Tangletown Neighborhood 2005 NRP Phase II Survey Analysis

The Tangletown Neighborhood Association (TNA) mailed out approximately 1800 surveys to residents, and property owners in the Tangletown neighborhood.  There was a 22% return rate, of which 399 were received in time to be tabulated for the survey.

In reviewing the results of the survey, it is important to remember that, 1) not every respondent answered every question, 2) some questions allowed for more than one response and, 3) all percentages were rounded off.  These factors help to explain why the total responses may not equal 100%. The survey results will help to guide the NRP Steering Committee as they develop the NRP Phase II Action Plan and make decisions about funding strategies in the plan.  If you would like to be involved in the NRP Phase II planning, please leave your name and phone number or email address at 952-886-3303, or contact Tom Balcom at nrp@tangletown.org

Tangletown 2005 Survey Results

Q1. Of the 399 respondents, 99% live in the neighborhood, 4% own a business in the neighborhood, 2% own rental property in the neighborhood, and 3% work in the neighborhood.

Q2. Respondents described their living situation as: 2000 Census

• are owner occupied
• 6% live in rental property
• >1% do not live in the neighborhood

• 45% Excellent
• 50% Very Good
• 4% Fair
• 1% Poor
• <1% Unacceptable

• Close to lakes and parks
• Sense of community
• Close to work
• Safety
• Close to friend
• Affordable housing
• Close to family
• Other

Question 14 From the items at the left PICK 3 as the most important for the neighborhood to work to improve

DEMOGRAPHICS

Q15. Where respondents were born:
5% Tangletown Neighborhood
21% Another Minneapolis Neighborhood
27% Another Minnesota City
43% In USA
2% Outside USA

Q16. Gender of respondents: 37% Male 59% Female

Q17. Age of respondents:
5% 18-29 years old (19)
19% 30-39 years old (76)
31% 40-49 years old (124)
29% 50-59 years old (114)
8% 60-69 years old (32)
9% 70+ years old (34)

Q18. Length of time that respondents have lived in the neighborhood:
7% less than one year (28)
37% one to ten years (149)
55% more than ten years (221)

Q19. Number of time that respondents have moved in the past two years:
84% zero moves (337)
13% one move (53)
2% two moves (7)
0% more than two moves (1)

Q20. Race of respondents: 2000 Census
0% American Indian/Native American (0) 0.4%
1% Asian or Pacific Islander (2) 1.6%
1% African American (5) 3.7%
0% Hispanic/Latino (1) 2%
2% Multi/Bi-Racial (7) 2.7%
89% White/Caucasian (357) 90%

Q21. Where will respondents live two years from now:
70% Same neighborhood (281)
4% Another Minneapolis neighborhood (16)
3% Another Minnesota city (10)
20% I am the owner (79)
3% Another state or country (10) 7% Don’t know (28)
Q22. Highest of respondent’s education:
0% Less than high school
3% High school or GED
1% Some technical school
2% Technical school Graduate
9% Some college
39% College graduate
42% Post-graduate or professional degree

Q23. Household income:
1% Up to $10,000 1999 Tangletown Median Family Income
4% Up to $25,000 $73,245
13% Up to $50,000
32% Up to $100,000 1999 City-wide Median Family Income
19% Up to 150,000 $37,974
7% Up to $200,000
5% Up to $250,000
7% Over $250,000

Q24. Importance of having neighborhood residents involved in neighborhood
improvement activities:
40% Essential
36% Very important
15% Important
3% Somewhat important
1% Somewhat important
0% Not important

Q25. Where respondents live or work:
25% On or North of 48th Street
22% On or North of 50th Street
33% On or North of Minnehaha Parkway
13% South of Minnehaha Parkway









Question 12 PLEASE ADD ADDITIONAL ITEMS we may have missed

Airplane noise, library/community relations/communications (beyond the newsletter – TNA website, electronic news)

Parking at business nodes is fine, but it should be more off-street parking; Traffic management throughout city (and n’hood) is poor; unmonitored speeds and streets not adequate for amt of traffic running on them (Nic & 50th come immediately to mind – Lyndale “works” better than either of there streets

Thanks to the city for pursuing MAC benefits/ Renew July 4th parade w/out a lot of details..maybe just juice, coffee, donuts in the a.m.. Ask for contributions from people there./No potluck, big meal planning, etc./Revitalization of 54th and Nicollet. Better walkable businesses. We need a bagel shop/Garbage can beneath Nicollet bridge. If people choose to litter, at least there’s a place to help clean up.

Kowalski’s/Starbuck’s parking is terrible. We are thrilled with our new neighborhood Kowalski’s but the parking lot makes no sense.

Streets are dangerously dark, present lighting is ugly and ineffective/Diversity is quite good (in people/culture)/Bus (public transit) is wonderful from this area of town, you do not need a car to get just about anywhere – a huge plus for disables, elderly, etc!

Feeling of being a very distinct neighborhood, apart from the rest of Minneapolis

Tangletown Gardens and Liberty Custard are HUGE assets/54th and Lyndale south of 54th needs work on both sides of Lyndale/We need to be active in NWA lawsuit for reneging on noise abatement/Walgreen’s need to make property more attractive and parking lot is a nightmare at busy times/46th & Nic except for Bruegger’s is UGLY.

Proximity to downtown and airport, character of the homes, diversity of neighborhood

Flood control – water accumulation too great

Your questionnaire does not address property taxes!! A fair survey would ask how important these services are versus increasing property taxes or whether residents would rather see stabilized taxes as opposed to all these “programs.” Taxes will force me out of my home in the not distant future!

Fourth of July celebration can be much simpler (it may be easier to get volunteers). There are codes regarding political signs that need to be enforced EXPECIALLY AFTER an election is over and decided!!
Weakness – Property taxes are too high. We may have to move because of that.

I have had a heart attack and I have arthritis so I can’t do much.

We have had our cars vandalized, stolen, burglarized numerous times with little recourse via police force.

Having businesses close to residential. Imp and a strength.

We’d like to buy another (larger) home in the n’hood but do not find it affordable at this time.

I was told by some police officers @ Kowalski’s lat at night that prostitutes from the 2 motels down on Lyndale have been strolling in front of Kowalski’s.

Concern about property owners/neighbors who do not keep up property.

Install the lamp post lighting like the other side of the freeway has. We need it. Very classy.

Need to replace trees that the city took down. Need to get rid of speed bumps because all we hear is people’s autos “bottoming out” and people honking at every speed bump. Need to re-route traffic along the frontage roads w/ one-ways, etc.

Ban on leaf blowers is outrageous! Business exteriors which do not follow proposed/accepted exterior plans, which neighbors approve (48th & Nicollet).

Air traffic noise abatement – city should follow through aggressively

Local businesses, coffee shops, restaurants, etc.

Survey is too time consuming and confusing. Taxes – out of control for who what we get and noise we have to endure.

Speeding traffic on Valleyview Place is a big problem with almost 30 children on one block. It’s a creek shortcut and needs some speed bumps. Property taxes and home pricing very high for old homes w/ renovation needs and airplane noise. Many home needs far exceed an affordable level for many homeowners due to the critical home price.

Public transportation. Street life – pedestrians, day-time markets, etc, seen on street ( includes sidewalk cards, coffee houses, etc). Diversity and respect for differences.

Freeway expansion/noise abatement and landscaping after concrete is in place. We’re concerned about the amount of traffic re-routed through the n’hood during freeway construction and while the 54th St bridge over 35W is close.

The lack of affordable housing is the #1 problem in our neighborhood and region of the city. Lower Lyndale is upcoming, but should be much denser and livelier with housing and shops. We need light rail transit here – why not a line on Nicollet and w Lyndale for street car like they have in European cities.

FYI – Huge brick posts at Prkwy and Nicollet Ave. Very dangerous – Post completely blocks from view the south-bound land of traffic. I not longer will turn left there (when Eastbound on M’haha Pkwy) – Thank You!

Walking among trees – old trees down all streets even busy ones

Electrical substation and fence is an eyesore on Nicollet and 47th.

Tangletown Gardens and Liberty Custard – great additions.

Property appearance has declined over the last 10 years.

Diversity

It is essential to address the air traffic noise issue. Good public schools are essential to attracting people to the neighborhood.

Bus stop maintenance/location/ Programs for air traffic noise.
The boundaries of “Tangletown” should revert to former designations. 50th on North, Lyndale on west, 54th on So., and 35W on East.

Diversity among neighbors. Strength: 4…2 (improving) importance: 2
Diversity in commercial development. Strength: 1 (good balance in predominantly residential neighborhood) Importance: 2
Mass transit: Strength: 2, importance: 2
Hospitality among neighbors: Strength/import = 2
Affordable housing: Strength 5, importance: 2

We have loved the neighborhood for 28 years. Sadly, the airplanes are going to drive us out. We have not hope that MAC will live up to its promises.

Noise levels in the neighborhood from cars and planes are beyond acceptable levels! Air pollution from 35W is horrible! Junk in backyards and deteriorating condition of homes is deplorable. What about trees and boulevards! Where are the city inspectors? What aren’t they doing their job in making our neighborhood clean and beautiful.

Please don’t spend NRP money on speed bumps – death trap intersections like 50th and Nicollet and 50th lane changes. Nic job on Nicollet lighting. Get and stay on good terms with Washburn H.S. Could park board cooperate with families I soccer club a Fuller more? City should not have power over private business – have tried several times to buy property for business in this neighborhood and city has screwed it up every time. Support business. Please no more pawn shops. – tobacco shops – money exchange shops – all bad for neighborhood -. We also have enough coffee shops to last us a while.

I think the general friendliness of people who live here is a big plus.

Can we use our NRP money to put speed bumps on Lyndale Avenue?

Property tax relief = HELP! – so residents can continue to afford to live in Tangletown

Diamond LK Rd. has been allowed to depreciate to trash alley.

Traffic calming overdone. No more speed bumps, one way streets striping, left turn lanes w/o arrows.

Washburn High School parking. Washburn H.S. student litter. Graffiti in the neighborhood – “tagging”.

Overall ambiance of neighborhood which = aggregate of housing, parks, business, schools is impt strength but need cont improvement. Esp. along Nicollet Ave. Improve behavior of unleashed dogs and un-disposed of dog droppings along parkway. I do not want an animal park as I believe it will increase these problems.

Airplane noise, etc, etc, etc.

Public transportation

Traffic on Nicollet is bad.
This survey stinks! How can you possibly infer anything from the information gathered??? What a waste of precious resources! A survey or more specific opportunities would make sense – this is too general! (Just my opinion)

The light at 48th and Lyndale has very bad timing and is dangerous. The pizza delivery from Papa John’s races through this neighborhood in a careless manner. Loitering at the strip mall on 46th & Nicollet is a bit irritating.

Airplane noise is the biggest concern for the welfare of the future of our neighborhood. Parking on West Rustic Lodge is very difficult for property owners. A continuous problem!!

There always seems to be lots of litter at/around Ramsey/Washburn. Also the “art” on the lawn at Ramsey looks very junky – should be kept cleaner.

Maintenance of the utility transfer station at 47th and Nicollet is inadequate – side walk is never shoveled, for ex. Also tends to have graffiti on it. Should have included convenience of local businesses. Should have included accessibility to the entire metro area.

The students behavior, noise, litter, troublesome has been excellent – noe of the above – and I live on the corner. I appreciate the work you do and plan to be active.

I am seeing more graffiti all the time – on the posts on the Nicollet bridge (with the Tangletown symbol). I think these should be removed – one has been there for more than a year.

I love the new re-vamp of Patina. The new building next to Lyndale Liquors is GREAT. Lyndale Liquors itself, however, is somewhat of an eyesore and could use improvement.

The traffic bumps that have been added are a major irritant.

We’ve lived here for almost 30 yrs and love the neighborhood. We’d like to see efforts to attract young families to the neighborhood.

Did I read correctly? Are there plans to “stripe Lyndale Ave?!! It’s a terrible – repeat terrible concept! It’s marginally acceptable on 50th but PLEASE don’t even consider it on a very major traffic corridor! Thank you!

Real estate taxes are obscene and out of control. Air plane noise is terribly annoying. Can’t something be don. It’s been going on for over 10 years. All children in public schools should adhere to a dress code or uniforms preferable.

YMCA needs parking and not using Rustic Lodge so residence are unable to park – major problem. Clean up 48th and Nicollet buildings. Clean up 46th and Nicollet. Control speed on Lyndale. 48th and Lyndale cars always run light.

What are problem stops w/in the Tangletown area. I live on 53rd and Harriet. The traffic is not bad – it’s dangerous The amt of cars that blow through the stop sign. We have a dozen + kids under 5 in our 2 block area. I have tried to reach out to our rep. But didn’t get too far.

Enough of traffic calming efforts. Remove billboards on 48th and Nicollet. Business responsibility to clean trash on property (48th and Nicollet). Ban the ban on leaf blowers.

Maintenance of city traffic grid. Access and smooth traffic flow. Removal of speed bumps. Airplane noise.

The message is sent to h.s. kids to not mess with our neighborhood if the police presence is felt daily.

As a parent of 14 yr old, I see a need for a place to “hang out” – within walking distance – maybe Lynnhurst or Fuller. An old sofa – music – coffee – an open time.

Property taxes are exorbitant while services decline. Continual public school turbulence means instability for families w/ children Amenities such as lighting, sidewalks and elm tree removal are disproportionately born by owners of old homes on busy streets. Air pollution should be monitored – more traffic all the time – people opting off the freeway. Is the air safe?

Return of SAFE officers aware of Tangletown’s increased crime levels

46th Street East and West is out of control is you’re a walker.

Emergency all/light boxes along our portion of creek [didn’t mention where they live]

The fence around the water tower looks horrible. Ruined the aesthetics. If there is $ available, helping Nicollet Ave residents w/ street lights assessment additionally would be extremely helpful. The lights benefit the entire Tangletown neighborhood. Put bench by H2O tower that faces west for sunset viewing!

Need a dog running area romp. Ice rink at Fuller

The addition of Tangletown Gardens and the Custard shop is great. (good building improvements) 47th & Nicollet corner I think a power company site needs to be cleaned up more often/better maintained.

Diversity: Strength 5, Importance 2
Affordable housing: Strength 5, importance 2

This community needs to work on accommodating all of the parking spaces needed for the businesses. Garfield Ave behind Kowalski’s is HORRIBLE!

It’s becoming more difficult each year to pay the property tax. I may have to move. We need a bookstore.

35W expansion watchdog

Utilities maintenance: power, road maintenance, lighting, etc. Cultural centers – museums, galleries, theaters, etc.

I can tell you very honestly that my desire to be involved in this neighborhood organization is low to none after having been “slammed” by a short time home owner as “one of those renters” although she did not know I was a renter. My feeling is that the perception of a good number of folks feel the same way – not my type of group at all.

Lyndale Ave is a 4-lane freeway. Petty theft in the neighborhood. Solicitors from other areas including other states.

We need outdoor play areas along the creek green space – swingsets, etc. Ice Rinks outdoor. Work to getting indoor ice for Washburn/SouthWest and locate it on the new Lyndale Ave. Corridor!

Improve services for non-English speaking residents. Speeding, running red lights (esp 48th & Lyndale!). Provide dog park in Tangletown. Better access to light rail, buses to University of MN area. Improve 46th & Nicollet strip mall, esp parking and traffic.

Air traffic, air traffic, air traffic, MAC improvements.

Would like to see low-interest loans for home improvements on our old house. Car break ins and car thefts.

Not interested in spending money to “calm” Lyndale Ave. Really appreciate the parkway system and creek, It would be so Great to do something about air traffic.

Freedom of movement is encourage and is very essential. Transportation amenities should not intrude into community. Street cleaning and park maintenance is excellent – Appreciate it!

Business exterior back, sidewalks, lawns

Traffic calming along Diamond Lake Rd – needs improvement. Businesses across from Kowalski’s need exterior improvements (they have a run-down look to them). Walgreen’s parking lot (Lyndale & 54th) needs improvement. New fending, add greenery, keep litter removed. Bridge over M’haha creek on Lyndale: it’s barely above “eyesore” category. It has the potential to be a neighborhood landmark if done right.

The Tangletown Garage Sale. ABSOLUTELY MUST be submitted (at no charge, I think) to the “Strib” Great Garage Sales Edition!!!!

Washburn Library is a major asset. 54th and Lyndale needs more restaurants! ( or somewhere in neighborhood)

We have too much cut through traffic on 53rd street, Garfield & Harriet. Lots of speeders. We should have some NRP $ for speed bumps to slow down traffic. Also we’d love a dog park in our neighborhood.


Strength: walking dist. to groceries, library, drug store, restaurant, etc.

We need street lights like the lower income people have- they have the best. We pay high taxes and have the worst.

The more “walkable/bikeable” we stay, the better – many don’t properly shovel walks in winter making neighborhood less desirable. This is not necessarily a crime/safety issue. Keep business variety – That’s what makes neighborhood perfect. (restaurants, garden center, p. office, library, hardware store, drug store, etc.)

35W – Stevens/2nd Ave transport changes preserving homes – land environment

Mix of residents. Need affordable, good housing in general area.

Management is of poor character, and very unreliable. Very untruthful. The property is runned down and dirty. Needs much improvement. Parking and rental parking spaces are an issue. None are available. Management caters to residents that were “grandfathered” in

Graffiti is becoming more problematic. Have noticed on increase with tagging on Nicollet bridge and mailboxes. Concerned that these taggings will evolve to homes and garages.

Forestry, tree planting, removal of infected elms and buckthorn (creek area).


We are concerned about the tri-plexes going up in the neighborhood – such as those on 47th and Grand. The neighborhood needs a more thoughtful concept when adding housing. architecture that fits in with the rest of the block, parking, etc. Don’t allow a “developer” to create something that will be a hardship for its neighbors down the road.

Elementary school – Burroughs is an asset. It’s our neighborhood school, even if it’s no in our neighborhood.

I would love to see the Tangletown Garden Club supported in an effort to plant the grass triangles with hostas and flower again. Perhaps a small stipend and costs of plants. It would add so much to the amenity and loveliness of the area. The “little” extras like this are what distinguishes one neighborhood from another.

Remaining in your house and in the neighborhood when you are retired and on a lower income.

Why, when there are “left turn lanes” at 54th and Diamond Lake Road and at 54th and Lyndale aren’t there “left turn signals lights”. It would certainly help the traffic move at those corners.

The real crime is the speed of the traffic down Lyndale and the people running the red light at 48th and Lyndale. The police don’t monitor it enough and won’t until someone is killed.

Street lights!!!

It would be nice to see the group of businesses at 54th and Nicollet (barber shop, Warner Stellion) be restored to orig brick with consistent matching awnings. Similar tot eh improvement of Patina. When you exit 35W I feel is a first impression of our community and now it looks a bit outdated.

Wish we had a dairy queen with benches outside for summer evenings. Beauty shop in the new building??? Kowalski’s is a great improvement over what was there. Lovely neighborhood to go for walks. Creek below is great place to take grandchildren.

Landscape improvements. Bump-outs, trees, shrubs along 46th street. Add more rental housing.

Airplane noise is major issue. We have live her 15 years and may be moving just because of the airplane noise.

Very disappointed our 4th of July celebration was cancelled. Should have done a better job of communicating this. Many people would have helped keep this going if they knew prior to cancellation. Do we have a website to communicate to the board? I am proud to live in Tangletown and appreciate all that TN has done to invest in our community for the future.

I like the Tangletown signs but new light fixtures along the streets would be nice (but expensive, I know!). I love living here!

Dislike disruption of Nicollet Ave for months. Very annoying. More improvements than necessary.

I feel that the moneys spent by Tangletown NRP could have been put to a much better use in a neighborhood that needed it more. Such as low cost housing in other areas. I think that what was done with our NRP money was good, but could have been put to much better use elsewhere. I feel that our usage was actually wasteful.

Airport noise!

Please add lane dividers on Lyndale so people know there are two lanes. Better crosswalks – well marked – drivers always stop in crosswalks. Better lighting – especially on parkways and around lakes! More places to eat and drink – within walking distance – so people don’t have to get in their cars.

Several years ago an “experimental” surface was applied to 35W in order to reduce tire noise (the primary source of freeway noise). It reduced the noise significantly and was then removed. Why? Speed bumps are great improvement.

The weekly newspaper which keeps us informed what is going on in our area. Community effort to make our area an inviting place to live – good schools – safe environment, competitive shopping and good bus system.

Maintenance of business properties. Snyders has graffiti and does not regularly pick up litter.

Do not feel as safe in my home as I did 5-10 yrs ago. Getting more and more door to door solicitors often after dark.

The noise from airplanes and I-35W is offset by the convenience of their proximity.

rating scale is confusing – usually higher #s – higher rating. Ex: “crime” as a strength or weakness?

High school students damaging property throwing waste on yards. School students with blaring radios thumping.

Would like to see pedestrian level street lighting improvement in Tangletown similar to other south east Minneapolis improvements.

Diversity – we have very little compared to other Minneapolis neighborhoods

Need mailboxes in all Mpls, neighborhoods (for outgoing mail)

We are the neighborhood! Let’s all be responsible and accountable!

I’d like to see TNA take a more active role in engaging block clubs.

The major challenge faced by the neighborhood is the expansion of the airport!!! If the expansion goes ahead, I think we are in trouble