University United
Background and Purpose
The City of Saint Paul is divided into seventeen geographic districts, each representing district neighborhoods within the City. Each district has a District Council elected by residents of the neighborhood. District Councils address important neighborhood issues and serve as the official voice of their community in the City of Saint Paul's planning processes.
The District Councils Collaborative of Saint Paul and Minneapolis (Collaborative) was formed to help neighborhoods navigate through the complex web of information and planning processes, and ensure that the needs and interests of residents and businesses are fully represented in Central Corridor transit discussions. University United, a nonprofit coalition of 12 community organizations and seven business members with interests in the area of University Avenue, is providing a home for the Collaborative. However, the Collaborative is operating independently of University United's staff and programs.
Current Request
University United is requesting $50,000 on behalf of the Collaborative for third year operating support of a multi-year project to facilitate neighborhood participation in shaping the direction of future Central Corridor light rail development. The Collaborative arose from concerns district councils raised about their individual capacity to facilitate a meaningful community review process for a project as large and complex as the discussion of light rail along University Avenue.
A Memorandum of Understanding was approved in March 2006 that defines objectives of the Collaborative and responsibilities of participating members. Each neighborhood association agrees to participate in a collaborative effort for the purpose of facilitating discussion, identifying priorities and concerns and providing information and outreach for the Central Corridor project.
The Collaborative has one full-time community liaison staff member and has added a quarter time administrative assistant, and it has its own operating structure, leadership, goals and work plan. Fifteen organizations including 10 of the 17 district councils in Saint Paul and five Minneapolis neighborhood associations have joined the Collaborative.