Camden Bridge
I am pleased to report the Camden Bridge reopened on August 21. The bridge work, made possible through $10 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding, included improvements that drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians will all enjoy. Planning for these rehabilitations began in 2004, but had been on hold because funding was not available. By using Recovery funding to complete the bridge work now, the City was able to make these improvements before the bridge deteriorated further. Had the deterioration become more extensive, a new bridge would be needed at a cost well over $100 million. One of the major components of the rehabilitation work involved replacing the bridge deck, giving it a new driving surface, new sidewalks and railings, and attractive new lighting. Public Works opted to completely close the Camden Bridge to traffic instead of a partial closure. A complete closure of the bridge allowed for a shorter construction period. As a result, this renovation work took less than five months, as opposed to the two years that would've been needed if the bridge were intermittently opened and closed during work. The rehabilitation work on Camden Bridge is not totally complete. Next year, it will undergo a full repainting. However, the bridge will remain open to traffic during that work.
Foreclosure Prevention Assistance
For homeowners struggling with monthly mortgage payments, there is a new federal program that can offer relief. It is called Making Home Affordable. You can find out more at www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov or call the Homeowner's HOPE hotline (1-888-995-HOPE) to see if you might be eligible for assistance and to understand options you have to avoid foreclosure. This program will help homeowners who are at risk for foreclosure. Call now if you have questions about how the program works or if you qualify for help. Minneapolis residents can also call 311 (or, 612-673-3000) and ask for help from a foreclosure counselor. The Minnesota Home Ownership Center at www.hocmn.org or 651-659-9336 is another great resource.
We Want You Back
Minneapolis Public Schools and the Youth Coordinating Board have joined forces to raise public awareness about the dropout crisis and graduation gap in Minneapolis and enlist the entire community's help to resolve it. "We Want You Back" invites un-enrolled young people to come back to school, complete their credits and get their diploma. The program's ambitious goal is to attract back 200 youth and put them on a path where they can be successful. Minneapolis Public Schools is working with its Area Learning Centers, alternative schools and online classes to create attractive programming for un-enrolled young people. Connections are being made among the many existing community resources in a citywide effort to do whatever it takes to help youth graduate. If you know a young person who would like to re-enroll or to find out more about Minneapolis school programs and services, contact Mary Barrie, Minneapolis Public Schools at 612-668-0721 or mary.barrie@mpls.k12.mn.us
4th Ward E-Newsletter
Sign up for the 4th Ward E-mail newsletter at: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/contact/email-form-johnson.asp In "questions/comments" type "newsletter" and you will be added to the list.