Northsiders Lead

northsiders making decisions for the northside.

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First Term (2018 - Current)

Big Idea

With CM Cunningham as our representative, Northsiders lead.

2017 Campaign promise fulfilled

CM Cunningham has held a yearly State of the Ward address to provide an update to residents about the work of the previous year and the planned work of the next. He has remained accessible and engaged with Community Office Hours twice/week since he took office in 2018.

Accomplishments

The Upper Harbor Terminal Redevelopment (UHT) Coordinated Plan has been finalized, and is scheduled to be approved by the Council in early fall of 2021. This development has the potential to greatly benefit North Minneapolis. Councilmember Cunningham led the creation of the UHT Collaborative Planning Committee, which consisted of almost entirely Northsiders who made decisions about the development. Over the past 2 years, they worked to create a plan that benefits Northsiders first:

  • Hundreds of affordable - at Northsider income - rental units and homeownership opportunities with priority given to Northsiders.

  • The land will remain in public ownership to ensure Northsiders can continue to be lead decision makers about the development.

  • Priority for Northside entrepreneurs and business owners for commercial space.

  • A ticket fee for the music venue that will amount to $1M/year, and the surrounding Northside community can decide how to invest those funds.

After the UHT Coordinated Plan passes, Councilmember Cunningham will continue to center Northside voices as other decisions are made. There are still many opportunities to shape the identity of this exciting development. Northsiders will get to help decide what kind of businesses should occupy the commercial space as well as how ticket fee funds are used, among other important decisions.

Successfully organized with Ward 4 residents to get Lowry designated as a Cultural Corridor, which will allow businesses along the corridor to access extra funding and other resources, along with an area beautification initiative.

Councilmember Cunningham is committed to advocating for Northside resources. Since the beginning of his term in 2018, he has invited Ward 4 residents to join him at Community Office Hours twice per week. Residents are encouraged to use this time to share their concerns and ideas, which helps him make decisions about policy and what to focus on in his work.

Next Term (2022 - 2024)

Big Idea

CM Cunningham will continue to center the voices of Ward 4 residents when advocating for resources and making policy decisions.

Planned Focus Areas

  • Neighborhood Associations

    • Deliver a neighborhoods 2020 plan that sustains critical services provided by neighborhood organizations.

    • Active participation in neighborhood associations by continuing to attend monthly board meetings and community activities.

  • Deeper community engagement

    • Continue to empower the Upper Harbor Terminal Collaborative Planning Committee to make key decisions about this important development.

    • Work with neighborhood associations to identify opportunities to collaborate on providing information, surveys and resources to Ward 4 residents.