The CURA CORNER:
Community Organization Resource for News, Events and Research

Volume 1, No. 3 (Winter 2007)

The CURA CORNER is an occasional online newsletter intended to inform CURA’s community partners about the activities of our Community-Based Research Programs, which include the Community Assistantship Program (CAP), Communiversity, Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR), and the Northside Seed Grant program. These programs provide graduate or undergraduate student assistance for community-based applied research projects, program planning and development, program evaluation, and other short-term projects.

In This Issue

1. Reader Survey: Help Us Improve the CURA CORNER!
2. UNN Courses Online
3. Spring 2008 Research Project Awards
4. Summer 2007 Community-Based Research Project Highlights
5. CURA Housing Forum (December 2007)
6. Events Calendars

View previous issues of the CURA CORNER

Reader Survey: Help Us Improve the CURA CORNER!

Please take a minute to help us improve this publication by taking our short online survey and telling us what you like about the newsletter, what you don’t like, and what would make it more useful to readers like you.

Thanks, and we hope you find this issue both useful and informative!

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UNN Courses Online

UNN provides course-based project support for neighborhood and community organizations in the Twin Cities. UNN is a resource for community groups and students to address important neighborhood and community issues. Right now we have courses posted with willing and capable students to do projects involving:

• System Projects (designing and building websites and databases)

• Understanding Contexts for Internet Communication (designing and building websites)

• American Cities as Settings for Cultural Diversity (assistance with public arts projects)

Visit the UNN website to view courses and submit project proposals. Go to “Search Courses,” then “Show Current Courses” and then “Details” for each course. To submit a proposal to a course, select “Enter a project for this course.”

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Spring 2008 Research Project Awards

The following organizations received a community-based research project award for summer 2007 semester:

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Summer 2007 Community-Based Research Project Highlights

The following are descriptions of selected Community-Based Research Program projects that CURA funded during Summer 2007. (Where available, links are provided to online reports from the projects.) You can search for other projects online using the CURA Project Database and search for other publications and reports using the CURA Publications Catalog.

Johnson Street Commercial Streetscape and 29th Avenue Streetscape
The Audubon Park Neighborhood Association formed the Central Avenue Task Force (CATF) to do organizing, visioning, and land-use planning for the Central Avenue Corridor. CATF’s first project will be a streetscape design for 29th Avenue, from Central Avenue NE to Johnson Street NE. This is a follow-up project to a spring 2007 NPCR assistantship focused on the Johnson Street commercial node. Adam Maleitzke, a Master of Urban and Regional Planning program graduate student at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, surveyed businesses, held design charettes, and produced a final streetscape plan for 29th Avenue. The project results were incorporated into the Central Avenue Area Task Force plan and ultimately form the basis for the Small Area Plan that will be incorporated in the City of Minneapolis comprehensive plan.
CURA Program: Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR)

Predatory Investors’ Impact on Housing Opportunities in North Minneapolis
NorthWay Community Trust is a non-profit Community Support Organization that invests in collaborations and advocates for systemic change to reduce poverty and increase wealth in North Minneapolis. Northway needed to estimate the impact of fraudulent mortgage borrowing by unscrupulous investors on existing home values, city tax revenues and overall neighborhood conditions on the Northside of Minneapolis. Alyssa Erickson, a graduate student in Geographic Information Science accessed public data on properties related to foreclosures, interviewed residents and analyzed these data to compare properties subject to fraudulent borrowing with other sales. The results are being used to seek public policy initiatives to reduce the adverse impacts of fraudulent borrowing on North Minneapolis neighborhoods.
CURA Program: Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR)

Supporting Our Seniors (SOS) Initiative
The Standish-Ericsson Neighborhood Association (SENA) is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the Standish and Ericsson neighborhoods.  The SOS initiative informs seniors about programs that can provide property tax relief for seniors. While many programs already exist they are relatively underutilized. John Gianoulis, an undergraduate student at Bethel college, evaluated the state property tax relief program, developed guidelines for it’s use by seniors and created an informational web site. The project results are being used to educate seniors with the goal of allowing them to live independently in their home for as long as possible.
CURA Program: Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR)

Sheridan Neighborhood Park and Veterans Memorial
Sheridan Neighborhood Organization is the City of Minneapolis recognized citizen participation organization for the Sheridan neighborhood. A research assistant was needed to develop a summary of wars where the US has participated and where war was avoided for use in a Veterans Memorial in Sheridan Park. Andrew Larson, an undergraduate student in the History Department, compiled historical information, drafted language and incorporated input in order to develop the final copy. The information will be used on Peace Memorial and War Memorial Markers at a Memorial Park in Sheridan Neighborhood.  The project results will literally be etched in stone for the education of current and future generations.
CURA Program: Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR)

The Financial Impact of Vacant Properties on St. Paul
The St. Paul Coalition for Community Development is an association of neighborhood-based, nonprofit, community development corporations working in St. Paul. The Coalition sought a student to develop a research model to review the financial costs that vacant houses (defined by St. Paul Legislative Code) have on residents and the City of St. Paul. Greg Corradini, a graduate student in the Master of Public Policy program at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, reviewed reports on vacant homes, developed a model, gathered current information and summarized the findings. The research will give the neighborhoods an understanding of the cost of vacant homes and help educate legislators on the need to address how best to regulate them.
CURA Program: Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR)

Impact of Brewery Development
The West 7th/Fort Road Federation is the neighborhood community organization and community development corporation for the area. The Brewery Neighborhood undertook a comprehensive residential development in 1997 resulting in a $13 million dollar development. The Federation needed student assistance in seeking demographic and economic information about the neighborhood as it began to explore other comprehensive redevelopment areas of similar size. David Arbit, an undergraduate student at Macalester College, researched demographic, social and financial information for the Brewery development area and developed a final report. The Federation is using the information to propose other similar size redevelopment projects in the community.
CURA Program: Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR)

What Happened: A Planning History of the Quarry Complex
Windom Park Citizens in Action (WPCiA) is the city-designated citizen participation organization for that portion of northeast Minneapolis. WPCiA sought research assistance to help develop a planning fact book or history of the Quarry, one of the largest retail complexes in Minneapolis outside of downtown. Richard Crockett, an undergraduate student in the History department, researched city planning documents, WPCiA records, city of Minneapolis files and MPCA and other state agency files and synthesized this information into a final report. The results were presented to impacted neighbors and businesses at a town meeting and will be used to create a shared understanding of the issues affecting the Quarry.
CURA Program: Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR)

North Circle Project
The Women’s Environmental Institute, located on a 9.8 acre “alternative farm campus” in Amador Township, Chisago County, is an environmental justice organization. WEI needed assistance in developing a feasibility study and business plan laying out the parameters for implementing the North Circle Processing House, a cooperatively run organically certified processing facility. Randall Dietel, an undergraduate student in Applied Economics, developed a list of resources, created a power point presentation, participated in farmer focus groups and drafted a final report. The results will be used to persuade local farmers to consider joining the project and in fundraising for the North Circle Processing House.
CURA Program: Community Assistantship Program (CAP)

Economic Impact of Festivals in Northwest Minnesota—Crookston Chamber
A detailed understanding of the “market” for community festivals and the economic impact of these festivals is important. A festival’s contribution to its communities and surrounding areas may be recognized, but in most cases it needs to be more carefully measured. This project seeks to estimate the economic impacts different festivals based on theme, size and proximity to population centers. The Crookston Chamber of Commerce expressed an interest in identifying the economic impact ‘Oxcart Days’ in Crookston. Marybeth Ekstrom, an undergraduate student of Agricultural Business at the Crookston campus, developed an economic profile, implemented a survey and presented the findings at public meetings. The Crookston chamber will use the results to strengthen their event and hopefully increase those festivals’ contributions to the local economies and social networks of the communities. The studies can serve as templates for other communities in Minnesota to conduct similar studies.  
CURA Program: Community Assistantship Program (CAP)

Economic Impact of County Fairs in Northwest Minnesota—Polk County Fair
A detailed understanding of the “market” for community festivals and the economic impact of these festivals is important. A festival’s contribution to its communities and surrounding areas may be recognized, but in most cases it needs to be more carefully measured. This project seeks to estimate the economic impacts different festivals based on theme, size and proximity to population centers. The Polk county Fair expressed an interest in identifying the economic impact of their fair. Kenneth Armstrong, an undergraduate student of Business Management at the Crookston campus, developed an economic profile, implemented a survey and presented the findings at public meetings. The results will be used to strengthen the event and hopefully increase those festivals’ contributions to the local economies and social networks of the communities. The studies can serve as templates for other communities in Minnesota to conduct similar studies.  
CURA Program: Community Assistantship Program (CAP)

Marketing Strategies for Kensington Runestone Park
Douglas County Public Works needed assistance in compiling a Market Strategy Report to help determine economic benefits and financial strategies for implementing the Master Plan for Kensington Runestone Park. Kyle Mars, a graduate student in Urban Studies, worked with the Tourism Center to develop a Market Strategy report. The results will be used to make the park improvement project an economic engine for the southwest region of Douglas County, to stimulate educational use of Kensington Runestone Park and to position the park for a statewide and national role in the interpretation of the cultural phenomenon of the Kensington Rune Stone.
CURA Program: Community Assistantship Program (CAP)

Putting Green/MRCI Riverside Farm Connecting Community to Countryside
Putting Green, Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose mission it is to engage people in fun, meaningful experiences that increase understanding of natural systems and inspire the adoption of sustainable practices in everyday life. A student researcher was needed to assist a design team in obtaining specific information to complete the landscape plan for the park. KelcieYoung, a graduate student of Urban and Regional Planning at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, performed research and drafted design concepts for the design team. The landscape plan is being used as the guiding tool in developing the garden/farm which will educate citizens and supply local food to the community.
CURA Program: Community Assistantship Program (CAP)

Water Quality and Erosion Assessment in the Red Lake River Watershed
The Red Lake River Watershed is the largest tributary to the Red River of the North, and the watershed district board and staff are responsible for management of the watershed. The watershed district needed research assistance with water quality monitoring in the Thief River watershed and erosion assessment along the Red Lake River. Kristin Fritz, an undergraduate student at the U of M Crookston campus, calibrated and downloaded data from automatic data loggers, implemented erosion assessment tools on the Red Lake River and prepared a report on the erosion assessment. The results of this research project will be used to prioritize and guide implementation efforts for erosion control and other water quality improvement efforts.
CURA Program: Community Assistantship Program (CAP)

Commercial Low-Impact Development—Conservation Design Alternatives
The Region Five Development Commission was established in 1973 as part of the state’s regional development act to serve businesses, local governments, and individuals in a very diverse region made up of Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties. A student research assistant was needed to re-write low impact development information so the lay person could understand it and gather additional information from identified “green” companies. Soraya Hills, an undergraduate student in the Psychology Department, provided a narrative explaining the previously compiled data, gathered additional data and created web and printed materials for use in the outreach program. The results will be used in an outreach program to commercial landowners.
CURA Program: Community Assistantship Program (CAP)

Cost-Benefit Analysis for Using Solar Thermal Heating Systems for Public Energy Assistance
The Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to making solar power accessible to people of all income levels. Their program, Solar Assistance, installs solar heating systems in the homes of low-income families that qualify for public energy assistance.  RREAL needed a student researcher to perform a Cost-Benefit Analysis for this program. Eric Hofer, a graduate student in Applied Economics, compiled and evaluated field research data, performed a literature review and compiled industry and research data. The results of this research can be used across the country as an example of sustainability and used to provide a greater ability for RREAL to leverage funding from a variety of sources, meaning that more low-income partners can be served.
CURA Program: Community Assistantship Program (CAP)

Wadena County Biomass Fuelshed Inventory and Ethanol Facility Feasibility
Wadena Ag Alternatives is comprised of 20–40 area residents and county agency staff interested in revitalizing the area’s rural agriculture economy through diversification, including value added agriculture opportunities. Wadena Ag Alternatives needed assistance to evaluate what biomass fuelsheds currently exist and how they could expand and develop new fuelsheds. Peter Gillitzer, a graduate student in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, identified and mapped locations of biomass currently available within a 25-mile radius of Wadena. The research results are being used to determine the viability of locating an ethanol processing facility in Wadena County.
CURA Program: Community Assistantship Program (CAP)

The Coteau des Prairie National Heritage Corridor
The Pipestone County Economic Development Authority promotes Pipestone County as a viable location for new development, assists with business retention, business start-up and community housing needs.Pipestone EDA needed assistance in determining the possibility of designating the Coteau des Prarie as a National Heritage Corridor.Christine Manganaro, a graduate student in the History of Medicine and Biological Sciences program, developed a list of historical facts about cultural, natural and scenic resources from the Coteau and made recommendations about thefeasibility of creating a National Heritage Area. The results helped Pipestone EDA to determine their direction with the National Heritage Area project.
CURA Program: Community Assistantship Program (CAP)

Longitudinal Student Outcome Study
Plymouth Christian Youth Center (PCYC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community based organization with a fifty two year history of providing services on a non sectarian basis to youth and families of diverse cultures in North Minneapolis. During the 2002–2003 academic year, PCYC began a study to collect longitudinal data on exiting students for the purposes of better understanding how students fare in terms of education and employment after they leave PCYC. Catherine Eichers, a graduate student in the school of Social Work, implemented and analyzed the survey. The information gained from this study is being used to develop and improve PCYC curriculum and environment.
CURA Program: Communiversity

Congregational Social Service Database
The Saint Paul Area Council of Churches (SPACC), established in 1906, is a nonprofit organization composed of 700 member congregations from 20 Christian denominations in the East Metropolitan area. A student researcher was needed to introduce their Congregational Social Service Database to 15-25 pilot congregations. Allison Lymburner, a graduate student in the School of Social Work, learned how to use the database system, developed a simple training guide and meet with congregations to explain the database and assist with initial data input. The results are being used to facilitate networking between congregations interested in working on similar issues/activities; and to strengthen SPACC’s capacity to interact with and mobilize congregations.
CURA Program: Communiversity

Minnesota Twin Cities Juneteenth Freedom Museum
Twin Cities Juneteenth Inc. is a 501c(3) Organization which was founded 22 years ago and sponsors one of the two largest Juneteenth Celebrations in the United States, surpassing Texas Celebrations where Juneteenth is a state holiday. A research assistant was needed to research Black history and leaders in Minnesota in order to inform planning efforts for an African American Museum in the near north side of Minneapolis. Annamarie Kiaga, a graduate student in the Geography Department, researched and developed a historical timeline supported with pictures and documentation and researched the history of Juneteenth. The results of the research contributed to the planning for the Black History Museum.
CURA Program: Communiversity

Lucey Craft Laney Community School
The research project examined the effects of individualized reading assessment on reading performance. Individualized reading analysis holds great promise to improve academic and school success for struggling readers. If the evaluation shows significant results from this approach a recommendation will be presented to the Minneapolis School District to use it for struggling readers throughout the district. A graduate research assistant and faculty member Jennifer McComas from the Department of Educational Psychology has worked with the staff at Lucey Laney on the assessment.
CURA Program: Northside Seed Grant

Northside Food Project
Over the past 3 years the Northside Food Project has forged partnerships with Northside neighborhood associations and other community organizations to address disparities related to food security, nutrition, and chronic health conditions among residents in North Minneapolis. The research project evaluated program impacts to assess the future directions for the organization. Bernadette Longo, Associate Professor in the Department of Writing Studies, worked with the graduate research assistant on this project.
CURA Program: Northside Seed Grant

Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
The project will produce a comprehensive report that identifies cost-effective strategies for human services data collection, cost/benefit comparisons between different types of programs and the corrections system, and ways that community based programs might best tell a collective community impact story. This will build on previous work to create logic models as part of an outcome evaluation. This project will take it to the next step to better understand what it means to be cost effective and how to achieve the best possible client outcomes and long term measurable community impact (return on investment). The faculty member was Priscilla Gibson, an associate professor in the school of Social Work.
CURA Program: Northside Seed Grant

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CURA Housing Forum

In December, the CURA Housing Forum is partnering with the The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis’ Community Development Forum to consider the topic: Can Community Benefit Agreements Promote More Equitable Development?

For details or to register (registration required) visit the CURA Housing Forum.

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Events Calendars

Council of Public Engagement Calendar, University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota Events Calendar

Community Connections Calendar (sponsored by Target Corporation and the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute)

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Previous Issues

Volume 1, Number 1 (Spring 2007)
Volume 1, Number 2 (Summer 2007)