The Ventura Village neighborhood, located south of downtown Minneapolis, used to be a part of the Phillips neighborhood. It became a separate neighborhood in 2002 when the Minneapolis City Council accepted its proposed boundaries. However, it is still a part of the larger Phillips community. Interstate 35 occupies the western and northern boundaries, with Interstate 94 occupying the north. The neighborhood took its name from a Spanish word meaning happiness or luck, and they did so because they wanted a good start as a community.
The neighborhood has many resources, including a significant assortment of businesses, abundant bike lanes, walking proximity to the major hub of downtown, major links to transit, and a dedicated and hopeful plan for the future of the neighborhood by its 6,000 residents. Franklin Avenue is the commercial strip for Ventura Village and hosts the neighborhood library, many different businesses, a collection of diverse restaurants and shops, and the Ancient Traders Market that contains a public plaza, cafes, restaurants and American-Indian shops. Traditionally a place for immigrants, Ventura Village, and the Phillips community as a whole, is now home to the city’s main influx of Native Americans as well as mounting numbers of Asians, Latinos, and Somalis.
The neighborhood has an extensive mix of housing styles. Victorian-style homes from the early 1900’s and homes that were constructed in the 1960’s and 70’s are the major developments. Several new apartment and condominium dwellings are also now located along Franklin Avenue as well as duplexes and other rental units that are scattered throughout the area.
Phillips Library was established in 1890 but was substituted by Franklin Library in 1914. Franklin Library is built on land donated by Sumner T. McKnight in the Ventura Village neighborhood of Minneapolis. It was the first of four Carnegie-funded libraries constructed in the city. Franklin is one of 13 libraries developed under nationally-known library director Gratia Countryman, who was involved in swelling the city’s library system from 1904-36. The library has received historic designation from the City of Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a member of the Hennepin County Library System. A library system that is consistently ranked in the top 10 libraries nationwide, residents have access to all of the books and resources that are a part of this network through an interlibrary loan program.
The Ventura Village neighborhood is home to two parks. They include:
Peavey Park: At 7 acres, Peavey Park offers visitors numerous ways to enjoy the outdoors. With a baseball/softball field, basketball court, picnic area, playground, restroom facility, soccer field, tennis courts, volleyball court, wading pool, and walking paths, there is something for everyone at Peavey Park. Residents enjoy the active amenities that the park provides, but for those seeking passive recreation, Peavey Park makes a great destination for a picnic. Its urban setting provides individuals with a taste of the big city while enjoying the natural space.
Phillips Park: Phillips Park is a very unique park located within the Ventura Village neighborhood. While very small, it provides a playground for visitors and is home to the Phillips Community Center. The Phillips Community Center includes a community kitchen, computer lab, gymnasium, meeting room and a multipurpose room. What makes the community center most unique, however, is the fact that it houses tenants who provide additional services for the community.
If you have any questions regarding the city of Minneapolis, the Phillips Community, or if you would like to sell or buy a house in the area, please feel free to visit Twin Cities Property Finder or call 1-800-909-1953.
