About

OUR COMMITMENT

At NūLoop Partners, we have a vision for the future due to our part in building the past. Our collective areas of expertise make us a catalyst to convening development professionals, investigating potential for the future of North Loop (and the Root District), and partnering with Metro Transit, Urban Land Institute, etc. to ensure our district can adapt to each moment.

OUR HISTORY

In the fall of 2006, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners inaugurated a design group, DAG 360, to ensure that a new proposed private-public funded ballpark would integrate urban design, environmentally responsible architecture and vital civic connections. All with the goal of making an experiential public space as thrilling as a ballgame itself.

In the fall of 2007, a new public-private partnership 2010 Partners was formed to set urban design priorities and address funding shortfalls of the prior group.

Target Field opened in Spring 2010, which initiated a need to change the organization name to 2020 Partners. The mission of the organization from 2007-2018 was to evolve private and public forum to facilitate transformation of the neighborhoods surrounding Target Field. Doing so by attracting investment to the North Loop and leveraging the place-based assets of Target Field, Minneapolis Farmer’s Market, and more.

In the summer of 2018, the partnership engaged the community to decide the continued brand for these initiatives. This became NūLoop Partners. The new name and logo of which, signify both the building blocks of the North Loop and a table with a seat for everyone.

The duality of a building block and humanity at the table ground us in our mission: to physically transform and connect the greater North Loop area for the common good of people, businesses, and the greater Minneapolis community.

Timeline 1999–2024

  • 1999

    With the leadership of then-mayor Sharon Sayles Belton and Council President Jackie Cherryhomes, a 17-member citizens committee was established. A community engagement process resulted in the C-17 report which led to the designation of a site and design process for a future ballpark in the North Loop.

  • 2006

    In 2006, these efforts culminated in the creation of Minnesota Ballpark Authority and DAG (or design advisory group) 360. MBA took on the financing and construction process, while DAG 360 developed design guidelines for the park and surrounding neighborhood.

  • 2007

    Despite initial challenges with land acquisition costs for Target Field, diligent negotiations and community-focused efforts prevailed. Through mediation and collaboration, Hennepin County and the Twins secured a solution that allowed construction to proceed, ensuring the ballpark's completion for the benefit of the community.

  • 2010

    Target Field opened in Spring 2010, which also initiated a need to change our name to 2020 Partners. The mission of which (until 2018) was to focused on neighborhoods surrounding Target Field by attracting investment to North Loop and leveraging the place-based assets of Minneapolis Farmer’s Market and more.

  • 2018

    In 2018, we became NūLoop Partners as identity for the area was primed by the planned opening of the Royalston LRT Station (since delayed). The new name signifies both the building blocks of North Loop and a table with a seat for everyone. The duality of these elements ground us in our mission to physically transform and connect North Loop.

OUR WORK PLAN

To measure our progress, we have created the below Work Plan divided into long and short outcomes, as well as general goals to guide these outcomes. 

Long-term outcomes:

  • Foster deep connection, information awareness, and empowerment to action amongst member organizations for the wellbeing of our district

  • Investigate a future of the Root District committed to transit-oriented community, a destination Food District, and/or innovative Net Zero District Energy solutions

Short-term outcomes:

  • Active participation, communication, and resources for supportive action amongst member organizations for the wellbeing of our district

  • Workgroups leading a vision for the Root District that support our long-term outcomes in a way stakeholders can champion

Our goals:

  • Facilitate membership engagement and communication to support and amplify the development of our district

  • Represent NūLoop Partners at external events and inform leaders in the city and local communities in areas of transit, public safety, and development

  • Support Root District workgroups to the end of a recommended vision for the Root District

  • Proactively engage building and business owners to support activation of the district

  • Build relationships and deliverables (i.e. Energy Feasibility Study, Food Sector Needs Assessment, etc.) to support a comprehensive narrative of the Root District

GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS

Our district extends to Lyndale Avenue to the west, the Mississippi River to the east, and borders Plymouth Avenue to the South and Hennepin Avenue to the North. These boundaries encompass many established communities, including the North Loop Neighborhood, the Warehouse District, and ~30 blocks of Downtown West.

STEERING COMMITTEE

NūLoop Partners is led by a Steering Committee representative of various institutions, businesses, and other organizations. Our constituency includes more than 300 leaders of other entities that convene regularly.

  • David Crary

    NLNA Board Vice-President

  • April Crockett

    Director, West Area Manager MNDOT

  • Council Member Jeremiah Ellison

    Ward 5, City of Minneapolis

  • Rebecca Fabunmi

    Director of Economic Development & Policy Inclusion, Office of the Mayor

  • Jamil Ford

    Design Principal and Founder, Mobilize Design + Architecture

  • Patrick Gerdes

    Business Development Manager, Cordia Energy

  • Jacob Graff

    Regional General Manager, Cordia Energy

  • Maggie Henderson

    Director of Government Affairs, Target Corporation

  • Lesley Kandaras

    General Manager, Metro Transit

  • Dan Kenney

    Executive Director, Minnesota Ballpark Authority

  • Nick Koch

    Associate Vice President, HGA Architects (Retired)

  • Elias Lemon

    Manager, Facility Management and Real Estate, Be The Match

  • Ra’eesa Motala

    Co-Founder, Evoke Partners

  • Nick Murnane

    Director, Real Estate Development, Opus Development Company

  • Suzanne Murphy

    Senior Manager, Community Relations, Xcel Energy

  • Ray Noble

    Client Solutions Manager, JE Dunn

  • Peter Orth

    Development Manager, Schafer Richardson

  • Bob Pfefferle

    Managing Director of Development, Hines

  • Council Member Michael Rainville

    Ward 3, City of Minneapolis

  • Dave St. Peter

    President, Minnesota Twins

  • Max Salmen

    Equity Financial Services Real Estate

  • Jackson Schwartz

    Founde, Hennepin-Made and Glass House

  • Erin Sexton

    Director, State Government Relations, Mayo Clinic

  • George Shannon

    Black Market Events

  • Gordy Stofer

    Senior Vice President, Brue Baukol Capital Partners

  • Tim Steinbeck

    President, GRE HERC Services, Great River Energy

  • Al Swintek

    Manager, Local Government Regulations, Center Point Energy

  • Ryan Tanke

    Chief Operating Officer, Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx

  • Chris Wold

    Vice President Asset Management, United Properties