Van White - Boulevard

As a part of the Minneapolis' Near Northside Master Plan and The Heritage Park Redevelopment, a new, north - south green-way boulevard is being created in Minneapolis. This new street will play a key role in urban planning for the Harrison Neighborhood. Now known as Van White Memorial Boulevard, the street will connect 7^th St North near Plymouth Avenue, to Dunwoody Boulevard at I 394, weaving a path through Harrison along Fremont Avenue and creating a new commercial node at Glenwood. Completion of Van White Blvd is planned for 2009 - setting the stage for significant redevelopment of the Bassett Creek valley.

Here’s how the master plan describes the route.

“A new north-south boulevard extends through the heart of the site and provides a focus for community activities. As the centerpiece of the master plan framework, the proposed boulevard creates a picturesque address for hundreds of mixed-income housing units and connects the Master Plan site south through Bassett Creek Valley to the Parade area and south Minneapolis. A pair of feature parks, one north and one south of Olson Highway, build on the boulevard framework and create more intimate neighborhood places.”

So who was Van White?

“Van Freeman White was born on August 2, 1924, the first of five children. When he was just ten years old White's father died, leaving him with instructions to take care of the family. Half a century of community service and a rise from laborer to city council member suggests that White took his charge seriously. White made history when he became the first African American elected to the (Minneapolis) city council in 1979.” - excerpted Van F. White Papers. Minnesota Historical Society. Read more here

A more in depth review of the recent Bassett Creek Masterplan will follow in upcoming posts. Feel free to dig in to the plan at your leisure.