This year the Lind Bohanon Neighborhood Association received a $10,000 CURA/McKnight NPI grant to "Empower the underrepresented residents in our community."
We started with the 24 residents who live at Kingsley Commons who have Multiple Sclorisis (MS) and asked them what they felt were the top needs of the community.
Here were their top 5 concerns and some of the results since then.
* Shovel curve cuts, bus stops, sidewalk-some rough
Since this project this summer, several residents documented intersections that were hazardous for those in wheelchairs or mobile challenged. Their letters and photographs were sent to CM Johnson's office, Hennepin County, and many others and have helped result in seeing literal "concrete" results in our community.
2011 Results: As part of only a few projects in 2011, Hennepin County ADA Transportation project in the Lind Bohanon neighborhood, CSAH 57 (Humboldt Avenue North) between 44th Avenue North and 53rd Avenue North (roughly 40 intersections) and CSAH 2 (Penn Avenue North) in the Cleveland and Victory neighborhoods between Lowry Avenue North were implemented. One-time supply of federal funds were used for the construction; matched (80-federal/20-state-aid) with Hennepin's State-aid dollars.
* Neighborhood Events-not wheelchair accessible
LBNA's Jenifer Scherer (on left in above photo) designed the "Take the Great Mobility Challenge!" and had 24 residents from Kingsley Commons help her design and implement this important educational and interactive activity for our LBNA National Night Out event! Over 300 residents participated. We also have created this activity for you to download on our website.
* Bench by railroad tracks-near side-both sides
Dedication of this new $4,000 bench with Ella Magstad, resident of Kingsley Commons, who's tenacity helped lead the way to getting this bench installed. Also MPRB Commissioner Jon Olson, Creekview Park’s Jason Green, Tim Crumley Advantage Services as honored guests.
* Rough railroad tracks 
8 railroad lines on Humboldt Ave N pose treacherous and potential hazards to those riding in wheelchairs or scooters. Residents have to cross these lines to catch the bus, go to the library, and to Victory Memorial Parkway.
Residents at Shingle Creek Commons have reported troubles with scooters getting stuck in the space between the rail lines with oncoming trains approaching or damage to their wheelchairs. This is an identified priority we are working on with our elected officials to quickly address.
* Bus to Cub needed must be accessible, went to Broadway instead of Brooklyn Center
The bus that the NPI grant has provided has resulted in establishing six trips a month transportation to Target, Cub, Walmart, one outing a month and increased participation in community. Nearly 140 riders have utilized this new resource.
Want to find out more about the LBNA Bus contact us at lindbohanonna@aol.com or 612-588-7641.
The NPI grant and the transportation it is offering has begun changing the lives of residents in our community from Camden Care Center, Shingle Creek and Kingsley Commons, and other residents from the community and countless others that partnered and participated with us on this grant.