Autumn Ridge

Autumn Ridge Apartments is a 17-acre, 366-unit affordable housing complex in Brooklyn Park owned by Sherman Associates. Prior to 2017, there were no stormwater management practices on site. Residents at Autumn Ridge, Sherman Associates, African Career, Education and Resource Inc (ACER), Metro Blooms, and the City of Brooklyn Park have been working together to implement a five-year stormwater retrofit plan for the site. The first two phases of the project led to the installation of 10 raingardens, one pollinator garden, and the removal and replacement of eight ash trees. The third phase will begin in the spring of 2020. Autumn Ridge has been a pilot site for Metro Blooms’ equitable engagement framework, which includes resident-centered design, installation, and training to ensure decision-making power is shared with residents and the knowledge to care and advocate for the project lies within the community. This project improves water quality in Shingle Creek, mitigates localized flooding on site, creates pollinator habitat, enhances livability and provides ongoing education and job training opportunities for residents and management.