7/10ths of 1 percent — can the City afford not to fund and continue NRP?
By: Brock Hanson 11/01/2007
Will the City Council and Mayor say yes or no to this proven program?
The Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) began during the 1990s, when the City of Minneapolis was facing many of the same dilemmas facing us today: vacant and boarded homes, rising crime, schools closing and urban flight. Thankfully, our elected officials were courageous and visionary enough to think “outside the box” and establish this award winning program. NRP has stabilized, rebuilt and improved our neighborhoods, communities and the city. NRP has been recognized by the United Nations for the improvement it has done for our communities - making it one of three programs in the U.S. to earn such a distinction.
NRP monies don’t come from the General Fund which funds our fire and police departments. NRP receives its funding from the Common Project and the budget for supporting this successful program is less than 7/10ths of 1 percent of the City’s overall budget. The city has the funds for this program, as evidenced by the fact they have taken millions of dollars that were dedicated to funding NRP Neighborhood Action Plans for Phase II, and have been establishing and funding new programs such as the CPED Great Streets Program.
There is currently more resident participation as a result of NRP than at any time prior to the founding of NRP. Over 1,000 neighborhood residents sit on the boards of their neighborhood organizations, and countless others volunteer and participate in the many programs that each neighborhood sponsors. More than $1 billion has been leveraged as a result of NRP neighborhoods investments and NRP is successfully proving everyday that its volunteers and investment programs generate increased tax base, neighborhood stability and the empowerment of residents.
Look at what 7/10ths of 1 percent of the City’s budget and NRP neighborhood residents and organizations have done in the first 15 years of NRP:
• Invested more than $130 million to improve existing housing and developing new housing.
• Invested over $10 million in improvements to seven major commercial corridors.
• Invested almost $26 million.
• Allocated more than $10 million to increased police services and innovative, public safety strategies that range from bike patrols to neighborhood organized walking groups.
• Provided more than $1.5 million to support alternative transportation approaches and improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists and mass transit.
• Planted thousands of trees, shrubs and plants to improve the urban environment and increase green space.
• Conducted projects to stabilize lake shores and helped finance improved pedestrian and bicycle paths in parks.
• Promoted art in public places throughout the city.
• Conducted neighborhood cleanups, the planting and maintaining of community gardens.
• Promoted energy conservation and recycling, helping to improving water quality in Minneapolis lakes and streams.
• Built playgrounds, tot lots and trails, and funded programs for youth, seniors, and new Americans.
• Funded community health clinics, immunizations, disease screenings and parenting classes.
• Financed building improvements for small businesses.
• Conducted thousands of community gatherings and events.
There are many thousands of residents in the Camden Community and across the city who have benefited from NRP. Residents across Camden and Minneapolis are coming together to send a clear message that this award winning, nationally renowned program must continue beyond 2009, and that NRP Phase II must be fully funded. Go to www.neighbors4nrp.com for info and see how NRP has changed your neighborhood, the city and its residents.