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	Phillips Park Initiative

LSS Housing Services
2414 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612.871.0354
housing@lssmn.org

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) serves all people regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability or age.
 

  

The Phillips Park Initiative

The history of the Phillips Park Initiative stretches back to the early 1990’s, at which time Lutheran Social Service (LSS) was contemplating appropriate uses for its property on the east side of Park Avenue. LSS approached the neighborhood resident group, known then as People of Phillips (POP), and together decided to hold a focus group to garner new ideas.

At the first of many focus groups, participants (including residents, neighborhood organizations and local businesses) agreed that housing would be the best use of the property. A variety of housing options for a broad range of household incomes, they believed, would provide community and stability -- just what this neighborhood was looking for.

Assessing the property in question, the group realized that it could have a greater impact than just looking at LSS property. They aimed to create a target area bounded by 24th & 25th Streets and Chicago and Portland Avenues. The plan was originally divided into three phases (see below).

Grounded in its beginnings as a collaborative approach, a model emerged for institutional and neighborhood planning, and linked new and renewed housing in a viable approach to neighborhood redevelopment. The Initiative does not just involve good people with great ideas. Its participants bring property, dollars, professional competence, and a commitment to and engagement in neighborhood revitalization. This model explores community design that blends concepts of “new urbanism” with traditional patterns of redevelopment, and provides quality housing that supports a healthy living environment for families and individuals of all incomes.

Phase I
Phase I included the creations of 29 home ownership opportunities including:

• Renovation and conversion of three mansions into seven owner-occupied condominium units;
• Creation of 22 new townhome structures and carriage homes above garages; and
• Rehabilitation and/or improvements of existing, adjacent properties.

Many thanks to the following agencies that supported the Planning Efforts of Phase I: Allina Foundation, Phillips Eye Institute, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, The Minneapolis Foundation, Ebenezer Social Ministries, Family Housing Fund, Honeywell Foundation, Memorial Blood Center, Minneapolis Community Development Agency, Norwest Foundation / Norwest Bank of Calhoun Isles, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, US Bank Foundation, FannieMae Foundation, Phillips Partnership.

Thanks also to the following agencies that provided invaluable Development Financing of Phase I: Allina Foundation, Honeywell Foundation, Metro Council / Livable Communities Demonstration Account / Local Housing Incentive Account, Minneapolis Community Development Agency, The Minneapolis Foundation, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, Neighborhood Revitalization Program, Richfield Bank & Trust, Wells Fargo Bank.

Phase II
Phase II involved the creation of twelve 3-bedroom townhome units, each with a tuck-under garage. These units are affordable housing for families who are transitioning from financial assistance and into the workforce. In addition, this phase saw the rehabilitation of twelve units: ten 2-bedroom units, one 3-bedroom, and one 4-bedroom unit. These are considered affordable housing for families with low incomes and special needs. Finally, attractive green space and a playground area for children were created.

Our thanks go to the following agencies that supported the Planning Efforts of Phase II: Phillips Eye Institute, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, Minneapolis Community Development Agency, St. Mary's University of Minnesota, Memorial Blood Center, Family Housing Fund, Bethlehem Lutheran Church Foundation, Ebenezer Society, Sherman Associates.

We’d like to thank the following agencies that provided Development Financing of Phase II: Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, Minneapolis Community Development Agency, Family Housing Fund, Wells Fargo Foundation, Central Lutheran Church, Hennepin County.

In addition, many thanks to those who volunteered their valuable time, skills and efforts.

Phase III
The Phillips Park Initiative is currently studying the third and last Phase of the original Master Plan; the north and south ends of the block bounded by Portland and Oakland Avenues and 24th & 25th Streets. Given the changes in the market and neighborhood since this original plan, the Board is reassessing indicators such as market demand, home ownership and rental housing, green space and acquisition to name a few. A revised Phase III plan may be available by early 2008.