2018 Pedestrian and Bicycle Progress Report

Via a May 14 e-newsletter from Hennepin County

New pedestrian and bicycle progress report now available 

Biking, walking and rolling are an important part of everyday life for many Hennepin County residents. Whether it is for transportation, recreation or physical activity, we work to create options for getting around that are safe, comfortable and efficient for more people.

Every year, we invest in our growing network of sidewalks, trails and bikeways. In 2018, the county bikeway network grew by 15.6 miles with 22 projectscompleted and two priority gaps in the network closed. We also installed or upgraded 450 sidewalk ramps and added 32 accessible pedestrian signals.

Check out the full report to learn more about how Hennepin County worked to serve people walking, biking and rolling in 2018.

Hennepin County Awards Funding to 20 Housing and Development Projects

Via a May 14 e-newsletter from Hennepin County

The county is designating more than $6.35 million to help fund 20 housing, development and infrastructure projects throughout the county, including along major transit corridors.

Acting as the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Tuesday, the county board awarded $3.5 million from the Affordable Housing Incentive Fund (AHIF), and $2.85 million from the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) program.

Together, these awards will fund the creation or preservation of 733 new affordable units of housing.

AHIF — $3.5 million for 10 affordable housing projects

A total of 438 units of affordable housing will be supported through AHIF in 2019, including:

• 79 units for people experiencing homelessness
• 71 units set aside for households with income less than 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
• 246 units with rental assistance, making rents affordable to households below 30% AMI
• 38 units for people with a disability
• 53 units for large families
• 15 units for extended foster care youth
• 31 units for county Health and Human Services clients

The Affordable Housing Incentive Fund is a program unique to Hennepin County that supports the development and preservation of long-term affordable housing for low- and very-low income households. The program is funded through a countywide property tax levy.

Since 2000, about $66 million has been committed to affordable housing projects through AHIF, supporting 8,300 units of affordable housing.

Read more about 2019 AHIF projects and awards.

TOD — $2.85 million for 10 transit oriented development projects

A total of 501 housing units, 295 of which are affordable, and 200,000 square feet of commercial space will be supported through the TOD program in 2019, including:

• Four housing and mixed-use projects
• Two commercial projects
• Four infrastructure projects

Together, TOD funded projects will contribute to:

• 187 new or retained jobs
• $148 million in leveraged private and public funding
• Improved connections to transit

The Transit Oriented Development program supports redevelopment projects that increase housing choices and jobs accessible by transit to grow a more sustainable and economically competitive region.

Since 2003, the TOD program has generated more than 7,000 new or retained housing units, including 3,300 affordable units, more than 2,500 jobs, and more than 2 million square feet of commercial and office space.

Read more about the projects and awards.

Hennepin County Libraries Are Ready to Keep Your Kids Engaged Throughout the Summer

Every summer, Hennepin County Library (HCL) welcomes thousands of youth from across the county to its various Summer Learning programs. Libraries are critical to keeping kids engaged and learning during the summer months.

This past year HCL offered 992 fun, educational, and interactive Summer Learning programs at 41 libraries, with total attendance of more than 18,000. Hennepin County Libraries are a crucial resource for thousands of families seeking to keep their children engaged and learning during the summer months.

Use this link to drill down by location, date range, activity type, age range, etc.

Buses to Replace Blue and Green Line Trains May 17-20

Due to scheduled maintenance, buses will replace trains beginning Friday, May 17 during a partial shutdown on the METRO Blue & Green Line. Customers can board replacement buses near the affected stations. Buses run on similar schedules as trains but can take more time. Customers are urged to plan accordingly. 

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From 6:30pm Friday, May 17 until 3:30am Monday, May 20, buses will replace Blue and Green Line trains for these stations:

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Blue Line

Franklin Ave. (Northbound only)

Cedar-Riverside

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Green Line

Stadium Village (Westbound only)

East Bank

West Bank

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Downtown Mpls. - Shared stations

U.S. Bank Stadium 

Government Plaza

Nicollet Mall

Warehouse-Hennepin Avenue

Target Field

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See maps for boarding locations.

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Work being conducted includes skyway maintenance at the U of MN, Washington Ave. bridge work, floating slab and rail break repair along the corridor. 

The Cohort - Rhythmically Speaking's New Annual Summer Show comes to the Southern Theater in August

Via a May 13 News Release from Rhythmically Speaking:

Rhythmically Speaking (RS) returns this summer with The Cohort, a reimagining of the organization’s annual August production featuring staged works inspired by jazz and American social dance ideas. Running August 15-17 at the Southern Theater, Rhythmically Speaking presents . . . The Cohort celebrates these ideas as innovative and intelligent launch pads for creating community and inspired movement art. Following ten years of annually presenting dance works by eight to nine artists and their varying casts of performers, The Cohort provides more in-depth support to fewer artists creating and performing longer works. This new vision of the RS annual summer production continues support of new work by local choreographers while providing opportunities for artists based outside of Minnesota to show their work here.

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The inaugural Cohort will feature new works by local dance artists Erinn Liebhard (RS Artistic Director) and Julie Warder, and remounted works by visitors Rohan Bhargava (New York, NY) and Pat Taylor (Los Angeles, CA). Liebhard’s new work Feist(meist)er is an energetic romp considering learning to listen when everyone in the room wants to speak, and Warder’s new piece What’d You Say is a quirky exploration of communication accentuated in rhythm. Visitor Rohan Bhargava is remounting Kool Kids 2.0, a comical beat-box and dance collaboration satirizing the elusive state of “coolness,” and visitor Pat Taylor is setting her work A Love Supreme, an exploration of redemption set to and named for the jazz music masterpiece by legendary saxophonist John Coltrane.

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In addition to these four choreographers, The Cohort for 2019 includes a group of nine local dancers who will perform all four pieces on the show. Working with a smaller cast is move toward creating opportunities for Twin Cities dancers to engage more deeply with staged jazz and American social dance ideas through work with both local and visiting artists. The dancers performing in this inaugural Cohort include Nora Anderson, Doug Hooker, Erik Hunder, Sara Karimi, RS Artistic Director Erinn Liebhard, Kelli Miles, Kathleen Pender, Betsy Schaefer-Roob and Cheng Xiong.

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RS engages people in staged works inspired by jazz and American social dance ideas united by a core of rhythmicity. With shared roots of rhythm, social interaction and improvisation, these approaches encourage simultaneous expression of difference and similarity as a means of creating community. RS is proud to be a local and national leader in celebrating the rich history of these forms while nurturing their innovation. Since being founded in 2008, the organization is proud to have presented 91 original and remounted works and engaged 350+ artists and thousands of audience members.

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Rhythmically Speaking presents The Cohort runs August 15-17 at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis. 

Public is Invited to the May 21 Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge Reopening Commemoration

The Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge was repaired last year

Repair of historic bridge connecting Boom Island Park and Nicollet Island to be celebrated on May 21 at 4 pm

Join Commissioner Chris Meyer and the Northeast Minneapolis community on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 4 pm to officially celebrate the reopening of the historic Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge after a repair project. The event will feature a brief program featuring local officials, a ribbon-cutting and light refreshments.

Event invitation

The Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge reopened last November after an extensive repair project revitalized the 118-year-old structure. In April, work resumed to complete remaining work at the site, like grading and turf establishment, concrete abutment work, paint touch-ups, and electrical work.

About the Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge

The current trail connection between Boom Island Park and Nicollet Island was originally built in 1901 as a railroad bridge. In the 1970s, the rail yard it served was cleared and the bridge was given to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, which converted it to a pedestrian and bicycle bridge in the 1980s.

In late 2013, the bridge was closed to emergency and maintenance vehicles after significant deterioration was discovered during an inspection. Emergency repairs were completed in July 2015 and permanent repairs were performed May-November 2018.

Project page

April by the Numbers

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:

MPRB Announces Women's Golf Day Has Been Expanded to Women's Golf Week

Via a May 10 e-newsletter from Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Last year's response to Women's Golf Day was so great, we expanded it to a week!

Celebrate girls and women playing golf with FREE golf or FREE clinics!

Women's Golf Week has expanded. Instead of just one day, women across Minneapolis can participate in events over five days at six of our seven courses. These three-hour events celebrate girls and women playing golf and learning skills that last a lifetime.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's Play Golf Minneapolis courses are the only golf courses in the state hosting outdoor Women's Golf Week events, with FREE clinics, or a FREE 9-hole round (walking or riding on a cart) offered at six golf courses throughout the city.

Register for FREE Women's Golf Day Clinics at each golf club.

E Line Update: May 2019

Via an e-newsletter from Metro Transit:

Metro Transit is planning improvements to the Route 6 corridor with the E Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. Bus Rapid Transit brings better amenities, faster service and a more comfortable ride. For more information visit the project web page.

Upcoming opportunities to influence where the E Line will travel

Join us at one of the upcoming Open Houses (no formal presentation, come anytime).

• Monday, May 20, 4 – 6 p.m., Southwest High School, Cafeteria
• Tuesday, May 21, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., Marcy Open School, Multipurpose Room
• Wednesday, May 22 4 – 6:30 p.m. Walker Library, Bde Maka Ska Room

Learn more about the routing options being advanced for further consideration and some early ideas about connecting bus service. We would like your input.

Northern routing recommendation

Metro Transit staff are recommending that the E Line cross the river from downtown Minneapolis into the Marcy-Holmes and Dinkytown area on 4th Street and University Avenue. This decision was based on current Route 6 ridership, transit supportive land uses, access to regional destinations such as the University of Minnesota, and a large amount of community support. Additional planning work is needed to determine whether the E Line should end at Stadium Village Station or Westgate Station.

Ongoing analysis of southern routing options to Southdale Transit Center

Three routing options are being advanced for the southern portion of the E Line. All three options end at Southdale Transit Center, with routing either on 44th Street to Xerxes Avenue, 44th Street to France Avenue, or Xerxes Avenue to France Avenue via 50th Street. Southdale Transit Center is being recommended as the southern endpoint due to strong community support, integration with the planned and existing bus network, and high ridership at that location. Metro Transit is seeking feedback on which option should be selected for the final E Line routing at the upcoming open houses.

Routing options still under consideration

Chick here to enlarge the map

Future questions & steps

One recommended alignment will be brought to the community and the Metropolitan Council this fall. The recommendation will include some early ideas about station placement and connecting bus service. More detailed planning on station locations and connecting bus service will occur in 2020. Additional engineering will be needed to make the E Line construction ready. Community input is needed and will be sought in every project phase.

Hennepin County Requests Your Thoughts on the Washington Avenue Project

Via an e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Washington Avenue and South 2nd Avenue intersection

Washington Avenue user survey

We want to better understand your experiences on Washington Avenue South (County Road 152) since the road was reconstructed.   

In 2017 Hennepin County reconstructed Washington Avenue between Hennepin Avenue and 5th Avenue South in downtown Minneapolis. The project, completed in a partnership with the City of Minneapolis, updated the road for all users. New features include:

• cycle track and bicycle signals
• shortened crossing distances for people walking
• enhanced streetscaping, including trees, plantings and benches
• improved driving surfaces
• dedicated turn lanes at key intersections

Now that people have had some time to use these features, we are collaborating with the city to gather feedback from users like you. We have designed a survey for each type of road use. Please take whichever survey(s) best describe your typical use(s):

• Walking/using an assistive device
• Biking 
• Driving
• Using transit 

The surveys will close Friday, May 17.

North Loop Reconstruction and Pedestrian Improvements

Editor's note - This is the first of an ongoing series of updates as the North Loop Reconstruction and Pedestrian Improvements project advances.

North Loop Reconstruction & Pedestrian Improvements

The North Loop Reconstruction & Pedestrian Improvements Project consists of two separate projects:

1. A full street reconstruction along 3rd St N between 10th Ave N and 5th Ave N
2. A pedestrian improvement project generally bounded by 10th Ave N on the north, 1st Ave on the south, West River Parkway on the east, and 4th St N on the west

North Loop Reconstruction Updates

On May 6, 2019, the project began with brick paver removals on 5th  Ave N.  Next week the contractor will remove the roadway pavement and east sidewalk on 5th Ave N (between Washington to just past 4th St N).  Once removals are complete CenterPoint Energy (CPE) access the site to install a 6" high pressure steel gas line.  CPE's work is anticipated to take 7 weeks to complete.  Once the gas main installation is complete the Contractor will return to 5th Ave N to begin underground utility work.

Upcoming Construction

7th Ave N (Washington to 4th St N, the contractor will jump over 3rd St N) removals will begin the week of May 13th.  7th Ave N will be closed to thru traffic.

Work expected for the week of May 13, 2019

• Asphalt milling on 5th and 7th Aves N
• CenterPoint Energy continue installing 6" gas line between 2nd St N and Washington
• CenterPoint Energy will start 4" gas replacement on 7th Ave N
• Continue salvaging brick pavers on 5th Ave N
• Begin pavement removals on 5th Ave N
• Begin pavement removals on 7th Ave N

Other Information

Bi-weekly stakeholder meetings will be held the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month from 7:30 am to 8:00 am to provide updates and to address any construction related question or concerns.

For more information on this project, visit the project website.

Upcoming Construction

Construction is scheduled to begin on June 3, 2019.

Traffic may be detoured around the work as crews move from intersection to intersection; however, the detours are anticipated to be short in duration and in distance (usually to the next block over).

For more information on this project, visit the project website. 

Hennepin Avenue Downtown Reconstruction Project Update

Editor's note - This is the first of an ongoing series of updates as the Hennepin Avenue Downtown Reconstruction project advances.

Hennepin Avenue Downtown Reconstruction Project

Hennepin Ave. reconstruction project, led by City of Minneapolis Public Works, will be reconstructed between 12th Street and Washington Avenue beginning Spring 2019.  The project will reconstruct the pavement from building face to building face, including improvements to public and private utility infrastructure, and improved infrastructure for pedestrians, bicycles, transit, and vehicles.

Latest Project News

Private Utility crews have been installing new fiber optic conduits this past week from 10th to 12th and plan to be complete down to 11th this week.

CenterPoint Energy and Clearway Energy have continued their work between 7th and 8th Streets installing new condensate and gas mains.  They plan to wrap up the services this week in that block. 

What's Coming Up

Next week the fiber optic work will continue between 11th and 12th Streets, and CenterPoint will continue replacing the gas main across the 7th Street intersection.  The Sanitary Sewer replacement work will begin at 9th Street. This work will stretch from 8th to 10th.  At this time the traffic lanes will be moved to the outer most lanes, maintaining 1-lane in each direction through the work zones.  Refer to PDF below for more details.

8th Street will be closed east of Hennepin.

Looking ahead, private utility work is planned to begin in June between Washington and 4th St.

Hennepin_Update_Vol3.pdf

For more information on this project contact:  

Construction Manager, hennepinCM@minneapolismn.gov or 612-225-4049

www.hennepindowntown.com

Mill City Summer Opera's 2019 Production: Così fan Tutte

Mill City Summer Opera returns to the Mill City Museum this July with Così fan Tutte, considered to be one of Mozart’s most “controversial” operas. It will be sung in Italian with English supertitles.

Opening night performance is July 12, including a gala reception at 6pm and reserved seating for the 7:30p performance, plus a dazzling after-party with the cast to cap off the evening. Opening night tickets are available now.

Additonal show dates are July 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24, and those tickets will be available May 14. 

Donate a Brick to Survivors Memorial at Boom Island Park

Survivors Memorial at Boom Island Park

A memorial to survivors of sexual violence has been proposed at Boom Island Park. The memorial, 30 feet wide with a circle of benches and three mosaic panels, would be built as early as this summer.

Donating a brick ($1,000 or more) offers individuals, businesses and organizations a unique opportunity to show solidarity with victims/survivors of sexual violence and to honor those you love who have endured this traumatic experience.

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Tour the I-35W Construction Area on Bike to Work Day with Mayor Frey and MnDOT on May 17

Bike to Work Day with Mayor Frey and MnDOT

MnDOT and the City of Minneapolis are hosting a bike tour of the 35W@94: Downtown to Crosstown project to celebrate Bike to Work Day.

Join Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and MnDOT Engineer Aaron Tag on your commute home and get an up-close and informative view of the project. Friday, May 17, 4 to 6pm, beginning at The Commons, 425 Portland Avenue S.

Riders will stop at Franklin Steele Park to learn about construction and get a good view of the I-35W/I-94 interchange followed by a stop at 24th Street to hear about the new pedestrian bridge, then a stop on the Midtown Greenway under I-35W to learn about the new Lake Street Transit Station, Orange Line and connection to the Midtown Greenway. 

Reservations are required - contact us today because space is limited! Reserve your spot by emailing Tess.Nejedlo@hdrinc.com.

Tour schedule:
Registration begins at 4:00pm. All riders need to be registered and have their bikes safety checked by 4:30pm.
The tour begins at 4:30pm at The Commons in downtown Minneapolis and will end at 6:00pm at the intersection of I-35W and the Midtown Greenway.
Riders are encouraged to join Lake Street Council for a taco stop at Taqueria la Hacienda, 334 E Lake Street #101. Meals at own expense.

This event is part of the 35W@94: Downtown to Crosstown project between 43rd St. and 15th St. in Minneapolis. mndot.gov/35w94.

Animated video of finished project. Looks like it will be worth the pain when the work is complete!

Apply to Serve on the Parks for All Community Advisory Committee

Help set the vision for Minneapolis Parks over the next decade! Apply to serve on the CAC for Parks for All: MPRB Comprehensive Plan 2021 by June 7

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) just launched “Parks for All,” a new comprehensive planning process that will set its priorities and policy direction for the next decade.

Parks for All will engage Minneapolis residents and park users, along with MPRB staff and commissioners, over the next two years to shape the future direction of Minneapolis’ park and recreation system.

The Parks for All Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will have a big influence on the comprehensive plan process and policy directions, so if you are passionate about parks and recreation in Minneapolis, please apply to serve on the CAC by June 7! Lots more details about Parks for All and the role of CACs can be found below.

What is Parks for All?

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The last MPRB Comprehensive Plan was approved in 2007 and set a vision through 2020. Parks for All is the next MPRB Comprehensive Plan, which will guide the Minneapolis park and recreation system for the next decade.

The MPRB Comprehensive Plan guides everything done by the MPRB. It articulates why the MPRB exists, identifies how the MPRB performs its work, and describes what the MPRB hopes to become.

Parks for All is separate from the recent City of Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan. It solely covers the Minneapolis park and recreation system. It will build off other recent MPRB plans including service area master plans for neighborhood parks, master plans for regional parks and other plans and policies that have been developed by MPRB in recent years with community input.

What is a Community Advisory Committee (CAC)?

MPRB Community Advisory Committees provide volunteer opportunities for stakeholders to share insight and resources and serve to build and sustain relationships between the community and the MPRB. Members of the CAC are expected to represent the views of park users and to work collaboratively with each other and the public to provide advice to the Board about the project. 

 Responsibilities of CAC members include: 

• Become knowledgeable about the MPRB Comprehensive Plan and process,
• Understand and represent the park and recreation needs of the community and park visitors,
• Act as community liaisons for the project,
• Help identify communities, organizations, user groups, populations and others that should be consulted in the engagement process,
• Provide feedback on a draft plan,
• Help identify values, strengths and needs within the Minneapolis Park system and within their communities,
• Provide insight on the long-term policy direction of MPRB,
• Report back to appointers or appointing bodies, as requested, on the plan process, information presented, and possible recommendations, and
• Engage in working groups and subcommittees as needed.

CAC members are expected to attend and participate in public CAC meetings and a Parks for All Summit.

MPRB Promise:

The MPRB will work with the CAC and stakeholders for advice and innovation in formulating solutions and will incorporate suggestions on the process and plan to the maximum extent possible. Transportation and childcare reimbursements are available upon request for public meeting attendance.

Time Commitment:

The total time commitment for CAC members is estimated at 25-40 hours total. The majority of meetings will likely occur on weekday evenings and weekends every other month from July 2019 through September 2020. The CAC will have between 5-7 official CAC meetings of about two hours each. 

Appointment Process:

All completed CAC applications will be forwarded to all the appointers. The CAC appointers include MPRB Commissioners and a selection committee comprised of MPRB staff and community representatives. Applicants may be contacted directly by an appointer to discuss the project and interest.

Community Collaborators: Another opportunity to engage on Parks for All

MPRB invites local grassroots, neighborhood and cultural organizations to convene their own conversations about the future of Minneapolis parks and recreation through the Community Collaborator program. Please consider submitting a project proposal designed to broaden community engagement for Parks for All.

Funding varies $500-$3,000 according to the project idea and proposed budget. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis with three rounds of submission and review in April, August and December 2019. First deadline has been extended to May 10.

Parks for All CAC Application [PDF]

Community Collaborator Application [PDF]

Project Page

‘Share the River Nordeast’ Canoe Event Returns on June 26

Experience the Mississippi River in an evening of community, canoeing and cookies.

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO), 2522 Marshall Street NE, invites the public to a family-friendly evening of cookies and canoeing on the Mississippi River on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The fourth annual Share the River Nordeast event offers visitors the chance to take a free introductory canoe ride on the Mississippi River with experienced guides. Attendees can also enjoy a complimentary cookie from local nonprofit bakery Cookie Cart and tour indoor and outdoor exhibits at the MWMO’s Stormwater Park and Learning Center in Northeast Minneapolis.

“Share the River Nordeast offers a fun, safe, and family-friendly way to experience the Mississippi River,” said MWMO Executive Director Doug Snyder. “The more people connect with the river, the more they will see it as something worth cherishing and protecting.”

Paddlers will follow a route that will provide an up-close look at the heron rookery north of the Lowry Avenue Bridge, as well as the Upper Harbor Terminal site. Canoe trips will be led by National Park Service rangers and staff from the Mississippi Park Connection and Wilderness Inquiry.

In addition to learning how to paddle on the river, participants will have opportunities to learn about the river’s history, water quality, plants, animals and more.

The event is open to kids and adults of all ages. Visitors who wish to take a canoe ride must be at least 30 pounds in order to fit the provided life jackets.

Attendees are advised to use on-street parking, as the MWMO’s parking lot will be off-limits for the event. Bike parking, a Nice Ride station and bus transit options are also available in the area.

The Preserve Minneapolis 2019 Walking Tour Season Announced

The Preserve Minneapolis 2019 Walking Tour season has arrived. Enjoy the Downtown Riverfront Walking Tour, Warehouse District Walking Tour, Historic East Hennepin Walking Tour and many more. 

Check the Preserve Minneapolis Walking Tours page for the full list and to purchase tickets.

Build Labs LLC Works to Ease the Tech Talent Shortage Utilizing Space at WeWork

Small businesses are a crucial component of our economy, and they are being recognized May 5 -11 during National Small Business Week.

One example is Build Labs LLC, founded in 2017 by serial entrepreneur JD Dietricha. It's a small business in downtown Minneapolis that is working to train people for high-paying technology jobs. They are based out of WeWork in Capella Tower, and work with the tech community within WeWork often.

On a daily basis we hear how companies scramble for tech talent - and Build Labs LLC is looking to change this. They are an immersive coding experience for developers and designers launching their careers in technology. Their structured apprenticeship provides these newly minted technologists with the experience, training, mentorship and environment they need to accelerate their capabilities. At the end of their apprenticeship, they are hired full time by Build Labs LLC clients.

Having grown from two people to a staff of six in a short period of time, the flexible and amenity-rich WeWork space is the perfect office option for Build Labs LLC. There is a growing demand for coworking office spaces like WeWork. In addition to Capella Tower, WeWork has two other Minneapolis locations - 729 N Washington Avenue and 1330 Lagoon Avenue. They also have numerous locations around the globe.

A-Mill During Art-A-Whirl and Doors Open Minneapolis present: A-Mill Behind Closed Doors

For the first time in its history, the Pillsbury A-Mill, 315 SE Main Street, will open its hidden museum to the public for Art-A-Whirl + Doors Open Minneapolis, while resident and guest artists display and sell their work at A-Mill durning Art-A-Whirl 2019. A-Mill is the only venue that will open their doors for both Art-A-Whirl and Doors Open!

Come see what’s behind A-Mill’s doors during Art-A-Whirl + Doors Open Minneapolis May 17 (5pm-10pm), May 18 (12pm-8pm), and May 19 (12pm-5pm). Admission is free.

The Pillsbury A-Mill is honored to have been chosen for Minneapolis’s inaugural event, “Doors Open Minneapolis” - a “weekend-long event that allows the public free, behind-the-scenes access to buildings in the City of Minneapolis that are architecturally, culturally, or socially significant.” In addition to showcasing an exclusive view down the tunnels beneath A-Mill, Mill City Museum will provide graphics throughout the building showing the Pillsbury A-Mill’s historical timeline.

In the Gallery on -1, visitors will be dazzled by a unique show from 3 local artists entitled “Eidolon.” In the photography studio on -2, our sponsor Wooden Hill Brewing Company has created an interactive community art project. Aptly named “Crafting Community”, guests will be able to paint a pop-up mural drawn by local artists.

Explaining how Wooden Hill Brewing, a local brewery in Edina, chose to be involved in A-Mill during Art-A-Whirl + Doors Open, owner Sean Ewen explains, "My brother and I started Wooden Hill Brewing Company to share the joy of craft beer with others. And going beyond beer, we created the non-alcohol beverage, Steeped, so that everyone can experience the joy of drinking a locally crafted, small batch beverage. It's really about crafting community, which is why we host rotating art displays in our taproom and regularly host give back events. A-Mill during Art-A-Whirl + Doors Open is the perfect fit because we can promote local artists and locally made beverages at the same time. Our friends at Stray Dog NE will also be onsite providing speciality sausages, sandwiches, and snacks that pair perfectly with our beer."

From the caves down below to the specular rooftop views up above, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy. To further entice visitors to explore the building and shop for art from over 50 resident and guest artists, there will be an interactive scavenger hunt with prizes using a mobile app!