The Week Ahead in Mill City

Each week we provide an easy to reference list of events and activities for the week ahead in the Historic Mill District and Minneapolis Riverfront Neighborhoods.  Have an event to share?  Submit your events here...

Monday, March 9

• March 9, 2020, Monday - BikeMS Night at Surly
• March 9, 2020, Monday - Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Assoc Land Use + Development Committee Public Meeting
• March 9, 2020, Monday - NT Live: Cyrano De Bergerac at St. Anthony Main Theatre (thru March 11)

Tuesday, March 10

• March 10, 2020, Tuesday - Women's History Month Networking Event at US Bank Bancorp
• March 10, 2020, Tuesday - Perpich Arts High Literary Arts presents "out of the blue" at Open Book
• March 10, 2020, Tuesday - Tour the Xcel Energy Plant

Wednesday, March 11

• March 11, 2020, Wednesday - Vegan Taco Party! at Cooks of Crocus Hill
• March 11, 2020, Wednesday - St. Anthony Fall Laboratory Tour
• March 11, 2020, Wednesday - Transportation Action Plan Open House at Central Library

Thursday, March 12

• March 12, 2020, Thursday - Women Run the Cities X Mill City Running Event
• March 12, 2020, Thursday - Firefighters for Healing 2020 Chili Cook Off at Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
• March 12, 2020, Thursday - Minnesota Cuban Film Festival at St. Anthony Main
• March 12, 2020, Thursday - Legacy Speaker Series: Why the 2020 Census Matters to Minnesota
• March 12, 2020, Thursday - Jennifer Glaws' Jagged Moves presents Touch Code at The Southern Theater (thru March 14)
• March 12, 2020, Thursday - Women with Vision: Then and Now at Walker Art Center (thru March 15)
• March 12, 2020, Thursday - Meet the Makers: Charcuterie & Beer Pairing at Inbound BrewCo
• March 12, 2020, Thursday - Paint Your Own Pet at Aloft Minneapolis

Friday, March 13

• March 13, 2020, Friday - Latin Night at Sauce By Dulono's
• March 13, 2020, Friday - WeRunMPLS Pop Doc Night at
• March 13, 2020, Friday - Dinner Date at Cooks of Crocus Hill
• March 13, 2020, Friday - SIP 'N BLOOM - St Patty's Celebration Workshop at Graze Provisions + Libations

Saturday, March 14

• March 14, 2020, Saturday - Hike: Eagles of the Mississippi at Kroening Interpretive Center
• March 14, 2020, Saturday - Doing Good Together Pop-Up at Lakes & Legends Brewing Company
• March 14, 2020, Saturday - LepreCon St Patrick's Crawl Minneapolis
• March 14, 2020, Saturday - March Madness Triathlon at The Firm MPLS
• March 14, 2020, Saturday - Washburn A Mill Tour at Mill City Museum
• March 14, 2020, Saturday - Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour
• March 14, 2020, Saturday - Logging & Lumber Family Day at the Mill City Museum
• March 14, 2020, Saturday - Hurray for Fish! with Ellen Ferrari at MCBA

Sunday, March 15

• March 15, 2020, Sunday - Northeast Farmers Market Winter Market
• March 15, 2020, Sunday - Minneapolis Vintage Market at Minneapolis Institute of Art
• March 15, 2020, Sunday - Luck o' the Irish Tea at Nicollet Island Inn
• March 15, 2020, Sunday - MacPhail Concerto and Aria Concert

Quick History: 1805 - Lieutenant Zebulan Pike Negotiates a Treaty with the Dakota / Mill City History

1805 - Lieutenant Zebulan Pike negotiates a treaty with the Dakota, who cede territory that includes St. Anthony Falls.

Lieutenant Zebulon Pike becomes the first representative of the young United States to appear in Minnesota. While surveying the Louisiana Purchase, Pike buys a sliver of land--"for a song," he says--from the Dakota. The small area will become the first U.S. outpost in the region, but it is another 14 years before the army follows and begins Fort Snelling.

Above: Courtesy of Mill City Museum

Selling Mill City / 1951 Gold Medal Flour Commercial [Video]

Television commercial circa 1951:

Video: Pillsbury "A" Mill Interactive Visualization

The historic Pillsbury “A” Mill was completed in 1881 on the west bank of the Mississippi river in Minneapolis, Minnesota. To power the mill, water works were constructed beneath the building, carrying water from the river and through turbines to generate electricity. VJAArchitects hired Artificial Natures to create an interactive application that allows people to explore this underground world, including the 500 foot long head race tunnel and realistic water effects. This video shows a tour through the tunnel system.

Selling Mill City / 1965 Pillsbury Flaky Biscuits TV Commercial Featuring the Pillsbury Doughboy

A 1965 TV commercial for Pillsbury Flaky Biscuits featuring one of the first appearances of the Pillsbury Doughboy (Poppin' Fresh) who was voiced by the legendary Paul Frees.

The Central Minneapolis Riverfront is not only the birthplace of the Minneapolis, but also gave rise to many iconic brands, some of which have endured for over a century.  Alas, some have not.  Selling Mill City is a series highlighting brands that arose on the riverfront and surrounding neighborhoods.

BREAKING: Trader Joe's Coming to Downtown Minneapolis

Mill City Times Exclusive - Trader Joe's is coming to Downtown Minneapolis! We've confirmed through two independant sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations that agreement has been reached for a Trader Joe's grocery store in the planned Thresher Square project in the Mill District/Downtown East neighborhood of Minneapolis.

Plans also call for a direct skyway link to the core business district at the corner of Chicago & Washington, connecting through the planned parking ramp serving the new Vikings Stadium.

The grocery store, to be located on the corner of Chicago & Washington Ave S, will be part of the Thresher Square project from Sherman & Associates.  The mixed use residential/commercial development will occupy 3/4 of the block which includes the Advance Thresher building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  For more background on the project, see:

Project Page:

http://www.sherman-associates.com/713-south-washington-avenue/site-plan/

News coverage from earlier this year:

$100M Thresher Square development fills Downtown East gap

Developer plans hotel, apartments in downtown's Thresher Square building

[Video] Bird Lovers, Vikings Stadium Opponents Lose Bid to Stop Downtown Park at Park Board Meeting

A coalition of bird advocates and Viking Stadium opponents turned out in force at the December 17 meeting of the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) to oppose the the the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Minneapolis and the MPRB for MPRB ownership and leaseback to the City of the planned park in Downtown East Minneapolis adjacent to the new Vikings Stadium.  Watch the passionate (some misguided, some spot on) pleas from advocates and the contentious discussion between MPRB Commissioners, who eventually voted to approve the MOU:

Symphony Hydro Dead in the Water?

The first two government agencies to weigh in have both submitted letters to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) last week opposing the Symphony Hydro proposal to build a hydroelectric facility in the soon to be closed Upper St. Anthony Falls lock.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers letter states “As the proposed Symphony hydropower project is incompatible with the current Congressional authorization for navigation and flood control, it appears that licensing of the hydropower project located within the lock chamber at USAF is not appropriate at this time.”

The U.S. Department of the Interior letter includes a statement identical to the one above from the the Corps.

Download the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers letter...

Download the U.S. Dept. of Interior letter...

Thursday Night STAWNO Small Area Plan Meeting

From the St. Anthony West Neighborhood Organization:

As we continue to move forward on a process for the St. Anthony West neighborhood's Small Area Plan, the Land Use and Planning Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, to discuss a proposal from the University of Minnesota's Metropolitan Design Center. The meeting is open to all. Location: MainStreet Lodge, 909 Main St. NE, Minneapolis (lower-level meeting room). This is an accessible location.

Thursday Night - Elliot Park Land Use Meeting

The Building, Land Use & Housing Committee (BLUH) meets Thursday, December 18^th, 7-8:30 p.m. at the Elliot Park Recreation Center, 1000 East 14^th Street.

AGENDA

• 17^th Street Proposed Highway Sound Barriers—Presentation and community discussion.
• 7^th Street I94 Ramp—Construction Update
• Downtown Service Area Master Plan Community Advisory Committee
• Review of 2014 Projects & 2015 Upcoming Projects

MPRB to Own Downtown East Park After All

Ben Johnson with City Pages used more colorful language to describe the process establishing The Yard/Downtown East Commons/Downtown East Urban Park or whatever the name of the day is, but let's just say it's been chaotic.

On Wednesday, the Administration & Finance Committee of the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board passed a resolution approving the Memorandum of Understanding and Lease between the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board for the Downtown East Commons.  Look for an opinion piece next week (will take some time to digest all of the info), but for now here's what's available:

MPRB Committee Meeting Video:

Downtown East Urban Park MPRB Resolution 2014-371:

https://app.box.com/shared/static/smvlmj9dapbfqd4yzwnk.pdf

Memorandum of Understanding - Downtown East Commons - MPRB and City of Minneapolis:

https://app.box.com/shared/static/5ljbvbeis4fja32gp79i.pdf

Urban Park Use Agreement - Ryan and MSFA:

https://app.box.com/shared/static/411rab25n0pljjzag4c1.pdf

Strib - Plan Would Make Park Board Owner of Downtown Park:

http://www.startribune.com/local/blogs/284670871.html

City Pages - Park Board Will Own New Downtown East Park as Long as It Doesn't Have to Pay for Anything:

http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2014/12/park_board_will_own_new_downtown_east_park_as_long_as_it_doesnt_have_to_pay_for_anything.php

[Photos] Nye's in the News Last Week

The week started with news of Nye's closing, then came a plan for high-rise apartments, then a cloud was cast by historic preservation concerns - here's a collection of the coverage:

NYE'S POLONAISE WILL CLOSE AFTER 65 YEARS

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2014/12/01/nyes-polonaise-will-close-after-65-years.html

NYE'S POLONAISE ROOM TO CLOSE

http://www.minnpost.com/glean/2014/12/nyes-polonaise-room-close

BYE NYE'S: LOCAL LANDMARK TO CLOSE AFTER 65 YEARS

http://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/12/01/nyes-to-close

NYE'S POLONAISE ROOM TO CLOSE NEXT YEAR

http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/dining/284399951.html

'NORDEAST' ICON NYE'S TO CLOSE AFTER 65 YEARS

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_27047227/nyes-iconic-nordeast-minneapolis-bar-and-restaurant-close

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NYE'S POLONAISE ROOM OWNERS PARTNER WITH SCHAFER RICHARDSON ON POTENTIAL APARTMENT TOWER

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2014/12/02/nyes-polonaise-developer-schafer-apartment-tower.html

DEVELOPER PLANS HIGH-RISE ON NYE'S SITE

http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/284549121.html

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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COULD HINDER NYE'S PLAN

http://www.startribune.com/local/west/284945451.html

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COULD THWART PLAN TO REPLACE NYE’S BAR WITH APARTMENTS

http://bringmethenews.com/2014/12/06/historic-preservation-could-block-plan-to-replace-nyes-bar-with-apartments/

Tonight / Community Forum - 26th Ave N & 22nd Ave NE Greenways

From the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership:

The forces are aligning.  Between planned work on 26th Ave and plans for 22nd Ave NE this is an ideal time for North and Northeast residents to come together to develop a vision for the education corridor between Nellie Stone and Edison.

With the support of CM Reich and representatives from the Holland and Hawthorne Neighborhoods, the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership is scheduling a community forum on Monday, December 8, 2014 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (2117 West River Rd., Minneapolis)

The Forum will be used to begin to develop a common vision of what this greenway can be for our community, with the immediate goal of developing community recommendations and input for the City Transportation and Public Works Committee.

Please invite your neighborhood to join us for this important event.

Questions:

Kathleen Boe, Executive Director

MinneapolisRiverfront Partnership

Kathleen.boe@minneapolisriverfrontpartnership.org

612-746-4987

Thursday Night - Get an Update on the Nicollet Mall Redesign

Plans for the redesign of Nicollet Mall are moving ahead, and on Dec. 11, the public will have a chance to learn about changes and refinements to the design and other project updates at a public meeting at the Hyatt Regency.

In the last several months, the project team has done extensive community engagement, which has led to updates to the design, particularly changes to the central section of Nicollet between Sixth and Eighth streets. At the same time, new paving materials and furniture have been tested and the results of those tests will also be shared at the meeting.

The City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Downtown Council and James Corner Field Operations (JCFO) will provide a project update including timeline, construction schedule, design revisions and new information from the mall livability working group. After the presentation, representatives from JCFO, the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Downtown Council will be on hand to answer questions.

This is the fifth public event held to gather feedback and share design concept progress. Information on past presentations is available at nicolletmallproject.com.

Nicollet Mall Project update

5:15 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 11

Presentation at 5:45

Hyatt Regency Minneapolis – Northstar Ballroom A

1300 Nicollet Mall

Since the 1880s, Nicollet Mall has been a retail and business hub for Minneapolis. Over the years, the mall has been through two major renovations: one in 1968 and one in the 1980s. Today the space is used by 130,000 Minnesotans daily and is home to events such as the Nicollet Mall Farmers Market. The City and the Minneapolis Downtown Council are in the process of redesigning the mall to make it an even better destination and a more powerful economic engine for the region and the state. Construction is expected to begin in 2015.

MacPhail Music for Life™ Offerings

MacPhail Music for Life™ is a new program for adults 55+ looking for a comfortable and inviting place to pursue music. These offerings are specifically tailored for adult learners and provide a diverse range of musical experiences in a relaxed, enjoyable, and supportive environment. 55+ adults choose music for many reasons: relaxation, "Alzheimer’s prevention," "bucket list" or just pure joy. Whatever your reason, MacPhail Music for Life™ will help you have fun making music with people like you.

More info at: http://www.macphail.org/OFFERINGS/ADULTS/mmfl

Tuesday Night – MPRB Meeting on Proposed Operations Center at 1720 Marshall St. Ne.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is planning to renovate the existing building at 1720 Marshall Street NE to relocate park operations serving North and Northeast Minneapolis. The renovated building will consolidate operations from two outdated facilities in North and Northeast Minneapolis and will provide improved security and maintenance for park vehicles and equipment. Public pedestrian access to the river is included in the plan for the site. The property was originally purchased in 2012 as part of the Above the Falls Regional Park Master Plan. Read more about the Above the Falls Master Plan. View the current preliminary plans.

A community meeting is scheduled for October 14, 2014, 6:30 - 8:00, at the East Side Neighborhood Services Building at 1700 2nd Street NE. At the meeting, MPRB staff will share additional information about consolidating park operations serving North and Northeast Minneapolis and discuss neighborhood values relating to the development at 1720 Marshall Street NE.

Calling All Minneapolis History Buffs

Check out Historyapolis, for photos and stories of days gone by.  From their website – “The Historyapolis Project seeks to illuminate the history of Minneapolis. Inspired by the idea that history is a powerful tool for community-building, we are working to unearth stories that can explain how the city took shape. We hope to entertain and engage the broadest possible audience. But our central mission is to challenge popular assumptions about our city’s bygone days.”

http://historyapolis.com/

ReSee Gallery Pop-Up Event in the North Loop

October 9-11 accross from Bachelor Farmer.

From Jay Nuhring:

"I'm excited to announce a pop-up gallery event titled "THE AMERICAN BILLBOARD - This Is What I See".  I'm including all new images, some printed on watercolor paper with solid maple framing in very limited editions.  The collection will include brightly colored graphic typography and pop culture references as well as some thought provoking figurative compositions.  Please join me and jazz due Mary Louise Knutson and Chris Bates for a fabulous evening in one of the hottest districts in Minneapolis - North Loop.  October 9. 10, & 11 - 2014.

October 20, Mill City Museum - The Mississippi Minute Film Festival

Winners of the Mississippi Minute Film Festival Premiered at

3^rd Annual Riverfront Summit, October 20^th at Mill City Museum,

5:30 P.M.; Admission Free

Vote for favorite films at online link

Minneapolis, MN; October 5, 2014: The mighty Mississippi will be the star Monday, October 20 as the winners of the Mississippi Minute Film Festival premiere at the Minneapolis Riverfront Summit. Organized by the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership, the annual Riverfront Summit gathers the community to celebrate the importance of the Mississippi River. The program begins at 5:30 p.m.; there is no charge for admission however registration is requested, www.minneapolisriverfrontpartnership.org.

All submitted films are available now for viewing and voting for the Viewer’s Choice Award at this link: http://minneapolisriverfrontpartnership.org/mississippi-minute-films-entrants/.

To vote, simply “like” your favorite film or films on the site. Winners will be juried by Brenda Langton, Spoonriver Restaurant; Ben Heywood, The Soap Factory; architect Tom Meyer of MS&R; Sara Mackenzie, editor of the Downtown Journal, and Jesse Bishop, Minneapolis St. Paul Film Society.

With the tagline “One River, One Minute, Your Vision”, the Mississippi Minute Film Festival asked for one-minute video essays that would amuse, inform and inspire viewers about the city’s great river. Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges will present the awards for the winning films at the Summit.

MRPs second annual Riverfront Vitality Project will also be released at the summit. The ongoing report tracks the progress of riverfront development, researching metrics of urban vitality, economic and environmental health, cultural resources and riverfront access. The Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership (MRP) is a nonprofit formed to champion the revitalization of the Mississippi Riverfront.

The Riverfront Summit will be at Mill City Museum, 704 South 2^nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Doors open at 5:30 PM; the program begins at 6PM. A short reception follows. The event is free but registration is requested; register at www.minneapolisriverfrontpartnership.org.

For further information, contact Kathleen Boe, Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership, kathleen.boe@minneapolisriverfrontpartnership.org; Merle Minda, mminda@earthlink.net.

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North Loop Heritage Streets Monday, October 6

You are invited to attend an informational meeting regarding the proposed reconstruction of 6th Avenue North from 5th St North to just north of Washington Avenue beginning in 2016. This project falls within a historically designated area and is subject to recommendations included in the City’s Warehouse District Heritage Streets Plan. The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the project to the neighborhood, and to solicit input from residents and property owners regarding the project to supplement the design guidance contained in the Heritage Streets Plan. This is the first project meeting for the 6th Avenue Reconstruction Project. The City plans to conduct follow-up meetings with property owners, neighborhood groups as well as additional general informational meetings over the fall and winter, to assist with the design process and incorporate input from the community prior to seeking City Council action in early 2015. For further information or if you have questions, contact Lee Mann at lee.mann@stantec.com or (651) 604-4850.

The meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 6th at 5:00 – 6:00 PM. A brief presentation will be given at 5:00 PM. The meeting will be held at the Fulton Brewery taproom.

Fulton Brewery
414 6th Avenue North
Minneapolis MN 55401