Sunday
Oct302016
Scenes from the October 29 Mill City Farmers Market - Happy Halloween!
Sunday, October 30, 2016 at 5:15PMOctober 29 was the final outdoor Market for the 2016 season, and Halloween was the theme!
Minneapolis Riverfront News
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.
Entries by Kim Eslinger (4273)
Saturday
Oct292016
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.
Friday
Oct282016
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
Friday
Oct282016
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...
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT: mspfilm.org or at the box office before each show.
Thursday
Oct272016
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.
Tuesday
Oct252016
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.
Sunday
Oct232016
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.
Friday
Oct212016
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
Wednesday
Oct192016
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.
Wednesday
Oct192016
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.
Monday
Oct172016
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.
Monday
Oct172016
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.
Sunday
Oct162016
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!
Saturday
Oct152016
Civic Group Proposes Visitor and Interpretive Center for Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam
Via an October 14 Press Release from Friends of the Lock and Dam (FL&D):
MINNEAPOLIS—October 14, 2016—St. Anthony Falls created Minneapolis. Today, the falls are the center of a revitalized riverfront and a chain of riverfront parks and trails that attract over 2 million visitors a year across the Stone Arch Bridge.
A new civic organization, Friends of the Lock and Dam (FL&D) is proposing that the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, which was closed to navigation last year, be developed into a world-class visitor and interpretive center. However, this vision is threatened by a proposal to put a hydroelectric plant at the site, preempting other uses.
On Tuesday, FL&D filed a motion before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reject a current proposal from Crown Hydro, LLC to build a hydroelectric plant at the Lock and Dam or at least order an environmental impact statement (EIS). The FERC environmental review of the Crown Hydro proposal is open to public comment until November 2.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a riverfront that is a destination landmark. It’s a site we hope to protect and preserve as a centerpiece for our community, for generations to come,” said Tom Fisher, the director of the Metropolitan Design Center at the University of Minnesota and an FL&D board member.
“If construction of the hydroelectric plant is allowed to proceed as proposed, it will negate the four decades of planning and redevelopment efforts by the City of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the National Park Service,” Fisher added.
The Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam is at the center of the Minneapolis riverfront area, adjacent to the iconic Stone Arch Bridge, and in the middle of an 800-acre stretch of the Mississippi designated as a National Register Historic District. In 1988, it became part of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service. Over the past 20 years, the surrounding area has seen over $2 billion in public and private development.
Since the mid-1990s, Crown Hydro has made multiple proposals to construct a power plant on or near the site. In 2005, after a failed attempt to obtain a license, Crown Hydro unsuccessfully sought FERC’s help to take the parkland by eminent domain. These proposals have been strongly opposed by the City of Minneapolis, the National Park Service and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, as well as hundreds of neighborhood residents. Concerns have focused on loss of historic and cultural values, preclusion of public recreation and river access, and noise and vibration impacts from the plant’s industrial operations.
Friends of the Lock and Dam was formed to create a community-focused initiative to explore public uses of the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, and to ensure that the proposed hydroelectric plant does not preempt future uses for the site.
“Crown made their proposal without communicating with the City, Park Board, National Park Service or the community,” said Paul Reyelts, a leader of the RiverFirst effort and president of FL&D. “It is at odds with the Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park Master Plan, adopted last year, which calls for use of the Lock and Dam as a focal point for visitors. It is simply the wrong use of this critical place.”
FL&D is asking FERC to order a full environmental impact statement (EIS) before further consideration of the Crown Hydro proposal, or to deny it outright as inconsistent with the broader environmental and public benefit requirements for a FERC license.
The FL&D plan, called “The Falls,” is a sweeping vision for the massive 400-foot-long lock and dam structure, designed to integrate with and complement the nearby Water Works Park and the Stone Arch Bridge. Construction of Water Works Park is scheduled to begin in 2018. FL&D has presented a preliminary concept design for The Falls that preserves the character-defining elements of the Upper Lock and adds the following amenities:
- A new 7,500-square-foot visitor center in collaboration with the National Park Service, the City and Park Board
- A 50,000-square-foot interpretive center
- A new one-acre park for events with public access to the Lock and Dam
- Below-grade parking for visitors
- Restaurant and event space
- Observation decks for 360-degree public viewing of the Falls, Stone Arch Bridge and skyline
- Canoe/kayak landing and portage and bike facilities
The estimated $45 million project would be funded through a new public-private partnership. Revenues from concessions, parking and events would be used for ongoing operation and programming. FL&D has already received a pledge of $5 million from a private donor for project planning and development costs. If approved, construction is estimated to begin in the 2021-2023 timeframe in sync with the riverside phase of Water Works Park.
About Friends of the Lock and Dam
Friends of the Lock and Dam is a nonprofit organization of Twin Cities’ citizens interested in Minneapolis’ riverfront preservation and development of riverfront public amenities. Its mission is to generate broad-based public discussion around the development of the Mississippi riverfront and to share a vision for repurposing the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam as a public facility.
Friday
Oct142016
Street Closures for October 15 Zombie Pub Crawl
From the Minneapolis Police Department:
This Saturday will bring both Zombies and road closures to Downtown Minneapolis. Check out our Zombie Pub Crawl street closure map, so you can plan your way in and out of downtown accordingly.
Thursday
Oct132016
Wells Fargo Minneapolis WinterSkate Opens November 25
The Minneapolis Downtown Council, in partnership with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board and Minneapolis SafeZone Collaborative, announced today that the Wells Fargo Minneapolis WinterSkate will offer free outdoor skating in Downtown Minneapolis this winter.
Wells Fargo Minneapolis WinterSkate will be located in Loring Park and will open on Friday, November 25. The skating rink is free and open to the public daily through the winter skating season.
“It is an exciting opportunity to ensure the Downtown Minneapolis community will have an outdoor skating rink this winter,” said Joe Ravens, Wells Fargo Minnesota Region President. “This partnership is a great way to bring our community together through one of our state’s longstanding traditions.”
The Warming House courtesy of CenterPoint Energy will be open daily during the following hours: Mondays-Fridays 3 pm – 9 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 9 pm, and Sundays 10 am – 6 pm. Hours will be extended by one hour on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during Holidazzle, which runs November 25-December 23. The warming house will also have special hours on December 24 (12 pm – 4 pm), December 25 (closed) and December 31-January 1 (12 pm – 6 pm).
Complimentary skates will be available during warming house hours on a first-come, first-served basis. Sizes and quantities may vary.
“Skating outdoors is such an important part of Minnesota winters, and we’re excited that Wells Fargo Minneapolis WinterSkate will be in downtown Minneapolis this winter,” said Leah Wong, Vice President of Events and Marketing, Minneapolis Downtown Council. “We’re excited for all who live, work, play and explore our downtown area to come out and create memories on the rink right here in the heart of our city.”
In addition to being open daily for public use, Wells Fargo Minneapolis WinterSkate will also host activities and programming throughout the year. More information will be announced throughout the winter season.
“Outdoor skating is a great winter addition to Loring Park,” said Jayne Miller, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Superintendent. “Our parks are a gathering place for people to come together, and what better way to congregate during the winter than a skating rink. We’re excited to welcome people to Loring Park this winter and enjoy their skating experience.”
For more information on Wells Fargo Minneapolis WinterSkate, visit www.downtownmpls.com/winterskate or follow @MplsDowntown on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #MplsWinterSkate.
Wednesday
Oct122016
Alma Cafe and Hotel Update + October 14 - 15 Events!
Via an October 12 e-newsletter from Restaurant Alma:
We have some news about our opening (and re-opening dates): Alma Cafe & Hotel will open on Friday, November 11th and Restaurant Alma will reopen on Friday, November 25th! We are putting some final touches on our online reservation system and will send an update out next week on how to reserve rooms at The Alma Hotel.
We are partnering with some friends to bring a taste of the Cafe outside of our walls. Read below to learn more about Cafe Alma at the Fulton taproom and the Northeast Farmers Market.
Alma at the Fulton Taproom!
We are excited to announce the launch of a series of pop-up cafes at the Fulton Taproom in October.
To kick off the series, on Friday, October 14th, from 4:30–9:30pm, Matti Sprague, Cafe Chef de Cuisine, will serve small dishes from our soon to open cafe menu. Fulton will be suggesting beer pairings to highlight Matti’s menu.
On Saturday, October 15th, between 5:00–9:30pm, Alma’s chef and owner Alex Roberts will join Matti in serving, and most definitely will enjoy a beer with guests. This will be an opportunity to talk directly with the faces of Alma about what’s to come with the cafe, restaurant and hotel.
Alma is hiring!
We are looking for good people to join our award winning culinary team in our newly built open kitchen.
Shared with Restaurant Alma, the Cafe kitchen will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. The menus are built on the same standards for ingredient sourcing and foundational recipes as our restaurant, but served in an approachable a la carte format. Menus include everything from snacks to full meals and feature a wide range of items including extensive seasonal vegetable preparation, traditional sauces, hearth baked breads, extruded pasta and whole animal butchery.
If you are interested in becoming part of our team, send a cover letter and resume to Matti Sprague (matti@restaurantalma.com).
If you are interested in becoming part of our team, send a cover letter and resume to Matti Sprague (matti@restaurantalma.com).
Bakery pop-up!
Carrie and her team are back in the kitchen (this time our brand new production kitchen) and they are baking again!
On Saturday, October 15th, they will be setting up a stand at the Northeast Farmers Market at St. Boniface Church. In addition to fresh baked tarts, we will have savory and sweet galettes, cookies and pies. Stop by between 9am–1pm to say hi, and to fill your shopping bags.
Northeast Farmers Market
St. Boniface Church Parking Lot
629 NE 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(corner of University Avenue & 7th Avenue NE)
Wednesday
Oct122016
Preserve Minneapolis Seeks New Board of Directors Members
Preserve Minneapolis looking for a few new members for their Board of Directors. There are a few skill sets they are particulary looking for (detailed below), but they'd love to hear from anyone passionate about preservation in Minneapolis, no matter your background.
To be considered, please send a letter of interest to Board Secretary Kelly Mastin (kmastin@millerdunwiddie.com) by November 1, 2016.
In your letter, please include comments regarding:
• Your interest and/or background in preservation in Minneapolis (or elsewhere)
• How you could help the board and the organization in its mission to improve the quality of life in Minneapolis by recognizing, preserving, and revitalizing the architectural and related cultural resources of the city of Minneapolis
• Special skills, experience, or interests (etc.) that you would contribute to the board
These positions are for a one-year term, with the possibility of a longer-term extension. The Board meets every other month, in addition to the annual meeting. View current Board of Directors.
Right now, they are seeking new board members (and volunteers - you don't need to be on the board!) with the following expertise:
• Website management (namely, experience with WordPress)
• Bookkeeping/accounting (to advise our treasurer)
• Video production (to assist with creating short videos about our tours and other events)
• Communications
Tuesday
Oct112016
Minneapolis Downtown Council To Honor 2025 Plan Leadership Awards Recipients At Annual Gala On Thursday, October 20
MINNEAPOLIS (October 11, 2016) — The Minneapolis Downtown Council (MDC) announced today the winners of its annual Intersections: The Downtown 2025 Plan Leadership Awards, all of whom will be honored at MDC’s Gala taking place Thursday, October 20 at Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot (225 South 3rd Avenue). The awards ceremony will begin at 7:30 pm.
The 2025 Plan Leadership Awards, now in their third year, celebrate individuals, organizations and initiatives that helped advance the 2025 Plan’s mission over the past year. The awards focus on specific efforts that fall under the six 2025 Plan committees focused on Development, Downtown Experience, Greening & Public Realm, Transportation, Ending Street Homelessness and Festival of Ideas (MiX). MDC also honors a group or initiative that made an exceptional impact on downtown through its 2025 Plan Impact Award.
“We have an exceptional network of people and businesses within our community that volunteer their time, talents and efforts toward helping us create a vibrant and extraordinary downtown,” said Steve Cramer, President & CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Downtown Improvement District. “The 2025 Plan Leadership Awards are our way of saying thank you while honoring those that went above and beyond over the past year.”
This year’s 2025 Plan Leadership Awards recipients include:
- Development: University of Minnesota Task Force co-chaired by David Marquis and Paige Rickert
- Downtown Experience: Northbest: Ads of Minnesota in collaboration with Doug Spong & AdFed MN
- Greening & Public Realm: The Commons
- Transportation: Commissioner Charlie Zelle
- Ending Street Homelessness: YouthLink Peer Street Outreach Program
- Festival of Ideas (MiX): John Sweeney
- 2025 Plan Impact Award:
The Minneapolis Downtown Council issued a call for nominations for this year’s 2025 Plan Leadership Awards in August, asking its members, 2025 Plan committee leadership, volunteers, and the public to nominate individuals, organizations, or initiatives that have impacted the 2025 Plan’s 10 main goals over the past 12 months. Those nominations were compiled and one winner was selected for each of the six 2025 Plan committee areas.
The 2025 Plan Impact Award is an additional award given to recognize an individual or organization that has had significant impact and greatly advanced the 2025 Plan in several areas of its initiatives over the past year.
The University of Minnesota Task Force co-chaired by David Marquis and Paige Rickert focuses on the 2025 Plan’s mission to forge a strong connection with the U of M. This year, the task force worked on projects that helping connect university students and faculty with the downtown business community. In an effort to help our downtown community attract and retain top, up-coming talent, this task force delivered opportunities to accentuate shared objectives and points of connection between potential future employees and the local business community.
Northbest: Ads of Minnesota, a partnership between MDC, AdFed MN and The 2025 Plan’s Downtown Experience Committee, was a new event in 2016 that highlighted the local creative advertising community. The event took place at The Commons in downtown Minneapolis on October 4 and included a big screen that showcased a reel of locally made ads. Doug Spong chaired a curation committee, which also included Sue Crolick, Nancy Rice and Steve Wehrenberg. After a call for nominations, the curation committee received 138 advertisement submissions from 19 local agencies. They then selected the 27 best from the group. Northbest also included food trucks, local craft beer, lawn games and networking, and it led into AdFed MN’s Silver Medal Award presentation.
The Commons, a new 4.2-acre green space located on two city blocks in East Town, opened this summer and provides a new park for the downtown community. The Commons offers a place for people to take a break during the work day, a gathering and connection point, an entertainment destination and much more. The park was designed by Hargreaves Associates, and was a public and private collaborative effort. The Commons is open to the public but can also host events.
Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Charlie Zelle has been a longtime supporter of transportation enhancement. Commissioner Zelle was appointed by MnDOT in 2012 and has served as a 2025 Plan volunteer since the plan was initially conceived in 2010. He has been an advocate and a supporter of enhanced transportation options in downtown Minneapolis and the surrounding region.
The YouthLink Peer Street Outreach Program is a collaborative effort that places youth outreach workers on the street throughout downtown Minneapolis in an effort to connect with and provide resources for youth ages 18 to 23 years old who are experiencing homelessness. The youth outreach workers all have a background of experiencing homelessness themselves. The program offers them a job that helps direct those in need to vital resources in the community. It also offers the youth outreach workers a scholarship to cover the cost of a class at Minneapolis Community and Technical College.
John Sweeney of The Brave New Workshop has been a strong advocate and supporter for the innovation and community gathering nature of the Minneapolis Idea eXchange. He has a passion for putting a spotlight on innovation and solving challenges within our community. Over the past year Sweeney has provided a voice of directional leadership for MiX and is always willing to volunteer and help with upcoming MiX initiatives. This year, Sweeney and Brave New Workshop hosted MiX at their comedy theater and led insight and improvisational exercises to initiate conversation and develop ideas related to MiX’s topic of design thinking within the community.
U.S. Bank Stadium opened in July 2016. Securing the Minnesota Vikings’ new home in downtown Minneapolis was one of the 10 initiatives that the 2025 Plan laid out in 2010, and this goal became a reality when the gates opened this year. The Minneapolis Downtown Council will recognize the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, Minnesota Vikings, Mortenson Construction and U.S. Bank for their collaborative efforts in making this stadium a reality. Not only did it secure a venue that will host both major and daily events, but it also ushered in a wave of development in the East Town area that includes new office space, residential properties, greening, transportation amenities and overall neighborhood vibrancy.
This year’s Minneapolis Downtown Council Gala will include networking, dinner, updates on the 2025 Plan and musical entertainment. Registration is available through October 13 by visiting www.downtownmpls.com/2025awards.
Following the event, photos and logos will be available at www.downtownmpls.com/media. For more information on the Minneapolis Downtown Council Gala featuring the 2025 Plan Leadership Awards, follow @MplsDowntown on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, or use the hashtag #2025Plan.
About the Minneapolis Downtown Council:
Founded in 1955, and one of the most historic central business associations in the nation, the Minneapolis Downtown Council (MDC) is a membership-based entity that works to create an extraordinary downtown. The MDC’s collaborative developments of Intersections: Downtown 2025 Plan was designed to help downtown businesses, community leaders and citizens build on downtown assets and implement future goals. For more information, please visit www.downtownmpls.com.
About the 2025 Plan:
The Downtown 2025 Plan is a vehicle to help leaders and citizens build on Downtown’s assets and guide its development in ways that reflect the community’s aspirations for a Downtown Minneapolis that is thriving, livable, green, connected and welcoming in the decades ahead. This includes initiatives to double downtown’s residential population, transform Nicollet Mall into a must-see destination, implement a Gateway area and other green elements throughout downtown, create a compelling and walkable environment around the clock, lead the nation in transportation options, end street homelessness, forge connections with the University of Minnesota and more. The 2025 Plan is a Minneapolis Downtown Council initiative established in 2010.
Tuesday
Oct112016
Celebrating the Reconnecting of Franklin Avenue this Saturday, October 15
Celebrating the reconnecting of Franklin Avenue
WHAT: Bridging our communities – Reconnecting Franklin Avenue, a Franklin Avenue bridge community celebration.
WHEN: Saturday, October 15, 10:00am to Noon
WHERE: West end of the Franklin Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis
ACTIVITIES: Starting at 10:30am, there will be speeches emceed by Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin.
Celebratory remarks will include Minnesota Department of Transportation, members of the state Legislature, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and Prospect Park and Seward neighborhoods.
This will be followed by a ceremonial bike ride/pedestrian walk on the bridge to celebrate the new bridge deck’s separated on-road bike lanes, walkways and overlook nooks.
This event is open to the public.
RSVP: Contact Colin Cox at 612-596-7426 or colin.cox@hennepin.us. This will ensure that you have the proper access to parking and to the event.
