The premise of this project is to investigate the current relationship of downtown Minneapolis to the surrounding urban sprawl. From the expansion of the freeway and its connection to these areas, the city is a hub for Minnesota’s populous. Some of the communities on the edge of this expansion have been affected positively and negatively. Some areas thrive on the convenience for access, while others are neglected by surrounding freeways. The communities that are neglected have become an outcast to the city and a center for crime and drugs. This project’s goal is to investigate how and why these depressed communities have become what they are today, and how an uplift on one of these communities can in turn positively affect the social resilience and succession of the immediate area, as well as the city of Minneapolis. By finding a site that can connect to many of the city’s existing amenities, and by establishing a complete pedestrian friendly transportation system, this community can become holistic with a new identity that will promote smart growth for future residents. Keywords: Urban Design, Community Planning, Minneapolis, Storm water management.