The Thirty-Eighth Street THRIVE Strategic Development Plan is an opportunity towards continuing the legacy and heritage of a deeply rooted African American community by preserving their economic vibrancy, creative identity, and affordability that strengthens the vitality, resilience and partnership of the people who live and work in the district.
The plan aims to be concise and visionary, and targets what the community wants to change and how they want to develop over a ten-year period to 2030. In addition to serving as the primary vision document for the Thirty-Eighth Street Cultural District. This Strategic Plan will also implement the policies of Minneapolis 2040 to achieve comprehensive plan goals such as to create more affordable and accessible housing opportunities and increase access to living-wage jobs.
Community engagement and participation
In 2015, we held a planning series titled “The Future of East 38th Street,” hosted by former Ward 8 Council Member Elizabeth Glidden. Those meetings formulated several ideas, priorities and recommendations for our communities, including the preservation of African American history and community ownership to name a few. That work carried forward through additional engagement meetings and with the reconstruction of the 38th
Street Bridge under Ward 8 Council Vice President Andrea Jenkins.
In February 2019, CVP Jenkins decided to continue the planning work to create THRIVE, a strategic development plan by the community, in collaboration with the City of Minneapolis. At the kickoff meeting we were asked, “what is equitable engagement?” We wanted to be at the table from the beginning, an all-inclusive and accessible process, engaged with sensitivity & reflective of our community, accountability, co-creation, ownership and intentional impact. A planning committee of community members was formed to drive the planning process, conduct engagements and draft the plan for the broader community’s approval. Throughout the planning process, the committee met to work on developing the vision, strategies, action steps based on the community’s priorities. In addition to, brainstorming how to best engage the broader community and receive input.
Timeline
2019
- February
THRIVE! Kickoff meeting to the 38th Street planning process at Sabathani Community Center - March - July
(5) Monthly Planning Committee meetings at the Seward Co-op - August
Summer Break - September
Dinner on the Bridge with MDot, Marnita's Table and Eat for Equity at Sabathani Community Center - October
38th Street Design Workshop at Sabathani Community Center and Online Engagements - November - December
Draft the plan document
2020
- January - February
Review draft with CVP Andrea Jenkins & revisions. - March - April
Review draft with Planning Committee, Internal Staff & revisions. - May - November
Final community meeting on June 4, 2020, canceled due to the murder of George Floyd at 38th and Chicago on May 25, 2020. All plan-related activities were placed on hold to mourn, process, organize and demand justice as a community, and protect George Floyd Square. - November - December
Community revisions.
2021
- January - March
Edit final plan to present to city planning commission & council for resolution adoption.- March 2, 2021, resolution recognizing the plan was approved at the Business, Inspections, Housing & Zoning Committee.
- March 12, 2021, resolution recognizing the plan was adopted at City Council.
- March 15, 2021, resolution recognizing the plan was approved and signed by Mayor Jacob Frey.