Friday, July 31 - Riverfront Fest

Friday, July 31, 2015

5:30 PM to Sunset

Ole Olson Park, 2325 West River Rd, Minneapolis

Sponsored by the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the Minneapolis East Exchange Club.

Join us on the night of the Blue Moon for the third annual Riverfront Fest at Ole Olson Park.  In addition to your favorite local food trucks and craft beer, Wain McFarlane and Dreadlock Cowboy and the Fattenin Frogs will be the featured bands.  New this year is a Boat Ballet on the Mississippi River.

RiverQuest: ride the riverfront!

Date: Saturday, June 27

(Registration closes on Monday, June 22nd!)

It’s the time of the year to gather a few good friends and spend a summer’s afternoon getting to know the Mississippi! Join RiverQuest, a two-wheeled team scavenger hunt up and down the Minneapolis riverfront! Explore the famed Mississippi both on and off the beaten path, and dive headlong into its past, present and future.

Through a unique series of clues, each team will explore key points along the riverfront and capture their completed tasks via Instagram (using #RiverQuest2015). At each of several stops along the way, it will be up to you and your team to fulfill the challenge laid out for you.

Full details & registration...

Comment on the Pillsbuty A-Mill Hydro EAW

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has prepared the attached Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) to describe the environmental effects associated with the Pillsbury A-Mill Artist Lofts Hydroelectric Project, located in Hennepin County, Minnesota. This document has been prepared as a Mandatory EAW pursuant to Minnesota Rules, part 4410.4300, subpart 24 Water Appropriation and Impoundments. The DNR is the Responsible Governmental Unit for the environmental review of this project. The EAW is based off of an Environmental Assessment (EA) that has been conducted in accordance with Federal NEPA Requirements. This EA and its supporting studies have been incorporated into the EAW as Attachment 1.

Download the EAW (zip file, 12.8MB)...

A 30-day public review and comment period will begin on May 11, 2015, with the publication of the notice of availability of this EAW in the EQB Monitor.  The DNR invites public comments on the EAW during the public review period from May 11, 2015 to June 10, 2015 at 4:30 pm.  A copy of the EAW is available for public review at:

·         DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4025

·         DNR Central Region, 1200 Warner Road, St. Paul, MN55106

·         Minneapolis Central Library, Government Documents, 2nd Floor, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1992

The EAW is also posted on the DNR’s website at: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/index.html è Public Inputè Environmental Reviewè See Pillsbury A-Mill Artist Lofts Hydroelectric Project EAW in the drop down list.

Written comments must be received by Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at 4:30 pm and sent to: 

Kate Frantz, EAW Project Manager

Department of Natural Resources, Division of Ecological and Water Resources

500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55155-4025

Electronic or e-mail comments may be sent to Environmentalrev.dnr@state.mn.us with “Pillsbury A-Mill Artist Lofts Hydroelectric Project EAW” in the subject line.  If submitting comments electronically, please include your name and U.S. mailing address.  Signed written comments may be sent via facsimile to (651) 296-1811.  For additional information, or copies of the EAW, please call (651) 259-5082.

Attachments:

Pillsbury A-Mill Artist Lofts Hydroelectric Project EAW

Pillsbury A-Mill Artist Lofts Hydroelectric Project Figures

Attachment 1: Environmental Assessment. This document is appended by the following reports:

-          Final Report: Unionid Survey for the A-Mill Artist Lofts Hydroelectric Project

-          Fish Entrainment and Mortality Study (A-Mill Artist Lofts Hydroelectric Project)

-          Hydraulic Modeling of Channel Downstream of the A-Mill Artist Lofts Hydroelectric Project

Download the EAW (zip file, 12.8MB)...

CenterPoint Energy - Downtown Minneapolis Construction Update

MN Limited, LLC. and Michels Corporation, two authorized CenterPoint Energy contractors, will continue installing natural gas pipeline in the following locations:

3rd Avenue N., from Washington Avenue N. to 1st Street N.:

• Final construction is underway.
• Restoration will begin the week of May 25th.

2nd Street N., from 3rd Avenue N. to 2nd Avenue N.:

• Final construction is underway.
• Restoration will begin the week of May 18th.

2nd Street N., from 2nd Avenue N. to 1st Avenue N.:

• Service line replacements will begin Monday, May 18th and continue until Friday, May 22nd.
• Restoration will begin the week of May 25th.

Near the intersection of 1st Street N. and 1st Avenue N.:

• Crews are working eastwards along 1st Street N. toward just west of Hennepin Avenue.
• Parking is not be allowed along 1st Street N., from 2nd Avenue N. to Hennepin Avenue.
• Two-way traffic will be maintained, but there is no through traffic on 1st Avenue N.

Near the intersection of 2nd Avenue S. and 2nd Street S.:

• Crews are currently working at this intersection.
• Until approximately Monday, May 25th, northbound 2nd Avenue S. traffic will be closed at the intersection of 2nd Street S. and 2nd Avenue S. One southbound 2nd Avenue S. lane will remain open.
• There will be no through traffic at this intersection on 2nd Street S. Please follow the posted detour.

2nd Street S., between 5th Avenue S. to Portland Avenue S.:

• Final construction is underway.
• Restoration will begin the week of May 18th and reopen fully by the end of the week.

2nd Street S., between Portland Avenue S. and Chicago Avenue S.:

• Crews are working eastward along 2nd Street S.
• Crews will be working at the intersection of Portland Avenue S. and 2nd Street S.
• Southbound Portland Avenue S. will be detoured, but northbound Portland Avenue S. will remain open.

Near the intersection of 2nd Street S. and 11th Avenue S.:

• Crews will begin working at this intersection on Monday, May 18th.

Please visit our website often to receive project updates, traffic alerts and any anticipated road or lane closures.

For further information, please contact Ashley Osteraas at 612-321-5546 or Ashley.Osteraas@centerpointenergy.com. Thank you.

Pillsbury Sign Restoration Complete, to be Re-installed this Summer

Today, Lawrence Sign announced that it has completed restoration of the historic Pillsbury’s Best Flour sign located in the Saint Anthony Falls Historic District of Minneapolis.

The sign represents one of three national historic landmarks in Minneapolis; in 2014 Lawrence Sign was selected to rehabilitate the iconic Pillsbury’s Best Flour rooftop sign.

In efforts to preserve and revitalize the significant landmark, restoration of the Pillsbury’s Best Flour rooftop sign was a collaborative effort between Lawrence Sign and the City of Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission.

Dominium, the Plymouth, Minn.-based developer that has transformed the A-mill site into artist lofts, will re-light the refurbished sign during this summer. “We are proud to be a leader in preserving such historical local landmarks. Bringing this iconic sign back to life will make the renovation truly complete,” said Patrick Ostrom, development associate with Dominium.

The Pillsbury Company’s 30-foot sign has stood atop the Pillsbury “A” Mill Complex since about 1940, according to city records. It replaced a similar sign that stood since 1920, which featured a large flour bag. The sign remained lit until 2010.

Over the course of 75 years the sign deteriorated. Upon inspection and consultation from the Preservation Commission, Lawrence Sign determined that the letter faces and returns could be rehabilitated instead of replaced. The sign exhibited some degradation and compromise to the structure as a result of rust and weathering, but damage was mitigated with newly fabricated aluminum.

Lawrence also replaced the nonfunctioning neon lighting system with LED lights intended to replicate the original look. Lawrence Sign is an expert at LED lighting applications, utilizing the technology because of energy savings and minimal maintenance requirements.

“The Pillsbury’s Best Flour sign is an important historical landmark in Minneapolis and it was a privilege to be trusted to restore and update it with the workmanship, quality and beauty of the original sign,” said Robb Walker, president and CEO of Lawrence Sign and Nordquist Sign.

About Lawrence Sign & Nordquist Sign

For more than 80 years, Lawrence Sign has been assisting prominent companies to grow with new locations coast to coast with their multi-site sign program. Lawrence Sign proactively manages every aspect of their customers’ sign programs including design, regulatory compliance, fabrication and installation and ongoing maintenance.

Lawrence Sign utilizes advanced technologies and expansive facilities to provide direct in-house control of the entire sign fabrication process. The Company excels at serving companies with a multi-site national and international presence.

Nordquist Sign has been fabricating and installing interior and exterior signage, architectural elements and way-finding signage for more than 100 years. Nordquist’s customer base and scope of work includes custom signage and environmental graphics for hospitals, sports facilities, themed entertainment, corporate/financial and mass transit industries. Nordquist Sign also maintains a gaming division with offices in Las Vegas and St. Paul, Minn. to serve casino gaming markets throughout the United States.

In early 2012, Lawrence Sign combined with Nordquist Sign to unite the unique resources and capabilities of the two companies. Together, Lawrence Sign and Nordquist Sign offer their clients more than 175 years of experience in sign manufacturing and installation for all facets of the signage industry.

About Dominium

Founded in 1972, Dominium is a Minneapolis-based owner, developer, and manager of apartment communities nationwide. With more than 21,000 owned and/or managed units at 208 sites in 18 states, Dominium is known for creative solutions to unique and challenging development projects, and management expertise. For more information visit http://www.dominiumapartments.com.

Next Weekend - Sixth Avenue Greenway Planting fest!

Saturday May 16 & Sunday May 17

A fun opportunity to help our riverfront neighbors connect and help our Mississippi River neighborhoods thrive!

Next weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, volunteers will plant hundreds of native plants on the Sixth Avenue Greenway, near the Stone Arch Bridge and University Avenue SE - near Restaurant Alma.  The plants are all native, and many are attractive to bees and other pollinators.

We are asking people to volunteer for a few hours / 10a-1p, or 2p-5p on Saturday or Sunday.   We have chosen late afternoon Sundays in the summer for care of the greenway, in case you are interested in that, too.

Please contact chris@marcy-holmes.org to sign up.

Career Opportunities at Periscope

Local creative agency has several job openings.  From the Periscope website:

- Account Executive (Temporary)

- Future Periscopian

- Paid Search Planner

- Periscope Internships

- Senior Broadcast Producer

- Senior Media Account Supervisor

More details at:

http://careers.periscope.com/

Water Works: A Gateway Park to the Mississippi River

SCAPE / LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE presents a 3-D flythrough animation of Water Works, a schematic vision for a new public gateway to the Mississippi River’s only true waterfall.

View on large screen...

Job Opening - Account Executive at Stone Arch

Are you passionate about your clients’ success? If so, read on…

At StoneArch we’re committed to solving healthcare’s biggest marketing challenges. If you have a proven track record of turning healthcare clients into true partners, we’d like to meet you.

As an Account Executive, you’ll join our Client Services team to provide outstanding service to clients, develop a solid understanding of clients’ business objectives and ensure that all strategies and tactics are aligned to those objectives. You’ll act as a liaison between clients, their brands, and our agency team to deliver stellar creative work to clients. This assignment will be for a minimum of four months as an independent contractor, with potential to become full-time employment.

To be successful in this role, you’ll need at least four years of account management experience. Previous healthcare (marketing/communications or public relations) experience and/or experience working in an agency with medical device and/or healthcare clients is preferred. You’ll also need a bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising, communications, journalism, or a related field; or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

We’ve spent the last 30 years partnering with health and medical organizations to communicate, educate and connect with their audiences. And we’ve won more than our fair share of awards along the way, both for our work and our culture. Our neighbors include the Guthrie Theater, the Stone Arch Bridge, the scenic Mississippi River, and the historic Mill Ruins district with a maze of walking and biking paths just outside our front door.

Sandra Peterson
Human Resources Manager

612.200.5035
careers@stonearchcreative.com

Wednesday, April 29 - Lunch with Lisa / Walker Art Center/Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Renovation Projects

WALKER ART CENTER/MINNEAPOLIS SCULPTURE GARDEN RENOVATION PROJECTS   

DATE: APRIL 29, 2015

TIME: 11:30PM, DISCUSSION STARTS PROMPTLY AT NOON

ST THOMAS UNIVERSITY—MINNEAPOLIS

OPUS 202

Join Council Member Lisa Goodman for lunch and conversation.   

Olga Viso, Executive Director of the Walker Art Center along with Dana Murdoch from the Park board, project manager, Sculpture Garden discuss the Walker Art Center/Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Renovation Projects.

Come and hear first hand about the exciting changes and upgrades to these wonderful City treasures.

$10 Lunch is offered

Come early to get your lunch and a good seat.

RSVP’S not necessary but appreciated for food count to 673-2207

*May Lunch with Lisa is a tour of the Emergency Preparedness Facility*

Major Changes Planned for Pedestrians, Bikes in Downtown East

As a result of the major transformation happening in the Mill District (Downtown East), Minneapolis Public Works is developing a long term plan for a major revamping of the Pedestrian Realm.

The City of Minneapolis identified a study area bounded by Washington Avenue to 6th Street and 5th Avenue to Chicago Avenue.  Within that 12 block area, there are a number of development changes under construction with more being planned and proposed.  As such, the movement by all modes in this area will also change. 

Job Opening at 1010 Washington Wine & Spirits

1010 Washington Wine & Spirits seeks part time employees to greet customers, stock shelves and displays, run the cash register including both cash and credit card transactions.

Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 8 AM to 10 PM.  Shift time as well as length of shift are negotiable, as is hourly wage.  Knowledge of Wines, Spirits and Beer is preferable but not necessary.  A ready smile, a good attitude, and a willingness to work will overcome everything else.

Please Contact Don Hanson at (612) 339-4040 or by email  at Don@1010wws.com.

Repeal of Bike Speed Limits Fails at MPRB

A resolution to repeal the speed limit on Park Board trails failed last week.  Commissioner Anita Tabb summed up the opposition viewpoint succinctly (1 minute, 6 seconds):

Watch the entire discussion (20 minutes, 2 seconds):

[Video] Why the Lock at St. Anthony Falls is Closing - Rowers Attacked By Flying Asian Carp

A new video illustrating why the lock is closing - Washington University in St. Louis freshman men's crew team gets attacked by giant Asian Carp during a Friday morning practice at Creve Coeur Lake:

Current Job Openings

Spoonriver Restaurant is seeking experienced servers for patio season.

Posted by Mill City Times on Thursday, April 9, 2015

Sales Manager position open at The Renaissance Minneapolis

Posted by Mill City Times on Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Riley Hayes has an opening for a Senior Account Executive.

Posted by Mill City Times on Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Nicollet Mall Project Update

Activity on Nicollet Mall to shift for construction

Work to redesign and improve Nicollet Mall begins soon. This season, crews will begin upgrading and relocating power, gas, telecommunications, sanitary sewer and water lines beneath the street in advance of the complete reconstruction. Over the next two years, the entire pedestrian and transit mall will be reconstructed, from building face to building face. More information on the new design, including renderings of how the new mall will look, is available at www.nicolletmallproject.com.

Because of this construction, there will be noticeable impacts on mall traffic and activities:

• Pedestrians - Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout construction. Sidewalks will remain open on at least one side of the street at all times, and customers and workers will be able to get to every business.
• Buses – Metro Transit plans to detour bus service from Nicollet Mall for construction later this spring, likely in May. Buses would return once the mall construction project is completed in 2017.
• Taxis – Taxis will not be allowed on the mall once construction begins. When the work is completed in 2017, Nicollet Mall will no longer have taxis north of 12th Street.
• Bicycles – Bike traffic will be maintained on the mall this year, but bikes will not be allowed in 2016 until the mall construction project is completed.
• Farmers Market – For the 2015 and 2016 seasons, the Thursday farmers market will move to Hennepin Avenue.
• Food vendors – Food trucks and other food vendors will move off the mall for this year and next year.
• Sidewalk dining – There will be sidewalk dining throughout the reconstruction. However, depending on where work will be taking place, restaurants may have outdoor seating temporarily removed during construction.

Plans call for a $50 million redesign of Nicollet Mall from Washington Avenue to Grant Street. The design includes features that prioritize the space for pedestrians, including hardier trees, enhanced sidewalk spaces, improved lighting and new places for people to enjoy the mall. The grand opening for the new Nicollet Mall will take place in 2017.

Since the 1880s, Nicollet Mall has been a retail and business hub for Minneapolis. Over the years, the mall has been through two major renovations: one in 1968 and one in the 1980s. Today the space is used by 130,000 Minnesotans daily and is home to events such as the Nicollet Mall Farmers Market. The City and the Minneapolis Downtown Council are in the process of redesigning the mall to make it an even better destination and a more powerful economic engine for the region and the state.

Best of Facebook Last Week from Mill City Times

There's way too much news to publish on our website, so make our Facebook page  a regular destination.  Here's a sampling of our most popular from last week:

Next month - Art A Whirl!

Posted by Mill City Times on Saturday, April 11, 2015

2023 sounds like a long ways away - but so did 1999 when Prince first sang about it.

Posted by Mill City Times on Friday, April 10, 2015

Not approved yet, but still a possibility.

Posted by Mill City Times on Friday, April 10, 2015

...and St. Paul is #4.

Posted by Mill City Times on Friday, April 10, 2015

The Minneapolis Millerettes! (Did anyone else think they were looking at a scene from 'A League of Their Own'?) :)

Posted by Mill City Times on Thursday, April 9, 2015

A few surprises in this top 10 list.

Posted by Mill City Times on Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Another book to add to your local history collection: "Nordeast Minneapolis: A History"

Posted by Mill City Times on Monday, April 6, 2015

Update: Downtown Public Realm Steering Committee Meeting Notes

Meeting notes from the recent meeting of the Downtown Public Realm Steering Committee.

Thursday Night - The Grain Belt Apartments and Historic Grain Belt Office Building Celebrate Grand Opening

What:    On Thursday, April 16, 2015, Everwood Development will celebrate the grand opening of The Grain Belt Apartments and historic Grain Belt Office Building.  The celebration will begin at 3:00 p.m. with a brief program including comments from Everwood co-founder and principal David Dye, Ward 3 Council Member Jacob Frey, and City staff.

The Grain Belt development is significant to the City of Minneapolis as the site was the last City-owned historic Grain Belt building to be developed.   In 1977, the City saved the one hundred twenty-four year old brewing complex from demolition by designating it as a Landmark and subsequently purchasing the property in 1989, one year before it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  Since then, the City has worked with local developers and the State Office of Historic Preservation to secure capital, and to rehabilitate and reinvigorate the brewery complex, which now includes architectural offices, Park Board facilities, a public library branch, a union office, and artist studios.  The Grain Belt Office Building located at 1215 Marshall Street NE was the last portion of the complex to receive this treatment.  Through the Everwood development of The Grain Belt Apartments and Office Building, this historic renovation is now complete.

The Everwood development also preserves the archaeological remnants of the City’s first (and the state’s second) brewery: the Orth Brewery, whose remains have been capped and protected by a public plaza at the corner of Marshall Street and 13th Avenue NE.

Following the grand opening program, attendees will have the opportunity to tour the newly remodeled historic Office Building and The Grain Belt luxury apartments.  The apartments are housed in two, four-story apartment buildings totaling 220,514 sq. ft.  Of the 150 apartment units, 120 have already been leased.  A reception with light refreshments and music will go until 4:30 p.m. For more information on The Grain Belt visit their website.

When: Thursday, April 16

3:00-4:30 p.m.

Where: The Grain Belt Apartments

1215 Marshall Street NE, Minneapolis

Elliot Park BLUH Meeting Thursday, April 16th, 7-8:30 p.m.

Elliot Park Building, Land Use & Housing Meeting Thursday, April 16th, 7-8:30 p.m. at the Elliot Park Recreation Center, 1000 E. 14th Street.

AGENDA

- HCMC Update-Revised plans & schedule

- 706 S 9th Street-Historic Building restoration project

- “The Commons” Presentation and discussion/feedback

- House of Charity - Presentation of new development project in Elliot Park