CORRECTION: The May meeting of the Prospect Park/East River Road Improvement Association (PPERRIA) has been rescheduled for Monday, May 19 due to the Memorial Day holiday. The date listed in the May print issue of The Bridge is incorrect.

Prospect Park/East River Road Improvement Association (PPERRIA)

April 28, 2008, Annual Meeting and board elections.

By Bill Hoffmann

ANNUAL MEETING HELD IN HONOR OF RALPH RAPSON
More than 60 people attended PPERRIA’s annual meeting, which honored Ralph Rapson, long-time Prospect Park resident and acclaimed architect, who died March 29 at the age of 93.

President Dick Poppele noted Rapson’s influence on architecture in the city and the nation. Rapson’s designs included the original Guthrie Theater building. Board member Florence Littman said a memorial for Rapson included a Dixieland Band at his house, at his prior request. The band marched up Tower Hill. “We’re going to miss him terribly. He was really a treasure,” Littman said.

RAPSON NAME CONSIDERED FOR TOWER HILL PARK
The board and members voted to ask the executive committee to pursue a proposal to rename Tower Hill Park after Ralph and Mary Rapson. The current park name is unofficial.

Also, board member Betts Zerby said a fund was proposed to establish a memorial for Rapson.

PPERRIA DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, COMMITTEE CHAIRS ELECTED
The slate of nominees for the 2008-2010 PPERRIA board of directors was unanimously elected, as were 2008-2009 officers and committee chairs. A number of board members will continue.

Directors elected were: Wanda Alexander, Phil Anderson, Richard Brownlee, Sigrid and David Coates, John DeWitt, Kate Donahue, Robert Estes and Matthew Jones, Susan and Jeff Gottlieb, Dick Hendrickson, Gail Hughes, Kimberly Kensinger, Christina Larson, Florence and Walter Littman, Dorothy Marden, Karen Murdock, David and Ann Preus, Joe Ring and Susan Thrash, Joan Schneider, Cheryl Vollhaber and Andy Mickel, and Paul and Betts Zerby. Couples have one vote.

Two alternative board members were named: Steve Ficker and Peter Lasha. Tamara Johnson will fill a vacant 2008 position.

Following the election, officers and committee chairs were elected. PPERRIA officers elected for 2008-2009 were: President: Dick Poppele, Immediate Past President: Joe Ring, Secretary: Betts Zerby, Treasurer: Lois Willand, Vice President/Finance: Tony Garmers, Vice President/Newsletter Editor: John Holmquist, Vice President/Membership: Julie Wallace, Vice President/Transportation: John DeWitt, Vice President/Website/Database: Andy Mickel/Cheryl Vollhaber, Vice President/Zoning: Florence Littman, and Vice President/Zoning Co-Chair: Phil Anderson.

Committee chairs elected for 2008-2009 were: Education: Susan Larson-Fleming, Executive Committee: Dick Poppele, Housing: Roger Kiemele, Livability: Joe Ring, Membership: Julie Wallace, Personnel: Susan Larson-Fleming, Transportation: John DeWitt, Zoning and Land Use: Florence Littman, and Zoning and Land Use Co-Chair: Phil Anderson. The president will appoint chair of the Nominating Committee.

The board also approved a motion that the president, treasurer, and vice president of finance are authorized to deposit funds into PPERRIA’s checking and savings accounts, and to sign checks.

SMALLER PPERRIA BUDGET ADOPTED
The 2008-2009 PPERRIA budget for $9,000 was adopted by a unanimous vote. Lois Willand, treasurer, said the budget is slightly reduced from the previous year. Otherwise, there were no significant changes.

PARKWAY TRAILS TO BE CLOSED DURING RECONSTRUCTION
Board member Paul Zerby called attention to flyers announcing reconstruction of part of the East River Parkway Trail. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board flyer explains that some trails are seriously deteriorated. Also, older trails will be brought up to current park system standards.

Construction is expected to begin in midsummer and be completed by early fall. It will involve paving, wall repairs, signage, and landscaping. It includes 1.5 miles of pedestrian trail from the city limits north to East River Flats, and .75 miles of bike trail between Franklin Avenue and East River Flats.

For information, contact Park Commissioner Walter Dziedzic, 612-781-4080, or Project Manager Nick Eoloff, 612-230-6465 and neoloff@minnapolisparks.org, and see www.minneapolisparks.org.

UNIVERSITY PARTNERS DISTRICT ALLIANCE PROGRESS REPORT
President Dick Poppele reported on the progress in establishing the University Partners District Alliance. In May 2006, the Legislature approved a funding bill for a campus football stadium. At the same time, the Legislature mandated a study to assess the impact of the university on surrounding neighborhoods. In January 2007, the study was published, and entitled: Moving Forward Together: U of M Minneapolis Area Neighborhood Impact Report. (See the report at www.pperr.org/.)

The report highlighted concerns about deteriorated housing conditions, as well as a significant number of conversions of owner-occupied housing to rental in the Marcy-Holmes and Southeast Como neighborhoods. The report recommended taking action, and the formation of the alliance organization. It is composed of five neighborhoods, which includes the campus, business organizations, the city, and the university.

The Legislature appropriated $750,000 to establish the alliance and conduct a demonstration project. The Legislature asked the alliance to report back January 2008. The alliance is expected to seek further funding. The goals of the alliance focus on promoting the neighborhoods, improvements in housing conditions and home ownership, and encouraging employees to live near where they work in the district. Goals also include livability improvement, promoting education, transit, and design standards.

Ward 2 Council Member Cam Gordon, a member of the 17-member alliance steering committee, outlined plans for a demonstration project for a homebuyer incentive program.

Asked how they like the new alliance district, University Relations Director Jan Morlock said, “It’s making progress,” but drew laughter when she quipped, “I’d say we’re still dating.” Gordon responded, “Gee, I thought we were on our honeymoon.” Poppele commented about the district, “I’m optimistic.”

Ken Mowll, chair of the Pratt Parent Teachers Organization, said Pratt School would have a “huge budget cut next year.” Mowll said the university could help the Pratt and Marcy schools attract families to move into the neighborhoods. Poppele said the alliance has an education interest.

A resident asked if the university was an enthusiastic participant in the alliance. Morlock commented that there is a growing understanding by the top leaders at the university that the health of the communities around the campus is essential to the health of the university itself. Morlock noted that the university is also in the process of updating the campus master plan.

Asked for the university’s definition of a healthy neighborhood, Morlock said the alliance is working on the definition now. But, the definition, she said, would include a place where people want to work, operate home based business, where there are schools, and a place people want to visit.

Board member Paul Zerby, and former council member, said he applauds the alliance project. “But, you have to look at livability questions.” While he starts with “the premise that students are a great asset,” some student conduct, especially in Marcy-Holmes and Southeast Como, is disruptive to the neighborhood.

“This is a Town and Gown problem all over the place, like St. Thomas University in St. Paul,” he said. Council member Gordon noted that the U of M’s code of student conduct now includes behavior off campus.

For alliance information, see www.community.umn.edu/alliance.

TOM KILTON, SUSAN LARSON FLEMING SERVICE RECOGNIZED
Applause greeted recognition of board members and past presidents Tom Kilton and Susan Larson Fleming for their service. They each were presented with a large potted geranium. They are leaving the board, but Dick Poppele said he hoped they would remain active in the organization.

PRATT SCHOOL FUNDRAISER SET AT ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Claudia Fuentes, mother of a child enrolled at Pratt Community School, announced the annual Pratt Silent Auction to raise funds for student enrichment programs.

The auction will be held at the neighborhood ice cream social on Friday, May 30. Auction items are expected to include business gift certificates, artwork, services, and the opportunity to reserve the Prospect Park Tower for a party. Deadline for donations is May 20. Contact Fuentes for information, and to make donations, at cefuentes@hotmail.com.

SUSHI RESTAURANT TO OPEN IN STADIUM VILLAGE
The Azuki Sushi, a Japanese cuisine restaurant, is due to open soon in Stadium Village.

PPERRIA MEETING TO BE ONE WEEK EARLY
The May PPERRIA member meeting will be held Monday, May 19, one week early to avoid a conflict with the Memorial Day holiday.

APPLAUSE FOR BUSINESS, STUDENT MEMBERS
Board member Paul Zerby, who chaired the bylaws committee, thanked those who worked on changes proposed for the bylaws. Several changes were adopted at the February meeting. There was a round of applause for the newly eligible members.

Zerby said it was great to see new business and student members at the meeting. Bylaws changes in eligibility expanded membership to include business representatives and student residents.

NEXT MEETING: May 19, 2008, one week early to avoid conflict with Memorial Day holiday.

MEETINGS:
4th Monday of the month, 7 p.m., unless otherwise announced. Refreshments, conversation 6:30-7 p.m. Prospect Park United Methodist Church, 22 Orlin Ave. SE

CONTACT: 612-331-2970
66 SE Malcolm Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55414
pperria@tcfreenet.org
www.pperr.org

last revised: May 6, 2008

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