1. VISION:
“The University District will be the subject of joint efforts to preserve and maintain a vital, safe, and attractive community that will be a premiere destination and choice of a place to live, learn and work”

2. The University District

3. Creating a Development Framework for the Future University District Workshop #3
AGENDA
8:30 Check in, refreshments
9:00 Welcome and introductions
9:15 District Facts and Assumptions
9:30 Presentation of overall themes and initiatives
9:45 Small groups: “Develop the story”
10:45 Small group reports
11:30 Wrap up and next steps
11:45 Adjourn

4. Developing a Sense of Place and Shared Identity
Understand our connections.
Neighborhood Impact Report, and research about the District
Inventory assets and express points of pride.
Developing shared communication tools
Tackle challenges and opportunities as a coalition.
Zoning, Planning, and Reg review
Dialogue with private developers
Demonstration projects
Live Near Your Work campaign
Develop a common vision
Planning process, workshops, forums

5. We Are in Phase 1 of Creating a Development Framework: University District Planning Charrette
A snapshot of shared thinking--to be modified, added to, developed in detail over time.
What it will do:
Reinforce definition and sense of place for the District
Illustrate how and where projects fit
Incorporate concepts about environment and livability that unify the District
Declare the markets we are pursuing, locations we see as transformative, and quality of design we will demand
Provide a base for building further vision for the District.

6. Workshops #1 and #2: Inventory, Discovery, and Transformative Actions
Existing Plans, Conditions, and Influences
Assets
Missing Pieces
Connectivity
Public realm
Transformative Actions

7. Facts
In the year 2000:
32,561 people lived in the District.
43,595 people worked in the District. (U.S. Census)
The District is a major regional employment center.

8. Facts (continued)
The Twin Cities Campus has a daytime population of roughly 80,000 people, including 17,000 employees.
The arts, cultural, and event venues in the District make this a major regional cultural and event destination.

9. Facts, continued
Undergraduate student enrollment has remained flat over the last five years, while graduate and professional student enrollment has increased.
Approximately 80% of freshman students live in University-managed housing.
35% of undergraduate students identify themselves as “commuter students,” compared with 46% ten years ago.

10. Facts, continued
Compared to other parts of the center cities, very low foreclosure and rental vacancy rates.
Continued developer interest.

11. Assumptions
The quality of life on the University campus and in the surrounding communities is interdependent.

12. Assumptions, continued
Through 2030, the District’s population will increase by approximately 25%, to 40,700+, significantly faster than the city as a whole.
The number of households will increase by 31%, to 15,600.
Employment will increase by 15%, moderately faster than the city as a whole.
(Projections Metropolitan Council and City of Minneapolis.)

13. Assumptions, continued
U of M undergraduate population will remain steady or decline
Graduate and professional student population will increase slightly.
The number of University and medical center employees will increase slightly to moderately.

14. Assumptions, continued
800 to 1,000 new private market housing units or beds, marketed to students, will be built in the next few years (based on projects already in the pipeline).

15. Assumptions, continued
Central Corridor LRT will be built. Ridership will exceed projections. The repurposing of Washington Avenue will likely divert auto traffic to other river crossings.
Gas prices will continue to increase and there will be greater use of transit and alternative modes.
More people will choose to avoid congestion and live where they have access to transit and other amenities.

16. Assumptions, continued
The location advantages of the University District will be magnified:
Straddling the Mississippi
Well connected to the region by transit, freeway, and recreational trails
Adjacent to downtown Minneapolis.

17. And, finally:
This creates an unprecedented opportunity to attract a diversity of residents, to use growth to improve environmental balance and be a model sustainable District.