News Release
Contacts:
Rose Lindsay, City of Minneapolis, 612-673-5015
Roberta Rewers, APA, 312-786-6395
Minneapolis Seward Neighborhood Named One of 15 Great Places in America by
the American Planning Association
APA Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Program, Recognizes 15 Great
Neighborhoods, Streets, and Public Spaces
Wednesday, October 4, 2017 (Minneapolis, MN) - The American Planning
Association (APA) announced today that the Seward Neighborhood was one of
five Great Neighborhoods on their annual Great Places in America list.
Seward was named along with 14 other great places marking the kick-off of
the organization’s National Community Planning Month celebration.
APA’s Great Places in America program, celebrating its 10th anniversary
this year, recognizes streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces in the
United States demonstrating exceptional character, quality, and
planning—attributes that enrich communities, facilitate economic growth,
and inspire others around the country. The Great Neighborhoods, Great
Streets, and Great Public Spaces of 2017 are places that are unique and
exemplary in their amenities and infrastructure, cultural identity, and use
of sustainable and innovative practices.
“The neighborhoods recognized this year are proof that planning creates
more vibrant, equitable, healthy neighborhoods,” said Cynthia Bowen, AICP,
president of APA. “Through dedicated, community-wide engagement efforts,
this year’s designees are creating better places for all, and setting an
example for other neighborhoods nationwide. Congratulations to these
exceptional neighborhoods.”
Seward has established itself as a diverse, inclusive, green neighborhood.
Affordable housing developments, food co-ops, and connections to regional
parks and trails demonstrate how a community can improve the quality of
life for all. Recognizing that community residents represent a variety of
ideas and backgrounds, Seward takes immense pride in supporting and
cultivating diversity, which is reflected in its Affirmative Inclusion
Statement – “All are welcome here.” In addition to Seward, APA also
recognized the following neighborhoods this year:
· Over-the-Rhine – Cincinnati, Ohio
· Heart of Missoula – Missoula, Montana
· The Pearl – San Antonio, Texas
· Uptown Greenwood – Greenwood, South Carolina
“Seward is an incredible neighborhood, one that I have been fortunate
enough call home for almost thirty years along with a wonderfully diverse
mix of neighbors with different backgrounds, incomes and cultures, and a
unique and treasured blend of different businesses and institutions,” said
Council Member Cam Gordon. “The welcoming, caring and deeply engaged
community in Seward is one of the reasons it is such a healthy, sought out
and thriving place to live. Its natural assets, including the amazing river
gorge and its connected community where people authentically care about one
another are equally priceless.”
“I am thrilled to know that the Seward Neighborhood has been selected as
one of five Great Neighborhoods in America. When I first moved to
Minnesota, I was a proud resident of this thriving and vibrant community,”
said Council Member Abdi Warsame. “Seward became my home as it is today for
more than 1,000 new East African immigrants. Its strong sense of community
and its commitment to diversity and inclusion make Seward one of the most
welcoming neighborhoods in the region.”
“The Seward neighborhood’s history of creative placemaking and diverse,
inclusive culture has made it a wonderful place to live, work and play,”
said Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Commissioner Scott Vreeland, who
represents the Seward neighborhood. “It has a bright future as an urban
community that works well for everyone.”
Seward will officially receive its Great Neighborhood award from the APA at
the Seward Neighborhood Group Annual Meeting on Wednesday, November 8th
during the Taste of Seward. The event takes place at the Seward Montessori
School from 6-9 p.m. The event is free to attend and open to the public.
All are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
Since launching the Great Places in America program in 2007, APA has
recognized 275 neighborhoods, streets, and public spaces around the
country. Designees are selected annually and represent the gold standard in
terms of having a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest,
community involvement, and a vision for the future. This is the fifth
designation for the Minneapolis St. Paul area. The Grand Rounds, Rice Park,
Summit Avenue and the Minneapolis Kenwood neighborhood have also all
received Great Places designations.
For the fourth year, members of the public can suggest their additional
favorite public space, neighborhood, or street to earn a “People’s Choice”
designation. Throughout October, individuals can offer suggestions via
APA’s social media channels using the hashtag #APAgreatplaces. APA will
select five finalists that the public can vote on via APA’s website. The
“People’s Choice” winner is announced in early November 2017.
For more information about these neighborhoods, as well as APA’s Great
Public Spaces and Streets for 2017 and previous years, visit the Great
Places website.