Fulton is a tree-lined neighborhood of unique, older, mainly single-family residential homes located on the southwest edge of Minneapolis. It is named after Robert Fulton Elementary School, a Minneapolis Public School built in 1915 and located near the center of the neighborhood. The Fulton Neighborhood encompasses approximately 108 square blocks and is bounded by 47th Street and Lake Harriet on the north, 54th Street on the south, Penn Avenue on the east and France Avenue on the west.
The 1990 U.S. Census counted 5,988 people living in the neighborhood in 2,620 separate households. This was 10 percent fewer people than in 1980. The majority of our residents are of european-american descent (97 percent) and are adults between the ages of 25 to 44 years old (44 percent), with the next largest age group (17 percent) between the ages of 45 to 64 years. Another 11 percent of the neighborhood population is over age 65. However, young people are also an important part of the community. Nearly a quarter of Fulton residents (24 percent) are youth under the age of 19 years; and in 1990, 41.8 percent of Fulton households had children under 18 years of age living at home. Less than one-half percent of Fulton families have incomes below the poverty level, compared to 14.1 percent city-wide.
Fulton’s housing stock is primarily comprised of single-family homes (93.7 percent) occupied by their owners (93.8 percent). Only three percent of neighborhood structures have been built since 1960. Most (83.9 percent) were built between 1920 and 1960; while many (13.1 percent) were built prior to 1920. Even though neighborhood structures are older, they are in good condition, with only 73 (three percent) in substandard condition in 1992.
The neighborhood boasts three vibrant business districts along West 50th Street, its main east-west arterial corridor. These are the 50th and Penn business district, Fulton Corners (50th and Xerxes) and the 50th and France business district. The business district at 54th and Penn Avenue is also partially within the neighborhood. The business districts provide wonderful destinations and services for the neighborhood but also pose concerns about parking, traffic and business expansion into traditionally residential areas. S. Penn Avenue, S. Xerxes Avenue and S. France Avenue are the three north/south arterial roadways running through the neighborhood.
Recreational facilities are provided at Pershing Park, with its park house and Southwest Secondary School athletic field. Fulton residents have easy access to the chain of lakes via Lake Harriet on the northeast corner of the neighborhood. Minnehaha Creek is located on the southeast border of the neighborhood.
Fulton is a relatively safe neighborhood in which to live and do business. In 1993 there were 15.7 major crimes reported per 1000 persons, less than half that of the city-wide rate of 38.9.
Fulton Neighborhood Association (FNA) is a volunteer organization dedicated to the following:
· encouraging and supporting community involvement in the Fulton neighborhood.
· improving the residential, educational, and economic status of the community.
· functioning as a non-partisan, non-sectarian community action group keeping residents informed of proposals that affect the neighborhood.
· coordinating and publicizing activities in the community.
· facilitating needed programs and projects in the interest of neighborhood betterment.
· representing the Fulton neighborhood before city boards, commissions, and other governmental entities as needed.
All neighborhood residents, businesses, and institutions are invited to participate in the activities of the association. Regular meetings of the board of directors of the Fulton Neighborhood Association are scheduled for 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at Pershing Park, Chowen Avenue at West 48th Street. For more information, leave a message on the Fulton Neighborhood Line, (612) 922-3106, or write to FNA at Pershing Park, 3523 W. 48th Street, Minneapolis, 55410.
The following committees can be contacted by calling the Fulton Neighborhood Line at (612) 922-3106.
The Fulton NRP Implementation Committee is responsible for carrying out the Neighborhood Action Plan and overseeing the planning process for Phase II of NRP. The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Pershing Park.
The Zoning Committee meets, when necessary, on the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at Pershing Park.
The Safety Committee publishes a free monthly newsletter, sponsors projects, and meets on the last Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.
The Newsletter Committee publishes the neighborhood news on a bimonthly schedule.
The Fulton Transportation Committee plans and implements street-related projects in Fulton.
The Clean Sweep Committee organizes a special trash pickup every summer.
The Fulton Environment Committee organizes activities to protect our environment.
The Fulton Garden Club meets monthly for gardening-related information and plans service projects. Contact Lynn King at (612) 922-5536.
The Southwest Area Roundtable discussion group meets on the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at Pershing Park.
The Fulton Business Association meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at
Dunn Bros., 5008 Xerxes. Contact Karen Rumpza at (612) 925-2454.
The 50th and France Business and Professional Association meets monthly. Contact the association at (952) 922-1524.