Equitable Development

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Equitable Development Scorecard

Equitable Development Scorecards are used to ensure that the principles and practices of equitable development, environmental justice, and affordability are applied as communities experience economic development and wealth creation so that it benefits everyone. When a development is proposed, the developer is asked to fill out the scorecard with information about their proposal, which is then scored according to the community's priorities. The Union Park District Council Equitable Development Task Force has engaged with community members and consulted other local organizations, and developed a Union Park Equitable Development Scorecard. The community is invited to review the scorecard below, and then fill out a brief survey that will help ensure that developments in Union Park continue to reflect our community values.

History

“In 1880, the Milwaukee Short Line Railroad opened up development in today’s Macalester, Groveland, and Merriam Park neighborhoods, then on the outskirts of St. Paul. Union Park, as it was called, was a thirty-acre site that contained Lake Iris. Land there was purchased by people for an entertainment area with a pavilion and bandstand that could be rented out by church groups and was soon opened to the public. The site was eventually platted into lots for homeowners, with streets following the natural contours of the land.”

(From the Winter 2005 Ramsey County History Magazine; article originally written by The Minnesota Junior Pioneers).

From its beginnings as a “streetcar suburb” for the white middle class, the structures of systemic racism heavily influenced the housing and economic landscape in Union Park over the years, leading to significant disparities in housing and economic opportunities.

As you can see from the map below, black, indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) have consistently been relegated to “declining” or “undesirable” neighborhoods thanks in part to the practice of redlining by banks and insurance companies as well as by the widespread use of “racial covenants” that prevented property owners from selling to non-white buyers.

As we strive to become a more equitable community, we feel strongly that creating more affordable housing opportunities for people of all income levels for people of all races will pay dividends in the diversity and vibrancy of our neighborhoods. We look forward to partnering with you in that effort.

Why a Scorecard?

As building developments are proposed in Union Park, we believe it is important for developers to fully understand the local environment, as well as for Union Park residents to fully understand the plans of developers along with the impacts (both positive and negative) that new development may have on the community. Living our values means we create space for all Union Park residents to have input on projects that will affect them directly and indirectly.

Union Park is an area faced with significant development pressure, so we created a tool to more objectively evaluate the development proposals that come before the Union Park District Council and seek our support. Our hope is that the scorecard can be used as a starting point for discussions that will lead to the best possible outcome for the community and developers.

The Process

We require that all developers seeking support from UPDC for their projects complete the Equitable Development Scorecard.
Each question below will receive a score from UPDC from 1-5 based on an evaluation of the response by the Community Land Use Development (CLUED) committee with input from the Environment and Parks, Neighborhood Involvement, and Transportation Committees of Union Park District Council. Note that only questions relevant to a particular development category will be scored (i.e. we will not score questions about retail for developments that are only residential).
Additional discussions based on the scorecard, including public forums, meetings with DSI and other relevant city entities that include UPDC representation, will be used to provide an overall evaluation.
Final recommendation from CLUED to the full UPDC Board, including a project score incorporating the areas of Land Use, Transportation, Neighborhood Impact, and Environmental Impact, will help the Union Park District Council determine support for the project in its final form.

Union Park Equitable Development Scorecard

Our community is very important to us and we want to hear from YOU! Please fill out this short survey below (or at this link) so your voice can shape this scorecard, your community’s development, our outreach and the work we do. Thank you!