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Great Neighborhoods! Development Corporation 2007 Annual Report     Download PDF file

Introduction
Mission
East Franklin Avenue
Ancient Traders Gallery
Franklin Safety Center
Broadway Plaza
Financial Partners
Financial Overview
Board and Staff


INTRODUCTION
 Great Neighborhoods! Development Corporation (GNDC) accomplished a great deal in 2007. While our real estate developments continued to flourish on East Franklin Avenue in the Phillips neighborhood of south Minneapolis, we applied extensive time, effort and resources toward our new project — its working title is Broadway Plaza — on West Broadway Avenue in the north side Hawthorne neighborhood.

We appreciate our longstanding partnerships with the volunteers, elected officials, city staff and organizations working toward our common goal: vibrant, safe and thriving urban communities. We are likewise grateful for the vision of the many funders who invest, through GNDC, in the neighborhoods and people we serve. Your support benefits the residents of Phillips and Hawthorne and increases the vitality of the Twin Cities as a whole.

With gratitude,

Theresa Carr
CEO


MISSION
 Great Neighborhoods! Development Corporation (GNDC, formerly the American Indian Neighborhood Development Corporation) advances economic opportunity for underserved communities by creating vibrant commercial destinations in resurgent Minneapolis neighborhoods.

Since 1975, GNDC has served as an engine and catalyst for economic growth in the Phillips community, one of the most economically and ethnically diverse neighborhoods in the Twin Cities. In 2005 we began to investigate an expansion into north Minneapolis, and in 2007 a new project began to take shape along West Broadway Avenue just west of Interstate 94. Broadway Plaza — a 165,000 square foot development in the Hawthorne neighborhood — will generate new jobs, spur economic and community activity, improve public safety, and bring vitality to an area teeming with economic potential.

Our work supports urban neighborhoods in several ways:

  • We make physical improvements and create programs that deter criminals and reduce crime.
  • We provide businesses and organizations with attractive, affordable space from which they serve neighborhood residents with needed jobs, goods and services.
  • We ensure that our properties are not only safe but aesthetically pleasing, to reflect and appeal to the people who live and work near our properties.


    2007 Accomplishments

    EAST FRANKLIN AVENUE
     In the seven blocks GNDC has developed on East Franklin Avenue in the south side Phillips neighborhood, nearly 50 businesses employ more than 500 people. Commercial and residential developments continue to emerge and flourish along the East Franklin corridor.

    Completed GNDC Projects to date

    Franklin Circles Shopping Center*
    Built 1983
    Redeveloped 2001-2003

    1201-1311 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis
    Tenants include ALDI Foods, Native American Community Clinic, Snyder's Drugstore, and the Franklin Safety Center. The Safety Center has improved community, police, and business relationships and decreased crime in the neighborhood, receiving both local and national awards.
    Franklin Business Center
    Built 1989

    1433 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis
    The Franklin Business Center was a pioneer — the second major business development project on East Franklin Avenue. GNDC sold the development in December 2007.
    Ancient Traders Market*
    Developed 1998-1999

    1113 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis
    Tenants include Maria's Cafe, Ancient Traders Gallery (owned and operated by GNDC), and Northland Native American Products. GNDC's offices are located here as well.
    Franklin Avenue Streetscape
    2000-2001

    Franklin Avenue, between Chicago and 16th Avenues
    This project narrowed Franklin Avenue from four lanes to three, added turn lanes, broadened sidewalks, and added decorative lighting, planters, and bike racks. GNDC managed the project on behalf of the Franklin Avenue Business Association.
    Franklin Street Bakery
    1998-2003

    1020 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis
    The Bakery boasts low turnover and high employee satisfaction as measured through surveys. Bakery employment nearly tripled in its first four years at this site.
    Project for Pride in Living Headquarters
    1999-2004

    1035 East Franklin Avenue
    Minneapolis GNDC's efforts to redevelop an old building led to the retention of PPL's headquarters in the Phillips neighborhood. PPL is a Twin Cities leader in affordable housing, job training and support services.
    Roger Beck Florist
    2002Ð2004

    1100 East Franklin Avenue
    Minneapolis This shop attracts visitors from throughout the Twin Cities to East Franklin Avenue.

    *currently owned by GNDC


    Franklin Street Bakery


    ANCIENT TRADERS GALLERY
     GNDC's development work includes the arts because of their power to effect positive change in a community, among both residents and nonresidents. Since 1999, GNDC has welcomed visitors to the critically acclaimed Ancient Traders Gallery. During 2007, GNDC featured three exhibits:

  • City Indians presented Mona Smith's multimedia exploration of the realities of Indian life in the city. More than 2,500 people attended this exhibit during its three month run.
  • The Power to Dream featured 19 winning entries from the U.S. Office of Indian Education's Student Art Competition. Nearly 300 people attended this month-long exhibit.
  • Carl Gawboy: 50 Years Standing presented a half-century of art by an Ojibwe master painter, with more than 1,000 people in attendance.


    Exhibit: The Power to Dream
    Show dates: March - April 2007
    Artist: Seneca O. Love
    Artwork: Sweet Dreams



    Exhibit: Carl Gawboy: 50 Years Standing
    Show Dates: June - September 2007
    Artist: Carl Gawboy
    Artwork: Strawberry Moon


    FRANKLIN SAFETY CENTER
     The Franklin Safety Center, a partnership between GNDC and the Minneapolis Police Department, is an award-winning resource for the public, police, and county probation officers. During 2007, GNDC continued to raise funds to make capital improvements to approximately 1,600 square feet of space at the Safety Center. These improvements will enhance and increase the Center's services for area residents, businesses, community groups, and public crime and safety agencies.


    National Night Out, organized by the Franklin Safety Center


    BROADWAY PLAZA
     Because of our success in south Minneapolis, GNDC began to receive requests for assistance from public, private and community stakeholders to help lead economic change in another challenged area of the city: north Minneapolis. In response to these requests, GNDC conducted a needs assessment of north Minneapolis in 2005. In more than 60 two-hour interviews with north side business leaders and residents, religious leaders and city officials, GNDC heard what its founders had heard from residents of the Phillips neighborhood some three decades ago: the West Broadway corridor needs legitimate businesses that provide essential goods and services, decent fulltime jobs, and quality-of-life amenities that other neighborhoods take for granted.

    Based on this information, GNDC decided to launch a neighborhood economic development project on West Broadway Avenue. After many months of searching, we found appropriate properties and realized that an athletic-themed development could meet community needs while helping GNDC carry out our mission. This is when we determined to create Broadway Plaza. This 165,000 square foot project will house:

  • A 24-hour YWCA of Minneapolis fitness center — the largest in the United States
  • A restaurant and other retail businesses
  • A state-of-the-art Safety Center
  • A multi-level parking ramp
  • A landscaped public plaza

    During 2007, GNDC's focus was on conducting predevelopment activities — architectural, financial, legal, logistical and community readiness — critical to the success of a project of this magnitude and complexity.
    The YWCA of Minneapolis board of directors voted unanimously to become the anchor tenant of Broadway Plaza and signed a lease for the space.
    Bentz Whaley Flessner, a national consulting firm, completed a capital campaign feasibility study and plan.
    Ryan Companies U.S., Inc (NAIOP 2007 National Developer of the Year) began the site planning process.
    GNDC continued to initiate and participate in regular meetings with neighborhood groups and city departments, including Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development and the Minneapolis Police Department.


    FINANCIAL PARTNERS
     GNDC is grateful for the many financial partners that supported our work during 2007, including:

    1st Commerical
    Allina Foundation
    Otto Bremer Foundation
    Bush Foundation
    Carolyn Foundation
    City of Minneapolis Empowerment Zone
    Franklin Bank
    General Mills Foundation
    The F. B. Heron Foundation
    Leonard Street and Deinard
    LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation)
    The McKnight Foundation
    Office of Community Service (DHHS/ACF)
    The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation
    RBC Foundation USA
    Travelers Foundation (formerly St. Paul Travelers Foundation)
    Target
    Two Feathers Endowment of St. Paul Foundation
    USBancorp Community Development Corporation
    USBancorp Foundation
    Archie B. and Bertha H. Walker Foundation
    Wells Fargo Community Development Corporation
    Wells Fargo Foundation Minnesota
    Xcel Energy Foundation


    FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

       

    From FY 2007 IRS Form 990, prepared by Carpenter Evert. To request a copy of GNDC's IRS Form 990, please call 612-870-7555.


    BOARD & STAFF

    2007 Board of Directors

    Valerie A. Larsen, Chair
    American Indian Health Coordinator
    Minnesota Department of Health,
    Minority and Multicultural Health

    Yvonne Cheung Ho
    President and CEO
    Metropolitan Economic Development Association

    Marjorie Kelly
    Senior Associate
    Tellus Institute (formerly editor and publisher of Business Ethics Magazine)

    Michelle Swanson
    Manager, Community & Local Government Relations
    Xcel Energy

    Beverly Turner
    Senior Vice President, Government Relations
    Travelers


    2007 Staff

    Theresa Carr
    Executive Director

    Deb Ruegg
    CFO

    Gail Thompson
    Director, Real Estate

    Shirlee Stone
    Director, Special Projects (through 3/15/07)

    Linda Weinmann
    Resource Manager