Pillsbury United Communities works with underestimated populations across Minneapolis to foster the resilience and self-sufficiency of individuals, families and community as a whole.

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Adair Mosley

President and CEO

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Vanan Murugesan

Director of Innovation and Design

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Beau Sinchai

Design Lead

Plymouth Avenue Corridor is a mixed-use, high-density urban area located in North Minneapolis, Minnesota. Just past the boundaries of downtown, this 1.5-mile stretch of road includes residential, commercial and industrial spaces. North Minneapolis is widely considered to be this major Midwestern city’s most racially, economically and socially diverse neighborhood.

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History

The roots of North Minneapolis date back to the turn of the 20th century, when it was known as a place where marginalized people came together. Restrictive housing covenants prevented both Jewish and African-American citizens from buying homes elsewhere in Minneapolis, so the North side became an area where residents from different backgrounds cooperated, built friendships, and even intermarried. After the city experienced riots and white flight in the 1960s, North Minneapolis attracted people who chose to stay in the city and live out the dream of a utopian, multi-ethnic community committed to social progress.

The Plymouth Avenue Corridor was once an economic anchor of the North side, with shopping, dining and entertainment options. However, in more recent years, Plymouth has seen disinvestment. Local restaurants have been abandoned or replaced with fast food chains, and homeowners have moved out as rental units have moved in. In the past few years, crime and violence have increased, climaxing with the death of Jamar Clark, a 24-year-old African-American man, shot and killed by Minneapolis Police in November 2015. The community is still healing from this tragedy, but it has also reignited their desire for change.

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Culture

North Minneapolis remains one of the most socially, economically and culturally diverse areas of the city. Neighborhood census data show the area as 49% African or African-American, 15% Asian, 19% White and 10% Hispanic. In addition to being diverse, the community is also multigenerational, with strong leadership from longtime residents and a large number of North High School graduates who are interested in remaining in the community and working to change it for the better.

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Population

33,991 people in the Near North neighborhood

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Geographic Size

1.5 miles long