Whittier Alliance History
The Whittier Alliance was formed in January 1977 by a coalition of residents, businesses, churches and organizations. The Alliance is a 501(c)3, the officially recognized, volunteer-driven, citizen-participation neighborhood organization. Since then, the Whittier Alliance has grown in size and purpose. Today the Whittier Alliance has over two hundred fifty active volunteers and remains a volunteer-supported organization, employing two full-time staff - Executive Director and Community Organizer - as well as a part-time contract bookkeeper.Whittier is the largest and most populous neighborhood in Minneapolis. Over 15,250 people, 450 businesses and 660 rental property owners call Whittier home.
Known as "The International Neighborhood," Whittier is proud to celebrate the African-American, Asian, European, Latino, Somali, Tibetan and Scandinavian cultures that live, work, and own businesses and property in the Whittier neighborhood. The excellent schools and parks, as well as the charm and historical character of the neighborhood, draw both working class and professional families to this vibrant, eclectic community. The Whittier Alliance is proud to act as the catalyst in bringing these diverse voices together.
Particularly noteworthy is the recognition we have received. The Whittier Alliance was awarded the "Best Economic-Development Project" for Nicollet Avenue Streetscape: EAT STREET, and "Best Multi-Jurisdictional Project" for Whittier Community School for the Arts. In addition, Tom Berthiaume, Delroy Calhoun, Terry Erickson, Tom George, Linda Martin, Becky Olson and Bruce Rasmussen were recognized at the 2001 NRP Neighborhoods Conference Awards Dinner as "Outstanding Volunteers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty on behalf of their neighborhoods and city." These awards were in recognition of NRP Phase I, the first ten years (1990-2000). The Whittier Alliance also received the "2000 Preservation Award" from the Heritage Preservation Commission and the Minneapolis Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for the Alliance's longstanding commitment to historic preservation.
Whittier Neighborhood History
Drawn from narratives in "Partners, Neighborhood Revitalization through Partnership, Whittier Neighborhood, a Minneapolis Case Study" 1981 by Dayton Hudson Foundation.Native Dakota tribes ceded land in most of southern Minnesota in 1851 by the Treaty of Mendota and Traverse des Sioux. In 1855 John Blaisdell built a log cabin south of the Minneapolis border in still wooded forests. Blaisdell eventually applied for and was awarded most of present-day Whittier by the Federal government. Minneapolis growth was still limited by terrain in this area and hilly mansions in Loring Park signaled the city limits. Through 1880, Blaisdell went from a squatter to a wealthy lumber baron. As the land cleared and the Civil War saw sons return home, he built himself a mansion and began platting new subdivisions. Early homes were grand limestone mansions on the north with smaller wooden farm houses spread out on the south. Whittier became fashionable for executives to build their mansions. Streetcar lines and automobiles eventually grew the major commercial corridors--Nicollet, Franklin, and Lyndale Avenues. The Morrison's farm was most of northeast Whittier and became home to the largest of mansion estates--the Washburns and Crosbys and the Society of Fine Arts--the modern day Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
In the early 20th century, development pressure on the downtown core pushed outwards and the 1920s and 30s saw construction of most of the two-three story Whittier brownstones while the 1960s blandly doubled housing units. As a result of this rental building boom by 1977 only 12 percent of people owned and occupied their own dwellings. One half of adults were also between eighteen and twenty-eight. The proximity of Whittier to downtown and a youthful transient atmosphere led to positive and negative outcomes. Arts flourished as the MIA was joined with the Children's Theatre Company and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Retail did too as Nicollet Avenue was a thriving street-car thoroughfare. However as families found better jobs, completed schooling and yearned for inexpensive houses in the post-war period, they moved out. The lack of a solid homeowner base naturally led to problems as property deteriorated, crime increased, and the streets became seedy. From wealthy mansions came a major presence of high-density and low-income. In 1960 Whittier had a poor image in the city.
The next several decades saw the revitalization of Whittier when citizens banded to form the Whittier Action Council and assess the urban blight occurring. By 1977 the Whittier Alliance was officially incorporated and after a few attempts by the City of Minneapolis to start a neighborhood improvement program, the Legislature finally suceeded in creating the Neighborhood Revitalization Program. As families continued to move out to the suburbs, the Alliance leveraged millions of dollars to acquire, renovate and rehabilitate properties. The crown achievement of the bricks and mortar initiatives created the Nicollet Avenue "Eat Street" branding and streetscaping which was completed in 2001. Other initiatives focused on South Whittier, East Whittier, and the Northwest quadrant. Many popular co-operatives in the neighborhood were established by WA.
As the multi-million dollar "Phase I" strategy of NRP winded down, Whittier had transformed with more opportunities for homeownership and business, while ensuring a healthy atmosphere for the 90% rental occupancy in the neighborhood. Today the Whittier Alliance has transitioned into an educational and awareness organization, connecting residents to government and providing a forum in which neighbors can voice their thoughts and concerns to City Hall--as the officially recognized citizen participation group for the Whittier neighborhood.