Bottineau Citizens In Action (BCIA) was formed in 1990 to work for a better community. It is a neighborhood association whose mission is to reorient the community to the river as a focus for neighborhood planning and for community life.
BCIA prepared the "Bottineau Comprehensive Plan" in 1992, the first neighborhood plan to focus on Mississippi River reclamation as a means to revitalize river neighborhoods. Neighborhood residents approved it as a guide for future planning and a basis for the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) planning. It became part of the award-winning "Conceptual River Corridor Plan" of the Mississippi Corridor Neighborhood Coalition. BCIA completed the Bottineau NRP Comprehensive Action Plan, which residents approved in 1995.
Other accomplishments include: called for demolition of the Fleischmann site after the 1992 explosion; organized the Mississippi Corridor Neighborhood Coalition; received several grants for community improvement, economic development and environmental sustainability projects; successfully worked with state agencies and local businesses to reduce waste and pollution; helped secure additional green space in the neighborhood; organized residents to oppose the Kondirator metal shredder and other inappropriate river development; cited by the Mississippi River Coordinating Commission for advancing river reclamation; and recipient of the Joseph Priley Award for excellence in community beautification from the Minnesota Horticultural Society.
BCIA prepared a comprehensive report in 1998 called the "Fleischmann Site Housing Development Oppotunity." It presents the compelling arguments for a high quality housing development in the Bottineau neighborhood at 17th Avenue and Second Street NE. BCIA is now working with the City to implement housing at the site.