In some ways, the Lincoln Park neighborhood is an experiment of how the city government wants downtown Mankato to work.

In 1992, it was the testing ground for a grant program that gave homeowners up to $25,000 to renovate their homes. The catch really wasn’t one — they just had to stay in the home for 10 years.

It has a robust neighborhood association. It’s been on-again, off-again for several years now, but if its current incarnation catches on, it could receive city assistance through a pilot program.

Drew Campbell, who has been leading that effort with his wife, Dawn, believes the neighborhood is ready to lead.

“Many residents are hopeful, positive about the city stepping up and making some changes,” he said.

Serving as a buffer between downtown and Lincoln Park is South Front Street, an area with homes but also with unique businesses.

Tony Frentz, who owns a home construction business facing Cherry Street, represented the area on the city center renaissance task force.

He took advantage of the above-mentioned program, which chipped in $25,000 to the restoration of his business.

“It makes people kinda stick around,” he said of the clause that forces recipients to stay or pay the money.

He’s been hearing that people want the area to look better, and with the help of a new Cherry Street ramp, building renovations and landscaping efforts, he says that’s happening.

Traffic looms large

Lincoln Park is a long-established neighborhood, so redevelopment isn’t high on the agenda.

Traffic is.

“It’s like a highway out here at some times,” said Campbell, who lives on West Pleasant Street.

A traffic study conducted by a consultant found 30 percent of the traffic on Pleasant is made up of people who don’t live in the area. On Van Brunt Street, that figure is 20 percent.