In 2013, Minneapolis adopted their Climate Action Plan, which put into place a comprehensive set of emission reduction strategies. These strategies cover 3 areas: Buildings and energy, Transportation and land use, Waste and recycling.
For buildings and energy, the goal is to reduce energy usage by 17%, and generate 10% of electricity from local, renewable sources. On the residential building side of things, Minneapolis is proposing a "home energy audit" as part of the Truth In Housing program (TIH or TISH, Truth In Sale of Housing). This would require sellers to have an energy score when listing their house for sale. They are proposing that the TISH inspectors be trained to perform this component of the inspection process. The end result of this energy score would be a single number, for example 37 on a scale of 1 to 100. 100 would mean that the house would have virtually no energy costs.
Another part of this program is to make incentives for sellers to improve their homes energy-wise so that they can get a higher sale price due to energy efficiencies. If they don't, the buyers will at least have some knowledge about the energy efficiency of the house, making it an incentive to them to improve the house energy-wise.
Also on the residential side of things, Minneapolis is proposing a "time of rent" energy disclosure for renters. Renters currently have no way of knowing how much their utility bills will be before renting a unit. The disclosure would be mandated so that renters could compare units on energy efficiency. This would give incentives to the landlord (owners) to improve their buildings to make them more attractive to the rental market.
On the commercial side of things, some of them already have to do an energy score of sorts and disclose to purchasers. Minneapolis would like to extend that to all commercial buildings. They also have an Energy Reduction Challenge called the "Kilowatt Crackdown" to encourage commercial buildings to reduce usage.
For renewable energy, Minneapolis is trying to create policies that promote renewable energy, develop a "solar-ready" certification, and encourage "net-zero" buildings.
Making a building "solar-ready" adds virtually no cost at the time of construction, and would potentially have some value to purchasers. This would involve adding some structural supports and electrical conduit so that solar could be installed without adding structural support to the roof trusses, and/or digging in walls to add conduit. Both of these items can be added at a very low cost when in the construction phase.
What is a net-zero building? Basically net-zero means the building (or house) would generate all the energy it needs to power the building itself. This generally means that the building is super insulated so that it requires less energy to heat and cool the building, as well as solar panels to generate the energy it needs. Oftentimes this type of building uses geo-thermal heat pumps to heat and cool the building, running off solar energy. You can read more about "Net-Zero" buildings at this link.
You can read the entire action plan at the link below. Minneapolis Climate Action Plan:
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/sustainability/climate-action-goals/climate-action-planBossen Field Park was mostly created to suit the Bossen Fields. There are a number of fields at the location along with a basketball court and sports facility. There is also a playground and a pool. These are just a handful of parks that make Minneapolis the best park system in the country.
Keewaydin Park is much smaller and connected to Keewaydin Elementary school. It has a picnic area and playground, sports fields and a small pool.
is one of the most well known parks in south Minneapolis. The park is right on the shores of Lake Nokomis and has so many different things to offer. There are sport fields and courts, walking, biking paths and skiing paths, a pool, a boat dock, a playground, art, fountains, a fishing pier, a grill and picnic area, an ice rink, and a horseshoe pit. But the community really enjoys the beach. It is one of the larger beaches on the Minneapolis lakes.
Morris Park is a typical park with a picnic area and playground, sport fields and a pool, but what makes it unique is the skate park. It is one of the few parks in Minneapolis that has a skate park.
Nokomis Naturescape Garden (5000 E Lake Nokomis Pkwy, 612-724-5652) is on the shores of Lake Nokomis and home to many monarch butterflies. These are beautiful gardens that are maintained by volunteers.
The Longfellow Gardens are also located within the neighborhood association. It is a landscape garden along a creek dedicated to the writer and poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who wrote a poem about Minnehaha Falls. There is also a replica of his home near the gardens.
The Nokomis East Gateway Gardens were developed after the blue line of the light rail came through the area and left some land unused. This land was turned into beautiful wildlife gardens.
Another community favorite restaurant is Al Vento. This restaurant features a taste of Italy right here in South Minneapolis.
If you’re looking for a genuinely homemade meal you need to stop at the Berry Sweet Kitchen. This restaurant uses all natural and fresh ingredients to create some of the tastiest and most beautiful masterpieces when it comes to food!
Boss’ Pizza & Chicken is a newer spot that has only been open in Minneapolis since 2014. It is quickly becoming a favorite because of it’s quality food, delivery services, and the fact that it is open until 3am! This gives you a taste of the many other restaurants in the area.
The Sandcastle is a particular favorite because it rests on the shore of Lake Nokomis. The American style food is served over the counter, which is perfect for a day at the beach.
Sassy Spoon is a restaurant that caters to the gluten free public. The entire menu is gluten free so those with food allergies involving gluten can eat anything and everything!
Nokomis Shoe Shop, which has been around for 80 years. It is a family owned store that started off doing shoe repair. It has since grown and in 2003 it opened a second location in Crystal, MN. The shop is big on customer service and sells a wide range of work and outdoor shoes as well as socks and some clothing.
Orange Rhino is a clothing store that sells only organic items. It is owned by a husband and a wife that screen print their designs on hoodies, onesies and tees. All the materials are organic, fair trade and made in the USA. The shop originated in the neighborhood but has been spreading very quickly not only in the USA but all over the world.
Oxendale’s Market is the community grocery store in NENA. This store is dedicated to keeping everything local. This means that the produce is local, and the employees live and shop locally as well. Their goal is to strengthen their community through groceries and good service. Each of these shops is local and are vital to keeping the neighborhood feeling more like a community, even within the city of Minneapolis.
Another community favorite restaurant is Al Vento. This restaurant features a taste of Italy right here in South Minneapolis.
The biggest draw for nightlife in the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association is Town Hall Lanes. It is a pub with a bowling alley and one of the largest beer menus around. People love to meet up here with friends late at night, grab something to eat, get a drink and bowl for a couple hours. It is a relaxing but fun environment.
Keewaydin Park is much smaller and connected to Keewaydin Elementary school. It has a picnic area and playground, sports fields and a small pool.
Morris Park is a typical park with a picnic area and playground, sport fields and a pool, but what makes it unique is the skate park. It is one of the few parks in Minneapolis that has a skate park.
Nokomis Fall Urban Craft and Art Fair takes place in the middle of November. The fair represents the work of 48 different indie artists and crafters. Admission is free but there are many items that are showcased and even for sale such as jewelry, art, ceramics, sweets, woodwork, soaps, textile glass, paper goods, candles and more. This gives artists a chance to showcase their work and it involves the whole community. Combined with this event is the Lake Nokomis Craft Crawl. This crawl takes participants to three different locations, Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Minnehaha United Methodist Church, and Nokomis Square Coop to make, buy and sell crafts. These are the main ways that NENA contributes to the artistic bent of the community. Live music also takes place in several restaurants and at special events.
The biggest draw for nightlife in the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association is Town Hall Lanes. It is a pub with a bowling alley and one of the largest beer menus around. People love to meet up here with friends late at night, grab something to eat, get a drink and bowl for a couple hours. It is a relaxing but fun environment.
The association organizes it and anyone can join and set up a booth for free. It usually takes place on a weekend in the middle of June and it’s great for people who want to clean out the closet and for those looking for good deals.
The Monarch Festival is a particular favorite of the community. It is a celebration of the monarch butterfly and its Mexican heritage. Children are encouraged to dress up as butterflies; there is Latin food, a parade, art activities, and the University of Minnesota even brings in real butterflies for the event. This usually takes place at the beginning of September.
Nokomis Fall Urban Craft and Art Fair takes place in the middle of November. The fair represents the work of 48 different indie artists and crafters. Admission is free but there are many items that are showcased and even for sale such as jewelry, art, ceramics, sweets, woodwork, soaps, textile glass, paper goods, candles and more. This gives artists a chance to showcase their work and it involves the whole community. Combined with this event is the Lake Nokomis Craft Crawl. This crawl takes participants to three different locations, Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Minnehaha United Methodist Church, and Nokomis Square Coop to make, buy and sell crafts. These are the main ways that NENA contributes to the artistic bent of the community. Live music also takes place in several restaurants and at special events.
At the end of November each year is the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Oxendale’s Market. The community Christmas tree is lit up at this time and then there is free root beer, an opportunity to get your picture with Santa and free books for children. This is a fun event for the community to welcome in the Christmas season.
the Night Before New Year’s Eve has been a popular event in NENA for 16 years now. On December 30th there is a big party that is both free and kid friendly to celebrate the coming New Year. There is always music, games, food, hayrides, a photo booth, marshmallow roasting and even a countdown. This is great for parents that want to celebrate the New Year with their small children and still go out on New Year’s Eve.
