The MCW Partnership is comprised of top executives of prominent corporations and non-profit institutions, the Mayor of Minneapolis and various elected officials from the Minneapolis City Council, Hennepin County Board of Commissioners and the Metropolitan Council.

These Partners have committed themselves to unifying public policy around a common vision for the Midtown Greenway-Lake Street Corridor and mobilizing the public and private investments necessary to implement this vision. They realize that in order to sustain this renaissance, they must create a path for targeted public and private investment within the Lake Street Midtown Greenway Corridor.

The Midtown Community Works Partnership was created in January 1998 by leaders in the community who realized that while a renaissance of south Minneapolis was underway, a largely neglected, yet extremely valuable area of the city had been overlooked—the 29th Street rail trench that is now being transformed into the Midtown Greenway. As discussion among these influential leaders progressed, a vision of an economically, socially and environmentally revitalized corridor emerged.

At the core of this revitalization effort is the significance of place. The focus of the project is on 'placemaking and connections,' with the goal being to create an environment for both existing neighborhoods and new development opportunities that attaches a high value on the public realm. It is about developing places that encourage a strong sense of community and are unique, identifiable and memorable.

Successful revitalization of the corridor will be dependent upon three essential and interdependent components: a multimodal transportation system, open space and infrastructure improvements, and mixed-use compact development. All supported and energized by the political and community will to succeed.