Tactical Urbanism Handbook

North Minneapolis, MN

Tactical Urbanism

HANDBOOK

A Guide for Rethinking Urban Transformation through Building Temporary Interventions on Vacant Lots in Your Neighborhood.

Prepared by Theresa Hunt

CONTENTS

1 2 3 4

Purpose Introduction Process Site Interventions

PURPOSE

5 6 7 8

Site Requirements

North Minneapolis is a vibrant community that is facing a high vacancy rate within its neighborhoods. Issues have been arising in public safety, health, and development due to vacant lots. Opportunities have been emerging for the community to impact the development of their neighborhoods. This Handbook explores strategies for changing the process of urban transformation through the implementation of temporary interventions on vacant lots in North Minneapolis. It aims to:

Site Elements

• Provide the community with a set of tools to employ to take control of the vacant lots in their neighborhood.

• Serve as a resource for Community Organizations that are already actively making change happen in North MPLS. • Make basic changes to the urban fabric quickly, cheaply and effectively.

• Create opportunities to try something, and if it doesn’t work, try something new!

Experiments Conclusion

By opening this book you have set yourself apart as someone who wants to make a difference in their neighborhood. Whether you are already an involved community leader or are new to tactical urbanism, there is a place for you and there are people and organizations who want to help you bring your vision to life.

Join the movement of individuals and community members who are turning vacant lots into places that beautify their neighborhoods, feed people, capture stormwater, teach about the environment, and promote community gathering.

INTRODUCTION

Vacancy Rate of Minneapolis Compared to Neighborhoods in North Minneapolis Minneapolis

8% Jordan

20%

Victory

6% Hawthorne

Webber Camden

11% Willard Hay

14%

14%

Cleveland

12%

Folwell

18%

Near North Sumner Glenwood

12%

7%

Mckinley

19% Harrison

12%

Key Vacant Occupied

The majority of neighborhoods in North Minneapolis are experiencing higher vacancy rates than Minneapolis as a whole. Minneapolis has been adopting policies to allow more temporary uses to happen.

To find out if a lot is city owned go to either: cityoflakes.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=14f61245ca80467fbb298814ccbc2a09 or www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/www/groups/public/@cped/documents/webcontent/wcms1p-112571.pdf For questions about the zoning code visit: www.minneapolismn.gov/zoningmaps/zoning_maps_index Or contact Zoning Administration at: 250 S. 4th St., Room 300 Minneapolis, MN 55415 Call 311 or (612) 673-3000 Minneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov

Map of Vacancy in North Minneapolis

YOUR IDEA 2 DEVELOP Use the interventions in this

To learn more about buying a vacant lot visit: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/housing/cped_vacant_lot_home Or contact Community Planning & Economic Development by calling:(612) 673-5095.

1 FIND A CITY-OWNED VACANT LOT

manual or create your own!

Draw or write out your ideas for the vacant lot. If your plan requires permanent structures, you will need to purchase the lot. If you do not need any permanent structures, you need to apply for a permit from Hennepin County.

Use the Hennepin County website to see if the lot is city-owned or call the Real Estate office.

ZONING 3 CHECK Research the zoning of the lot. Call Zoning Administration or go to www.minneapolismn.gov/zoningmaps

PARTNERSHIPS 4 FIND Working on a project is A PROPOSAL 5 MAKE Put together a

proposal to show others what the plan is for the site to gain support.

more enjoyable when done in a team. Reach out to neighborhood organizations, nonprofits, friends, neighbors, and other professionals to join the project!

LOT OR OBTAIN PERMIT 6 BUY Make an appointment with the city to either purchase the lot or to obtain a permit for the proposed intervention.

YOUR IDEA! 7 BUILD Once you’ve completed all of

the previous steps it is time to start building your idea!

PROCESS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Find A City-Owned Vacant Lot Develop Your Idea Check Zoning Find Partnerships Make A Proposal Buy Lot or Obtain Permit Build Your Idea!

SITE INTERVENTIONS Fire Pit

-Shovel to dig pit -Stones to enclose pit -Seating -Someone to watch

Temporary Compact Housing -Materials and labor for house construction -Space to fit multiple houses to create a community -People in need for temporary housing

Farmer’s Market

-Vendors looking to sell their goods -Someone to find, organize, and answer vendors questions -People interested in buying goods

Commuter Rest-stop

-High frequency bus stop with minimal seating or shelter -Seating and tables -Plants -Overhead canopy

Food Trucks

-Vehicle access to the site -Demand for temporary options for food at peak times -Optional: Seating and tables

Movie Theater -Space to project movie -Projector -Movie (appropriate for most ages) -Electrical outlet -Optional: Seating

Public Music Event -Local musicians to perform -Tent or platform -Electricity -People who enjoy music -Neighbors who don’t mind the sound

Public Art

-Local artists or youth organization with interst to transform the space -Supplies to create the art piece

FAQ’S

A set of interventions with the basic tools required to build them.

Multiple interventions fit the qualifications of my site, which one will be the most successful?

Pop-up Playground

-Materials that could include cardboard, tires, wood, PVC pipe, tape, glue, etc.)

-Neighborhood that has many children

There is no way to be 100% certain an intervention is the correct fit for a site.

Timing can be as big of a factor as any of the site requirements. Choosing an intervention that you and others in the community are passionate about is the best way to ensure success of an intervention.

What are common maintenance considerations?

Dog Park

-Fencing -Water on site -Bags and trash can available for doo -Neighbors who don’t mind the possibility of barking dogs

Community Garden -Sunny lot -Water -Materials to create planting beds -Volunteer base to tend garden

Skate Park

-Space for ramps -Few trees -Children and teens interested in skateboarding

Least Expensive

LOT TYPES:

Most Expensive

Single Family Residential Homes of single families Multi-Family Residential Small to large apartments Neighborhood Node Commercial on corner Commercial Street Commercial along block

• • •

•

•

• • •

Grass & Groundcover: Requires planting, weeding and mowing Trees & Shrubs: Require planting, mulching, pruning Fruit trees: Require planting, possibly staking, removal of stakes, pruning, spraying, harvesting Outdoor furniture: Must be kept in good repair (choose types least vulnerable to vandalism, install with bolts where appropriate) Access: To provide universal access, a ramp or re-grading may be recommended for some parcels(where public access is required) Water: For gardening, access to water sources must be identified Soil preparation: Top soil must be suitable for growing, free of debris Safety & Security: Require neighborhood watching of space and potentially have a fence and gate to shut down the activity at night

Bathrooms Artists

Attributes

Electricity Dog Owners Vendors Children

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Potentially, this brochure provides general guidelines for each intervention. It is critical to consider the program and purpose of the intervention to determine the requirements for each specific site. Making sure the requirements match the use provide the highest probability for success.

Carefully examine the set of attributes along the left to the selected intervention along the top to see if the vacant lot in question has the necessary attributes for success.

Car Access Volunteers Water Commercial Bus Route Few Trees Large Lot

FAQ’S

My site is missing one of the requirements, can I still build the intervention?

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Interventions

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SITE REQUIREMENTS

The attributes required by each intervention that will help aid in the success of the project.

Necessary Beneficial Optional

How do I know if there is volunteer interest in the area?

One option is to ask your neighbors! This can be done by word of mouth or fliers.

If this is outside of your comfort zone, you can approach a local neighborhood organization to see if they would partner with you. They will either have a volunteer base or the connections to help you find one!

SITE ELEMENTS Poles

VERTICALS Tire

Fencing

HORIZONTALS

Suggested Materials: Tire Concrete mix Pole or post Eye Hook

Wood

Suggested Materials: Plastic 5 gallon bucket Concrete mix Pole or post Eye hook

Suggested Materials: Poles or posts Paint Fabric or screen mesh Rope

Handsaw Scissors Shovel Level Work gloves Safety Glasses

Tire

Do I need to have a large budget to pay for all of the necessary treatments?

Suggested Materials: Tire Plywood Potting mix Plants

Pallet

Suggested Materials: Tire Concrete mix Pole or post

Lighting

Staples Nails Screws Lag bolts Wrench Drill Hammer

Fabric

Suggested Materials: Fabric or screen mesh Poles or posts Dowels String

Planters

String Lights

Suggested Materials: Poles or posts String lights Solar lights Extension cord

FAQ’S

I am unsure how to build some of the elements, what can I do?

COMFORT

Shade Canopy

Suggested Materials: Wire Mesh Poles or posts Cups String Material

5 Gallon Bucket

Toolbox basics:

Metal

Elements to utilize on a project to make it more enjoyable.

Tables & Seating Wood

Suggested Materials: Pallets Paint or varnish Fabric Cushions

There are a few options if you do not have the knowledge base required to build some of these treatments. You can ask a neighbor for help, take a workshop, connect with a neighborhood organization, or potentially buy the treatments premade. Stores such as Home Depot also offer building instructions and can assist in any technical questions.

Many of the treatments were selected to be built on a budget. If you have limited funds, consider fundraising within your neighborhood, pairing with a neighborhood organization, or look for mini grants to help you get started! Also these materials are suggestions to use as a starting point. They could be found as scrap or from recycling. You also have to opportunity to get creative and develop your own treatments.

EXPERIMENTS The following experiments are to outline the process of employing an intervention on a lot in your neighborhood.

Each experiment takes a site from North Minneapolis and shows one possibility of what could be designed for the space.

Each experiment contains a map of the site with its context along with a photograph outlining the positive attributes of each site. Through analyzing the site’s context, an intervention is selected and designed to fit the space.

While these experiments propose specific interventions, it is to be noted that these are not the only possibilities for the sites in question. Before proposing and building an intervention, it is vital for the community surrounding the site to be interested and willing to participate in the implementation.

Experiment 1

Community Garden and Market Space

Experiment 2

Community Gathering and Activity

Experiment 3

Skate-Park and Hangout

Experiment 4

Temporary Compact Housing

Experiment 1:

Community Garden & Market Space

Tree

This experiment takes place on a block that is 36% vacant. While this provides the space for many interventions to be implemented, it is important to not overwhelm a neighborhood with too many of these temporary interventions.

The portion on the east side of the road gives the opportunity to execute on of the interventions on a larger scale since it is comprised of 5 vacant lots. It also contains few trees and has many neighbors close by to provide resources. This site is only two blocks from a new five story mixed-use development and a commercial center.

Tree

Tree

Potential Water Source

5 Vacant Lots

Site Attributes

Bus Route

Bus Route

2 Blocks to New Development and Commercial Center

As can be seen in the photograph above, there are many neighboring homes that could be used as a water source or as a volunteer base. Due to its size, this site has the ability to become a place for community gathering for the surrounding neighbors.

Experiment 1:

House

Community Garden & Market Space

Garden Plot

The intervention selected for this site based on its attributes and surrounding context was a community garden with market space.

On the weekends, a market could be held and draw in people from the surrounding community and new development to the space. This has the potential to spread information about tactical urbanism to a wider audience.

Garage

Greenhouse

Penn Ave. N

The layout of the gardens is to provide gathering spaces within the gardens so it is multi-functional.

Small concerts, art days, or educational lessons could be held within the inner spaces of the gardens.

Garage

Market and Gathering Space

Garage

Tool Shed House

Garage

Garage

Below is a perspective of the proposed garden and market space on the vacant site.

It has the potential to be a space that draws people of all ages to help and learn about urban agriculture and be another source for healthy, accessible food.

Experiment 2:

New Development

Community Gathering & Activity

This experiment takes place on a bustling commercial block. However only one side of the street contains commercial businesses and the other is primarily vacant with a surface parking lot. It is located on two heavily used bus lines and sees high amounts of traffic daily.

The portion on the north side of the road has a new mixed-use development being built. This give the site the opportunity to become a backyard for the new and existing residents. It’s location provides the possibility to become a new gathering place for neighborhood events and gatherings.

Commercial Street

Site Attributes

Bus Route

Capri Theater

Residential

Food Truck Zone Commercial Building

Commercial Building

Large, Empty Lot As can be seen in the photograph above, this site currently is lacking any human comfort elements. It is located on a busy commercial street and is being underutilized as a community asset.

Experiment 2:

Community Gathering & Activity The intervention selected for this site based on its attributes and surrounding context was a space to promote community gathering and activity events.

Food Trucks Tables and Chairs

The layout is a flexible space with a variety of types of seating and planters. It allows for larger events to happen within the center and smaller, intimate ones on the outside. These large events could include musical performances, art exhibitions, festivals, outdoor games, or movie nights.

The street’s width allows for food trucks to park on the edge and not delay the flow of traffic around.

Broadway Ave.

Parking Lot

Gathering Space

Stage

Pollinator Lawn

Picnic Tables

Alley

Below is a perspective of the proposed gathering space during a weekend musical performance. The activity of the space can bring in added business traffic to the surrounding commercial buildings.

Experiment 3: Skate-Park & Hangout

This experiment takes place on smaller, neighborhood commercial block. There are few vacant lots on this street and a standard bus route. Adjacent to the site is a market with food. Just a ten minute walk from the site one can find three different schools.

3 Schools within a 10 minute walk

Fremont Market

One of the challenges with this site is it is very long and narrow. This limits the interventions that can be implemented since it is such a small space. The next door buildings cast long shadows on the site during specific times of day.

Fremont Market

No Trees

Site Attributes

Bus Route

Long, Narrow Lot

As can be seen in the photograph above, this site is very long and narrow with no trees. It has a fence running along the north side and a house on the south side that shades a good portion of the site.

Experiment 3: Skate-Park & Hangout The intervention selected for this site based on its attributes and surrounding context was a skate-park and hangout space for neighborhood teens and children.

Fremont Market Parking Lot Fremont Ave.

The layout provides shady spaces to cool off and skating elements since paving the entire site is not feasible. Elements such as a half pipe, snake, quarter pipe, and grind box.

Below is a perspective of the proposed skate-park looking at the elements from the side. North Minneapolis is currently lacking skate-parks which supports healthy living styles and a positive hangout space.

Seating Area Quarter Pipe

Half Pipe Snake House

Bike Rack Seating Area Grind Box

Quarter Pipe

Experiment 4:

Tree

Temporary Compact Housing This experiment takes place on a larger commercial block with a high traffic bus route. The services provided are important to the neighborhood.

The vacant lots utilized are the only ones on the block. A grocery store and other small businesses are located on the corner next to the site.

There are tall, old trees on either side of the site, making it feel enclosed and personal. The surrounding urban fabric has minimal vacancy and is primarily single family homes.

Site Attributes

Bus Route

Trees

Trees

Trees

Commercial Street

3 vacant lots

Slope down to sidewalk

Bus Route

Grocery Store As can be seen in the photograph above, this site has old trees on the edges and slopes down to meet the sidewalk.The developed surrounding urban fabric provides the opportunity to infill the missing homes.

Experiment 4:

Temporary Compact Housing

The layout is for a community of eight compact homes with each getting a micro orchard plot to tend if desired. There is a restroom facility brought to the site that is cleaned regularily.

The homes are modeled after precedents in cities such as Seattle.

Below is a perspective of the proposed temporary compact housing with micro orchard. Brightness is added by painting the homes in vibrant colors. The micro orchards provide a source of food and nutrition for the residents.

Emerson Ave.

The intervention selected for this site based on its attributes and surrounding context was for temporary compact housing with a micro orchard.

Temporary Compact Housing Rain Garden

Micro Orchard

House

Garage

Garage

CONCLUSION

The best way to ensure the success of an intervention is to involve the surrounding community members in the change process. By working as a team, you can utilize each others strengths and connections to make the project the best it can be.

So what does this book all mean? Where can I take it from here?

The next steps include the following: • Individuals to develop collaborations with community groups and local policy makers. • Community groups and individuals to apply for local and national grants to receive money to begin local pilot projects. • Encorage changes in local policies to improve the ease of installing these temporary interventions.

So what are you waiting for?

Take the first step and start talking to others in your community and begin changing the city around you.

Questions?

Contact Theresa Hunt at: 715.210.9887 or huntta08@gmail.com