Washington Avenue Reconstruction Project Update - Pavers!

New pavers going in as end of 2017 construction nears

Crews began installing new pavers this week that will help delineate the cycle track (off-street bicycle path) and sidewalk. So far, the pavers have been installed between Hennepin and 2nd avenues on the westbound side of the road.

Work to begin wrapping up in coming weeks

Work remains on schedule and crews expect to open the road to traffic in the coming weeks. If the weather remains nice, it is possible crews will continue to work behind the curb once the road is reopened. This could require closing a single westbound lane or turn lane at a time to allow for work to continue on things like installing light fixtures and other minor touch-up work in the boulevard.

Other work on Washington Avenue

Elsewhere on the project, crews have been this week busy:
• Installing sidewalk and cycle track between 2nd and 3rd avenues
• Removing old sewer pipes beneath the 3rd Avenue intersection
• Replacing below ground utilities between 4th and 3rd avenues
• Continuing to install curbs and gutters around the 5th avenue intersection

Next week, between 4th and 5th avenues, crews will be installing curbs and gutters, as well as sidewalk and cycle track. They will also be continuing to lay pavers up to 3rd Avenue and continuing with below ground utility work at the 3rd Avenue intersection.

Traffic changes and considerations

3rd Avenue one lane in each direction
The 3rd Avenue intersection will continue to be one lane in each direction while crews continue with work there. Motorists should expect delays and may consider choosing an alternate route. This work is expected to continue until around Thanksgiving.

5th Avenue northbound lane open
One northbound lane is open at 5th Avenue. The intersection is expected to fully reopen by mid-November.
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Contact us
Website: www.hennepin.us/washingtonavenue
Email: washingtonave@hennepin.us
Phone: 612-543-3722
Project engineer:
Stanley Lim, P.E.
612-596-0292
stanley.lim@hennepin.us

New App from Metro Transit - Use Your Smartphone to Pay for Bus and Rail Fares, and More!

Check out this StarTrib article regarding a new app from Metro Transit that enables riders to use their smartphones to pay bus and rail fares.

Train and bus riders who download the Metro Transit App from either the Google Play or Apple iTunes app store also will be able to access schedules and route maps, plan trips and get real-time bus and train arrival and departure times.

Nice Ride Season Ends this Sunday, November 6

All good things must come to an end, and the 2016 Nice Ride Minnesota kiosks are no exception. Mother Nature is blessing us with beautiful weather, so be sure to take advantage of those bikes one last time before the snow flies! :D

Northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market Announces 2016-2017 Winter Markets

The Northeast Farmers Market invites you to the Winter Market located at the Solar Arts by Chowgirls, 711 15th Avenue NE. Support local food vendors and artisans throughout the Winter months. Expect over 30 local vendors, music from DJs The Ring Toss Twins, children’s activities, meat raffle drawings, plus cocktails and local beer at the Chowgirls bar.

Hospitality Sponsor, Chowgirls Killer Catering, will be serving Winter Dinners every month. Comfort food meals including kid sized portions. Take the worry out of dinner planning for the evening and bring the whole family to relax and enjoy at the Northeast Farmers Market Winter Market.

November Dinner:
Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes and Chowgirls popular roasted vegetables. Also available will be meatless wild rice mushroom meatballs.

DJs The Ring Toss Twins are back again this Winter Market season with a vinyl collection to cover all genres. They'll be dropping some gems for you each month and it's sure to be fun for all!

November Theme:
BYOV (Bring Your Own Vinyl)

Dates and times:
Wednesday, November 16th, 4pm-7pm
Wednesday, December 21st, 4pm-7pm
Wednesday, January 18th, 4pm-7pm
Wednesday, February 15th, 4pm-7pm
Wednesday, March 15th, 4pm-7pm

For more information visit our website at northeastmarket.org

New Mississippi East Bank Trail along NE Minneapolis Riverfront is Nearly Complete

Via an October 31 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

An important new stretch of riverfront trail in Northeast Minneapolis is nearly complete and generally open for public use.

The trail was paved earlier this fall, followed by the installation of signage, landscaping and lighting. Some construction tasks still need to be completed along portions of the trail, so please pay attention to signs regarding work in progress.

The two-way, off-street trail takes bicyclists and pedestrians along the Mississippi River between the Plymouth Avenue Bridge and the 1600 block of Marshall Street NE. Almost a mile long, it travels through the former Scherer site, behind Graco headquarters and through Sheridan Memorial Park. It curves away from the river south of the BNSF railroad tracks and connects to Marshall Street NE.

This new trail is one segment in a series of Upper Riverfront trail loops envisioned in the RiverFirst initiative. Project funding was provided by a $1 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration through its Transportation, Community and System Preservation Program, along with $600,000 in Metropolitan Council regional park operations and maintenance funds. A $50,000 Hennepin County Environmental Response Fund grant helped remediate onsite soil pollution.

Help the DID make Downtown Minneapolis a better place to live, work, and visit!

The Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District (MDID) is inviting you to participate in a survey to share your input on safety, cleanliness, and the public realm of downtown Minneapolis. This survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete and your responses will be kept confidential.

Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2016Mpls

PRIZE DRAWING! Upon completion of this survey you will have an opportunity to enter a prize drawing! Five lucky winners will receive a $50 gift card to a downtown business.

Watch this video to learn more about what the DID does:

ART ATTACK 2016 - It's About Peace and Love!

You are invited to the 19th annual Art Attack at the Northrup King Building.

Fri.,  November 4     5:00 - 10:00 PM
Sat., November 5     Noon - 8:00 PM
Sun.,  November 6   Noon - 5:00 PM

Browse and buy from the private studios of over 250 artists at the Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson Street NE.  We've added more studios this spring/summer to give you a fresh look at dozens of new artists.

Enjoy the smooth jazzy sounds of Ben Carlson playing on his 1914 Vega Alto saxaphone.  

Be part of the "One Billion Acts of Peace" Campaign.  Bring your own creativity and see if your design will be part of Peace Paper, a wrapping paper with a peace theme.  Hosted by Periscope Ad Agency, proceeds from the sale of the Peace Paper will be donated to Peace Jam,  an organization promoting the "One Billion Acts of Peace" campaign.

On November 5th paint a portion of the Peace and Love mural designed by Jane Elias of Simply Jane/ Artable.  This mural will be a permanent installation on the third floor of the Northrup King Building.  We will also have 6" x 6" peace and love themed canvases available for participants to paint and take home.  

Everyone is encouraged to write some thoughts about peace and or love. We will assemble the writings in the Third Floor Gallery (#332).

Head to Studio 404 where Linda Clayton has created 11 paintings inspired by Beatles music.  Grab a headphone and listen to the song that inspired each of the paintings.

Make your own Peace, Love, Happiness and Flower Power magnet at Angee Mai Creations (Studio 151).

Enjoy an array of art demonstrations including glass blowing, weaving, oil paintings, globe ice lanterns and more.

Art Attack is a FREE event with FREE parking.

Scenes from the October 29 Mill City Farmers Market - Happy Halloween!

October 29 was the final outdoor Market for the 2016 season, and Halloween was the theme!

Click to read more ...

Holidazzle Returns to Loring Park on November 25

Visit www.holidazzle.com for information on this year's event. 

Zero in on the schedule and vendors here: www.holidazzle.com/schedule and www.holidazzle.com/vendors.

Washington Avenue Reconstruction Project Update

Via an October 28 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Paving continues on Washington Avenue

Crews are continuing to pave initial layers of westbound sections of Washington Avenue (County Road 152) today – a sign that work is nearing completion for the season.

As part of today's work, the 5th Avenue intersection will be paved and is expected to reopen by 3 p.m.

Work remains on schedule to have the first phase of work complete and westbound lanes paved and open to traffic before winter weather arrives.

Other work on Washington Avenue

Elsewhere on the project, crews have been busy this week:

•Digging tree pits between 2nd and 3rd Avenues
•Installing curbs and gutters around the 5th Avenue intersection
•Wrapping up work in the northwest quadrant of the 3rd Avenue intersection

Next week, crews expect to begin installing new pavers that will separate the bike path from the sidewalk. They also plan to pour the next section of cycle track between 2nd and 3rd avenues.

3rd Avenue traffic switch – expect delays

Starting Monday, crews will flip over to the northeast quadrant of the 3rd Avenue intersection. Because of the arrangement of below ground utilities in this location, a large work area is required.

One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction. Motorists should expect delays and may consider choosing an alternate route such as Hennepin or Portland avenues. This work is expected to last three to four weeks.
 
Contact us

Website: www.hennepin.us/washingtonavenue
Email: washingtonave@hennepin.us
Phone: 612-543-3722

Project engineer:
 Stanley Lim, P.E.
 612-596-0292
 stanley.lim@hennepin.us

What's on Tap from The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul

A little something for everyone! Here's what the The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul has in store for you...

October 30 at 7pm - NTL: FRANKENSTEIN - (program: Stage on Screen, National Theatre Live’s The Encore Series) Benedict Cumberbatch as The Creature opposite Jonny Lee Miller as Dr. Frankenstein. Screening at the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at St. Anthony Main Theatre

November 3 at 7pm** - HALF PAST AUTUMN: THE LIFE AND WORKS OF GORDON PARKS - (program: First Thursday Films @ the Capri, Black Cinema: Under the Skin) Filmmaker attending for post-screening discussion. Screening at the Capri Theater - 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis 55411.

November 4-10 - LONG WAY NORTH - (program: New Releases) Screening at the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at St. Anthony Main Theatre

November 5 - 13th- (program: Special Screenings, Black Cinema: Under the Skin ) U.S. District Judge Michael J. Davis, Fourth Judicial District Judge Pamela G. Alexander attending for post screening discussion,. Screening at the Capri Theater - 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis 55411

November 6 at 1:15pm - LOOK AT US NOW, MOTHER! - (program: Partnerships) Filmmaker attending for Q&A. Screening at the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at St. Anthony Main Theatre

November 11-17 - CINE LATINO - The 4th edition of one of the nation’s largest Spanish & Portugues language film festivals returns November 11-17. Screening at the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at St. Anthony Main Theatre, Metropolitan State University Film Space, Parkway Theater

November 18-24 - MOONLIGHT - (program: New Releases) Screening at the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at St. Anthony Main Theatre

November 21 at 7pm + November 26 at 1pm - NTL: HAMLET - (program: Stage on Screen, National Theatre Live’s The Encore Series) Screening at the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at St. Anthony Main Theatre

December 1 at 7pm** - DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST - (program: First Thursday Films @ the Capri, Black Cinema: Under the Skin) With post-screening discussion. Screening at the Capri Theater - 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis 55411

December 2-8 - DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST - (program: New Releases, Black Cinema: Under the Skin) Screening at the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at St. Anthony Main Theatre

December 5 at 7pm + December 10 at 1pm - STAGE RUSSIA: THE CHERRY ORCHARD - (program: Stage on Screen, Stage Russia HD) Screening at the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at St. Anthony Main Theatre

December 12 at 7pm + December 17 at 1pm - NTL: WAR HORSE - (program: Stage on Screen, National Theatre Live’s The Encore Series) Screening at the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at St. Anthony Main Theatre

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT: mspfilm.org or at the box office before each show.

Vote Early November 1-7

Via an October 27 Hennepin County e-newsletter:

Hennepin County eligible voters will directly place their ballots into a ballot counter when voting in person November 1-7.

Voting machines will record votes as they are turned in, but will not report results until after polls close on Election Day, November 8.

In-person absentee voting is available at most city halls across Hennepin County and at several locations in Minneapolis now until November 7. Each city location can accommodate voters who live in that particular city. Check available locations.

Voters who live anywhere in Hennepin County also may vote in-person at the Hennepin County Government Center -- 300 S. Sixth Street, Minneapolis – skyway level.
Hours are:
• Tuesday, Nov. 1, through Friday, Nov. 4 – 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 5 – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 7, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

This is possible after the Minnesota State Legislature passed a new law in 2016. Previously, in-person absentee voters placed their ballots into a series of envelopes.
This new system provides many benefits to voters:
• Vote at a convenient time 
• Have confidence that a ballot is immediately counted 
• Verify ballot was properly filled out and accepted by the counting machine
• Avoid hassle of placing absentee ballots in series of envelopes 

This change also helps election officials by providing:
• Faster results reporting on election night
• Increased savings in time and materials to administer the election

For information about voting and elections in Hennepin County, visit www.hennepin.us/elections.

The Taste of Minneapolis International Festival Scheduled for November 12

Via an October 24 e-newsletter from Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

Join community members from across the City to learn about all the many amazing cultures that make Minneapolis such a wonderful place to live.

The Taste of the Minneapolis International Festival will be celebrating the many different cultures in the City of Minneapolis and surrounding communities with music, dance, cultural learning booths, exhibits, demonstrations, food and more!

The Taste of the Minneapolis International Festival is FREE and open to the public.  The event will take place on Saturday, November 12 from 1 - 4 pm at Phillips Recreation Center, 2323 – 11th Avenue S.

 To learn more visit www.minneapolisparks.org or by calling 612-230-6400. 

The Taste of the Minneapolis International Festival is presented by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board.

Scenes from the October 22 Mill City Farmers Market

October 22 was Bone Broth Day at the Market.  Andrew Ikeda of Abrothecary joined Beth Dooley for a Mill City Cooks segment on making homemade soup the easy way - start with one of Andrew's premium broths and add fresh market ingredients.  I've thoroughly enjoyed using this broth all season. He relies on quality ingredients to provide the flavor, and leaves it up to the user to add salt to taste. October 22 was Abrothecary's last 2016 MCFM date, but off season you can find their broth at Lowry Hill Meats.

Click to read more ...

Washington Avenue Reconstruction Project Update

Via an October 21 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

First section of new cycle track paved
Crews began paving the first section of a new cycle track, or curb-protected bike lane, this week on Washington Avenue (County Road 152) between Hennepin and 2nd avenues. This is a key milestone in fulfilling one of the main design goals of the Washington Avenue project: to improve safety and overall experience for pedestrians and bicyclists.
 
Crews paving the new cycle track between Hennepin and 2nd avenues

Once complete, Washington Avenue will have new one-way cycle tracks on both sides of the roadway from Hennepin Avenue to 5th Avenue.
 
These new cycles tracks will be the middle segment of a safe and continuous route for bicyclists from I-35W to Plymouth Avenue. Last year, a restriping project created new bicycle lanes from Hennepin Avenue to Plymouth Avenue. In 2017, a planned restriping project will create new in-street bicycle lanes from 5th Avenue to I-35W.

Other work on Washington Avenue

Elsewhere on the project, crews will also be busy this week:
• Laying curbs and gutters between 4th and 5th avenues
• Replacing sanitary and storm sewer pipes between 3rd and 5th avenues
• Beginning underground utility work at the 3rd Avenue intersection
• Digging tree pits and trenches for new enhanced landscaping

Next week, crews expect to begin paving between 2nd and 3rd avenues and between 4th and 5th avenues.

Traffic changes and considerations

As work continues to progress, there are a few ongoing and upcoming traffic changes at intersections to consider when traveling in the area.

5th Avenue
Crews opened a northbound through lane at the 5th avenue intersection last Friday. All below ground utility work is now complete and crews are continuing with work on curbs and gutters. The intersection is expected to fully reopen early next month.

3rd Avenue
Work began this week in the northwest part of the 3rd Avenue intersection. Two lanes of traffic in each direction will be maintained for the next couple weeks while this work occurs. Crews will then flip to the other side of the intersection. Pedestrians should cross on the side opposite the active work area.

2nd Avenue
Work is complete at the 2nd Avenue intersection and all lanes are now back open to traffic.

Contact us

Website: www.hennepin.us/washingtonavenue
Email: washingtonave@hennepin.us
Phone: 612-543-3722
 
Project engineer:
Stanley Lim, P.E.
612-596-0292
stanley.lim@hennepin.us

StarTribune Nov 15 Event: Behind the Lens: Photos of the Year

The StarTribune invites you to an exclusive presentation of their 2016 Photos of the Year along with an in-depth conversation Behind the Lens with Star Tribune photojournalists Brian Peterson, who shot this year’s Olympics, and Renée Jones Schneider, who was named 2016 Journalist of the Year by the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists.

Date: Tuesday, November 15

Time: 6-8:30pm
•6pm: Hors d’Oeuvres and Cash Bar
•7:15pm: Presentation Begins
•8pm: Audience Q&A

Location: Walker Art Center, Bazinet Lobby and Walker Cinema

Each guest will receive complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a 5×7 photo reprint of one of the 2016 Photos of the Year. A cash bar will also be available.

Advance ticket purchase for Behind the Lens is required, a limited number of tickets are available. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate walk-ups on the day of the event.

Brian Peterson: Photographer Brian Peterson was born in Duluth, Minnesota, and has enjoyed a career that allows him to pursue stories he cares most about in his home state and around the world. He’s best known for his work since 1987 for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, but his photographs have also been seen in National Geographic and Sports Illustrated magazines, the New York Times.

Brian has been recognized nationally and internationally for his documentary photojournalism, and has been honored nine times as Minnesota Press Photographer of the Year. He has photographed the Winter and Summer Olympic Games five times and his sports photography has been honored by the national baseball and football Halls of Fame and the National Press Photographers Association.

Peterson has published two books “Voices for the Land and “Minnesota – State of Wonders” and has won three Minnesota Book Awards.

Renée Jones Schneider: Renée Jones Schneider has been a Star Tribune photographer for 13 years and covered some of the company’s biggest assignments, including when a Hmong hunter opened fire, killing six other hunters in Rice Lake, Wis. Her recent long-term projects, shooting both multimedia and stills, include a series on deradicalization of extremist groups locally and nationally, an investigation of farm safety and an in-depth report on the decline of the honey bee. This year, Renee was named Journalist of the Year by Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists.

Before joining the Star Tribune, Renee worked for the Owatonna People’s Press and the Faribault Daily News. In 2004, Renee placed in the prestigious World Press Awards for a photo of a pouty fourth-place wrestler on an awards podium.

Renée was born in Dublin, Ireland and moved to Minnesota with her parents as a child. She attended St. Olaf College majoring in studio art. Halfway through that major that she discovered photography, during two overnights on a documentary project at St. Paul’s famous Mickey’s Diner. It was her first taste of how a camera and observation can introduce you to the most interesting people you would otherwise never meet.

More details, purchase tickets...

New Mill City Museum Exhibit Chronicles the History of the Minneapolis Music Scene

Via an October 19 Press Release from the Mill City Museum:

The new exhibit “Heyday: 35 Years of Music in Minneapolis” explores the local music scene from the early 1980s to today through the lens of longtime First Avenue photographer Daniel Corrigan. Throughout his career, Corrigan has captured concerts, promo photos and album covers for iconic artists like Prince, The Replacements, Michael Jackson, Iggy Pop and many more.

Visitors can view nearly 50 framed Corrigan photos as well as a slideshow with thousands of additional unpublished photographs. The exhibit is a companion to the MNHS Press book of the same name, featuring Corrigan’s photos with text by local music writer Danny Sigelman, available November 1.

Mill City Museum will celebrate the exhibit’s opening with a public reception on November 16 from 6-8:30 p.m. hosted by Andrea Swensson of 89.3 The Current. Corrigan and Sigelman will speak about their work and will be available to sign copies of the book. A cash bar and food from D’Amico & Sons Cafe will be available for purchase.

“Heyday: 35 Years of Music in Minneapolis” is located in the museum’s Mill Commons, and is free and open to the public during regular museum hours. It will be on view Nov. 16, 2016 to April 30, 2017.

City of Minneapolis and MPRB Receive One Submission for Master Developer of Upper Harbor Terminal Phase 1 Redevelopment

Via an October 17 joint News Release from the City of Minneapolis, CPED and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Receive One Submission for Master Developer Upper Harbor Terminal Phase 1 Redevelopment

Five Submissions for Development Partners Were Also Received

On Friday, October 14, 2016, the City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) closed their request for qualifications (RFQ) period seeking submissions for the Upper Harbor Terminal (UHT) Phase 1 redevelopment. The UHT site is located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, from 33rd Ave. N. to about 40th Ave. N.

One submission was received from a team comprised of United Properties, Thor Development and First Avenue Productions.

The City’s and MPRB’s goal for the property is to redevelop this key riverfront site from its previous use as a barge shipping terminal to a mixture of riverfront parkland and inland private development. Additional information about the site, the redevelopment goals and the RFQ process may be found at http://www.upperharbormpls.com/.

Following an initial staff review, the submission will be revealed at a community input meeting to be held:

Thursday, November 3
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Folwell Park Recreation Center
1615 Dowling Ave. N, Minneapolis

Additional information about the submission will be posted on the http://www.upperharbormpls.com/ website, along with more details about the community input meeting and other ways available for the public to provide input on the submission.

A City/MPRB Recommendation Committee then will complete its review and make a recommendation to the City Council and Park Board as to whether this development team should be selected to enter into a collaborative planning process with the City and MPRB, with community input. This process will be guided by a three-party exclusive rights agreement that will be authorized at the same time as the developer selection. It is hoped that developer selection can be completed and the exclusive rights agreement executed so that the planning process can begin in March of 2017.

Submissions also were received from five teams interested in being considered as “potential development partners.” These submissions will not be reviewed by the City or MPRB, but will instead be passed along to the selected master developer for consideration as part of the development concept and team.

REMINDER! Voter Pre-registration Deadline is October 18

Via an October 17 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Hennepin County announces weekly voting stats

Hennepin County has more than 747,000 pre-registered voters, the highest in recorded history.

Eligible voters can save time on Election Day and pre-register to vote before October 18 online. All eligible voters may also register to vote at their polling place on Election Day, November 8.

As of Monday, October 17, in Hennepin County: 

• Ballots issued (mail and in-person absentee voting) – 74,000
• Ballots issued since Monday, October 10 – 16,000

• Ballots received and accepted (mail and in-person absentee voting) – 31,000
• Ballots received and accepted since Monday, October 10 – 17,000 

Since the primary election on August 9, 2016, the number of pre-registered voters in Hennepin County has grown by 31,000.

For the 2012 presidential election, Hennepin County had 678,074 pre-registered voters and 131,000 Election Day registrants. About 683,000 Hennepin County residents voted in the 2012 presidential election. 

Each week, Hennepin County will provide the latest stats on voter registration and early voting progress. 

Hennepin County Elections Manager Ginny Gelms is available for interviews and comments. Click here for more information about elections and voting in Hennepin County.

Scenes from the October 15 Mill City Farmers Market

Thank you to MCFM Sponsor Cynthia Froid and her team for the October 15 Ames Farm apple give away.

Cute boots, Holly Holt! :)

That bee looks familiar...

This little cutie was sure proud of her carrot from Stones Throw Urban Farm.

Music!

Homegrown Minneapolis was the October 15 Community Booth. It is a citywide initiative that brings together key partners from local government, area businesses, community organizations, non-profits and residents to build a healthy, local food system.

It's official - Dumpling & Strand (Noodlers at Large) is a Market hit! Definitely worth waiting in line for.

This week's Mill City Cooks Chef was Beth Jones.  She always invites guests to come up for a close look at the recipe in progress.

I always feel like I'm getting a "high five" from the glass hand at the Barn Swallow Garden booth. :)

Milly the goat!