May 15 Joint Community Meeting at Open Book: Downtown East Redevelopment Update

Ryan Companies Downtown East Redevelopment Project Update

Please join the East Downtown Council, along with the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA), the Elliot Park Neighborhood Inc (EPNi), and the Mill District Neighborhood Association (MDNA) to hear an update on the progress being made on Ryan Companies Downtown East Redevelopment Project.

May 15 at Open Book, 1011 Washington Avenue S, 6:30pm-8:00pm.
 
Guest presenters will include Rick Collins, Mike Ryan, Tony Barranco and Jeremy Jacobs from Ryan Companies. The four-some will provide an update on the following items:
•Status of building demolition, along with future demolition activity;
•Status of preservation of historic "medallions" from Star Tribune 425 Portland Avenue building;
•Construction schedule;
•Status update on Air Rights Development project; and
•Where to look for updates on the project.

AGENDA
6:30pm - Welcome and introductions by EDC President Dan Collison
6:45pm - Downtown East redevelopment project update by Ryan Companies
7:30pm - Q&A moderated by EDC President Dan Collison
8:00pm - Announcements and Adjournment

About Ryan Companies US, Inc.
Ryan Companies US, Inc. is a 3rd generation, family-owned national developer, designer, capital investment consultant, builder and real estate manager specializing in fully integrated solutions for 75 years. Key market sectors include: retail, distribution, and health care; and product experience includes work on office, retail, mixed use, hospitality, multi-housing, industrial, medical office building, senior housing, distribution center, public sector, and mission critical facilities.  Ryan serves customers throughout the United States with offices in the NorthCentral, Midwest, Great Lakes, SouthEast, SouthCentral and SouthWest regions. For more information, visit http://www.ryancompanies.com/. 

Godzilla! Minneapolis Exclusive from the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul, May 9-15

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul brings you Godzilla: The Japanese Original - 60th Anniversary Restoration, Friday, May 9 - Thursday, May 15.

He's back! After six decades of countless spin-offs, knock-offs, homages, and legions of fans, the "King of the Monsters" returns to the big screen like you've never seen him before. The 60th Anniversary digital restoration is uncensored, uncut, and undubbed; featuring 40 minutes of footage never seen in the US and in the original Japanese language. Behold Godzilla!

Oh no! There goes Tokyo!

Vandals Deface Mill Ruins Park

I've been traveling lately, so not sure when this occurred.  I hope the person(s) who did this are eventually caught.

Vikings Stadium Construction - Week 23

Progress continues...

We're attempting to publish a photo with this same view each week from the start of construction through the first game played at the new Minnesota Vikings Stadium in Downtown Minneapolis.

Northeast Riverfront Liquor Store Project Moves Forward

The Minneapolis Planning Commission approved a controversial project by Krause Liquor to build a liquor store on Broadway Ave. near the Minneapolis Riverfront on Wednesday, April 23.  Despite a 9-1 vote against the project by the St. Anthony West Neighborhood Organization, and overwhelming opposition from local residents, the Planning Commission voted unanimously in favor of the project.  The project needs additional approvals, including the Council of the Whole, before breaking ground.

From the City of Minneapolis website:

2.  Krause Liquor Store (BZZ-6425, Ward: 3), 80 Broadway St NE (Janelle Widmeier). This item was continued from the March 3 and March 24, 2014 meetings.

Staff report

A. Conditional Use Permit: Application by DJR Architecture, on behalf of Steve Krause, for a conditional use permit to allow a liquor store located at 80 Broadway St NE.

Recommended Motion: The Department of Community Planning and Economic Development recommends that the City Planning Commission adopt the findings and approve the application for a conditional use permit to allow a liquor store for the property located at 80 Broadway St NE, subject to the following condition:

1. The conditional use permit shall be recorded with Hennepin County as required by Minn. Stat. 462.3595, subd. 4 before building permits may be issued or before the use or activity requiring a conditional use permit may commence. Unless extended by the zoning administrator, the conditional use permit shall expire if it is not recorded within two years of approval.

B. Site Plan Review: Application by DJR Architecture, on behalf of Steve Krause, for a site plan review to allow a new 1-story, approximately 7,700 square foot building located at 80 Broadway St NE.

Recommended Motion: The Department of Community Planning and Economic Development recommends that the City Planning Commission adopt the findings and approve the site plan review application to allow a new 1-story, approximately 7,500 square foot building for the property located at 80 Broadway St NE, subject to the following conditions:

1. Not less than 30 percent of the Broadway St NE building elevation shall be windows that comply with the standards of section 530.120(b) of the zoning code.
2. Not less than 25 percent of the parking lot building elevation shall be windows that comply with the standards of section 530.120(b) of the zoning code.
3. At least 4 boulevard trees shall be planted in the Broadway St right-of-way, at least 2 boulevard trees shall be planted in the Marshall St right-of-way, and at least 3 boulevard trees shall be planted in the 11^th Ave right-of-way.
4. Not less than 6 canopy trees shall be provided in the required landscaped yards between the parking area and Marshall St and 11^th Ave as required by section 530.170 of the zoning code.
5. Department of Community Planning and Economic Development staff review and approval of the final building elevations, floor, fixture, site, lighting and landscape plans.
6. Site improvements required by Chapter 530 or by the City Planning Commission shall be completed by April 23, 2016, unless extended by the Zoning Administrator, or the permit may be revoked for non-compliance. 

Marcy-Holmes Spring Fest

We happened upon the Marcy-Holmes Spring Fest while out for a walk on Saturday.

Today Kicks Off Minneapolis Bike Week: May 4 - 11

Minneapolis is the best bicycling city in the country. It’s time to celebrate – Minneapolis Bike Week, set for May 4 -11, 2014, will be a weeklong celebration dedicated to the joy of riding a bike in Minneapolis and encouraging new riders to ride – to school, to the grocery store, to work or just for fun. The week will be filled with great events and activities for anyone – families, kids, people whose bikes spend too much time in their garages – who wants to explore our beautiful city on their bicycle. Take a ride – the rest of the city will be riding with you!

Theme Days:

• Sunday, May 4: Bike to Parks Day
• Monday, May 5: Cinco de Mayo
• Tuesday, May 6: Nice Ride Day
• Wednesday, May 7: Bike to School Day
• Thursday, May 8: Bike to Work Day
• Friday, May 9: Bike and Ride Day
• Saturday, May 10: Bike to Local Businesses Day
• Sunday, May 11: Family Bike Day

Plus all week: Commuter Pit Stops

Minneapolis Bike Week is being organized by the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition and more than 50 partners, including the City of Minneapolis.

For updates about Minneapolis Bike Week, visit mplsbike.org

WHO BOMBED THE TRAIN? Book Launch Party - May 7 at Bridgewater Lofts

Forty Press is hosting a launch party for WHO BOMBED THE TRAIN?, the third Skeeter Hughes mystery by Mill District resident, Judy Borger.  The event is being held Wednesday, May 7, from 7:00-8:30pm in the Bridgewater Lofts community room, 215 10th Avenue South (metered street parking).

Meet Judy, enjoy a short reading, Q&A, book signing and refreshments.

Electronic copies of WHO BOMBED THE TRAIN? can be downloaded from Amazon.  If you don't use a Kindle, you can read books from Amazon on your iPad or computer by downloading the free Kindle app to your device, buy the book, and it will be delivered to you immediately.

Northern Spark 2014 - Update #6

HOTTEA Pays Homage in Large-Scale Installation

HOTTEA's new work for Northern Spark, La Maroma, is a site-specific installation about the Ayutla River in Mexico as told through stories by his mother. The stories are funny, tragic, and sometimes very sad. "I remember as a child listening to these words of my mother and feeling close to these people," recalls Eric Rieger, who works under the moniker he adopted in earlier years as a graffiti artist.

La Maroma is a temporary, expansive work that will be composed of many thousands of yards of brightly-colored yarn. The completed work will create an illusion of a footbridge spanning the underside of a section of Minneapolis' Third Avenue Bridge.

HOTTEA is a Minneapolis-based artist known locally and nationally for installation work that uses delicate materials to create the illusion of bulk and volume in space.

Just announced: Northern Lights.mn and 89.3 The Current to Host GRRL PRTY at Opening Ceremony

Northern Spark 2014 kicks off at the Minneapolis Convention Center Plaza with a festive Opening Ceremony free for everyone to celebrate. Witness the unveiling of the winner of the Creative City Challenge, Balancing Ground, and help Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges officially open Northern Spark at 9:01 pm. Mu Daiko will energize the crowd beforehand and Minneapolis hip-hop trio GRRL PRTY will carry the energy into the night with a special set as the sun goes down.

No matter where you are at the start of the festival you can help us power up Northern Spark with your limited edition NS2014 Sparker. When the clock rings 9:01 pm, lift your sparker in the air and generate some energy to help spark the night.

Nicollet Mall Concept Design Presentations May 14

Two Bike Plan Open Houses, May 7 and May 8

Via an April 28 Hennepin County e-newsletter:

Bike plan open houses hosted by Hennepin County, Three Rivers Park District

Hennepin County and Three Rivers Park District are working together on updating a county-wide bicycle plan that reflects current and growing use of cycling in the region. The organizations have been working since June 2013 to gather input from the community, cities and other stakeholders to add to the draft plan.

The public is welcome to attend two open houses during bike week to learn more about the status of the current plan, help set the priorities for project implementation and the location of the enhanced network, and find out what trends were identified from the last fall’s community input.

Join county and park district staff from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7 at Minnetonka Community Center (at City Hall); or county and City of Minneapolis staff on Thursday, May 8 at Minneapolis Central Library (Doty Board Room).

For more information visit www.hennepin.us/bikeplan.  

Look for more news on the Hennepin County website.

National Park Service announces River Trip Planner

River Trip Planner

Now you can visit your national park without a car. The National Park Service - Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is excited to share their long awaited River Trip Planner.

This online resource will help you plan a route anywhere in the park, identify bus, rail lines and the best points of access (river nodes) for popular river destinations. It's an easy-to-use Google-based map with embedded park destination and alternative transportation (bus, rail, bike, boat, and walking) information that builds on existing regional transit, recreational trails and river access.

Click here for more information about destinations in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.

Get to know Minneapolis native James Hong, in town for Comic Con

Article by Rachel Kahn, MCT Contributor

James Hong is a true testament to the power of following dreams.  His heart of gold shines through his voice and, oh my goodness, he is funny. And guess what? He is returning to his hometown of Minneapolis to reconnect with his roots and make us all laugh at Comic Con, taking place May 2nd - 4th at the Convention Center.

You know James! He entertained you in Kung Fu Panda, Balls of Fury, Big Trouble in Little China, Blade Runner, Mulan, Seinfeld, and hundreds of others television and movie credits. Check out this impressive list.

Additionally, as one of the founding members of the East West Players, an organization created to lend a voice to Asian actors, he describes the vital goal of casting empowered roles to the American Asian acting community. James speaks with a kind humbleness when describing his dedication to the work and the steps yet to be taken.

The son of Chinese immigrants, James was born in Minneapolis in 1929 and describes growing up on 3rd Avenue in the then Chinatown of the Twin Cities. The area he remembers of his youth is long since gone, replaced by high-rise buildings and a parking ramp, yet his Minnesota spirit remains proudly in tact. James told me stories of the laundry men of his era that would join his family in camaraderie each weekend; allowing for connection in a native language far removed from their original homes.

James and his family attended Westminster Presbyterian, a stunning cathedral that still stands today on Marquette and 12^th. He speaks with gratitude about the lovely members of his childhood church. James’ parents built a proud life for their seven children, promoting education and hard work. One of his first jobs was as the self–proclaimed ‘pastry boy’ at the Minneapolis landmark Nankin. Or as I would suggest, pie and pastry cutter extraordinaire? He laughingly tells me about the crabby chefs. Of course, I ask him if that was inspiration for his many roles over the years. He cheerfully agrees and describes his fun with the director and cast when playing Bruce the maître d' on Seinfeld’s Chinese restaurant episode.

As life is full of the many turns that create our journey, James was attending the University of Minnesota studying Civil Engineering when he was called to serve in the Korean War. After returning to Minnesota, he resumed school and quite outside his “good boy engineer” reputation began taking steps towards his secret dream of becoming an actor and comedian. He joined forces with his long time friend Don Parker and named their new duo act, Hong and Parker. James and Don set out on a true adventure of driving to San Francisco and Los Angeles knocking on every door.  James’ dedication paid off and he landed his first job on the Groucho Marx show in 1954. He finished his education at USC and speaks a bit mournfully of having to not only transfer all his credits, but also having to give up the 50 yard line University of Minnesota seats given to Seniors during that time.

We, of course, before concluding had to speak of food! What would a Mill City Times LoveSelf article be without making mention of health and culinary delights? My, Minnesota obvious, first question was to ask James if he had tried Lutefisk. He had not! Although, the topic inspired the best Swedish accent I have ever heard and quite a story about the Minnesota version of Chow Mein. I laughed until tears ran down my face. For those heritage Minnesotans if you are going to convince James to try this Minnesota famous food, be sure to lower the salt for the healthy guy. And because James is a brilliant man after my own heart, he takes great care of himself. No MSG for us, we happily mention when chatting about future dinner options. 

James is continuing an adventure started many years ago; reaching new heights with his next film Kung Fu Panda III, a Big Trouble in Little China comic book, and several incredible new movie scripts (stay tuned!). I speak on behalf of Minnesota, when we warmly welcome this gentle scholar with a huge personality. Welcome Home James! We are happy to see you. 

You can find James on Facebook or at http://www.jameshongfilms.com/.

James Hong in Kung Foo Panda:

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You can reach Rachel at rachel@loveself.org, www.loveselfmagazine.com

Red Stag Supperclub Offers Heritage Menus in Honor of Preservation Month

To celebrate Preservation Month, Red Stag Supperclub, 509 First Avenue Northeast, will feature a special Heritage Menu each week in May highlighting an architectural era and style. 

Weekly menus are created by Executive Chef TJ Rawitzer, based on an architectural era or style:

May 5 -11: Victorian era (1890's)
May 12 – 18: Bungalow (1920's)
May 19-25: Tudor (1930's)
May 26 – June 1: Mid-Century Modern (1950's)

Established in 1973 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservation Month is supported and co-sponsored by local preservation groups and state historical societies across the country. Many events are scheduled with the goal of instilling community pride, promoting heritage tourism and showing the economic and social benefits of historic preservation.

Preservation Alliance of MN (PAM) was established in 1981 by a small band of citizens concerned about the loss of Minnesota’s old buildings and the lack of protection for existing ones.

Northern Spark 2014 - Update #5

Luftwerk's Anamorphic Forest Will Illuminate the Minneapolis Gateway District

Seemingly fragmented video imagery of flora and fauna will be projected onto the slender columns of Minoru Yamasaki’s 1964 ‘new formalist’ structure that many Minneapolitans know as the former ING building at the corner of Washington and Hennepin Avenues.

Anamorphic Forest is an intervention that merges light with structure, nature with industry and the singular with the whole. Each of the 85-foot concrete columns will serve as a singular svelte video canvas that, when viewed at a specific perspective, will suggest an expanse of forest, with projections in the building's portico creating a sheltering sense of an illuminated canopy of leaves and branches.

Chicago-based duo Luftwerk creates multi-media art installations that merge visual elements of light and projected video with sculptural facets of architecture and design. Their interest lies within the perception of how the built environment and natural elements integrate, constructing a visual dialogue that transforms and creates new and temporal experiences.

West River Parkway Zone Hosts Art at the Riverfront

Northern Spark is again partnering with local organizations to bring art to the Mississippi riverfront in Minneapolis, this time focused on the west side of the river.

Large scale projections, performances and participatory projects by local and national artists will be installed along West River Parkway from Hennepin Avenue to the Guthrie Theater, turning the riverfront into a preeminent walking gallery for the night.

Audiences often comment on their delight at experiencing art along (and on) the Mississippi River at night as part of Northern Spark's magic. Historic buildings from the Mill District's past and new structures that point to the city's future are transformed into canvases, stages, and monumental counterpoints for the works of the dynamic group of artists and presenting partners we're gathering along the river this year.

These include Luke Savisky's E/x MN on the Gold Medal Silos, The Soap Factory's presentation of Benjamin Entner's monumental inflatable Ego Sum under the Guthrie Theater's Endless Bridge, Kelley Bell's Garden of Earthly Delights projected onto the Mill City Ruins, Kate Casanova/Daniel Dean/Ben Moren's Hotel Hotel insect installation and projection onto the North Star Blankets tower, HOTTEA's yarn installation La Maroma under 3rd Ave Bridge, and Sam Hoolihan and John Marks' City Symphony in 16mm: A New Work for Expanded Cinema projection onto the long-empty but oh-so-alluring former Fuji-Ya building. And many, many more. Look for complete maps of this and the other Northern Spark zones on our website in May. 

"We Are Water" Exhibit Opens May 10 at The Soap Factory

Starting with an Opening Reception on May 10, The The Soap Factory presents We Are Water, a month-long curatorial collaboration between Kinship of Rivers and The Soap Factory; artists from Twin Cities and New Orleans, music, performance, interactive creativity, poetry, food and celebration. The exhibition runs May 10 - June 7, 2014.  More Info.

The exhibition is the final iteration of the Kinship of Rivers project, the culmination of a three-year poetic multi-disciplinary project linking the spiritual cultures on the Yangtze and Mississippi rivers.

New Exhibit at Central Library: "Unpacked: Suitcases, Briefcases, and Bags from Hennepin County Hospitals”

Have you ever wondered what a nurse traveled with in 1917?  “Unpacked: Suitcases, Briefcases, and Bags from Hennepin County Hospitals”, a new exhibit from Hennepin Medical History Center, will show you.

The exhibition is now on display at the Central Library,  Cargill Hall Gallery, until June 3. The History Center will tell 20 stories of patients, nurses, doctors, and other staff members through suitcases, bags, and briefcases, filled with items that might typically be brought to the hospital.

The exhibit is free. Gallery hours are the same as the library’s: 9am-9pm Monday through Thursday; 9am-5pm Friday and Saturday; Noon-5pm Sunday.

Vikings Stadium Construction - Week 22

Foundation starting to take shape...

We're attempting to publish a photo with this same view each week from the start of construction through the first game played at the new Minnesota Vikings Stadium in Downtown Minneapolis.

What do the Pillsbury Doughboy and Grain Belt have in Common?

Recently seen together at the Mill City Museum - Pillsbury Doughboy and Grain Belt.  You'll just have to visit the museum and find out for yourself.  :)

Northern Spark 2014 - Update #4

Your Public Acts of Drawing Projected onto the City

Public Acts of Drawing is a real-time art-making event that merges free-form collaboration with large-scale urban spectacle.
 
Participants put pen to paper alongside local artists, dignitaries, and a few hundred friends. Drawers of all ages, skill levels, and styles are welcome. Special contributors will help steer and energize the proceedings, but the results are delightfully unpredictable.
 
A spacious drawing table with a hand crank provides participants a gradual feed of fresh paper, lit by energy-efficient LEDs. The draw-a-thon is simulcast several stories tall on the exterior of a building near the Minneapolis Convention Center, turning each small gesture into a heroic act.
 
Public Acts of Drawing is a project of MakeSh!t, a free-form collective founded in 2010 with a mission to explore the social and process-based aspects of art—in other words, collaborative making. Current members include Lucas Alm, Justin Heideman, Aaron Marx, Jake Nassif, Craig Phillips, Paul Schmelzer, and Witt Siasoco.

David Luke Animates Poems from Upstream Arts

Interdisciplinary artist David Luke is collaborating with Upstream Arts to create a quartet of unique animated movies to be shown at Northern Spark. Upstream Arts provides arts programming for youth and adults with disabilities. They employ artists to teach theatre, dance, visual arts and poetry activities designed to develop social and communication skills central to success in school, work, and life.
 
Taking poems written by UA teaching artists and program participants as base text, Luke is transforming them into videos that make visual the vibrant voices of program participants, expanding the creative process from the UA programs into a new realm of public engagement. Projected large-scale near the Minneapolis Convention Center, viewers are invited to choose, by way of assistive technology often used by UA participants, which poem/movie they would like to watch.
 
A preview showing of Upstream Animated will be held as part of Upstream Art's first Annual Meeting and Fundraiser on May 17. The event will include specially-created performances by UA participants to accompany Luke's animations of their words.