Cities: Minneapolis, Minnesota

by Roxanne Walker

Sustainlane.com rates Minneapolis as number seven for 2008 U.S. City Sustainability Rankings and

number one for local food and agriculture

·     18 farmers markets, of which nearly half accept food stamps

·     60-plus community gardens

·     More than half of Minnesota’s land area is farmed

The Common Roots Café launched in July of 2007

·     Sustainable building: salvaged, recycled, and renewable building materials

·     Workers: living wages, health insurance benefits, paid vacations

·     Over 80% of the food purchased in 2007 was local and/or organic

o     Produce comes from local farmers

o     Nearly all dairy and grain products are produced nearby

o     Meat is local and free-range or grass fed

o     No deliveries from mainline distributors

·     Menu changes weekly, depending on local availability or need to sell

Sustainlane.com rated Minneapolis rated in the top ten for

City commuting (9), Air quality (10), City innovation (6), Knowledge/communications (4),

Green economy (7), Natural disaster risk (8), and Water supply (9)

Linden Hills Neighborhood

·     Grant to pass out 1,800 energy-efficient light bulbs

·     Anaerobic digester to produce energy from organic waste

Biking

·     Number Two bike city in the country (behind Portland) despite bitter winters

·     Over 100 miles of bike trails within the city

Other City-Wide Efforts

·     Green roofs on city hall, library, and fire station (all LEED-certified)

·     Currently 13% of energy comes from renewable sources (goal: 30% by 2025)

·     Infrastructure/investment to prevent sewer overflow into Mississippi

Challenges to Sustainability

Removing Wolves from Endangered Species List

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D- Minn) says delisting wolves would let hunting wolves be a source of revenue for the state

Wolf population and deer hunting put severe pressure on moose population

Wisconsin Refuses to Build High-Speed Rail

Faster trains between the Twin Cities and Chicago advocated by Obama administration

Wisconsin Gov.-elect Scott Walker declined federal funding

Experts see it as an opportunity for Minnesota to take charge of the route (go through Rochester)

Economy Holding Back Renovation of Riverfront

Five-mile stretch of the river that runs north from downtown is lined with scrap yards, industrial buildings, open

spaces, and scattered, isolated stands of trees

Renovation would connect nearby neighborhoods and trails/parks

Area just north of city would keep population concentrated near the city

Renovation would attract business and recreational/residential activity