-STAR TRIBUNE, 2017
East Town (Elliot Park and Downtown East) is a thriving district of 120 square blocks (300 acres) in the most accessible and visible sector of Downtown Minneapolis. It is bounded by the Minneapolis Central Business District on the west, the Mississippi riverfront to the north, Interstate-35W to the east, and Interstate-94 to the south.
The East Town Development work group was formed by the mpls downtown council, mpls downtown improvement district and the East Town Business Partnership and includes more than 60 organizations and 100 leaders representing businesses, nonprofits, elected officials, universities, and neighborhoods. This inter disciplinary group advances the development goals of Intersections: The Downtown 2025 Plan and hosts monthly strategic presentations ranging from planning and design to projects and critical path with a special focus on diverse housing growth.
East Town is within a period of great growth and transition. Continued efforts of strong planning and neighborhood engagement will help guide the growth to continue building the area into a strong cohesive neighborhood. Over the past decade plus many citizens, elected officials, business community members, developers, designers, and students have collaborated to complete multiple urban studies within the recently branded East Town, primarily focusing on the Elliot Park Neighborhood and Downtown East Neighborhood. This study provides an update of the current status of East Town, builds upon the previous studies and master planning that have been completed, and identifies opportunities for development.
Increase residential development along the Park and Portland corridor in terms of attraction, distribution & density, the variety of types and diversity of residents. This will add different opportunities for people to live in this stretch of downtown neighborhood.
Focus on preservation, circulation, accessibility, sustainability, safety, new retail/entertainment districts, street-level experience, owner-occupied housing, neighborhood character, balancing economic vitality with the environment, livability and quality of life.
Attract residents, diverse developments and innovative businesses by focusing on green space, hardscapes, streetscaping, transit/vehicle/pedestrian patterns, infrastructure and sustainable environments.
BKV Group
City of Minneapolis
Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED)
Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA)
Downtown East Elliot Park (DEEP)
East Town Business Partnership
Elliot Park Neighborhood, Inc. (EPNI)
Hennepin County
Metro Transit
mpls downtown council
mpls downtown improvement district
Aeon
Augustana Care
Developers
Guthrie Theater Foundation
HCMC
Kraus-Anderson
North Central University
McKnight Foundation
Metro Transit
Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA)
Minnesota Historical Society
Star Tribune
Thrivent Financial
University of Minnesota
Valspar
Wells Fargo