Central Corridor LRT (Green Line) Update

Excerpt from a May 22 Metropolitan Council e-newsletter:

The first time a light rail vehicle (LRV) appeared on the Central Corridor LRT (Green Line) was April 28. A railcar mover towed the LRV from Minneapolis to St. Paul to verify width clearances between the sides of the vehicle and catenary poles and wayside equipment. The railcar mover was used because crews are still installing the overhead wires that will power the trains.
 
Once the installation of wires is complete, test runs will begin this fall. The outcome will determine the line’s opening date in mid-2014.

Below, LRV being towed to West Bank Station.

The Central Corridor links five major centers of activity in the Twin Cities region: downtown Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota, the Midway area, the State Capitol complex and downtown St. Paul. These areas currently contain almost 280,000 jobs. By 2030, this number is expected to grow to 345,000 jobs.

When it enters service in 2014, the Central Corridor LRT Project will be known as the Green Line.

Register Your Bicycle with the Minneapolis Police Department

Every year, thousands of bikes are lost or stolen in Minneapolis.

Many are recovered, but due to a lack of proper identification, only a small percentage are ever returned to their owners.

The Minneapolis Police Department has created an easy, on-line way to register your bicycle.  Using this link below, enter your contact information, bike serial number, and the bike make and model.  In the event your bike is lost or stolen, and subsequently recovered by the MPD, other agencies or city departments, they'll be able to return it to you quickly.

How?
•  Register online any time.
•  Call 311--be sure to have your bike’s serial number ready.
•  311’s app: minneapolismn.gov/311  to register using your smart phone.

Why?
 •  It could increase the chances of a stolen or lost bike being returned to the rightful owner--recovered bikes can be checked against our registered bikes database.
 •  It’s FREE
 •  It’s easy—just a few minutes!
 •  Registration could assist in identifying incapacitated riders without IDs.

Questions?  Contact:

Luther Krueger, Crime Prevention Analyst
Minneapolis Police Dept., Strategic Information/Crime Analysis Division
350 S. 5th Street, Room 100 City Hall + Minneapolis MN 55415
612-673-5371 + Luther.Krueger@MinneapolisMN.gov

There's Still Time to Register for Summer Camps at MacPhail Center for Music

Join MacPhail Center for Music this summer at one of the many camps being offered:

Early Childhood Music Camps:

• Pop, Sizzle Bang! for ages 3- 5 years, June 24-2727 and July 8-11, MacPhail Minneapolis

• Animals on Parade for ages 4-6 years, June 10-14 at MacPhail Minneapolis and  July 15-18 at Silverwood Park

Kids Rock for age 10-13, July 8-12, Registration deadline June 14, final performance at the Nomad World Pub

Rock Week for ages 13-18, July 22-26 or Aug. 12-17, Registration deadline: July 6, final performances at First Avenue.

Advanced Piano Camp – NEW for ages 13-18, July 8-12, Registration deadline June 14

Allegro Orchestra Camp for grades 3-12, June 17-21

Copper Street Brass Camp for ages 12-18, August 12-18, Registration deadline Aug. 2

Suzuki Institute for Piano, Guitar and Flute, July 29-Aug. 2, for grades 8-12.

For more information on all of MacPhail Summer Camps or to register, go to: http://www.macphail.org/ or call 612-321-0100.

The Week Ahead in Mill City

Each week we provide an easy to reference list of events and activities for the week ahead in the Historic Mill District and Minneapolis Riverfront Neighborhoods.  Have an event to share?  Submit your events here...

Monday, May 20

• May 20, 2013, Monday - Mill District Neighborhood Association Meeting at Mill City Museum
• May 20, 2013, Monday - Unveiling the 2013 Minneapolis Creative Vitality Index at Central Library

Tuesday, May 21

• May 21, 2013, Tuesday - Sound On-Site at The Soap Factory
• May 21, 2013, Tuesday - Paradise Cruises Spring Open House
• May 21, 2013, Tuesday - Lynne M. Jackson: The Dred Scott Decision at Central Library

Wednesday, May 22

• May 22, 2013, Wednesday - Happy Hour with a Preservationist: Anson Strong Brooks Mansion on Park Avenue
• May 22, 2013, Wednesday - Mentor Series Reading: David Small at The Loft
• May 22, 2013, Wednesday - Public Information Meeting for New Vikings Stadium
• May 22, 2013, Wednesday - Minneapolis Park and Rec Board Meeting

Thursday, May 23

• May 23, 2013, Thursday - Groundbrea​king Ceremony for Sheridan Veterans Memorial
• May 23, 2013, Thursday - Ten Thousand Things' Street Car Named Desire at Open Book (4 nights)

Friday, May 24

• May 24, 2013, Friday - Live Music at Crooked Pint
• May 24, 2013, Friday - Live Music at Aster Cafe
• May 24, 2013, Friday - Live Music Friday at Aloft

Saturday, May 25

• May 25, 2013, Saturday - Bluegrass Brunch at Aster Cafe
• May 25, 2013, Saturday - Mill City Farmers Market
• May 25, 2013, Saturday - Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Minneapolis Riverwalk Tour

Sunday, May 19

No events scheduled

Week 2 at the 2013 Mill City Farmers Market

After last year's drought, I didn't think I'd say this, but... "Damn you, rain!" (while shaking a fist at the sky).  Hopefully the next 20+ Saturdays will be sunny and 75 degrees.

Black Cat Natural Foods cooks up a hearty breakfast.

Yee Xiong joined the market this year, offering dried black beans and soy beans.

Positive News on Downtown Crime

Via a May 16, 2013, Minneapolis Police Precinct 1 Inspector's Update email:

A message from Inspector Schafer

All,

Thank you for another great week of hard work and focused enforcement in the First Precinct.  We saw a 37% reduction in Part I Crime and almost  a 19% reduction in Violent Crime.  There are so many significant decreases this week that I am going to only note a few:

• Robbery down 33% - (6)
• Theft down 36% (28) seven of which resulted in an arrest
• Theft from Motor Vehicle was down 80% (3) YES THAT IS 3 INCIDENTS FOR THE ENTIRE PRECINCT; none of which were in the DID
• There were 95 arrests and 150 pro-active stops along the Nicollet Corridor

I could go on and on about the fabulous work going on right now.  Your constant presence along the Mall is noticed and making an impact.  We will stay the course throughout the summer and WILL move the needle on crime and public safety perception.  On another note, I had the opportunity to work with Beat Officer Mercill on the T-3 scooters this past Tuesday.  We stopped a number of people on the Mall, made a few arrests, and even had our pictures taken by a number of new visitors to downtown.  Thank you to the community for partnering with us to bring about an impressive reduction in crime.  I recognize there will be challenges, however I will do my best to help in any way I can. 

Keep up the good work!

Respectfully, 
See it, Own it, Solve it, Do it!
Inspector Bryan D. Schafer | First Precinct |
Minneapolis Police Department | 19  4th Street North |
Minneapolis, MN 55401  | 612.673.2337 office |