Covering life, work, and play in the Historic Mill District and Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront neighborhoods. Have an opinion, local news or events to share? Contact us.
This short film was produced for Dominium Corporation by Jennifer Kramer. Nice! :)
We learned about a new digital journal, Open Rivers, via a recent edition of the River Current. Open Rivers is produced by the staff at the University of Minnesota’s RiverLife program, and brings community and academic knowledge together to examine issues associated with water, sense of place and urban community and identity.
Open Rivers will gather multiple voices in one place, focusing on issues, ideas and trends that inform how we might collectively think about the future of the Mississippi River, its watershed and the communities that depend on it. It will feature a variety of academic perspectives, as well as insights from scientists, planners and agency staff. It will be a priority to include a diverse range of voices, particularly from native people. You will also see perspectives and reporting on people and places outside the Mississippi watershed; we can and must learn from voices and practices everywhere.
Via a January 19 Minneapolis Park and Rec Board e-newsletter:
At its Jan. 20 meeting, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) of Commissioners will discuss a collaborative process with the City of Minneapolis to jointly plan park development on the Upper Harbor Terminal property in North Minneapolis. At the Jan. 20 meeting -- held at MPRB headquarters, 2117 West River Road -- MPRB staff will present an overview of the planning process to MPRB commissioners.
The easiest way to stay informed on the Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment process is to subscribe to email updates. To subscribe, go to minneapolisparks.org/subscribe and add “Upper Harbor Terminal” to your list of subscriptions, or visit the Upper Harbor Terminal Site project page and enter an email address into the box below “Subscribe to Email Updates.”
Congratulations to Day Block Brewing on thier 2 year anniversary at 1105 Washington Avenue South! They are holding a week long Anniversary celebration from Monday, January 25 - Saturday, January 30.
Day Block Brewing Company to Celebrate 2 Years in Business
Minneapolis, MN, January 19th, 2015—Day Block Brewing will be hosting a Two Year Anniversary party at their property located off Washington Avenue and 11th Avenue in the Downtown Minneapolis Mill District, starting Monday, January 25th. The brewery will host a variety of different events throughout the week, including a Bacon Raffle, Beer Bingo, and live music from Michael Warren Jazz and Trench Size Trio. On Wednesday, January 27th they will host their popular Bands That Brew event, an event which invites local bands to brew local beer. This month will feature local band, Gentlemen’s Anti Temperance League and their special release Double IPA.
Limited free parking will also be available.
About Day Block Brewing
Day Block Brewing opened its doors in January of 2014. A year and a half later, it is a go-to Mill District neighborhood hangout for those who value quality craft beer, a menu with a focus on local ingredients and cutting edge live music several nights a week.
To learn more and see a detailed schedule of events, please visit the Day Block Brewing website or call them at 612.617.7793.
Winter Cycling Congress 2016 Minneapolis Saint Paul
The fourth annual Winter Cycling Congress, Winter Cycling Congress 2016 Minneapolis Saint Paul, is taking place February 2 - 5, 2016, with events in both Minneapolis and St. Paul. It's a three-day professional development event uniting a diverse and international group of people with a shared vision of increasing mass bicycling and walking among people of all ages and abilities through the winter. This will be the first time a US city hosts the event.
The Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour, April 30-May 1, 2016, is accepting nominations at www.MSPHomeTour.com, click on “submit a home” for the option to apply online. Or, request an application by calling Margo Ashmore at 612-867-4874.
For 11 hours, homeowners and contractors open their doors to share ideas with other home enthusiasts, based on their remodeling experience.
Visitors are particularly interested in period-accurate restoration and expansions sensitive to the surroundings. Being on the tour gives homeowners great feedback as well as the incentive to finish those last few projects. If you or someone you know needs more information, contact coordinator Margo Ashmore at mfashmore@aol.com. Organizers want to have visited nominated homes by early February, so inquire “today.” Later nominations will be considered if they help reach tour goals.
Margo Ashmore, CoordinatorMinneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour April 30-May 1, 2016 www.MSPHomeTour.com 612-788-9003 (o) 612-867-4874 (c) 612-788-3299 (f)
(Via a January 13 e-newsletter from the Office of Governor Mark Dayton & Lt. Governor Tina Smith.)
Yesterday, ahead of President Obama’s final State of the Union Address, Politico released its third annual analysis on “The States of our Union.” For the third straight year, Politico ranked Minnesota one of the two strongest states in the nation.
Politico’s annual analysis is based on 15 separate categories that demonstrate the educational attainment, quality of life, and economic health of each of the 50 states. Ranking overall as the 2nd-strongest state in the nation, here is how Minnesota scored in each category, according to Politico.
Annual Per Capita Income – At $31,642, Minnesota’s per capita income is the 10th-highest in the nation. Median household income in Minnesota is $61,481, which is also the 10th-highest in the nation.
Percent Unemployed – At 3.5 percent, Minnesota’s statewide unemployment rate is the 7th-lowest in the nation. But communities of color and some other pockets of Minnesota’s workforce are still experiencing higher levels of unemployment.
Percent Below Poverty Level – Minnesota ranks 8th-lowest for the percent of those living below the poverty level. According to Politico’s analysis, 11.2 percent of Minnesotans are living below the poverty level – which is still far too many Minnesotans.
Homeownership Rate – With 71.7 percent of Minnesotans owning their own homes, Minnesota ranks 2nd in this category.
High School Graduation Rate – Minnesota ranks 2nd, only behind Alaska, for the percent of our students (92.6 percent) who graduate from high school.
Life Expectancy at Birth – Minnesotans live longer than almost anyone else in the country. With a life expectancy of 81.1 at birth, Minnesota ranks 2nd in the nation in this category. Hawaiians live just three months longer, on average, than Minnesotans.
Infant Mortality – Minnesota ranked 15th-lowest in the number of infant deaths per 1,000 births. Read what the Minnesota Department of Health is doing to improve the health of mothers and babies, and reduce the incidence of infant mortality in our state.
Obesity – Roughly 24.8 percent of Minnesotans are considered obese, ranking us the 9th-slimmest state in the nation. Read what the Minnesota Department of Health is doing to prevent and reduce obesity.
Wellbeing – Minnesota has a wellbeing score of 62.8, ranking us 9th in this category.
Average Math Scores in 8th Grade – Minnesota 8th Graders have the 6th-highest math scores in the country.
Average Reading Scores in 8th Grade – Minnesota 8th Graders have the 6th-highest reading scores in the country.
Income Inequality – According to the GINI Index, which measures the income distribution of a state’s residents, Minnesota ranks 13th in the country in income inequality. Given the economic disparities facing Minnesotans of color in particular, Governor Dayton and his administration are working hard to secure economic opportunity for all Minnesotans.
Violent Crime Rate – Minnesotans are the 10th-safest from violent crime, according to Politico’s analysis, and records provided by the FBI.
Jobs in Science, Engineering, and Math – Minnesota has the 7th-highest percentage of our workforce employed in jobs involving science, engineering, and math.
H.L. Mencken’s 1931 Rankings – As a benchmark, Politico lists the rankings of each individual state from a 1931 study by H.L. Mencken and Charles Angoff. According to that study, Minnesota was the 6th-strongest state in the nation in 1931.
LEARN MORE
To learn more about Politico’s analysis, click here.
To read Lt. Governor Smith’s reaction to the State of the Union, click here.
To read AND watch President Obama’s State of the Union Address, click here.
We're looking for a Summer Waking Tours coordinator!
Preserve Minneapolis plans and executes a series of summer walking tours that explore some of the city’s most unique historic places. The Tour Coordinator will be responsible for developing and executing the 2016 program, consisting of 25-27 tours (typically a mix of returning tours and new ones).
For the job description and more details, please click here: 2016 PM Tour Coordinator posting [PDF]
Compensation: This is a contract position, with pay of $6,000
How to apply: Please send resume, letter of interest (maximum 400 words), and list three references to the email address listed below. Include one brief article (maximum 400 words) that you have written; this article shall best represent your written communication skills. Please list past projects that you have executed or supervised, and describe the scope of work and skill needed for these projects.
Send your application to: Peter Sussman, Preserve Minneapolis Tour Committee Chair psussman@preserveminneapolis.org
Open until January 29th, 2016.
The full list of last year's tours is on our website.
United Properties and partner Greystar submitted a new design yesterday for a mixed-use project on the city-owned site in downtown Minneapolis known as the Nicollet Hotel Block.
The project is on the agenda of the City Council's Community Development and Regulatory Services committee scheduled to meet Jan. 5:
- Purchase price: $10.4 million.
- A mixed use tower with at least 30 stories to include a hotel, residential, commercial and/or office uses with a façade, a portion of which includes a mullion pattern reflecting the topography of the Mississippi River.
- Active street-level retail space.
- All parking shall be underground.
- A design to accommodate a skyway crossing Third Street South to connect the Tower to the Hennepin County Central Library (the “Third Street Skyway Bridge”).
- A public plaza including a staircase connecting the plaza to the skyway level and lobby, interactive feature, sidewalk café seating, and an activated year round common space.
- Public artwork in the plaza area mutually acceptable to the City and Developer.
- LEED certification or equivalent for building shell and core and incorporation
of sustainable design features.
We've been looking through our 2015 website and Facebook posts and are overwhelmed with everything that happened in our downtown and riverfront neighborhoods. Construction, new businesses, goodbyes, the river...
Grab a cup of coffee, and let's take a stroll down memory lane!
January
Commuters will lose 5th Street in downtown Minneapolis to Vikings stadium
[Video] Minneapolis After the Lock - Unlocking New Opportunities
Depot hotel owners plan to lose waterpark for more rooms
Check out 60 years of downtown changes in a matter of seconds.
Competition heats up for water power at St. Anthony Falls
Duval's 80-story tower proposal off the table
Spiff up unsightly lots in downtown Minneapolis
George Henry Hotel Project - 300 Washington Avenue North / From January 6 HPC Meeting
Sanctuary Is Now Chef Co-Owned
Charter high school may open downtown
Letter to the Editor / Endorse the St. Anthony Falls Regional Park Master Plan
Minneapolis Parks Foundation Names R.T. Rybak and Liz Hawn to 20-member Board of Directors
Washington Avenue project paves the way for future roads
February
BREAKING: With Riverfront Bike & Ped Trails at Stake, Graco Must Live Up to Its Agreement
Why it's critical to resolve Park Board-Graco dispute
Heavy Hitter Joins Minneapolis Parks Foundation, Move Bodes Well for Riverfront Projects
[Video] Park Board Votes to Take Action Against Graco
Trader Joe's Gets Closer, Thresher Square Plans Unveiled
[Video] MPRB Approves Public "Woonerf" Connecting to the Downtown Riverfront
Mill City Quarter housing project leads the way to a 'woonerf'
The future of Nye's hangs in the balance between preservation and density
Opinion - Downtown East Commons Off to Good Start
VIDEO: Tour the transforming Pillsbury "A" Mill
Residents eye roads as Downtown East Commons takes shape
New Luxury Condo Development, The Portland Tower, now Taking Reservations
Exploring Northeast Minneapolis’ Central Avenue
[Photos] Gold Medal Park to Host Walker Sculptures
Minneapolis riverfront reveals relics of our subterranean history
[Video] Met Council, Feds Agree with Mill City Times Poll - MPRB Is Not Obstructing Southwest LRT
Symphony Hydro Permit for St. Anthony Falls Lock Denied
Streetcars: Are they worth it? Met Council wades in
[Photos] Nicollet Hotel Block to be Developed by United Properties
Developers propose 18-story downtown high-rise
Retracing Kate Noonan's path up and down Nicollet on a fateful day in 1877
Guthrie's new director is lauded as 'huge player on national scene'
Opinion - Defending Minneapolis Parks
March
22 Reasons You Should Never Visit Minneapolis
23 Years of Transformation - Watch the Mill District of Minneapolis transform between 1991 and 2014
New Development Coming to the Mill District at 800 South Washington Avenue
As riverfront booms, officials seek long view at historic mill complex
‘A’ Mill will soon be home to artist community
Graco Inc: Keep your word, don't stop the Minneapolis Riverfront trail
Dreaming of a food marketplace in downtown Minneapolis
Gold Medal Market & Deli is Now Open!
Nicollet Mall makeover must honor street's past and present
Donizetti Opera to be Mill City Summer Opera’s Fourth Season Production
Neighborhood concerns become obstacle to Nye's redevelopment
Goodbye to All That: “A Trip through Newspaperland” at 425 Portland Avenue
Downtown East betting on stadium momentum
Fortune’s been friendly to Shamrock’s Jim Stanton
Mill City Commons Gives Seniors A Reliable Community
Creative City Challenge Winner Announced
[Video] A New Cable TV Option for Downtown Minneapolis?
15-story complex with 400 condos planned for Mill District
Northeast Minneapolis Named Best Art District
Another Top 10 for Downtown Minneapolis!
Friday Declared Tony Hofstede Day
[Download] More Details on Ritz Block Proposal
April
Poll - Downtown Soccer Stadium: What Should the Minneapolis City Council Do?
Dreams and hopes for the Guthrie as it enters its next stage
[Video] Water Works: A Gateway Park to the Mississippi River
Kudos to Izzy's Ice Cream on being named Best Ice Cream Mpls 2015
MPRB Receives $500,000 Grant for Sheridan Memorial Park
On the east side of downtown Minneapolis, a new wave of development begins
[Video] Major Changes Planned for Pedestrians, Bikes in Downtown East
Think of the Mississippi River as a national park, too
[Video] Why the Lock at St. Anthony Falls is Closing - Rowers Attacked By Flying Asian Carp
Hennepin County Board Adopts Updated Bicycle Plan
David Frank Named New Director of City of Minneapolis Economic Policy and Development
May
City of Minneapolis Receives Three Proposals for 800 South Washington Avenue
Guthrie's Joe Dowling takes a final curtain call at theater he reinvented
Opening Day at the 2015 Mill City Farmers Market
Detailed plans for new downtown park unveiled
Mortenson eyes key parcel next to Surdyk's in northeast Minneapolis for mixed-use project
Downtown Commons: An Extraordinary Opportunity
There’s a pirate ship on the Mississippi River heading for the Twin Cities
Pillsbury Sign Restoration Complete, to be Re-installed this Summer
Northern Spark 2015 Partner Projects Spotlight: Mill City Museum
Ground Is Broken and Construction Begins on Ecumen’s Abiitan Mill City in Downtown Minneapolis
Between Whole Foods and the Fed, a plan for homes on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis
Minneapolis and Saint Paul Tie for First Place on The Trust for Public Land’s 2015 ParkScore® Index
Streetscapes: Ghost signs reveal past almost imperceptibly
8 Geniuses We Can Be Proud To Call Minnesotan
Vertical villages are changing the concept of neighborhood
Ryan Companies propose Radisson Red hotel near Vikings stadium
Evolving plans for the 'Commons' park in Minneapolis aren't commonplace
137 years ago - Washburn A Mill Explosion
June
Before the Mill District / Native American History on the Riverfront
Downtown East's new park has a design; still needs money
American Academy of Neurology Bike Helmet Giveaway at the Mill City Farmers Market
You can say this for ‘The Commons’ downtown park: It has a lot going on
Design unveiled for Downtown East Commons park; $22 million must be raised
No martinis here: An alligator lunch with Minneapolis Council Member Jacob Frey
The unlocking of Upper St. Anthony Falls. Will a view restaurant or whitewater park come next?
Judge grants condemnation for Graco easement
Minneapolis park board approves Graco easement for trail access
Northern Spark 2015 Celebrates Creativity with All-Night Art Party [Video]
Video: Backyard on the Mississippi
Under the Franklin Ave Bridge - Our History to Be Demolished Yet Again?
June: Someone sneaked into new Vikings stadium at night for photos
Lennar Multifamily plans 20-story tower on Superior Plating site
How about a wilder river? Imagine this Mississippi
Mill District real-estate agent Cynthia Froid is rolling on the river
Mpls. 'tied houses' fought for local beer long before taprooms
Woonerfs: rethinking a public realm for bicyclists, pedestrians and cars
Artists chosen for Nicollet Mall public art commissions
Sale of downtown Mpls. condo fetches a record $1,200 per square foot
[Video] Upper St. Anthony lock closing after half a century; blame the carp
Buyer emerges for Hubert's, the sports bar neighbor of the Metrodome
Mortenson closes on Hennepin site for AC Hotel by Marriott
Under the Franklin Ave Bridge - Our History to Be Demolished Yet Again?
July
Funny Money! Theater of Public Policy to Enlighten-up the Conversation About Funding for Parks
Cynthia Froid Group Treats the Neighborhood to an Izzy's Ice Cream Social
Iconic North Star Blankets Signs Taken Down July 8
Valspar Foundation Provides $65,000 to Support Minneapolis Mill District
Chapter Two of the Crown Roller Mill Story
Update on the A-Mill Artist Lofts Hydroelectric Project
West River Parkway Mudslide and Franklin Avenue Bridge Repair Update
Latitude 45 restaurant will open Sept. 22
National Park Service explores canoe-sharing service along Mississippi
American Public Media Cancels Wits
Neon no more: Minneapolis looks at redo for City Hall clocks
North Loop's historic Jackson Building to become Hewing Hotel
Minneapolis ordinance change clears way for boutique hotel over Restaurant Alma
[Video] North Star signs get facelifts
A river’s story, in sixty seconds or less
Nicollet Mall Project begins today
Slave earned her freedom in a fledgling Minnesota
August
A Champion of the Mill District
[Video] Huge crowd for 2015 Mill District National Night Out Party
Giant Bob Dylan mural takes shape in Minneapolis
Minneapolis' emerging Bob Dylan mural: the back story
Pay-by-phone parking comes to Mpls. downtown, North Loop
Congratulations to the 6th Annual MDID Greening & Public Realm Awards Winners
Proposal for turbines at St. Anthony Falls is already generating plenty of opposition
Latitude 45 restaurant will open Sept. 22
Zen Box Izakaya Ramen Attack! Returns September 27
Minneapolis city staff recommends selling highly visible Mill District site to Mortenson
Minneapolis Parks Leads Way in Regional Park Visits
Start the Weekend With a DMNA-sponsored Yoga Classes at Gold Medal Park
Opening Saturday: Askov Finlayson's flagship North Loop store (Photos)
Mortenson releases images of 28-story high-rise in Northeast
Minneapolis is taking welcome steps toward greener downtown streets
Be Heard: Weigh In on Downtown Parks & Public Spaces
City, companies pledge $7 million to make Commons more than a plot of grass
Action Alert / Save the Falls - Stop Crown Hydro
Activists bare their chests for annual 'Go Topless' event in Minneapolis park
[Photo] 1857 - Minneapolis from the Corner of 2nd Avenue S & Washington Avenue
Developer plans 'brewtel,' headquarters in Elliot Park
'Iconic' tower proposed for northeast Minneapolis
Streetscapes: Great design part of the Minneapolis landscape
September
[Video] Lisa Goodman - City Council Sept 11 2015 - Downtown East Commons
Go-To cards can now be used for both transit and car sharing
Movie Night at Gold Medal Park
1st Look - First sculpture installed at Gold Medal Park
Arctic Cat relocating corporate headquarters to Minneapolis' North Loop
Gold Medal Park to Host Walker Sculptures
1st Sculpture installed at Gold Medal Park "Prophecy of the Ancients" by Brower Hatcher
New plan emerges for Nye's Polonaise site, with a smaller apartment complex
The Drive: Safety is behind Washington Avenue redo
[Photo] 1936 - Luce Line Railroad Depot
After 130 years, Gardner Hardware closes
[Video] Frey Calls for Action on Downtown Violence
[Photo] 1920-1930 the Stone Arch Bridge Seen From Water Level on the Upstream Side
Crown Hydro seeks new site for Minneapolis hydro project
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Adopts Water Works Concept Design
[Photo] 1880-90 St. Anthony Falls and Mississippi River with Exposition Building in Background
3rd Avenue Bridge: Built (in 1918) not to be seen but to showcase the Falls of St. Anthony
Mill City High charter school in Minneapolis shuts down due to low enrollment
October
Our West Bank Human Landmark Has Left Us
[Video] The Jewel of Minneapolis - Mississippi River Gorge
[Photo] 1886 - Artist rendering of the Minneapolis Riverfront
East Downtown Council Has Concerns re: Working Families Proposal
Opinion | Working Families Agenda: Dumb Proposal, Good Decision
[Photo] 1970 – Kids on the Stone Arch Bridge
[Photo] Pillsbury A Mill Clouds at Sunset
New Photography Exhibit, ‘Downtown: Minneapolis in the 1970s,’ Opens at Mill City Museum
Breaking: Pillsbury Sign Installation to Begin Next Monday
[Photo] Pillsbury Sign Installation from Reader Tom Carrier
Photos from the Mississippi Minute Film Festival
New FMR Film About Our Local National Park — Watch the Trailer and Sign Up for the Premiere!
J. D. Steele to Lead New Downtown Choir
Signs of the time: Why we spend big bucks to save old ads
Alatus offers glimpse of 40-story tower
Restaurant, retailer planned for revamped Sex World building
It's Official - Trader Joe's coming to Downtown! First reported by Mill City Times
Minneapolis shifts downtown plan from Avenue of Arts to green corridor
Hewing Hotel in historic Jackson Building gets financed by U.S. Bank
[Photo] 1958 - Minnesota Centennial Train
November
Soap Factory to go on hiatus at end of December
Ryan unveils plans for new corporate office building in Downtown East
Park commissioners take step to demolish Fuji-Ya building
Mississippi East Bank Trail Update from MPRB
New Hotel Will Help Reverse "Urban Renewal" on Washington Ave.
Downtown Minneapolis neighborhood has hot, new hangout at Eastside
GQ Names North Loop Clothier One Of America's Best Independent Stores
In parks, photogs need license to click
Poll - Taking Photos on the Stone Arch Bridge
[Photo] Pillsbury Sign Re-Lit for 1st Time
[Photo] 1857 Minneapolis from 2nd Avenue S Looking Toward Bridge Square
Group of North Loop residents opposes new 10-story building
Holidazzle Unveils Schedule, New Look for Upcoming Season, And More
[Photo] 1854 – Rare Photo, Hennepin Island from Main Street St Anthony
10-level hotel planned near U.S. Bank Stadium
Poll - What do you think of the Vikings "Legacy Ship"
3 Reasons to Love the Mill District
[Photo] 1908 | Minneapolis Post Office
[Photo] 1860's | East Channel, St. Anthony Falls
Let there be light! The Pillsbury sign lights up the Minneapolis Riverfront again.
December
Ryan to Build New HQ Building in the Mill District/Downtown East Neighborhood
Minneapolis Can Call Itself the Mill City Again
Rustica founder proofs mill, bakery concept for Food Building
Vikings will help pay for park near new stadium
West River Parkway Will Remain Closed Until Fall 2016
North Loop's Origami will close after 26 years
Water Works Update: Architectural Firm Hired to Help Guide Selective Demolition of Fuji-Ya building
Nye’s site developer ponders next step after HPC attaches strings
United Properties announces new apartment development partner for Nicollet Hotel block
The 278 Story Parking Ramp Downtown Minneapolis Would Need Without Transit
Consultant issues recommendations to improve vibrancy, safety of Warehouse District
Rebuilding an island in Minneapolis proves expensive, complex
Minneapolis again asks state to help repair bridge
After a century, Gardner Hardware building could get facelift
Streetscapes: A new year's wish list for downtown Minneapolis
Wilde Roast Café to offer livable wage, paid safe and sick time
North Loop loft brings the farm to the city
The Draft Horse opens this weekend in Northeast
The Sheridan Room opens in former Modern Cafe space
Misfit Coffee Co. is moving in with Izzy's this winter
Near the new Vikings stadium, another hotel is being planned
Is Minneapolis doing enough to make the city pedestrian friendly?
United Properties taps big partner for Nicollet Hotel Block project
[Photos] Historic North Star Signs Re-Lit
I'm sure a lot of people can relate to this - you buy a spendy pair of shoes or boots that quickly become a favorite, only to have the heels wear down quickly (or some other issue that makes you put them on the shelf).
That recently happened to me, so I did a Google search for "shoe repair Minneapolis" and found Fast Eddie's, 1316 SE 4th Street in Dinkytown.
The owner is Jim, who apprenticed under Fast Eddie for 15 years prior to Eddie's retirement at age 85. Jim is a genuinely sweet guy who does excellent work.
If you have footwear collecting dust because they've lost their luster, but you don't want to part with them, I highly recommend taking them to Fast Eddie's. :)
Via a December 28 Hennepin County e-newsletter:
During winter storms, you may have see one of our big orange trucks with the blue H on the door. Hennepin County plow drivers responsible for more than 2,200 lane miles we are responsible for maintaining. Keeping Hennepin County roads safe during the winter is our priority.
Here's a little more background on our snow and ice removal work:
Plowing and de-icing
Crews head out from five stations across the county -- in Medina, Bloomington, Minnetonka, Orono and Osseo. There are 66 routes.
•The first shift may start as early as 2 a.m. This allows the drivers to plow and treat with de-icing materials before traffic gets heavy.
•The primary goal is to make all travel lanes passable.
•Routes take approximately five hours to complete. Drivers continue their work until their shift is complete.
Keep in mind that traffic volume affects snow plowing operations. When traffic congestion exists, plowing takes longer. When traffic volume is high, melting/removal may take longer.
Post storm clean up
Post storm clean up begins on the first regularly scheduled shift after a storm.
Clean up includes:
•Deicing and removing compacted snow and ice from the pavement.
•"Winging” on roadsides to create additional space for snow storage.
•Removing snow from bridge sidewalks and approaches, as well as from obstacles (e.g. guardrails and bollards).
Be safe
You have a role to play, too.
•Plan ahead for snow days – give yourself extra time.
•Know the road.
•Be patient – slow down and give plows room to work.
•Never use cruise control.
Remember, just because a road is plowed, doesn’t mean it’s okay to speed up. The de-icing materials crews on the road need time to work.
This information and additional detail can be found at www.hennepin.us/plowing.
From a December 28 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board e-newsletter:
MPRB’s snow removal procedures
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) crews have been working to remove the snow that fell throughout the park system this weekend.
After each accumulating snowfall of at least two inches, MPRB maintenance crews work to safely remove snow from parkway trails, parking lots and countless sidewalks.
The MPRB will clear snow in the following order of priority:
1. Parking lots
2. Perimeter sidewalks
3. Interior pathways (51 miles of Grand Rounds bike trails are cleared for shared use by cyclists and pedestrians)
4. Ice rinks (when open – visit www.minneapolisparks.org/rinks for rink statuses)
Parkways will be cleared of snow by the City of Minneapolis. For information about snow emergency parking rules and routes for city streets and parkways, visit www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/snow.
Every effort is made to have snow removed throughout the Minneapolis Park System within 24 hours after the end of a snowfall. Please note that in the event of blizzard conditions, snow removal timelines may be delayed. Patience and understanding in these circumstances is appreciated.
To report an area within the Minneapolis Park System that needs snow removal attention, please email maintenance@minneapolisparks.org or call Customer Service at 612-230-6400 between 8 am¬–4:30 pm, Monday–Friday.
Details on the project that will transform 3rd Ave S in Downtown Minneapolis
Project Type:
Protected bikeway and landscaping improvements
3rd Avenue S Redesign Info Sheet
3rd Avenue S Streetscape Opportunity Plan
Project Location:
3rd Avenue S from 1st Street S to 16th Street E
Construction Start Date:
2016
Duration of Construction:
One to two construction seasons
Traffic Impact:
TBD
Contact: Matthew Dyrdahl 612-673-3642
Project Updates:
Join Brenda, Tim and the staff at Spoonriver to celebrate the New Year!
Wim Wenders: Portraits Along the Road
Wim Wenders is cinema’s preeminent poet of the open road, soulfully following the journeys of people as they search for themselves. During his over-forty-year career, Wenders has directed films in his native Germany and around the globe, making dramas both intense and whimsical, mysteries, fantasies, and documentaries. With this abbreviated retrospective of seven of his films—from early works of the New German Cinema (Alice in the Cities, Kings of the Road) to one of the art-house 1980s blockbuster that made him a household name (Paris, Texas) to the inquisitive nonfiction look at world culture (Buena Vista Social Club) — audiences can rediscover Wenders’s vast cinematic world.
Also, see Wim Wenders’ newest narrative feature Every Thing Will Be Fine, starring James Franco and Charlotte Gainsbourg, screening January 8-14.
Schedule:
December 17
7:00pm – Buena Vista Social Club
January 15
7:30pm – Paris, Texas
January 16
1:30pm – Alice in the Cities
4:30pm – Wrong Move
7:30pm – Kings of the Road
January 17
1:30pm – Until the End of the World (Director’s Cut)
7:30pm – The American Friend
Join Council Member Frey for his 2nd annual State of the Ward Address and Third aWards. Awards of the year will be given for Leader, Local Business, Neighborhood Project/Initiative, and Youth Leader.
“The Third aWards are a chance to acknowledge our amazing residents and small business owners that help make the Third Ward a dynamic place,” said Council Member Jacob Frey.
Individuals interested in making a nomination should write a brief description of the accomplishments that deserve recognition. Please submit Third aWards nominations to heidi.ritchie@minneapolismn.gov, fax (612-673-3940) or by mail to Council Member Jacob Frey, 350 South 5th Street, Room 307, Minneapolis, MN 55415 by Wednesday, January 27, 2016.
The State of the Ward and Third aWards will take place Wednesday, February 3, 2016 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Minneapolis Event Center, 212 2nd Street SE. Please R.S.V.P early by calling 612-673-3126 or emailing zack.farley@minneapolismn.gov.
Miller Lite is partnering with Metro Transit and J.J. Taylor Distributing to provide free and safe transportation for Twin Cities residents and visitors on New Year’s Eve. Free rides are available on all Metro Transit bus, light rail, and commuter rail routes beginning at 6:00pm December 31, until the end of regular service. This is the fifth year Miller Lite is providing the safe ride service for residents of the Twin Cities, in partnership with Metro Transit.
Riders can access specific route information by visiting MillerLiteFreeRides.com.
Beth Dooley and Mette Nielsen signed copies of The Birchwood Cafe Cookbook and In Winter's Kitchen at the December 19 Mill City Farmers Market inside the Mill City Museum.
Spectacular eggs from Women's Environmental Institute (WEI).
The musical stylings of Michael Keyes and Nick Jordan.
The goat!
Mill City Times | 35W Bridge Memorial | Mill District Block Party | Mill City Media
Sunday, January 24, 2016 at 7:56AM