Pilot City
In 1968, Minneapolis became a “pilot city”--one of only 13 cities nationwide to embark on an exciting new experiment in community services. Pilot City Regional Center—located in north Minneapolis—would bring together services and opportunities usually coordinated through a variety of federal departments and local initiatives. Working with local leaders, the federal government and the City of Minneapolis, the innovative idea was part of President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty program and Minneapolis’ Decision ‘67 city plan. Pilot City would be a one-stop shop for health care, employment assistance, housing services, food assistance, educational programs, and more to address the needs residents of the Northside identified.
Continuing the theme of innovation, Pilot City was governed and implemented by community members. The Technical Advisory Committee to Implement Community Services, Inc. (TACTICS) that oversaw the Pilot City project included representatives from community agencies and elected community members from the Northside.
As the city and the national political climate changed, so did Pilot City. In the 1970s, Hennepin County became a major funding partner of Pilot City. In the 2000s, Pilot City changed its name to NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center. NorthPoint continues to serve our community today.
Materials from the newly expanded NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center Records (M/A 0217) collection. The collection is open for public use in Special Collections. It contains meeting minutes, administrative files, newsletters and publications, newspaper clippings, financial and grant files, building plans, photographs, films, and other materials documenting the activities of Pilot City and NorthPoint. Contact Special Collections to learn more.