University of Minnesota's School of Architecture to Host "Complexity: Dutch and American Housing" Symposium, October 6-8

The symposium "Complexity: Dutch and American Housing" will explore the similarities and differences between the way housing is designed, developed, and constructed in the Netherlands and in the United States, as a way to create new practices. The dialogue is inspired by complex housing, a special form of housing developed in Northern Europe, provides an innovative model that includes:
 
• Moderate to high density
• Mixed income housing
• Dwellings for purchase and for rent
• Three or more housing types
• Mixed use
• Notable architectural design

Extending from the book Complex Housing: Designing for Density, (Routledge, forthcoming 2017) and accompanying the exhibition Dutch Complex Housing (September 2 - Jan 28, 2017), the symposium brings 12-13 presenters from the Netherlands, including architects, developers, residents, urban planners, and politicians to engage in discussions about best housing practices. The book and exhibition introduce the reader and exhibition participant to the background that has led to these projects, and then analyzes eight case studies. They end by presenting the implications of these projects for future design of housing, and the requisites for its replication elsewhere. The symposium supplements these more passive presentations of information by engaging conversations among a variety of people engaged in the creating of housing in the two countries that are directed toward application of the ideas in practice. These discussions, both informal (breaks, meals and receptions) and formal (sessions, tours and salon dinners) will be sparked by morning presentations of the Dutch designs and afternoon tours to exemplary local projects.

The conference will address such questions as how to build equitable housing that: 1) incorporates mixed-income households, 2) includes rental and purchase opportunities, 3) is financed in new ways, and 4) is architecturally innovative and diverse?

Registration Information & Rates

Hennepin County Seeks Feedback on Strategies to Reach Goal of Zero Waste to Landfills

Draft Solid Waste Management Master Plan available for public comment

Hennepin County encourages people to complete a survey and give their feedback on proposed strategies in its draft Solid Waste Management Master Plan. This survey is intended for various stakeholders, including residents and representatives from businesses, cities, haulers and community groups.

The survey, plan and supporting materials are available at www.hennepin.us/solidwasteplanning through October 9. It is anticipated that the county board will consider the plan for approval in November.

Focusing on organics recycling

A primary focus of the plan is diverting organics from the trash. Organics, which include food, food-soiled paper and compostable products, is the biggest opportunity to reduce waste. Waste sort studies continue to show that organics make up the largest proportion of trash: 25 percent.

The county is proposing four key strategies to increase organics diversion:

1. Require cities to provide residents the opportunity to recycle organics by 2022, with a possible exemption for cities with 10,000 residents or fewer.
2. Require businesses that generate large quantities of food waste to implement organics recycling by 2020.
3. Support the expansion of organics recycling in a cost-effective way by increasing local capacity to process organics. Tactics include expanding the county's transfer station in Brooklyn Park to accept more organics; working with private transfer stations to accept organics; and developing additional processing capacity through methods, such as anaerobic digestion, that can produce renewable energy, compost, and fertilizer from organic materials.
4. Expand efforts to prevent wasted food by providing assistance to businesses and schools and educating residents.

Developing the strategies

Earlier this year, the county gathered input on the plan from 1,500 participants through public engagement.

Overall, the county found that people are willing to do their part to expand organics recycling if it is part of a broader effort to make organics available more widely. Many residents consider organics recycling to be important, with 62 percent of residents indicating they would be very likely to participate in organics recycling programs.

Representatives from businesses and business associations found that the approach to the requirements made sense. The requirements were also palatable to representatives from cities and businesses if they were implemented with county guidance and support.  

About the master plan

State statute requires metropolitan counties to prepare master plans every six years that identify strategies to meet the state’s goal of 75 percent of waste recycled and zero waste landfilled by 2030. The county has made steady progress towards this goal and diverted 82 percent of waste from landfills in 2016, a rate on par with national leaders.

Scenes from the September 16 Mill City Farmers Market

These ornamental pumpkins and late season blooms help saying goodbye to summer a little less melancholy.

So worth the wait - super sweet white corn from Nistler Farms. :D

A honey rainbow from Ames Farm.

Pizza on a swing!

Milly the goat!

Absentee Voting for 2017 Election Begins September 22

Via an e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

All eligible voters in Hennepin County can vote absentee—either in-person or by mail—beginning Friday, September 22.

Vote early in person

In-person absentee voting will be available September 22 through November 6 at city halls and school district offices across Hennepin County and at the Early Vote Center in downtown Minneapolis at 217 S. Third Street. Each city location can accommodate voters who live in that particular city. Only Minneapolis residents can vote at the Early Vote Center.

To check if there is an election in their area or to find the appropriate polling place, voters can view a sample ballot from the Secretary of State’s website.

Voters who live anywhere in Hennepin County can pick up an absentee ballot application or a voter registration form at the Hennepin County Government Center – 300 S. Sixth Street, Minneapolis – skyway level. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Learn more about absentee voting in person.

Vote early by mail

Voters must fill out a paper application to receive a ballot. Paper applications are available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Vietnamese, Russian, Chinese, Lao, Oromo, Khmer and Amharic.

Voters do not need to be registered to vote to apply to vote absentee. To make the process easier, voters may want to register or ensure you are registered before applying for an absentee ballot.

Ballots will be mailed to voters within one to two days of receiving the application.

Completed ballots must be received on or before Election Day, November 7. Voters can return ballots by mail or in person

Learn more about absentee voting by mail.

Presale Tickets Now Available for City Pages Iron Fork - Nov 2 at IMS

Via a September 14 e-newsletter from City Pages:

Join us at City Pages Iron Fork on Thursday, November 2nd at International Market Square for a flavorful evening of cuisine, cocktails & competition!

This year it’s a BATTLE OF THE FOOD TRUCKS! The most reputable food truck Chefs in the industry will take center stage in a fierce competition to see who can create the most appetizing dish incorporating a secret ingredient revealed by Whole Foods. Shaking it out on the spirits stage, top bartenders from local watering holes will go head-to-head for the title of ‘Absolut Mixologist’. Amidst the action, event-goers can feast on an eclectic variety of signature bites from 25+ local restaurants and indulge in samples of featured beer, wine and liquor.

General Admission tickets ($25) include food, beer, wine & liquor sampling, plus 7pm event entry for the live entertainment.  Upgrade to VIP! ($45) Tickets include one hour early event entry from 6pm – 7pm, access to the third level for preferred seating and premium sightlines, bites from restaurants and spirit sampling exclusively in VIP as well as private cash bars for expedited service.

Presale:
Exclusive presale opportunity to purchase discounted tickets:

Starts: September 14 @ 10am
Ends: September 17 @ 10pm
Promo Code: PROMO
Purchase Ticket Link: http://ticketf.ly/2wZFBBd
Public On sale: 9/18 @ 10am 

Ticket prices increase on Monday, September 18, to $30 for GA and $50 for VIP.

MPRB is Seeking Sports Officials for Soccer, Volleyball and Basketball

Via a September 14 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is looking for dependable, enthusiastic and knowledgeable individuals to officiate youth and adult sports for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board athletic leagues. Officials have the opportunity to be involved in a variety of sports at various Recreation Centers in Minneapolis. Previous sports officiating experience preferred.
 
Qualifications:
• At least 16 years old
• Submit and pass a Criminal Background Check
• Complete CDC Concussion Awareness Training
• The ability to interact well with adults and children
• The ability to understand and apply rules
 
Preferred Requirements:
• Able to work weekends and some weeknights
 
Sports that need officials:
• Youth Soccer (Pay Rate: $24-$32/game)
• Adult Volleyball (Pay Rate: $22/game)
• Youth Volleyball (Pay Rate: $22/game)
• Youth Basketball (Pay Rate: $21/game)
• Adult Basketball (Pay Rate: $26/game)
 
Contact Anthony DiBella:
Phone: (612) 719-8035
Email: adibella@minneapolisparks.org

Upcoming Weekend Road/Ramp Closures and Reopenings on I-94 Project

Weekend road closure details:

Beginning 10 p.m. Fri, Sept. 15, eastbound I-94 between I-694 and I-394 will close until 5 a.m. Mon, Sept. 18. Motorists will be detoured to I-94/I-694 to southbound Hwy 169 to eastbound I-394.

Beginning midnight Sat, Sept. 16, the ramps from Third St. and East Lyndale to westbound I-94 will close until 5 a.m. Mon, Sept. 18.

The eastbound Lowry Hill Tunnel will also be reduced to a single lane this weekend, along with lane reductions in the Portland Ave. Tunnel.

Ramp reopenings:

When the eastbound paving is completed Monday, the ramp from westbound I-694 to eastbound I-94 will reopen. Also, the speed limit will return to its normal 60 mph.

The ramps from eastbound I-94 to Dowling Ave. and from eastbound I-94 to Fourth St. will also reopen Mon, Sept. 18.

Closure durations and time frames are all approximate and weather dependent.

More about this project:

Visit: mndot.gov/metro/projects/i94brooklyncntr/

Nicollet Island-East Bank Neighborhood Association Board Meeting is September 14

NIEBNA Board Meeting

The regular board meeting of the Nicollet Island - East Bank Neighborhood Association (NIEBNA) will be held September 14, 2017 at 6:30pm. The location is DeLaSalle High School, 1 DeLaSalle Place (on Nicollet Island). Use leftmost door closest to Downtown.

Click here for the full agenda.

Presentations will include:

A. Initial findings regarding the draft Natural Resource Management Plan for the north part of Nicollet Island (Alex Roth, FMR Ecologist) — the Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) is writing the Plan that will guide habitat restoration efforts in the current natural areas of the Island. The project is funded by a grant from the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) with the support of NIEBNA. Dr. Alex Roth, along with representatives from MWMO, will present and discuss their initial findings and recommendations.  As part of the presentation, there will be a Q&A session and an opportunity for comment and feedback.  In addition, helpful information about actions residents can take to improve water quality on their own properties will be covered.

B. Mortenson / US Bank Site development (Brent Webb, Mortenson) —  this project was approved by the NIEBNA Board at the June 2017 meeting and by the City Planning Commission in July 2017. The project is now “fully entitled”(in city planner/developer lingo) and construction can proceed. Brent will discuss the schedule and other general info about the project.

C. Current Traffic Situation in the NIEBNA East Bank (speakers to be announced).

Road Closures for September 14 and 17 Events

Thursday, September 14 - Dave Ryan Special Olympics 5K
5:30pm-8pm
SE Main Street
Stone Arch Bridge
West River Pkwy from Plymouth Ave to Stone Arch Bridge

Sunday, September 17 - Minneapolis Bike Tour
7:30am-1:00pm
Grand Rounds - West River Parkway – Nokomis Parkway – Minnehaha Parkway – Lake Harriet Parkway – Lake Calhoun Parkway –Cedar Lake Parkway – Theodore Wirth Parkway – Webber-Victory Memorial Parkway – St Anthony Parkway – William Berry Parkway.
Each road section will open as the last biker rides through.

Lowry Bridge Lights up Red, White and Blue to Commemorate 9/11

The Lowry Bridge will be lit up red, white and blue tonight to commemorate 9/11.

  

Main Street SE Closes Between Hennepin Avenue and 3rd Avenue SE on September 14

Closure necessary for major HVAC equipment replacement project; expected to last 7 am-3:30 pm

On Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, Main Street SE will be closed to motorized traffic between Hennepin Avenue and 3rd Avenue SE. Local access will be maintained for nearby businesses and residential properties, but a hard closure in the area of 210 Main St. SE will prohibit motorized traffic from traveling all the way through the affected area.

The closure is necessary for a major HVAC equipment removal project. It is expected to last from 7 am until 3:30 pm, weather permitting.
 
Bicycle and pedestrian traffic will be detoured to the west (river) side of the street and motorized traffic to University Avenue/4th Street SE. Another day-long closure for new HVAC equipment installation is planned Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 . Another notification email will be sent when that is finalized.
 
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board appreciates the public's patience while this project is completed.

Scenes from the September 9 Mill City Farmers Market

Can you believe we're already four months into the 2017 Mill City Farmers Market outdoor season? Although summer is fading, the Market continues to get better with each week. It's that glorious time when just about everything is available, and soon we'll be seeing edamame and pumpkins. Enjoy!

Surly Brewing sampled their award-winning beers throughout the day.

Milly the goat!

Submissions for Annual Northeast Calendar due by October 1

In 2011, local nonprofit Northeast CDC launched an annual project to celebrate and commemorate the Northeast Minneapolis community. The Northeast Calendar highlights local artwork as well as information about the Northeast’s 14 unique neighborhoods.

The Northeast Calendar will be designed by local artist Kevin Cannon.

2018 Submission Information  2018 Ad/Sponsorship Form

Artwork submissions for the 2018 NE Calendar are due October 1, 2017!

Section of West River Parkway Trail will be Closed September 12-14

Via a September 6 Minneapolis Park and Rec Board e-newsletter:

Closure necessary for Franklin Bridge painting project

West River Parkway will be closed for a short stretch around the Franklin Avenue Bridge beginning Tuesday, September 12, 2017, through Thursday, September 14, 2017. The closure will affect both parkway and trail traffic. It is necessary for workers to clean and paint the Franklin Avenue Bridge.

Bicycles, pedestrians and motorized traffic need to follow the posted detours. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board appreciates the public's patience while this project is completed.

TODAY: Minneapolis Visitor Information and Love From Minneapolis Celebrate Having a Sidewalk with First Thursday Crazy Days Sale

Minneapolis Visitor Information (MVI) can’t contain its excitement over having a Nicollet Mall sidewalk again! As the construction continues, access is open so join them in celebrating with the MVI’s retail partner, Love from Minneapolis, at their extended September First Thursday event -- a four-day Crazy Days (indoor) sidewalk sale in honor of the long-awaited completion. It will run Thursday, Sept. 7 through Sunday, Sept. 10 during regular store hours: Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

Overview of Crazy Days Clearance Sale:

• Sale: Select merchandise up to 50 percent off*
• Luck of the draw: Get an additional discount at the register based on the card you draw from the deck*:
  • Numeric card – 10 percent discount
  • Face card – 20 percent discount
  • Joker – 25 percent discount
• Enter to win: Gift certificates to the Love from Minneapolis store will be drawn at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day

*This promotion excludes transit passes.  

First Thursdays are held each month to encourage visitors and Minneapolis locals alike to learn more about Minneapolis Visitor Information and our partners, Love from Minneapolis and Move Minneapolis, as well as highlight community organizations, local partners and events. MVI is located at 505 Nicollet, Suite 100, directly across from the Nicollet METRO station. 

More information on the First Thursday event: http://www.minneapolis.org/things-to-do/visitor-information/events-at-minneapolis-visitor-information/  

ABOUT MINNEAPOLIS VISITOR INFORMATION ON NICOLLET: SHOP. MOVE. FIND.

Minneapolis Visitor Information includes three services in one convenient location:                                                              

• Shop: Love From Minneapolis offers Minneapolis- and Minnesota-themed apparel, art, specialty foods, souvenirs and gifts, including many made by local artisans. Products are also available at: https://lovefromcompanies.com/shop-minneapolis
• Move: Move Minneapolis (formerly the Commuter Connection) provides services to commuters, carpool information, transit passes, schedules and maps, MnPass and bicycling commuting information and accessories. Visitors seeking help with transit options should make this their first stop downtown.
• Find: Meet Minneapolis staff is available to answer questions, share visitor maps and provide suggestions about things to do in Minneapolis and the surrounding area. The Visitor Information Center in the Minneapolis Convention Center also is available to provide similar information to visitors and convention attendees.

Two Minneapolis Bridge Closures to Have Significant Traffic Impact

Minnesota Department of Transportation's 35W@94: Downtown to Crosstown reconstruction project will impact two county roads in Minneapolis soon. Road users should be prepared for the following changes:

Short-term lane closures starting September 7:

Portland Avenue over I-94 and I-35W
Starting at 3 p.m. on Thursday, September 7, vehicle and bicycle traffic on Portland Avenue (County Road 35) between 15th and 19th streets will be reduced to a single lane. All lanes of road are expected to reopen on Saturday, September 9.

Longer-term bridge closures start September 18:

Franklin Avenue Bridge over I-35W
The Franklin Avenue Bridge (County Road 5) over I-35W is tentatively scheduled to close for reconstruction on Monday, September 18. This closure is expected to last through mid-2018. Detour route and additional information will be sent out in advance of the closure.
Portland Avenue Bridge over I-94 and I-35W
The Portland Avenue Bridge over I-94 and I-35W is expected to close in late September for approximately two months of pier work.

More about this project
The 35W@94: Downtown to Crosstown project is a four-year reconstruction project of I-35W between 42nd St. and downtown Minneapolis. The project will improve accessibility, safety and mobility in the project area including better access to the Lake Street business district and transit service on I-35W and Lake St.
To learn more, visit the project website: www.mndot.gov/metro/projects/i35wminneapolis

Stay Connected
• Visit the project website: www.mndot.gov/metro/projects/i35wminneapolis
• Follow us on Twitter @mndotnews
• Email the project team at info@i35lakestreet.com
• Call the project hotilne at 612-284-6125
 
For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota visit http://www.511mn.org/ or dial 5-1-1.

Eat Northeast Restaurant Event (Sept 15 – Nov 15) to Benefit Police Substation and Little Kitchen Food Shelf

Eat Northeast Restaurant Event

Proceeds from this September 15 to November 15 event will be split between the NE police fund (which supports the neighborhood substation, a full time beat cop and extra patrols that keep our neighborhood safe) and the Little Kitchen Food Shelf in Northeast Minneapolis.

How it works:

Buy an Eat NE card for $40 (an $80 value), then dine at an Eat NE participating restaurant. Get your ticket/card validated and you’re ready for your next NE restaurant experience. You’ll get a $10 credit or a special menu item valued at $10 at participating NE restaurants.

Participating restaurants:

Geno's, JL Beers, Keegan's Pub, Red Savoy Pizza, Kramarczuk Sausage Company, Red Stag Supper Club, Whitey's World Famous Saloon, and Stem Wine Bar.

Upcoming Weekend Road Closure on Westbound I-94

Beginning 10:00pm Friday, September 8, westbound I-94 between I-394 and I-694 will close until 5:00am Monday, September 11. Motorists will be detoured to Hwy 169 to I-94/694.

The ramps leading to the closed parts of I-94 will start closing at 9:30 p.m. on Friday and the Lowry Hill Tunnel will be reduced to two lanes.

Ramp reopenings
• 49th Ave. to eastbound I-94 reopened to one lane (of three) last week. The plan is to fully reopen it tonight (9/6)
• Eastbound I-94 to Seventh St. is scheduled to reopen tonight (9/6)
• The ramp from eastbound I-94 to 53rd Ave. is scheduled to reopen Thursday night (9/7)

Other upcoming traffic impacts:

Ramp closures
• Eastbound I-94 to Fourth St. will close Thu, Sept. 7 for 10 days
• Eastbound I-94 to Broadway Ave. will close Fri, Sept. 8 for three days
• Eastbound I-94 to Dowling Ave. will close Mon, Sept. 11 for seven days

Weekend road closure
Eastbound I-94 from Shingle Creek Pkwy to I-394 will close Fri, Sept. 15 through Mon, Sept. 18 and again Fri, Sept. 22 through Mon, Sept. 25 for paving, weather permitting.

More about this project
Visit: mndot.gov/metro/projects/i94brooklyncntr/

Buses will replace Blue and Green Line Trains September 10-11

Due to scheduled maintenance, buses will replace trains for 24-hours beginning Sunday, September 10 during a partial shutdown on the METRO Blue and Green Line.
 
Customers can board replacement buses near the affected stations. Buses run on similar schedules as trains but can take more time. Customers are urged to plan accordingly.

From 3:00am Sunday, September 10 until 3:00am Monday, September 11, buses will replace Blue and Green Line trains for these stations:

Green Line
Stadium Village
East Bank
West Bank

Blue Line
Franklin Avenue
Cedar-Riverside

Downtown Minneapolis - Shared stations
U.S. Bank Stadium
Government Plaza
Nicollet Mall
Warehouse-Hennepin Avenue
Target Field

See maps for boarding locations.

Schedule of Events Announced for Twin Cities Startup Week, October 9-15

Via a September 5 Press Release:

The first 300 Gold/VIP ticketholders receive a free Love Your Melon hat

Twin Cities Startup Week (TCSW) is pleased to announce the schedule of events for its 4th annual week of festivities occurring October 9-15, 2017. The schedule aims to celebrate startups, innovators, makers, hackers and artists disrupting across various industries in the Twin Cities. Activities will be spread out across the metro area, giving attendees an opportunity to explore different office buildings, event spaces and neighborhoods.

Throughout TCSW there will be countless events, demonstrations, networking events, parties and panels to learn about the work being done that is making the Twin Cities a hotbed for startups and innovation. Several industry tracks will be featured throughout the week including Technology, Healthcare, Youth/Student Education, Food/Agriculture, Impact Ventures, Marketing and Advertising, and Investing. In 2016, Twin Cities Startup Week hosted over 80 events with more than 10,000 attendees. This year’s event is expected to grow to 100 events, attracting an estimated 15,000 attendees.

“Twin Cities Startup Week is about more than technology,” says Twin Cities Startup Week Founder Nels Pederson. “Twin Cities Startup Week highlights diversity in Minnesota across all industries that are innovating, disrupting in respective markets and demonstrating entrepreneurship. No longer is Minnesota a fly-over state, but a fly-in state where individuals are coming to innovate and collaborate not just within the state but from across the country and take advantage of the state’s accessible market.

Tickets, which are free, but necessary for TCSW events, are available now at TwinCitiesStartupWeek.com. For those looking to support TCSW, there are two (2) package upgrades available. Gold tickets, which can be purchased for $25, include an official TCSW T-shirt and drink tickets to the Opening and Closing night parties. VIP tickets cost $100 and come with an official TCSW T-shirt, hoodie, and exclusive access to opening and closing day parties. The first 300 Gold and VIP ticketholders will also receive an official TCSW Love Your Melon hat.

ABOUT TWIN CITIES STARTUP WEEK
Twin Cities Startup Week is a volunteer-lead event to showcase the best of the Twin Cities startup community. Lead by the area’s top startup organizations and supported by the region's globally-recognized companies, the 4th Annual TCSW is taking place October 9-15, 2017 with thousands of participants convening for over 100 events in seven days across the region. Learn more at http://www.twincitiesstartupweek.com/ and follow along on Twitter and Instagram.