For those interested, you can find my Clean Water Action Alliance and
Sierra Club Questionnaire answers in the Minneapolis-Issues tool kit. In
addition, my campaign has been based on providing voters with the information
they need to make a good decision. To this end, I am including more information
on my proven experience and commitment to building livable and sustainable
urban neighborhoods.
Personally,
- I am a bus and bike commuter
- My wife and I are members of the Riverbend Community Supported Agriculture Farm
- We are Wedge Coop Members
- Our front yard is a prairie with native plantings
- We mow our back lawn with a non motorized lawn mower
- I provided technical assistance to residents in their successful defeat of a road that would have deteriorated their community and a city park.
- Led efforts and secured funding for my block to purchase composters, trees and perennials.
- Worked on restoring wetlands and prairies in Sherburne County
- led the effort to ensure good urban design was a priority evaluation criteria by which the Lyndale Neighborhood Development Corporation judges prospective development proposals.
- was a leader in arguing for a higher density residential development at 3100 Pillsbury and Pleasant when the MCDA wanted to build single family houses.
- consistently argued and worked for prioritizing mixed-use, living wage job creation, and environmentally friendly development in the Midtown Greenway as well as the Nicollet Ave. Corridor.
- worked with the Lyndale Environmental Committee in supporting (through funding and organizing) residents in purchasing a lot for a community garden as well as worked on other committee efforts like cleansweep.
- initiated and am leading a citywide effort to ensure city resources are focused on building safe and livable communities. This Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) initiative involves bringing together city departments to evaluate and change city policies and practices that to ensure they promote urban neighborhoods that safe and livable. I have taken this effort beyond our city borders, working with other cities and the University of Minnesota to create new standards for development.
- work with and support the Lyndale Youth Farm and Market Project, including securing funding to support their efforts in involving youth in local farming and gardening projects which promote native plantings.
- educate individuals on the benefits of higher residential densities and mixed use development to build more livable cities.
- introduce changes to the Minneapolis zoning code and Comprehensive Plan to create livable urban neighborhoods.
- work on city policies that would support higher residential developments and mixed use development in appropriate locations, especially along transportation corridors.
- argued against auto dominated developments throughout the city, including Hawthorne Crossing on West Broadway
- have been working with Public Works to create more urban, livable street design that builds community and is multi-modal in orientation.
- worked with leaders in the rental property community to educate rental owners on lead paint issues.
- have supported block efforts to increase the greening of our neighborhoods through planting of trees and native plants.
- have been working to create street lighting which is more environmentally sensitive.
Dan Niziolek
10th Ward City Council Candidate
