7 Neighborhood Organizations steer toward a bright future

Over the past year, seven neighborhood organizations in south Minneapolis have worked together to explore strategic partnership opportunities that will improve operating efficiencies and ensure long-term sustainability of the sector while improving the capacity to engage and build grassroots leadership.

The partnership is called the Southside United Neighborhoods Project (SUN Project) and the following neighborhood organizations, representing eleven neighborhoods, are participating: Bancroft Neighborhood Association, Bryant Neighborhood Organization, Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization, Corcoran Neighborhood Organization, Longfellow Community Council, Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association and Standish-Ericsson Neighborhood Association. Read more.

Nominate an outstanding neighbor for Corcoran award

Do you know an outstanding volunteer in the Corcoran neighborhood? Nominate a neighbor who made a significant volunteer contribution to Corcoran in 2011 by submitting the volunteer’s name and a brief statement about their accomplishments to Emily at CNO.
Nominations will be accepted through January 21. Corcoran residents are invited to the annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner on Monday, February 6at 6:00 p.m. at the Corcoran Park building (3334 20th Ave S). The dinner and program will feature an awards ceremony honoring Corcoran’s Volunteer of the Year and Lifetime Volunteer.

Pavement Mural Movie by Phillip O'Toole

Watch the movie in large format on Corcoran's YouTube channel!

Contribute to the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization

What are you thankful for in the Corcoran neighborhood? Are you thankful for the Midtown Farmers Market, and the effort to preserve the market at its home of nine seasons? Are you thankful for great public art in places where vandalism once lived? Are you thankful for light rail riders who’ve helped Metro Transit keep the Lake Street station clean and safe? Are you thankful for The Corcoran News, created by neighbors and delivered each month to your doorstep? The Corcoran Neighborhood Organization connects the neighbors who make Corcoran strong. Contribute to your Neighborhood!

Worried about your Mortgage?

You’re not alone. While Corcoran’s housing market remains stable, some neighbors are losing their homes to foreclosure and others are struggling to keep up. CNO volunteers and staff are working hard to get the word out that help is available. They're knocking at every household facing a pre-foreclosure notice, trying to help them avert a sheriff's sale. If you’re behind on your mortgage—or worried that you might not be able to make future payments—a nearby, HUD-approved non-profit (PRG, at 2017 E. 38th Street) can help. To set up an appointment with a counselor at PRG, call (612) 721-7556, or visit the PRG website.

Cleaning up the Lake Street LRT Station

In Spring 2011, residents concerned about public safety and maintenance at the Lake Street/Midtown light rail transit station sparked a dialogue and collaboration with operations, police, and maintenance officials from Metro Transit. Corcoran resident Anne Bloomquist helped lead the effort, and recapped the campaign in a recent article in The Corcoran News. On Thursday, Oct. 20, Metro Transit reconvened with residents to discuss past, present, and future plans for improvements at the Lake Street station, and to determine next steps in the collaboration with residents. Read a story on the recent efforts by KSTP News.

Get into Action with Corcoran GROWS

Join one of 4 new Corcoran GROWS Action Teams focused on neighbors' skills, interests, and passions, including: 1.) Growing, preserving, and sharing food, 2.) Renewable energy and energy efficiency, 3.) Local economy and skills for self-sufficiency, and 4.) Intergenerational learning and "Corcoran culture." Working together, Corcoran neighbors have the power to make our neighborhood more resilient, more local, and less dependent on a fossil fuel economy. Get involved, and join neighbors on the Transition from Oil Dependence to Neighborhood Interdependence!

Home Energy Visits, Rebates, $175 Grants

The cost for Community Energy Services (CES), Minneapolis’ premier residential energy efficiency program, will increase in March 2012. To sign up for just $30 you must attend a workshop and schedule your home visit before March 31, 2012. Join over 4,000 Minneapolis homeowners who have used CES to make permanent, cost-saving improvements, find qualified contractors, apply for utility rebates, and access low-interest financing. Register for an upcoming workshop. Also note: Corcoran participants are also eligible for a $175 mini grant from CNO Following the home visit, use the mini grant for air sealing and insulation or upgrade to a high efficiency furnace, air conditioning, or water heater if these improvements are recommended. Eligible, completed improvements will be reimbursed on a first-come / first-served basis following a walk-through by CNO staff. Funds are limited and there is no waiting list. Contact Eric at CNO to submit receipts for completed work.

Find Public Art in the Corcoran neighborhood

If you think Powderhorn has art, just wait 'til you visit the Corcoran neighborhood!
Public art on walls, public art on the street...how to keep track of it all?

A new webpage helps you find and find out about public art installations in Corcoran, and then get involved in community art projects by the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization.

Local photographer captures the Corcoran neighborhood in "Minneapolis 81"

Have you been trying to convince friends to move to the Corcoran neighborhood? A project by local photographer Janelle Nivens may help convince them. Nivens is documenting life in all 81 Minneapolis neighborhoods through a project called Minneapolis 81. Last summer Janelle captured her colorful tour of Corcoran and has posted her impressions online. View the photographic tour of Corcoran, and share it with your friends, who will wish they lived here too.

Fare for All distribution one Wednesday each month

Do you want to eat healthy without "breaking the bank?" Check out Fare for All, a cooperative food buying program with a new location in south Minneapolis! Open to everyone, Fare for All sells packages of fresh fruits and vegetables and frozen meats for up to 40% less than grocery store prices. Food sales take place one Wednesday a month at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2730 E. 31st St. Upcoming distributions include Jan 18, Feb 15, Mar 14, April 18, May 16, June 20. Come between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. to visit the distribution. No pre-registration is required. Because Fare For All buys food in bulk, the more people who participate, the better! CNO is helping bring this new resource to the neighborhood through participation in the south Minneapolis community leadership team.

Nice Ride bike share station installed in Corcoran

Nice Ride launched a metro bike share system in 2010, and an additional expansion is underway. Last winter, CNO, the YWCA Minneapolis, and Minneapolis Public Schools each sent a letter advocating for a new bike station at southwest Lake and Hiawatha. In June 2011, a new Nice Ride station was installed at the YWCA Midtown! Learn more and hop on.

Contribute to The Corcoran News this month

For over 25 years, The Corcoran News monthly newspaper has been a forum for the issues, ideas, and events of concern to Corcoran residents. Editor Kath Lenk (a neighborhood volunteer) invites residents to share an article, artwork, photograph, opinion, or event information for the next edition! All content should be sent to news@corcoranneighborhood.org. The Corcoran News is hand-delivered monthly to every household in the Corcoran neighborhood. Find future deadlines here. Learn about the purpose and goals of The Corcoran News here.

Corcoran GROWS | Housing | Land Use & Transportation
Midtown Farmers Market | Mujeres en Accion y Poder | Newspaper

Corcoran Neighborhood Organization | 3451 Cedar Ave S | Minneapolis MN 55407
Phone 612-724-7457 | Fax 612-721-7588