4th Street Reconstruction Project Update - July 22

4th Street Reconstruction Project Overview

The City of Minneapolis is reconstructing 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and 4th Ave. S in downtown Minneapolis. The reconstruction will include wider sidewalks, improved crossings, a new bi-directional off-street bike path on the north side of the street, lighting, trees, and planting beds. Construction is underway and is expected to be complete by the end of 2022.

What's Happening Next Week? 

Roadway reconstruction is near completion on 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave.

• Paving of all roadways, sidewalks, and trails has been completed on the project corridor.
• Beginning Tuesday, an additional lane on the north side of the roadway will be open to local access.
• Crews are finalizing signal, lighting and landscaping work and will be cleaning up the construction zone in preparation for road opening in early August.

*Please note that the construction schedules are subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. 

What to expect during construction?

• During roadway construction, 4th St. will be closed to through traffic between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Local access will be maintained from 2nd Ave. N to 1st Ave. N. 
• Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout construction. Be aware of your surroundings when walking or biking near the construction zone. 
• Expect additional noise, dust, and vibration as crews complete work.

Upcoming Events

4th Street Weekly Stakeholder Meeting 

Weekly project newsletters are sent out weekly and virtual stakeholder meetings occur bi-weekly. Join us at the next stakeholder meeting to get project updates, talk with project staff and get your questions/concerns answered.

Upcoming Stakeholder Meeting:

July 29, 9-9:30 a.m.

Teams Meeting: Click here to join the meeting

Stay connected

There are multiple ways to get information including email updates and ongoing stakeholder meetings. Visit the project website for more information and to sign up for project updates: www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/fourth-st-n-and-s/  

Provide questions, comments or concerns on the interactive map: https://zan.mysocialpinpoint.com/4thstreetreconstruction

Email the project team: info@4thstmpls.com

Contact the project hotline: 612-412-9774

Bridge 9 Improvement Project Update

Bridge No. 9 was constructed in 1922 by the Northern Pacific Railroad to carry freight over the Mississippi. The City of Minneapolis acquired this bridge in 1986 and converted the bridge to a pedestrian use bridge in 1999. The bridge currently provides a Mississippi River crossing for the Dinkytown Greenway bike trail.

Beginning in July 2022, the City of Minneapolis started making repairs and improvements to Bridge 9, Pier 5.

Latest project news

Construction Update Meeting (online meeting)

Virtual monthly project stakeholder meetings will be held at 9:30 am the 1st Thursday of each month using Microsoft Teams. Please use the link below to join the meeting.

Join on your computer or mobile app

Click here to join the meeting

Or join by entering a meeting ID Meeting ID: 213 161 635 706 Passcode: KyceBr

Or call in (audio only)

+1 612-428-8778,,6668421#   United States, Minneapolis

Phone Conference ID: 666 842 1#

These meetings help us to give you more detailed information about work progress on a monthly basis and to have discussion on any concerns or questions you have about the project. Please send an email or give a call to the project engineer if you have difficulty using the link above.

If no one joins the meeting within 15 minutes the meeting will end, but you can still contact the meeting coordinator via phone or email:

Rich Revering, Design Team Project Manager; 612-718-8412 or Richard.Revering@Bolton-Menk.com

Schedule

Construction activities for Pier 5 repairs started in July 2022. The scheduled completion date is December 1, 2022.

Traffic Impact

West River Parkway is scheduled to be open for vehicular traffic subject to occasional one-way traffic w/ flaggers during certain equipment and material loading operations. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic are open to traffic, with pedestrians sharing the bike path through the project area.

Current work

For the month of July, the following construction operations were performed: Setting up traffic and erosion and sediment controls and driving H-pile and Sheet pile to prepare for forming and pouring concrete foundations and encasement of the pier.

Coming up

For the month of August, the following construction operations are scheduled: Forming and pouring concrete foundations and pier encasements.

Stay Connected

For more details and to sign up for email updates please visit the Bridge 9 Improvement project webpage.

Project Engineer: Petru Vizoli, 612-673-2368, Petru.Vizoli@minneapolismn.gov

Proposed MPRB 2023 Tax Levy to Serve Youth in Crisis, Build Safer communities, and Care for Park Assets

At its July 20 meeting, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Commissioners voted unanimously to support a 2023 tax levy increase request to the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) of 6.16 percent to maintain current park service levels and to invest in youth, safety and security, and care for park assets. If passed by the BET, the levy increase for the MPRB will result in a 1.1 percent increase in city 2023 property taxes overall, which amounts to an approximate $18 annual increase in property taxes - less than $2 per month - for owners of a median value home.

“This Board is focused and committed to our youth, particularly those who are in crisis, to providing safe parks, and to streamlining and maximizing how the parks are taken care of,” explained Meg Forney, MPRB President.

The proposed tax levy includes three distinct elements: 

• The first is to maintain current service levels, including $260,000 needed to support the MPRB’s 2021 six-year arrangement with the city for the historic $2.6 million youth investment that began in 2022, and $576,000 to offset the State of Minnesota Local Government Aid funding decrease due to the current legislative session ending without passage of a new tax bill.
• The second element is $389,000 for system equity investment largely due to the activation and increased use of parks within the downtown service area and regional park system. This investment will provide for increased safety and security with the addition of two Park Police Officers and the conversion of Part-Time Park Patrol Agent hours to two full-time Park Patrol Agents.
• The third element is $443,000 to support the Board adopted Strategic Direction to care for park assets to meet evolving needs and practices. This investment will provide professional staff, two Project Managers and one Systems Analyst, to identify and implement asset lifecycles to maximize maintenance, repair, rehabilitation and capital investments.

“We have the places and services to enrich the lives of every Minneapolis resident. We use racial equity tools and criteria for budgeting park investments and recreation funding, to ensure services and investments are directed to those who need them the most,” said Al Bangoura, Superintendent for the MPRB.

Currently, of every dollar homeowner’s pay for property taxes, 7.6 cents go to the MPRB.

As required by State Law, the BET sets the maximum tax levy for the City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Municipal Building Commission and the Public Housing Authority on an annual basis. The BET is scheduled to set these maximum property tax levies on September 21, 2022. 

If approved by the BET, the Superintendent will present a balanced 2023 recommended based on a 6.16 percent property levy increase on October 12, 2022. There will be public comment opportunities October 26, November 2 and 16, and December 7 and 14. The Board will consider the Superintendent’s budget and adopt the 2023 tax levy and 2023 budget on December 14, 2022.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is an independently governed park system featuring 180 park properties totaling 6,817 acres of land and water. It provides places and recreation opportunities for all people to gather and engage in activities that promote health, well-being, community and the environment.  Its Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, waterfront access, trail system, neighborhood parks, recreation centers, recreation amenities and diversified programming have made the park system an important component of what makes Minneapolis a great place to live, visit, play and work. An estimated 29.6 million annual visits are made to the nationally and locally acclaimed park system.

YWCA Minneapolis Unveils Kid-Designed, Community-Built Playground in Midtown

The YWCA Minneapolis Midtown, 2121 E Lake Street, is the most visited YWCA Minneapolis facility, averaging more than 13,000 check-ins per month, over the past six months, in what is perhaps the most economically-challenged and culturally-diverse community in the city. This community is finding the YWCA vital to their lives - in the form of child care, youth programs, fitness and social awareness.

In 2017, YWCA Minneapolis Midtown playground equipment was deemed no longer safe and it was removed. Since then, the space has been a simple outdoor play area for our young participants. 

Last week, Welly Health PBC and KABOOM! partnered with YWCA Minneapolis to build a playground at their Midtown facility in the heart of the Corcoran neighborhood. Together, they are dedicated to ensuring all kids have equitable access to places to play so they can learn and thrive to help end playspace inequity.

Here is a clip of KARE11's coverage.

Photo credit: Rachel Palomo, YWCA Senior Marketing Specialist

"Play is essential to healthy development, and we are dedicated to supporting the communities where we live, work and play to live life to the fullest," said Laura Conlon, Vice President of Marketing at Welly. "We are excited to see this new project come to life and support kids in the community where Welly was founded and with amazing partners like YWCA Minneapolis and KABOOM!.”

Because Welly was founded in Minneapolis, this project with YWCA Minneapolis hits home to the full team and community. Together, Welly and KABOOM! are committed to ensuring that children in the Early Childhood Education program at YWCA Minneapolis will have the opportunity to experience the simple joys of childhood that begin on the playground. In April, Welly donated $120,000 to support the design and construction in the resurging Midtown community. Members of the program, including children, participated in the design and planning process in May, culminating in an unveiling of the completed playspace July 15 at YWCA’s Midtown location - for use by YWCA Minneapolis.

YWCA Minneapolis has been building an inclusive community, furthering racial and gender equity, empowering women and girls to be leaders, and improving health and wellness for over 130 years. From health access to racial justice, the leaders of YWCA Minneapolis have long been at the forefront of change. Last year alone, YWCA programs helped 720+ children receive high-quality, anti-bias education, 5,000+ individuals learn about civic engagement and how to combat racial inequities, 1,250+ girls and youth become creators of change in their community, and 24,200+ fitness members achieve better health and wellness. YWCA Minneapolis has been building stronger and more open-minded communities for 130+ years.

“These challenging times make capital expenditures like play spaces almost unimaginable, but thanks to this exciting partnership with like-minded organizations like KABOOM! and Welly, YWCA Minneapolis is able to give our children precisely what they deserve and need - a play space that provides a foundation for social-emotional connection. Play is essential, and our children later draw upon skills for collaboration rooted in play in their lifelong learning journeys. Our gratitude for this partnership will be enduring.” – Shelley Carthen Watson, President and CEO, YWCA Minneapolis.”

“Playgrounds are an iconic and important part of childhood. They’re not only where kids collect some of their best memories, but also where crucial skills are developed that nurture their physical, mental, and emotional well-being,” said Danielle Turnage, vice president of development at KABOOM!. “KABOOM! is thrilled to work with Welly to build a new playspace in Minneapolis to ensure that kids have a place designed just for them, where they can play, learn, and unlock their greatest potential.”

Last year, YWCA Minneapolis served more than 30,000 people in our community through high-quality programs and advocacy focused on racial justice, early learning, youth development and wellness. To learn more, visit ywcampls.org or join the conversation at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Minneapolis Ranked on Livability.com’s List of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S.

Article submitted by Journal Communications

Minneapolis has been named a Top 100 Best Place to Live in America by Livability.com, outpacing more than 2,000 cities with populations between 20,000 and 500,000 in this data-driven ranking. 

The new rankings, sponsored by eXp Realty, are the culmination of months of extensive research into relocation trends, economic variables and factors that influence the quality of life. Thirty-six states are represented from coast to coast. 

The 2022 ranking categories were influenced by an exclusive study conducted by Livability.com in partnership with Ipsos. More than 1,000 adults, aged 18 and up from across the country, were surveyed to determine the characteristics of livability they would value in a prospective home community with an emphasis on how rising costs are affecting their relocation decisions. Respondents were asked which factors would be most heavily considered when choosing to relocate and how their housing needs and priorities have changed due to record-breaking inflation. The research shows that 7 in 10 adults consider affordability to be a top three factor influencing a decision to relocate.

The 2022 Top 100 Best Places to Live list broadly reflects the findings that affordability and local amenities are top priorities for people looking to relocate.

“As remote work trends continue and affordability becomes more elusive amidst high inflation, people are thinking about where their money goes the farthest,” says Amanda Ellis, Livability.com Editor in Chief. “Our Top 100 Best Places to Live list celebrates the amazing small and mid-sized communities across the U.S. – the ones who really  shine when it comes to offering affordability alongside amenities and opportunity.”

This year, Livability partnered with eXp Realty, the fastest-growing real estate brokerage in the world, on the annual community ranking. The company, which has been fully remote since its founding in 2009 and operates in a cloud-based virtual platform, understands that today many people are choosing lifestyle over their work location when deciding where to live.

“The popularity and flexibility that remote work offers has changed the dynamics of how people decide where to live,” said Dawn Conciatori, VP, Referral Generation, eXp Realty. “A recent study by Upwork shows over 19 million Americans plan to relocate due to remote work and flexible work options. Relocating to a new city is an exciting time, but also a big decision. Our partnership with Livability can help people find the kind of livable community they’re looking for, whether they’re looking to make a move now or in the near future.”

This year, the list was centered around mid-sized cities (generally defined as a population of 500,000 people or smaller) that are attracting big waves of young people. More than 2,000 cities were ranked on 50 data points measuring economics, housing, amenities, infrastructure, demographics, social and civic capital, education and health care. Sources included the best public and private data available from organizations like the U.S. Census Bureau, Lightcast and Esri.

This year’s top 10 cities are:

1. Madison, Wisconsin
2. Ann Arbor, Michigan
3. Rochester, Minnesota
4. Naperville, Illinois
5. Overland Park, Kansas
6. Minneapolis, Minnesota
7. Fishers, Indiana
8. Salt Lake City, Utah
9. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
10. Carmel, Indiana

The complete list of the 2022 Top 100 Best Places to Live is featured on Livability.com, along with each city’s LivScore and some of the specific attractions, activities and amenities that make it a great place to live.

Aquatennial Safety Update from Ward 3 Council Member Michael Rainville

City of Minneapolis highlights safety preparedness ahead of Aquatennial festivities

The Aquatennial, the official civic celebration of Minneapolis, kicks off today and runs through Saturday. The City of Minneapolis has collaborated on a safety plan with organizers of the Aquatennial and other local law enforcement partners to create an environment where everyone can enjoy a safe and fun experience.

Public safety is always a top priority of the Aquatennial, which is produced annually by the mpls downtown council. The safety plan for festivities is reviewed annually with local law enforcement agencies, including the Minneapolis Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Metro Transit Police and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Park Police Department, among other safety partners.

The Minneapolis Police Department will have a significant presence for Aquatennial events, including bike patrols, mounted patrols and K-9 units. Beyond MPD, the Minneapolis Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, Minneapolis 911 and the Office of Violence Prevention are also safety partners for the 2022 Aquatennial.

“Our city is coming back, and the Aquatennial events are certain to showcase just that,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “Thanks to the mpls downtown council, our City departments, and our local safety partners for their coordinated planning efforts to ensure a safe event for everyone. Now get out and celebrate our extraordinary city.” 

“We are excited to be part of a strong group of public safety partners committed to creating a safe environment for people to enjoy the Aquatennial this year. There is so much for everyone to enjoy in Minneapolis during the four-day celebration,” said Interim Minneapolis Police Chief Amelia Huffman.

“Aquatennial is the official civic celebration of our city. It draws our community together for fun, safe events in the heart of downtown and along our spectacular central riverfront,” said Steve Cramer, president & CEO, mpls downtown council. “As we invite you to this year’s festivities in coming days, we want you to know we are ready and prepared. Bring your friends and family and have a great time in Minneapolis!”

Learn more about the 2022 Minneapolis Aquatennial.

Congratulations to Northeast Minneapolis Arts District - Named #1 in USA Today's 10Best Readers’ Choice 2022 – Best Arts District

Congratulations are in order! The Northeast Minneapolis Arts District came in #1 in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice 2022 – Best Arts District competition. A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.

Here are the top 10 winners for 2022:

1. Northeast Minneapolis Arts District - Minneapolis, Minnesota
2. University Circle - Cleveland, Ohio
3. Dallas Arts District - Dallas, Texas
4. Historic Third Ward - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
5. Art District on Santa Fe - Denver, Colorado
6. Wabash Arts Corridor - Chicago, Illinois
7. Station North Arts District - Baltimore, Maryland
8. Roosevelt Row Arts District - Phoenix, Arizona
9. Santa Fe Railyard Arts District - Santa Fe, New Mexico
10. Richmond Arts District - Richmond, Virginia 

July 16 at the Mill City Farmers Market

Lots of new goodies in our July 16th shopping basket from the Mill City Farmers Market, including mokum carrots, cauliflower, heirloom tomatoes, Chinese long beans, sweet peppers and a puzzle featuring graphics from art vendor Redcruiser.

Every summer I anxiously await the Chinese long beans from Bean Market - grilled or roasted, they're fantastic.

Be The Match was the July 16th Community Booth. The organization helps patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other diseases in need of marrow or blood transplant procedures.

A long line for Solomon’s Bakery forms at 8a every Saturday.

 

Weekly Events at Peavey Plaza July 17 - 23

Green Minneapolis is excited to host these events, free and open to all!

YWCA Minneapolis Yoga on the Plaza

Tuesday, July 19 from 5:30-6:30pm

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Flow into summer with FREE yoga classes at Peavey Plaza (weather permitting). Bring a water, mat and towel. Members and nonmembers are welcome to attend. Nonmembers that attend receive a FREE three-day trial fitness pass to any of our three fitness locations. Plus, join YWCA Minneapolis as a member for just $15! Registration recommended

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MNspin Musician of the Week: Craig Paquette

Thursday, July 21 from 12-1pm

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Craig Paquette is a guitarist, singer, songwriter as well as a founding and current member of the Minneapolis based band Thunderheads with whom he has performed well over 1000 shows during the past 30 + years. Craig’s second solo album “Back Together” is expected to be released in the summer of 2022. Again, recorded at Sparta sound with most of the same musicians that played on “Won’t Last Forever”, it includes songs with an eye on the past but also the times we have been living and experiencing together and alone for the past two years.

Minnesota Orchestra: Summer at Orchestra Hall

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 21, 22 and 23 (see calendar for daily times)

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Summer at Orchestra Hall is a new take on the Minnesota Orchestra’s traditional summer festival, celebrating the Orchestra’s home in the city and its proximity to the revitalized Peavey Plaza. The community is invited to participate in special food experiences and free entertainment by outstanding local performers at Peavey Plaza. Complete list of upcoming performances.

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Children’s Theatre Company Story Theatre 

Saturday, July 23 at 12-12:30pm & 12:30-1pm

Join Children’s Theatre Company for summertime fun at Peavey Plaza! Through imaginative play, collaborative storytelling, music, and family engagement, we’ll explore beloved children’s books together. Laugh, dance, and discover along with your family and friends.

For a complete calendar of Peavey Plaza Performing Arts Series, visit greenminneapolis.org/events.

Special Guest at the Residence Inn at The Depot: Oscar Mayer Wienermobile

An Oscar Mayer Wienermobile rolled into the Cities this week, making stops in Cottage Grove, Oakdale, Maple Grove, St. Louis Park and the Hopkins Raspberry Festival's Marketplace Fair - but parking at the Residence Inn at The Depot for the evening downtime between events.

Cookout Christian and Sauerkraut Kat are the two "Hotdoggers" manning this Wienermobile, affectionately known as WEENR.

There are six Wienermobiles active today, assigned to specific regions. This one is for the central region of America.

Two staff (known as "Hotdoggers") are assigned to each Wienermobile, and they are truly immersed in their work. They attend Hotdog High to learn everything from Oscar Mayer history to how to drive the Wienermobile. 

Hotdoggers' speech is peppered with non-stop puns and they don't break character, right down to their names, which I learned first hand from Sauerkraut Kat and Cookout Christian. Per Kat, she refers to herself and Christian as “fresh meat” because they've only been on the road for one month (and have been "relishing" every second of their travels!). She immediately dubbed me "Ketchup Kim."

Kat hails from Lubbock, Texas, and graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a Marketing Degree. Her favorite memory as a Hotdogger thus far is having a marching band surprise them by playing the Oscar Mayer jingle while they walked in a Firemen’s parade.

Christian is from the Philadelphia area and received his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Penn State. He said the best moment as a Hotdogger was getting to show his mom the Wienermobile and drive her around on his first week.

Keeping with the pun-heavy lingo, Christian and Katherine emerged from the "bun" roof.

Katherine Abraham a.k.a. Sauerkraut Kat at the helm.

Hotdoggers wear Oscar Mayer gear from head to toe - including their socks!

While Wienermobile Hotdoggers don't serve actual Oscar Mayer hotdogs, anyone who visits them will receive an iconic Weenie Whistle.

I scored some stickers and Weenie Whistles for the grandkids.  :D

There isn't a surface inside the Wienermobile that isn't decked out with wiener graphics.

Hotdoggers! Photo: Kraft Heinz Company

4th Street Reconstruction Project Update - July 15

4th Street Reconstruction Project Overview

The City of Minneapolis is reconstructing 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and 4th Ave. S in downtown Minneapolis. The reconstruction will include wider sidewalks, improved crossings, a new bi-directional off-street bike path on the north side of the street, lighting, trees, and planting beds. Construction is underway and is expected to be complete by the end of 2022.

What's Happening Next Week? 

Roadway reconstruction continues on 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Local access is maintained between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave.

• Paving of all roadways, sidewalks, and trails has been completed on the project corridor.
• Crews continue electrical work and lane striping on 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave.
• Landscaping work continues as crews plant trees and rain garden beds.

*Please note that the construction schedules are subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. 

What to expect during construction?

• During roadway construction, 4th St. will be closed to through traffic between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Local access will be maintained from 2nd Ave. N to 1st Ave. N. 
• Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout construction. Be aware of your surroundings when walking or biking near the construction zone. 
• Expect additional noise, dust, and vibration as crews complete work.

Upcoming Events

4th Street Weekly Stakeholder Meeting 

Weekly project newsletters are sent out weekly and virtual stakeholder meetings occur bi-weekly. Join us at the next stakeholder meeting to get project updates, talk with project staff and get your questions/concerns answered.

Upcoming Stakeholder Meeting:

July 29, 9-9:30 a.m.

Teams Meeting: Click here to join the meeting

Stay connected

There are multiple ways to get information including email updates and ongoing stakeholder meetings. Visit the project website for more information and to sign up for project updates: www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/fourth-st-n-and-s/  

Provide questions, comments or concerns on the interactive map: https://zan.mysocialpinpoint.com/4thstreetreconstruction

Email the project team: info@4thstmpls.com

Contact the project hotline: 612-412-9774

Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival Returns August 13-14

The festival will feature its largest lineup of artists, musicians, makers and family-friendly creative activities

The Mpls Downtown Improvement District (DID) and the Hennepin Theatre Trust (HTT) announced today the 4th annual Downtown Mpls Street Art Festival, which will take place Saturday and Sunday, August 13-14 on Nicollet and Hennepin in downtown Minneapolis.

The festival will feature its largest lineup of chalk artists and spray painting works by world-renowned artists, a Saturday evening concert by Bad Bad Hats on Nicollet, food trucks, a community mandala, interactive activities, including custom sign design, community carving and metal pouring, and screen printing, a makers market and much more.

“We wanted to make sure this year’s festival celebrated artists of all kinds for their contribution, perseverance and work in community over the past two years,” said Lisa Middag, Director of Nicollet Activation for the Mpls DID. “This year, we have more artists than ever before, further proving the resiliency of the arts community. I’m really looking forward to lining Nicollet with works from local and national renowned artists, and I’m especially excited for the downtown community to experience more street art than ever before.”

This year’s schedule includes:

Saturday, August 13

• Nicollet Chalk Art Festival | 10 am – 6 pm 
• 3D Chalk Art Installation at IDS | 10 am – 6 pm 
• Live Spray Painting on Nicollet | 10 am – 6 pm
• Street Eats (food trucks and more) on Nicollet | 10 am – 6 pm
• Nicollet Makers Market Festival Edition | 10 am – 6 pm
• Pedal to the Metal | 10 am – 6 pm
• Heart and Soul Drum and Dance Academy | 11  am & 1 pm
• La Luchadora | 11 am – 5 pm
• Mobile Sign Shop | 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
• Street Show performances | 12 & 2 pm
• Downtown Mpls Street Art Festival concert featuring headliner Bad Bad Hats with opener Kokou Kah | 3:30 – 6 pm

Sunday, August 14

• Nicollet Chalk Art Festival | 10 am – 6 pm
• 3D Chalk Art Installation at IDS Center | 10 am – 6 pm
• Live Spray Painting on Nicollet | 10 am - 6pm
• Street Eats (food trucks and more) on Nicollet | 10 am – 6 pm
• Nicollet Makers Market Festival Edition | 10 am – 6 pm
• Pedal to the Metal | 10 am – 6 pm
• Mobile Sign Shop | 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
• La Luchadora | 11 am – 5 pm
• Street Show performances on Nicollet | 11 am, 12:30, 3:30, and 4:30 pm
• zAmya Theater Project “Second Chances” encore | 2 – 3 pm

Nicollet Chalk Art Festival

The centerpiece of the Downtown Street Art Festival is a two-block-long series of chalk installations by 18 local and national artists, our largest lineup of artists ever. Watch the artists as they transform the sidewalks of Nicollet between 6th and 8th streets from 10 am – 6 pm with their unique artistic vision in vibrant tempera. While enjoying the art, make sure to channel your inner artist and contribute to our community chalk mandala.

3D Chalk Installation at IDS Center

Watch world-renowned local chalk artist Shawn McCann as he creates a special 3D chalk installation in the IDS Center outdoor plaza. McCann uses advanced techniques and anamorphic perspective to produce an illusion of depth and perspective for your perfect festival Instagram moment.

Live Spray Painting on Nicollet

The excitement of live mural painting continues as our largest lineup of local and national artists showcase their unique sense of color, style and technique on Nicollet.

Interactive Arts Activities for the Whole Family

Tap into your inner street artist and contribute to the massive community chalk mandala, design and take home a custom sign with the Mobile Sign Shop, contribute to a community carving and metal pour by Pedal to the Metal, or screen print your own limited edition DMSAF poster with La Luchadora.

Street Eats on Nicollet

Enjoy street games, lunch from Street Eats vendor Bougie Waffle, or a snack from a selection of local food trucks and street vendors #OnNicollet between 6th and 8th streets.

Street Showcase on Nicollet

Enjoy live performances from our Street Show favorites on the big festival stage. Produced by the DID and curated by the Warming House, Street Show has brought more than 2,000 hours of paid street performance from local musicians, artists, dancers, painters and others to the sidewalks of downtown Minneapolis since 2018. For the season schedule, visit www.onnicollet.com/schedule.

Nicollet Makers Market Street Art Festival Edition

Catch a special weekend appearance of the Nicollet Makers Market, the weekly downtown craft and art market that features locally made and designed goods. More than 15 artists and makers will bring their unique wares to the street, including live screen printing.

Second Chances with the zAmya Theater Project

This community-based theater brings unique perspective to the street with a reboot of their successful “Second Chances” live performance on Nicollet between 6th and 7th streets that builds understanding and connection to those both with and without experience in homelessness.

Downtown Street Art Festival concert

Following a full day of street art on Saturday, August 13, headliner Bad Bad Hats and opener Kokou Kah will be taking the stage #OnNicollet between at 7th street for a free concert. Self-described as a true fusion Liberian American artist, Kokou Kah will get you ready to groove during his opening set at 3:30 pm. Following Kokou Kah’s performance, indie rock trio, and Minneapolis natives, Bad Bad Hats will be taking to the stage for a fun and upbeat-filled close out to the first day of the Downtown Street Art Festival.

Street Art Festival In-person and Virtual Tours

Staff from Hennepin Theatre Trust will be offering tours throughout the festival highlighting the many amazing downtown murals, including the new Prince mural, as well as the latest installation of the It’s the People exhibition. Throughout the festival, you will see QR codes with scannable links to the Downtown Street Art Festival online tour with more information (in both English and Spanish) on the participating visual artists and artworks. While the festival is best experienced in person, this platform provides another opportunity for people to experience the festival from their living rooms. The link to the virtual tour will be available during the festival on the festival website at mplsstreetartfest.com.

To learn more about the Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival, visit MplsStreetArtFest.com or follow along on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Month-long Ramp Closures at I-94, I-394 in Downtown begin July 25

Excerpt from the July 13 City of Minneapolis e-newsletter:

Crews will close the ramps from North Third Street to westbound I-94 and from eastbound I-94 to North Fourth Street beginning Monday, July 25. These closures are necessary so crews can repair bridge joints and resurface the ramps.

Motorists should plan ahead and follow the signed detours for these closures.

• North Third Street to Westbound I-94 detour: Second Avenue to Washington Avenue to ramp from 22nd Avenue to westbound I-94.
• Eastbound I-94 to North Fourth Street detour: Eastbound I-94 to Lyndale Avenue to Seventh Street to First Avenue.

The ramps are expected to reopen late August. 

Learn more about the construction work.

MPRB Invites You to Help Install New Stone Mosaic Public Artwork at Currie Park, July 16 and 23

A new splash pad and restroom building opened at Currie Park last year

Hand-cut stone mosaic is being installed on the new park building next to the splash pad that opened last summer at Currie Park

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and City of Minneapolis recently announced a new stone mosaic is being installed on the new park building that opened last summer at Currie Park.

Anyone is invited to participate in creating the new public artwork on Saturday, July 16, 11am-3pm or Saturday, July 23, 11am-3pm. Participation is simple – stop by for a moment, place a tile into the mural, and make a memory that will last forever. Special skills or abilities are not needed; all ages are welcome.

The new park building contains bathrooms, drinking fountains and maintenance storage to support the new splash pad that opened at Currie Park last June.

About the Artwork

The mosaic is made from hand-cut tile and features poetry by Deeq Abdi and cultural stories collected from community members. Artist Craig David was selected by a panel of community members, artists, arts and design professionals, and others to design and fabricate an approximately 370 square foot, two-dimensional public artwork for the new park building at Currie Park.

Installation began on Monday, July 11. The City of Minneapolis is sponsoring the project with support from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

Learn more at the Currie Park Public Art Page.

Hennepin County Attorney Candidate Forum, July 27

The Minneapolis Downtown Council, the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Minneapolis Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) invite you to join them for a pre-primary Hennepin County Attorney candidate forum. The forum will be held on Wednesday, July 27th at Ties Lounge and Rooftop, 921 Nicollet, from 3:30 – 5:15pm, with the candidate event beginning at 4:00 pm. The forum is open to all.

The Rev. Dr. DeWayne Davis, Lead Minister at Plymouth Congregational Church, will moderate the forum. All candidates have been invited to participate in this program, which will begin with statements, followed by moderator-directed dialogue, and questions from those in attendance.

The Primary election is August 9th.

The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis hosts Seussical, Jr. at Chute Square on July 31

Seussical Jr. provides the best in summer entertainment!

The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis invites the public to an outdoor musical play – free and suitable for all ages – on Sunday, July 31, 2pm, at the Ard Godfrey House in Chute Square, 28 University Avenue SE.

ETC Productions presents Seussical, Jr., a one-hour live musical production with many of your favorite literary Dr. Seuss characters. The actors and technicians participating in the show are between the ages of 15-19, and selected because of their incredible talent, maturity, and performance experience.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on, and enjoy ice cream treats donated by Kemps. No reservations necessary.

There will be free tours of the Ard Godfrey House before and after the play.

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The Ard Godfrey House is open every Saturday and Sunday in July and August from 1pm to 4pm. Guides in period dress will show you how Ard and Harriet Godfrey lived in St. Anthony with their children in the 1850s. The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis restored this 1849 house and has been giving tours since 1979.

Sherman Associates Breaks Ground on Ladder 260 and O2 Apartments

Above - Richard Kiemen, Sherman Associates; Wendy Ethen, Guaranty Title; Jessica Welk, Sherman Associates; Mayor Jacob Frey, City of Minneapolis; Councilmember Lisa Goodman, City of Minneapolis; Councilmember Michael Rainville, City of Minneapolis; Chris Sherman, Sherman Associates; George Sherman, Sherman Associates; John Hanley, AFL-CIO HIT, Carole Mette, Sherman Associates; Aaron Krasnow, RBC Capital Markets; Fire Chief Bryan Tyner, City of Minneapolis. Fire Station 1 is in the background. Photo: Sherman Associates 

Sherman Associates breaks ground on Ladder 260 and O2 apartments, delivering affordable and market-rate housing to Minneapolis

New Minneapolis Fire Station 1 completed as first phase of the redevelopment

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Sherman Associates broke ground on two apartments in its multi-phase redevelopment in the Mill District neighborhood. Ladder 260 is a 6-story, 90-unit affordable low-rise apartment located at 260 Portland Avenue, and O2 is a 22-story, 240-unit market-rate apartment tower located at 250 Portland Avenue.

Sherman also celebrated its completion of the new Minneapolis Fire Station 1 for the City of Minneapolis located at 285 5th Avenue South. The fire station is the first phase of Sherman’s $161 million redevelopment of the majority of the city block.

The redevelopment is on an approximately 1.75-acre site in Minneapolis, which was formerly a vacant surface parking lot and the former Minneapolis Fire Station 1 that was built in 1909. Ladder 260, O2, and Minneapolis Fire Station 1 are three separate projects that were simultaneously developed.

Sherman acquired the parking lot from a private seller and in working with the City of Minneapolis learned that Minneapolis Fire Station 1 was outdated and too small to serve the growing needs of the Mill District. In a public-private partnership, Sherman and the City of Minneapolis collaborated to develop a new and larger Minneapolis Fire Station 1 to serve the needs of the neighborhood and optimize the layout of the city block for Sherman’s Ladder 260 and O2 projects.

The new Minneapolis Fire Station 1 is approximately 19,500 square feet and consists of an apparatus bay to house fire trucks and a connected two-story structure providing office space, sleep areas, common areas, locker rooms, and rooftop patio. The $12 million fire station was financed by American National Bank and the City of Minneapolis.

Last month, the Minneapolis Fire Department moved into its new station after the City of Minneapolis purchased it from Sherman. Sherman will acquire the old fire station from the City of Minneapolis later this month and will demolish it to prep the site for Ladder 260.

Prior to the demolition, Firefighters For Healing will retrieve significant elements from the building to incorporate into its new Transitional Healing Center opening in early 2023, located a few blocks away in Sherman's Moment apartment tower. Sherman will also gather remaining items from the old fire station to incorporate into Ladder 260. 

Ladder 260 provides a rare new construction affordable housing product to downtown Minneapolis. Amenities will include a hotel-like lobby and leasing center, fitness room, 6th floor lounge and rooftop deck, bike storage/parking, and available storage units. Walk-up units on the street level offer a unique unit type for the market and will enhance the vibrancy along South 3rd Street. The location has proximity to transit by light rail and bus routes and is highly walkable and bike-friendly.

Seventy-two (72) units will target household incomes at 60% AMI, 13 units at 50% AMI, and 5 units at 30% AMI. There will be 18 units receiving project-based housing vouchers, with 5 of the units reserved for High Priority Homelessness.

Ladder 260 is a $34 million project financed by RBC Community Investments, American National Bank, National Bank of Commerce, JLL, AFL-CIO HIT, Minnesota Housing, and the Metropolitan Council LHIA.

The O2 market-rate tower features smart home technology in every unit including smart thermostat, locks, and lights that allow residents to easily monitor energy usage in their homes. An underground parking garage provides 196 parking spaces, 241 bicycle parking spaces, resident storage, and electric vehicle charging stations. A surface lot provides 26 parking spaces for residents and guests.

O2 provides approximately 5,500 square feet of street-level commercial space along Washington Avenue to build on the activation in the area. The $115 million O2 apartment tower is being financed by a bank group led by Associated Bank.

Energy usage for Ladder 260 and O2 is partially offset by energy production from a solar garden located in Carver County.

This mixed-use, mixed-income development speaks to the environmental sustainability and social impact components of Sherman’s ESG Commitment. Ladder 260 and O2 provide high-quality, long-term, mixed-income housing to the residents of Minneapolis. The location in the Mill District is transit-oriented with proximity to downtown providing residents with access to mass transit, biking, and walking; and will revitalize the neighborhood and create a more vibrant community.

Construction will be completed on Ladder 260 in the spring of 2024 with O2 being completed in the fall of 2024. Kraus-Anderson is the general contractor and ESG Architecture & Design is the architect for the redevelopment. Sherman and Kraus-Anderson are currently working together on the 10-story Moment mixed-use project in Minneapolis’ Elliot Park neighborhood.

July 9 at the Mill City Farmers Market

Our shopping basket from the July 9th Mill City Farmers Market.

Tera Forge Knives sharpened my knife while I finished shopping. They'll return to the Market on August 13th, so make a note to bring your dull knives on that date.

Mary Dirty Face Farm debuted at the July 9th Market with fruits and jams, and boy was Rachel Henderson popular! She'll be back for the July 23rd Market.

Sonny's Ice Cream hits the spot on a sultry Saturday morning. 

Fresh potatoes for homemade potato salad.

Coming soon - heirloom tomatoes from Nistler Farms. They displayed a few teasers at the July 9th Market.

Looks like this shopper could use a market basket, like the one below from Ink 'N Flower:

Always a long line for Café Palmira coffee!

New from Horner's Corner - Maple Cream. Per Stephen, store in the fridge and zap a few seconds in the microwave before spreading on toast. I didn't make it that far - it's so good I ended up eating it by the spoonful right out of the container.

Crescent Moon in Dark July 4th Downtown by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Ric Rosow

Close to midnight I walked outside to view the downtown skyline. A waxing crescent moon was moving  across the sky to set behind downtown buildings. In the dark of night it is difficult to capture the foreground elements without blowing out the color in the moon to bright white. So I concentrated on retaining the colorful lights of the downtown buildings while keeping the deep rich color of the moon. At the same time fireworks were going off close by, their explosions echoing loudly off the adjacent buildings.

See more of my work @ricrosowphotography.com and Tres Leches Art Gallery.

Weekly Events at Peavey Plaza July 10 – 16

Green Minneapolis is excited to host these events, free and open to all!

YWCA Minneapolis Yoga on the Plaza

Tuesday, July 12 from 5:30-6:30pm

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Flow into summer with FREE yoga classes at Peavey Plaza (weather permitting). Bring a water, mat and towel. Members and nonmembers are welcome to attend. Nonmembers that attend receive a FREE three-day trial fitness pass to any of our three fitness locations. Plus, join YWCA Minneapolis as a member for just $15! Registration recommended

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Minnesota Orchestra: Summer at Orchestra Hall

Friday, July 15 from 6:45-7:45pm

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Summer at Orchestra Hall is a new take on the Minnesota Orchestra’s traditional summer festival, celebrating the Orchestra’s home in the city and its proximity to the revitalized Peavey Plaza. The community is invited to participate in special food experiences and free entertainment by outstanding local performers at Peavey Plaza. Complete list of upcoming performances.

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Children’s Theatre Company Story Theatre 

Saturday, July 16 at 12-12:30pm & 12:30-1pm

Join Children’s Theatre Company for summertime fun at Peavey Plaza! Through imaginative play, collaborative storytelling, music, and family engagement, we’ll explore beloved children’s books together. Laugh, dance, and discover along with your family and friends.

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Minnesota Orchestra: Day of Music

Saturday, July 16 from 12-11pm

The International Day of Music features performances on multiple stages in and around Orchestra Hall, celebrating many genres of music for all ages and featuring a free outdoor performance by the Minnesota Orchestra led by Chia-Hsuan Lin on Peavey Plaza at 8:30 p.m., hosted by Summer at Orchestra Hall Creative Partner Jon Kimura Parker. Learn more.

For a complete calendar of our Peavey Plaza Performing Arts Series, visit greenminneapolis.org/events.