As home to more than 400,000 residents, Minneapolis is the larger twin of the Twin Cities.
(Neighboring St. Paul, Minnesota’s state capital, weighs in with a population just under 300,000.)
Minneapolis joined the AARP data pipe of Age-Friendly Communities this year.
What inspired you and the city to undertake age-friendly work?
In developing that strategy you’ve been very deliberate about gathering input from citizens.
Did you learn anything through that process that surprised you?
People shared their vision of a Minneapolis that would work for them as they age.
They offered great suggestions for improvement and highlighted what was already working.
That’s why we’re so committed to keeping older generations as part of the city.
What challenges does the city face in achieving those goals?
Minneapolis is on the cusp of transforming into a leading 21st century city.
TheMinneapolis for a Lifetimestrategy supports that vision.
One challenge we do have is our housing stock.
One goal of age-friendly work is social equity and inclusion.
What areas focus on older citizens in Minneapolis, including among the city’s many ethnic and cultural groups?
I believe that direct input from Minneapolis' communities is critical to setting and achieving citywide goals.
What makes Minneapolis a place where people over age 50 do or would want to live?
Minneapolis has a tremendous amount to offer residents no matter the season or temperature.
We have thenation’s No.
Bank Stadium, to name just a few projects.
We have a growing economy that’s attracting more and more people downtown.
People in Minneapolis are also well connected with their communities, neighborhoods and city systems.
Will Phillips is the state director of AARP Minnesota.
