Minnesota Design
Team Project in
Hendricks
The community of Hendricks received a visit from the prestegious Minnesota Design Team (MDT), thanks to the work of DSI. Receiving assistance from the Design Team is highly competitive.
Development Services, Inc. prepared the application materials for the Team's visit and then coordinated a large group of local Hendricks citizens who participated in the MDT's community planning activities.
Not only did the MDT help the community explore its strengths and assets, but the effort also focused on tangible, concrete projects that the community could undertake for beautification, economic development, environmental protection, and planning for the future. Several specific local projects have flowed from the work of the Minnesota Design Team so far:
- Attractive new signage surrounded by perennial flowers now welcomes drivers on the streets that come into Hendricks.
- An active local committee (the Hendricks Improvement Team -- HIT) meets weekly to plan and undertake various community projects.
- The City Council has established a Tree Board to continue the volunteer work of tree planting, tree care, beautification, and urban forestry in Hendricks, which has been named a "Tree City USA."
- A non-profit community foundation has been established which serves as a vehicle for tax-exempt donations and is now a local funder for improvement projects.
The MDT is a volunteer group of architects, planners, landscape architects, and other experts in design and community development. Their team visits to a community helps cities develop shared visions so that local citizens to improve their physical and environmental design. For more information, go to: www.minnesotadesignteam.org
