Post by the Hawthorne Hawkman. Photo sources included in hyperlinks in photo captions.
Not too long ago, the Irving Inquisition blog and I had ourselves a disagreement over whether it would be best to build the Lowry Avenue Bridge quickly, or if we should wait until enough funding was allocated so that a NoMi bike/walk path underneath could be built in accordance with the Above the Falls master plan. We'd heard rumblings that our side of the bridge would not extend far enough for that path to be put in place. The Irving Inquisition position was to build it sooner, regardless of whether it met any comprehensive plans. My stance was to wait however long it took so that we get it done right. If the plan is a 50-year plan, and the bridge will last for 100 years or more, then there's only one shot at getting this amenity or NoMi.
Well, it turns out we were both right. (but I was more right) According to Tom Leighton at the most recent Hawthorne board meeting, Hennepin County and Mark Stenglein were diligent in pursuing enough funding so that the bridge can be built with the space for a bike/walk path underneath, and this won't cause any significant delays in construction. Connecting the North Mississippi Regional Park and the rest of the Grand Rounds (admittedly, the full connection will take many, many years to complete due to property acquisition) will do wonders for biking in and through NoMi.
On a somewhat random note, as I was searching for images to use for this post, I came across another Lowry Bridge, this one in Manchester, England. Notice any similarities?
This post will encompass the remainder of those who spoke out during the public comment period of the School Board meeting where North High was saved*.
(*if we get 125 incoming freshmen by March of '11. Let's not lose sight of that. Otherwise, it will close for one year and reopen.)
Due to another hearing I was at, I missed both the rally and the first part of the School Board meeting. I captured as much of it as possible and will share that on my Youtube channel and NXNS. In the videos above, Superintendent Johnson lays out her proposal for a new North High. The big question marks come surrounding the external consultant who will help develop a plan, and the "design team." Who will those people be, and how will they be selected? Can these people be put in place in a way that builds and repairs community trust?
Those clips are somewhat dry, but the fireworks REALLY got started with the public comments...
After much deliberation, and an outpouring of community input, Superintendent Johnson's proposal from last week was brought before the Minneapolis Public School Board as a whole. Due to other job commitments, I was unable to attend the rally before the meeting, and missed some early parts. But I stayed until the end of the meeting and recorded the vote that kept North open.
There are several hours of footage to upload and review. Until I have the chance to get a well-written post up about the broader issues, people can feel free to check out my Youtube channel for the videos I took during the meeting.
The VERY short summary of what happened is this: Johnson's proposal was presented, and amended to allow for the chance of a freshman class continuing to attend North High in 2011 (her previous proposal called for North to not accept incoming freshmen in 2011 while creating a new program, phase out the existing school, start a new North in 2012, and add a class each year until there would be a full school in 2016). In order for there to be a continuous student body at North High, we in the community will need to work with the school board to recruit an incoming freshman class of 125 students by March of 2011.
I'm guessing by now most everyone reading NXNS has heard Superintendent Johnson's proposal to continue with a phasing out of North High, take a year off to develop a new model, and re-open a new North High in 2012. (although not necessarily in the same building; we'll get to that) In looking at chatter on Facebook, the Strib, and elsewhere, reactions to the plan are varied - ranging from calls for a failing school to be shut down immediately to feelings that this "plan" has nothing of substance that is different than Johnson's original proposition.
While my initial response did not embody such extremes, it was still mixed. My first thought upon hearing Johnson's new idea was, "This might be as good of a deal as we're going to get." My SECOND thought was...
POST COMPLETE. All video footage from the press conference has been uploaded and added.
Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson called a press conference this morning to announce plans for North High. The buzz was that she would continue with the plans to phase out the existing North High, but there was speculation that somehow the school would be saved. After all, if plans to close were moving ahead as previously announced, why call a press conference to remind the community that you're doing something incredibly unpopular?
In essence, her plan now involves closing down the existing North High, phasing out current enrollment, working with the community on a plan during 2011, and re-opening a new North High for incoming freshmen in 2012, then adding a grade each year.
Plenty of news media were there, and the Strib and KSTP at least have articles and some footage up already. But the initial details were broken first on the NXNS Twitter feed, proving once again the speed and agility of non-traditional media.
More video footage will follow after the jump, as soon as it's done uploading on youtube...
Post by Jeff Skrenes, Hawthorne Neighborhood Council Housing Director, photo contributed by PPL. This post originally appeared on the Hawthorne Voices blog, but has been re-posted here at the request of PPL.
PPL Building Project-Hawthorne EcoVillage
Support efforts in North Minneapolis to build and renovate affordable housing for those in need in the community in response to the foreclosure crisis. PPL’s Housing Development dept. is renovating a house at 3023 N. 4th St. as part of the Hawthorne EcoVillage project. Volunteers needed! Construction/carpentry experience welcome but not required.
Construction experience is welcome but not required. Skilled supervision, tools, materials and snacks provided. Volunteers are asked to bring a bag lunch and work gloves.
For more information or to sign up, please contact Julie Huck, PPL Volunteer Mgr., at 612-455-5111 or email Julie Huck.
