Our Advocacy
Our Timeline: From Resident Organizing to Community Action
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APRIL-JULY 2026
Neighbors Come Together →
April 24
Our Homes Are Put Up for Sale
Twin Cities Housing Development Corporation (TCHDC) notifies residents of plans to sell our six historic properties, putting the future of 22 homes at risk.
June 15
Residents Begin Organizing
Neighbors gather at Pierre Bottineau Library to explore forming a housing cooperative and purchasing our homes together.
July 30
The Nicollet Island Cooperative Is Formed
Residents file to establish the Nicollet Island Cooperative under Minnesota's new cooperative housing law, Chapter 308C.
AUGUST 2026
Building Partnerships and Support →
August 1
Meeting with Council Member Michael Rainville
Cooperative members meet with Council Member Rainville at the Nicollet Island Inn to share our vision and ask for his support.
August 3
Building Our Acquisition Team
We begin working with Land Bank Twin Cities, LISC, Co-op North, and Shared Capital Cooperative to explore financing and a path toward resident ownership.
August 17
Neighborhood Support
We meet with East Bank Neighborhoods Partnership, which subsequently endorses our initiative to preserve affordable housing.
August 19
Weekly Resident Meetings Begin
Neighbors begin meeting regularly to organize, share ideas, and plan our next steps.
August 31
Meeting with Mayor Jacob Frey
Residents and advisors meet with Mayor Frey at City Hall to advocate for preserving our homes and preventing displacement.
September 2026
Taking Our Advocacy to City Hall →
September 8
Meeting with Minneapolis CPED
We meet with City housing officials to raise concerns about the sale and ask that the historic affordability commitments associated with our homes be protected.
September 9
Meeting with TCHDC
Residents met remotely with TCHDC leadership to discuss the sale and present our interest in purchasing all six properties as a cooperative. TCHDC affirmed that affordability protections are not guaranteed in their sales approach.
September 16
Speaking Before the Park Board
Residents speak publicly before the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, asking commissioners to examine the affordability provisions and protect the original public purpose of these historic homes.
September 22
Meeting with De La Salle Leadership
We meet with De La Salle President Patrick Felicetta to seek institutional endorsement for the Cooperative's acquisition of the Nicollet Island Historic Homes and preventing displacement of our community.
September 23
Our Cooperative Elects Its Board
Members adopt bylaws and elect a seven-member Board of Directors, taking an important step toward resident ownership.
Late September
Our Purchase Proposal Is Submitted
Land Bank Twin Cities submits a letter of intent on behalf of the cooperative to purchase all six historic properties.
OCTOBER 2026
Our Advocacy Gains Momentum →
October 3
Preparing for Ownership
Our Board advances legal representation, fundraising, financing, and organizational planning to strengthen our acquisition efforts.
October 5
Advocating for Tenant Purchase Rights
A cooperative member speaks with Council Member Soren Stevenson about tenant opportunities to purchase housing. Stevenson expresses his intention to bring the issue before the Minneapolis City Council.
October 7
A Major Victory at the Minneapolis Park Board
The Park Board unanimously passes Resolution 2026-168, directing a review of the affordability provisions in the ground lease and sublease governing the Nicollet Island Historic Homes, along with terms of potential property transfers.
This important action brings renewed public attention to the affordability commitments and historic public purpose of our homes.
Our community's voices are being heard!
Our Work Continues →
In just a few months, our neighbors have formed a cooperative, built partnerships, gained community support, submitted a purchase proposal, and brought the future of affordable housing on Nicollet Island before city leaders and the Park Board.
But our work is not finished.
We are continuing to advocate for the purchase of all six historic properties and the preservation of 22 affordable homes.