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Cedar-Riverside—also known as the West Bank--is global village in the middle of the Twin Cities and is the most culturally diverse neighborhood in the state (45% of residents were born in another country.) Diversity abounds in the housing stock as well—from high-rise condos and apartments to single-family homes. Cedar and Riverside Avenues offer many independent ethnic restaurants and groceries, specialty stores, international malls, and theaters that draw residents and visitors alike. The neighborhood is home to Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota's West Bank Campus, which includes the University's performance and visual arts schools, as well as its law school. Downtown Minneapolis is just a five-minute ride on the Hiawatha Light Rail line (there is a stop in the neighborhood at 613 15th Avenue); bus routes and bike paths also connect to both downtowns and numerous bike and walking trails provide easy access to the National Mississippi River Gorge Park and Recreation Area.

Images

Boundaries and Zip Code

North: Mississippi River
South: I-94
East: Mississippi River
West: I-35W

Zip code: 55454

History

Cedar-Riverside‘s history is nearly as old as Minneapolis’. In the late 1890s, the neighborhood was known as "Snoose Boulevard," with a thriving community of Scandinavian immigrants, many of whom worked in the milling and lumber industries on the Mississippi River. In the 1960s and 1970s, Snoose Boulevard turned from a quaint neighborhood to a beehive of hippies, intellectuals, actors, artists and musicians. Presently, the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood boasts the largest community of immigrants in the Twin Cities, continuing a long history of ethnic and cultural diversity.

Housing Styles and Types

The high-rise residential buildings of Cedar Riverside (in particular, the Riverside Plaza complex with over 1,300 units) that can be seen from around the city offer rental opportunities while others offer condominium living. The neighborhood’s side streets are lined with modestly-priced, single-family homes, most of which were built in the early 1900s.

Schools

Charter Schools:

• Cedar-Riverside Community School (K-8)

Post-Secondary:

• Augsburg College
• University of Minnesota—Twin Cities campus

For more information on Minneapolis schools, visit Live MSP's Schools page.

Public Facilities

• Coyle Community Center
• Currie Park—basketball courts, wading pool, tot lot, picnic area, and softball field.
• Murphy Square—Murphy Square is Minneapolis's oldest park and the first parcel of land purchased for park purposes. Edward Murphy donated two small city blocks 3.33 acres in area – now Murphy Square – on July 17, 1857. Located at 801 22nd Avenue.
• Riverside Park—located along the bluffs of the Mississippi with soccer fields, playground, wading pool and more.
• Franklin Terrace Off-Leash Dog Park—the first in the city!
• West Bank Arts Quarter

Home Purchase/Home Improvement Incentives

• The Cedar Riverside Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) has made funds available to provide revolving and matching deferred loans, as well as a homebuyer’s assistance program, to residents of the Cedar Riverside neighborhood. The program is administered by the Center for Energy and Environment.
• University District Partnership Alliance

For information about incentive programs that may be available in this neighborhood, visit Live MSP's Incentive Programs page.

Getting Involved

• West Bank Community Coalition—the official neighborhood organization for Cedar Riverside.
• University District Partnership Alliance—a partnership of neighborhoods, business associations and the University of Minnesota.
• Cedar-Riverside (West Bank) Business Association

News

• The Bridge—a monthly community newspaper.
• Send an email to the West Bank Community Coalition at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to receive emails about neighborhood events and issues.

Statistics

• City of Minneapolis Neighborhood Profile—Includes trend information on neighborhood demographics, economics, and housing, taken from the most recent census data
• Home Sales Information by Neighborhood—The City of Minneapolis Assessor’s Office allows you to search home sale prices by neighborhood. You choose the time frame that you want to compare (e.g. 1/1/2006 – 12/31/2008.)
• Minneapolis Crime Statistics—Crime maps, statistics, and reports compiled by the Minneapolis Police Department. Check out Interpreting Crime Statistics. to help you make sense of these resources.

Real Estate Listings

Search Realtor.com for listings. You can search for properties by either clicking on the map or entering the neighborhood name or zip code (noting that zip code boundaries span multiple neighborhoods) into the search bar.

OwnAHomeMN.org—Check here for listings of affordable homes sold by community developers. Note: not all neighborhoods have listings.

LiveNearYourWork.net features property listings for the neighborhoods within the University District Partnership Alliance (Prospect Park, Marcy-Holmes, Southeast Como, and Cedar-Riverside.)  

Contacts

West Bank Community Coalition
President - Ben Marcy - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Please cc the secretary when emailing the president)
Secretary - Sophia Ginis - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
420 15th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Phone: 612-876-9351
Web: http://www.westbankcc.org

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