - let's get some more taco and burrito options in Uptown itself. I'd like both more authentic cheap taco stand-type places as well as perhaps a more formal sit-down place.
3. A Post Office. It doesn't have to be a full-service place, just a basic substation will do. Remember when Calhoun Square used to have one tucked away in the back? This is such a neighborhood essential - let's figure out how to get one back.
4. A Light Rail Station. Really, is there any need to explain this? The vast majority of Uptown residents want our neighborhood plugged into the larger Twin Cities transit network, and buses alone aren't the option. Let's all cross our fingers (and send some emails) and hope that Uptown gets its much-needed station.
5. A Community Garden. Check out the Dowling Community Garden for an interesting example of how these can work. Uptown - especially apartment-dense areas such as those found in the Wedge and in parts of CARAG - could really benefit from one of these. It's healthy, provides yet more sense of community-building opportunities, environmentally-friendly, and gives everyone a chance to get outside and enjoy the benefits - health, taste, and economic - of growing produce or even just flowers.

This is just a partial list, of course, but any or all of these things would certainly add to my quality of life. Here's to hoping that they all come true.

Does Uptown Have a Sense of Community?

One of the charges sometimes leveled against Uptown is that it lacks a sense of community. Could this possibly be true? And if it true, even if only in part, why is that the case and what can we do about it?

I am not a trained social scientist, but I think a few minutes spent reviewing the Sense of Community Index (SCI), an index used to quantitatively study this exact issue, would be worthwhile. You can read the entire document on the Association for the Study and Development of Community's website, but I'll pick out a few questions or statements from the questionnaire for consideration:

"Community members and I value the same things." I think this is a source of tension in Uptown; as I mentioned in a previous post, I think there is a "clash of cultures" at work in the neighborhood. Still, there should be enough overriding big issues - safe streets being at the very top - that we can overcome our other differences.

"People in this community have similar needs, priorities, and goals." Again, I'm not trained in this stuff. I have some questions on this particular point. I think a vibrant community has people of all age brackets, and realistically this means that there will be many different needs, priorities, and goals. I hope that an overall shared goal of having a safe and supportive environment in which to live can unite everyone regardless of age, family status, or personal interests.

"I can recognize most of the members of this community." Obviously this is never going to happen for Uptown as a whole. We should aim to recognize everyone living on our block, and beyond that to recognize or know at least some of the other people that we encounter at the parks, at the stores, at the coffee shops, or just out and about the neighborhood.

"Being a member of this community is a part of my identity." This is true for many Uptown residents; for others the neighborhood is just a temporary address as they move forward in life. At least Uptown is a distinctive, well-known area; we don't need to be worried about people not realizing that they live in Uptown. How important that address is to their personal identities is a bigger question.

"I expect to be part of this community for a long time." This one gets tough - it's easy for homeowners to say this; they have a house or condo, and if they're lucky they have a stable, fixed rate mortgage and know that they'll be around until they die or move off to Florida. It's not so easy for Uptown's many, many renters. Renters may want to stay around for a long time, but at some point they'll face a decision the decision of whether to rent or to buy. Without a broader range of affordable housing many would-be Uptown homeowners are simply priced out of the market. The result is a two-tier system, with homeowners having an incentive to invest in the community while renters face the conundrum of giving Uptown their all yet still having to give it all up if their rent goes up or if they want to buy. Some renters never intend on staying - Uptown is a fun place to live with friends in that post-college, pre-family stage. Others want to stay and raise their families here but don't have much of a choice. I don't know what the solution is (rent control, perhaps?) but do think that the revolving door of renters does impact the larger shared sense of unified community.

I believe that Uptown does have a strong sense of community, but do think that this renter/owner split does need to be addressed. The neighborhood organizations need to continue to reach out to all residents regardless of age and home status, and to make a concentrated effort to bring renters and young professionals into the fold. The powers-that-be need to continue to address home affordability issues. Renters and owners alike need to reach out to their fellow neighbors. Block leaders need to be recruited, supported, and energized - maybe they can help draw people together to ensure that even those who don't attend formal meetings feel like valued members of the community. Together, block by block and neighborhood by neighborhood, we can prove to ourselves and to the city at large that Uptown is overflowing with community spirit and pride.