Frequently  Asked   Questions

 
​What is the Midtown Neighborhood Association?
The Midtown Neighborhood Association is a group of neighborhood residents, business owners, and property owners working together to protect the quality of life in Midtown. MNA was formed in 1991 by Karen Jacques and other residents who were passionate about maintaining the quality in life in Midtown. MNA went through a hiatus for about a year, and it reactivated in December 2015.
 
What are MNA’s geographical boundaries?
J Street to the north, R Street to the south, 15th Street to west, and 29th Street to the east.
 
What is required to become an MNA member?
Members must be a resident, property owner, or business within MNA’s boundaries and be interested in neighborhood improvement.
 
What is MNA’s mission?
Our mission is to nurture our livable, vibrant, and evolving Midtown community through respectful collaboration among all classes, identities, and cultures.
 
What is MNA’s vision?
Our vision is to make Midtown Sacramento the most healthy, inclusive, and sustainable mixed-use community in America.
 
What is MNA doing to achieve its vision?
MNA is working to build a strong sense of community by building partnerships between residents, businesses, community service providers, law enforcement, city staff and elected officials. We believe that before we can accomplish anything, we have to get to know each other, respect each other and understand each other.

We work to engage in respectful conversations that find balanced solutions that work for everyone. We believe that all relationships begin by talking, listening, learning, and seeking to understand and to be understood. We work closely with the Midtown Business Association, Sacramento Police Department, other neighborhood associations, City Council and all levels of City government. MNA believes in working through challenges before they become problems.

MNA also works to make sure neighbors are informed of what’s going on in the neighborhood. We try to share as much information as we can through MNA board and general membership meetings, social media, email blasts, community meetings, and social events.

What are MNA's values?
Our values are respect, interdependence, diversity and sustainability.

What are MNA’s priorities?
MNA’s priorities are to grow membership and a strong sense of community, build strong community partnerships, act as an information liaison between the community and our partners, and work with our partners to create a vibrant community for everyone.
 
What about competing interests?
MNA believes that there are no competing interests. If we step back and look at the big picture, all of the “interests” want the same thing: a clean and safe neighborhood where they can thrive. Residents want their streets and places they live and play to be clean and safe. If they don’t feel safe, they are likely to move. Businesses and community service providers also want a clean, safe neighborhood so their businesses can thrive. If their patrons do not feel safe, their businesses suffer and are at risk. And, government and law enforcement and want clean, safe neighborhoods so they can direct resources proactively instead of reactively.

We are interdependent on each other. Most Midtown residents enjoy living in the neighborhood because they can walk or bike to most of their destinations, which include diverse goods, services, arts and culture. Businesses rely on residents as a portion of their sustained customer base and to be the eyes and ears for the neighborhood during the hours the businesses are closed. Without each other, we all lose. But, it takes mutual respect, healthy dialogue and working as partners to find balanced solutions that work for all of us.
 
Are there other things MNA is involved in?
MNA is also a member of the Central City Neighborhoods Alliance and the Sacramento Neighborhood Coalition. The Alliance includes representatives from Sacramento’s Central City neighborhood associations, working together to address concerns that cross neighborhood boundaries, to be a collective voice on issues concerning the Central City, and to host events, such as mayoral forums, that benefit all Central City neighbors.
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What is the difference in board meetings, general meetings, and community meetings and events?
Board meetings are monthly business meetings where the MNA board reports on its activities and votes action on items. Representatives from our Councilmember’s office and the Sacramento Police also provide updates that are relevant to the community. Sometimes we have guests give presentations on projects or services that relate to our neighborhood. These meeting are open to the public.

General meetings are meetings open to the entire membership. They are primarily for information sharing with the community. They are often combined with a social component. These meeting do not include regular business of the board.

Community meetings typically focus on a single topic or theme that requires more time than can be covered during a brief presentation at a board meeting. Examples of these are presentations from city staff on utilities, parking, and homelessness.

Community events are solely for socializing, having fun and meeting other people in the neighborhood. They can include residents, business owners, city staff, and community partners. We often partner with the Midtown Business Association and other community partners on these events.

How can I stay informed of what’s going on?
You can stay informed by checking our website. We also post information on our Facebook page, on Nextdoor, and through email blasts.

How can I get involved?
Fill out our Contact and Interest form to get involved. Membership is $15 per resident or per business.

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