Creating Vibrant, Safe Streets

Nestled in the East Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a singular achievement in public housing, called Little Earth. The Housing and Urban Development (HUD) complex holds the unique distinction of being the only urban indigenous preference project-based Section 8 community in the United States.

In 1973, Little Earth was founded to provide housing and programming for urban Native Americans who cannot access federal funding traditionally reserved for tribal entities on reservations. The community houses nearly 1,000 residents from 38 tribal affiliations, and more than half of the residents are under the age of 21.

Community Problem

Following the death of George Floyd in 2020, East Phillips and Little Earth, specifically at 18th Avenue South, experienced a dramatic spike in crime, speeding, and civil unrest. These events heightened safety concerns for residents — East Phillips and Little Earth needed a new street configuration to ensure public safety, reduce speeding, and protect community members. In response, the Ward 9 council office, along with Minneapolis Public Works, met with community members to brainstorm a solution.

Members of the Native Youth Arts Collective created street art for the demonstration project. Photo courtesy of the Minneapolis Public Works TPP.

Planning Solution

As a result of the meetings conducted in 2020, the City of Minneapolis formed a community partnership with the Little Earth Residents Association (LERA) to conduct a transportation study and demonstration project. "From the outset, the city recognized the significance and the level of importance of working with this community, committing to an engagement framework that was rooted in equity," says Jasna Hadžić-Stanek, project manager for the 18th Avenue South and Little Earth Transportation Study.

The goal of the study was to not only improve public safety but to engage with and build long-term relationships with community stakeholders. To accomplish this, planners acknowledged historical trauma and were intentional about building a foundation of trust while also developing an equitable plan for the study.

Funding obtained through a NACTO Streets for Pandemic Response & Recovery grant enabled the city to engage with the Little Earth/East Phillps community innovatively; the city's project manager worked in a shared office space with LERA one day a week. By doing this, the city demonstrated "our commitment to building meaningful relationships by physically showing up and being accessible to community members...As such, the approach was successful in identifying and eliminating many of the typical barriers in such projects and was able to open dialog with community members and partners," says Hadžić-Stanek.

Members of the Native Youth Arts Collective and Little Earth helped fill planters and further beautify the area. Photo courtesy of Minneapolis Public Works TPP.

Outcome

In September 2021, planters and street art were installed as part of a demonstration project at 18th Avenue South in a partnership between the City of Minneapolis, Little Earth, and the Native Youth Arts Collective. The Native Youth Arts Collective created the street art, and shortly after, the city hosted a community engagement event with the Collective and Little Earth to fill the planters and beautify the area.

The result is a street imbued with vibrancy, color, and culture. The planters further provide a safe barrier from the street. The partnership created 2,112 square feet of gathering space for the community, reduced speeding, and decreased traffic — addressing one of the major concerns voiced by the community in 2020.

The finalized transportation study, completed in 2023, includes a preferred concept layout for 18th Avenue South. The vision presented in the study includes features such as a rain garden, new trees, raised pedestrian crossings, curb extensions, and enhanced lighting. The proposal for future reconstruction of 18th Avenue South and adjacent streets in the area is being considered for Minneapolis' 2028 Capital Improvement Program.

"The city continues to be involved in efforts in and around Little Earth, which also includes the ongoing planning and engagement process led by the county to reconstruct Cedar Avenue, a major thoroughfare traveling through the community of Little Earth," says Hadžić-Stanek.

Top image: A street demonstration project helped address safety concerns but also catalyzed to strengthen the relationship between the city and the community. Photo courtesy of Minneapolis Public Works TPP.