Real people, real results
From deciding where the tracks and stations would go, to thinking about economic development and health impacts, the diverse communities at the heart of the 13-mile corridor have been integral to planning efforts, said Joan Vanhala, community engagement coordinator for Bottineau Community Works.
“From the very beginning, Hennepin County has recognized that authentic community engagement is essential to a successful project,” she said. “It’s a unique opportunity to grow the capacity of community leaders to step up and join us in a very complex planning process that can create real opportunity for their communities.”
Butler agreed. “The community is shaping what that conversation looks like,” she said, adding, “What does it look like when you get to invest in residents and invest in their leadership?”
According to Butler, here’s what it looks like along the Bottineau corridor:
- More than 900 residents from diverse backgrounds involved in vital planning processes
- 1,600 units of affordable housing preserved along the corridor so far
- Community members sitting on influential planning committees and groups
- New voices of previously inactive residents heard at city council meetings and political caucuses
- Residents using their new connections and empowered voices to pressure absentee landlords