Frequently asked questions

What is Mill City Commons?

Mill City Commons is a nonprofit membership organization founded by a group of residents who live in the old milling district along Minneapolis’ Mississippi riverfront. We are committed to build community and meet the lifelong health and lifestyle needs and desires of our members.

Why Mill City Commons?

Mill City Commons is a membership-focused organization that adds value to the lives of its members by creating a vital, inter-connected neighborhood community. Through our programs and services, we help our members live healthy, meaningful lives for as long as they choose to live in our vigorous, intergenerational, urban neighborhood.

Where is Mill City Commons?

The boundaries of Mill City Commons are broadly defined to include an area that stretches from 35W to Hennepin Ave. and from Washington Ave. to Fourth St. SE, including all of Nicollet Island. However, membership in Mill City Commons is not limited to residents living within these boundaries.

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What does Mill City Commons offer?

As a member of Mill City Commons, you access a wide range of services, programs and events. We open a world of possibilities for our members through prorgams and services ranging from vetted service providers (technicians, tele-communications, etc.) and trades (plumbers, electricians, etc.) to professional services (transportation, healthcare, etc.) and member-sponsored programs, seminars and events (health and wellness, education, theater, bridge, etc.) In addition, our friendly, helpful staff is attentive to members’ needs and desires. We are vigilant, actively soliciting feedback and relying on our membership to refine existing programs and to initiate new ones.

How much are the annual membership dues?

Single membership: $750

Couple/Household: $950
 

Why isn’t the single membership fee half that for couples?

Membership fees are based on household services usage. Experience proves that the typical single member uses at least as many services as a couple, sometimes more, often because there isn’t an additional pair of hands to help around the home.

Is there an age requirement for membership?

No. Mill City Commons membership is not restricted by age.

What is included in my annual membership fee?

  • Member-Focused Interest Groups that are developed from membership requests and are tailored to meet members’ interests and desires (from theater and museum groups to crafts and exercise)
  • Preferred Vendors List that offers members “one stop shopping” for a variety of needs – from a plumber for the leaky faucet and a techie to set up wireless internet connection to dog walkers and caterers
  • Social, cultural and educational programs, both no-cost and nominally fee-based, these regularly scheduled programs run the gamut of opportunities offered throughout the Twin Cities (from cocktails before the theater and continuing education at the University to docent-led museum tours and picnics in the park)
  • Volunteer opportunities that serve both members (our Members-Helping-Members program and the greater community)
  • In-home telephone calls for those who appreciate a daily check-in  
  • Facilitated access to our preferred home health care provider, AgeWell Home Care
  • Members-Helping-Members Program, where members volunteer to help members with a variety of needs – daily, weekly or monthly
  • Common Dining Tables & Member Happy Hours with members gathering at neighborhood restaurants or bars – Dutch treat!
  • Annual Members-Only Celebration that serves as both an “annual meeting” for the Board to celebrate achievements and preview opportunities and for members to enjoy an evening of delicious food, beverages and conversation
  • Courteous, friendly staff ready to help you take advantage of everything we have to offer – from how to manage your online profile and search for your favorite activities to finding a handyman and developing a new interest group

How does the staff respond to member requests?

As a member, you may communicate a request to our staff through email, standard mail, telephone or face-to-face conversation. The nature of your request (for example, for a service provider, Members-Helping-Members assistance, membership questions, event details) determines the response. And, whatever your request may be, our staff response is timely and thorough.

How are service requests fulfilled?

Staff members evaluate the request and determine the most appropriate resource to meet your needs, which may be the services of a member volunteer or the work of one of the commercial or professional service providers on our vendors list. All vendors are vetted by Mill City Commons and may provide discounted fees for our members.

What if I need help with a particular service that is not listed?

Contact your Mill City Commons staff. We’re here to help!

What “in-home” advantages does Mill City Commons offer condominium dwellers?

The in-home services are a benefit to all Mill City Commons members. Our preferred Vendors List includes handymen and both commercial and professional services not typical of most condo associations. You can maintain and improve your home, economically and without sacrificing quality, with our list of vendors – from replacing plumbing fixtures, retiling a bathroom floor or installing a shelving unit to replacing an electrical outlet, repainting a high-ceilinged room or installing bathroom tiles.
 

Does Mill City Commons have relationships with health care providers?

Yes. AgeWell Home Care is our preferred home health care provider, selected by Mill City Commons through a competitive process.  AgeWell provides our members with discounted services, flexibility with the minimum number of hours, a single point of contact, special programming, and education on health topics. In addition, AgeWell assists our members who are seeking care for their loved ones who live outside the Mill City Commons area. 

We also have relationships with two new neighborhood clinics: Mill City Clinic and North Memorial Clinic – Northeast Family Physicians.

I am in great health and younger middle age. What’s my incentive to join?

Mill City Commons offers services and programs to enrich life now and help you meet current challenges and proactively plan for the future. Our members enjoy vital social, cultural and educational programs in the neighborhood as well as access to services that remove the hassle from life, regardless of your age. Our mission is to enhance the lifestyle of all members, which allows you to work with our staff to design programs, interest groups and social events that are meaningful for you today so that these will continue to enrich your life tomorrow.

In addition, at any age, changes in health can be both sudden and dramatic. By becoming an active member of Mill City Commons today, you will have a trusted, familiar community to help you deal with an illness or recovery from surgery.

May I purchase a membership for my parents?

Yes. Gift memberships are available and are a thoughtful way to show someone you love that you care deeply about their wellbeing. Membership is all about choice, and as members of Mill City Commons, the recipients of your gift may take advantage of as many membership benefits as they choose. A membership also provides peace of mind – for you and for them.

What if I'd like assistance arranging services that involve a fee?

We encourage our members to review the directory of vendors to schedule services; however, if you would like Mill City Commons to coordinate service details for you, simply contact our staff and make your request.
 

Should assisted living or a nursing facility be required, what does Mill City Commons offer?

Besides being a trusted service provider and offering a network of friends to support you, Mill City Commons and its preferred health care provider AgeWell are happy to help you and your family navigate this next step if and when it is needed.
 

NEWS AND EVENTS!

2010 Activities Announced: We are pleased to launch a number of new, member inspired activities in 2010- from complimentary technology assistance to continuing education classes. Click here to learn more! 
 
Age: Wide Angle Lecture Series: Mill City Commons and the Library Foundation of Hennepin County are pleased to present a new innovative lecture series offering fresh perspectives on the topic of age and aging by prominent local arts leaders. Click here for details! 
 
Calling all MCC members, preferred vendors and partners: we want to hear from you!
Mill City Commons now provides the opportunity for you to share your MCC experience. Click here to tell us about it!
 
Mill City Commons Featured in Local and National Publications! To read the article on Mill City Commons Member Lloyd Beebe featured in the RiverWest newsletter click here. To read a report entitled "The State of Technology in Aging Services in Minnesota" highlighting Mill City Commons' use of technology click here. The report is nationally distributed by the Center for Aging Services Technologies.
 

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MEMBER BENEFITS

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© 2009 All rights reserved

Mill City Commons 117 Portland Ave., # 213 Minneapolis, MN 55401 (mail only) 
T: 612.455.3329 Email: info [at] millcitycommons [dot] org