City Council Should Approve Application for Federal Grant

On March 4 the Minneapolis City Council Public Safety Committee voted to not apply for a Federal Grant to fund a possible future increase in the number of sworn officers in the Minneapolis Police Department. The full Council should revisit this decision.

By Editorial Board Mill City Times

How We Got Here. Last year Minneapolis saw a major increase in violent crime AND 6,000+ 911 calls that were not responded to in a timely fashion, or at all, due to an understaffed police department AND a heated debate at City Hall over the need to add more officers.

The Police staffing issue was easily the most contentious topic in the annual City budgeting process. As part of a compromise, the City Council agreed to commission an independent, third party study (due later this year) to determine the proper number of sworn officers in the MPD. The intent was was admirable, especially in the political climate of today: let’s use a fact-based approach to setting our police budget.

An Increased Need for Police Officers? Over a twelve month period from mid-2018 to mid-2019, Police Chief Medaria Arradondo reported over 6000 instances in which no police were immediately available to respond to a Priority 1 call, such as a shooting, rape, missing person, assault, or a drug overdose. When a Minneapolitan is in life threatening danger, they have an understandable expectation that the police will show up.

The Vision Zero initiative in Minneapolis aims to eliminate traffic deaths and severe injuries on city streets by 2027.  An average of 95 people are killed or severely injured in traffic crashes on streets in Minneapolis each year. Minneapolis has four traffic investigators to handle follow-up on the most serious accidents and ZERO traffic enforcement officers. These facts should be of interest to any person who lives or works or owns a business, rides a bike, busses or light rail, or crosses city streets as a pedestrian. How will we reach the goal of zero deaths each year without someone to enforce existing, and new Vision Zero laws & rules?

An Opportunity for Outside Funding Should We need More Officers. For the 1^st time in 3 years, the Federal Government is offering Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants meant to help law enforcement agencies to hire more community policing officers, to acquire new technologies and equipment, to hire civilians for administrative tasks, and to promote innovative approaches to solving crime. City staff worked to prepare the grant proposal so as to be prepared.

An Opportunity Squandered? Minneapolis has the opportunity to apply for a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services that could pay for hiring, training and deploying 10 new traffic officers over three years. The city’s contribution would be about $4.6 million to match the grant and cover other expenses. If the grant was awarded, Minneapolis could assign the 10 new police officers to handle traffic matters (moving us toward our Vision Zero goals) and potentially free up police officers to handle more of the unanswered Priority 1 calls.

2 facts to keep in mind when it comes to this grant:

- The grant, if awarded this fall, can be rejected by the City Council when the successful applicants are notified later this fall - Should the result of the aforementioned staffing study conclude that the police are currently staffed at the right level, the grant can be rejected by the City Council with no penalty.

- The City can decide to go back to previous staffing levels at the end of the grant period (3 years) should the need for the additional officers decline.

The 4-2 vote to not apply for the grant – was on a motion by Council member Steve Fletcher and backed by Public Safety and Emergency Management Committee members  Alondra Cano, Phillipe Cunningham and Jeremiah Ellison. The vote sends the matter back to city staff — effectively killing the proposal, since the grant application deadline is later this month.

Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Medaria Arradondo are in favor of applying for the grant. Downtown business leaders have also expressed dismay at the Council’s decision to not pursue the grant. Chief Arradondo describes the level of police officer staffing as ‘hemorrhaging and broken’.

Right now, the City of Minneapolis is conducting a large study to review police staffing. Results of the study are not expected until September. Mayor Frey has indicated that he’ll follow the recommendations of the study.

“If that study says that we should be adding additional officers, it’s common sense that we should allow for assistance in paying for those officers," said Frey. "Why would we turn down money that we could use to both benefit public safety and not add burden to taxpayers?"

Minneapolis needs to pursue whatever avenues of crime prevention and increased public safety are available to the community. Commission studies, study the results, look at alternative means of crime prevention, investigate police procedures, recruit diverse community voices in seeking solutions, review crime and traffic data and yes, apply for grants that would fund additional officers on the street. Minneapolis can always staff at lower levels if that is the recommendation of the police staffing study. We can’t reject grant money that we didn’t seek.

Mill City Times recommends recommend reaching out to your City Council member to urge them to support applying for the Community Oriented Policing Services federal grant.  It’s a risk-free move that could save the City a significant chunk of tax dollars.

FINNEGANS Celebrates St. Patrick's Day and Taproom 2nd Anniversary with a Long Weekend of Festivities

Come celebrate not only one, but two big events at FINNEGANS' St. Padddy's Day and Second Anniversary of the taproom - starting Friday, March 13th. Here's the 5-day lineup:

FRIDAY March 13: Open from Noon to Midnight
BEER RELEASE! 3:17 to Cologone -a Kolsch collaboration with La Doña Cervecería!
Live Music by Caskmates

SATURDAY March 14: Open from 11AM-12AM
BEER RELEASE! Barrels of Life Series- 2nd Cerise
A barrel aged ale, aged in Cabernet Barrels on a bed of tart cherries.
1-4pm: Pot O Gold Putt Putt
1-8pm: Polar Pedal Pub: $20 per rider Pedal Pub Twin Cities
1-9pm: LIVE MUSIC

SUNDAY March 15: Open 3PM-11PM
4-6pm Live Music by Rock Creek Song Dogs
6-Close- Irish Dancers!

MONDAY March 16: Open- 3PM- 11PM
7-9pm: St. Patricks Themed Trivia by Trivia Mafia

TUESDAY March 17 - St. Patricks Day: Open 10AM- 12AM
Second Anniversary of our Taproom!
1-8pm: Polar Pedal Pub, $20 per rider
4-7pm: The Current will be live in the Taproom!
7:30-8:30pm: Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band

Need more detail about our events? Check out our calendar!
http://finnegans.org/schedule/

Here is a look at the Polar Pub! Pedal Pub https://www.pedalpub.com/twin-cities-mn/route/polar-pub/

Looking for a place to stay for all your weekend shenanigans here at FINNEGANS? Elliot Park Hotel, Autograph Collection and FINNEGANS have a weekend deal for you!
https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1581114192039&key=CORP&app=resvlink 

The Mill City Times Interview: Brenda Langton, Founder and Development Director – Mill City Farmers Market

Article and photos by Becky Fillinger

For over 40 years, Brenda Langton has led the organic and healthy food movement in Minnesota through award winning restaurants and by founding the Mill City Farmers Market (MCFM). We sat down with her during the March 7th Winter Market.

Mill City Farmers Market founder Brenda Langton with Martha Archer, Executive Director and Jenny Heck, Market & Social Media Manager

MCT:  You’re the founder of the Mill City Farmers Market. Can you tell us more about the beginnings of the market in 2006?    

BL:  Actually, I was blessed with being able to ask for help from others to build the market. As I was building my new restaurant Spoonriver, I discovered the Chicago Plaza space and realized that it would be ideal for the MCFM. We’re very grateful for seed money that was provided by the Wedge Coop. I then went to work recruiting other people and sponsors to get it rolling and doing the work to make the market a reality.  

MCT: Did anything happen that you did not anticipate?

BL: Yes, the city didn’t want us to have a farmers market. We were going to have artists and other non-farmers as vendors at the market - items other than food - and the licensing and city officials didn’t know how to deal with us. They basically hoped that we would go away. We persevered because we knew that building a healthy community was the right thing to do at this location. We celebrate our 15th anniversary this year. We’ve seen tremendous growth in residential and commercial spaces in the area – which is terrific because the farmers need our support and people need fresh organic food. 

MCT:  Your earliest tagline was Healthy Foods, Local Farmers. Has your vision endured? 

BL:  It has endured. We’ve gone beyond just a tagline. We just updated our Strategic Plan for 2020-2023.  I’m pleased to share our new guiding principles:

• Farmers – Held farmers succeed because they are the foundation of our food system
• Market – Curate and sustain a vibrant, financially viable marketplace for all
• Programs – Empower a healthy community through experiential learning and access to nourishing food
• Partners – Advance the local regenerative food system through innovative leadership, strategic partnerships, and sustaining donors and stakeholders
• Capacity – Ensure that MSFM and MCFM-CF (Charitable Fund) are sustainable organizations with the financial and organizational capacity to support our mission and impact

The Market just doesn’t happen by magic each Saturday. We host over 5000 people a day in the summer. It takes a lot of planning to make it successful and financially viable and our team wants to be prepared for each individual market day, and also for the future. 

MCT:  “Spoonriver has never been just a restaurant.”  “Relationships have always been at the heart of our business. Our mission has been to build a healthier community through the meals we serve.” Is MCFM a way for you to sustain and grow the relationships built by your restaurants?

BL: Yes, I love to build community. I’ve worked directly with local producers and growers for over 40 years. I love to engage with all the different partner organizations that can lift up organic farming and healthy eating. Ultimately, we can only do what we can do in our community. The rest of the country is dealing with so much - I feel that by addressing local issues we can help our community work collaboratively on the issues closest to home.  

Jeff Nistler of Nistler Farms grows sweet corn, squash, melons and tomatoes. He also sells honey and quick breads, as pictured here.MCT:  How do you spot opportunities for innovation? 

BL:  I love reading, hearing and listening to anything that is regenerative to the soil. If it will help our climate and food producers, it is front and center with me. I learn something new and perhaps it combines with my prior knowledge for something new altogether. I try to get engaged with good organizations that are doing good and we can learn and work together. I’ve never been a person who lives in the past. It’s always forward for me.

MCT:  MCFM is clearly more than a traditional farmers market where consumers meet the local producers of their food. That is very important, but when I looked at the MCFM website I am surprised at all of the ancillary programs. Tell us about the other things that MCFM does.

BL:  I’m very proud of them. Other programs include:

Next Stage Grant – We designed the Next Stage Grant to provide funding to local, sustainable farmers and other food producers who experience hardship or are improving sustainable farming or growing toward the “next stage” of their local food businesses. We started this grant program in 2013. The inception of the Market’s Charitable Fund in 2017 has allowed the MCFM to nearly double its grant awards to over $122,000 in just two years and expand the pool of grantees to local farmers and food makers throughout the region.

One of our grants went to Prairie Hollow Farm. Pam Benike, the farmer, suffered a serious back injury. Our grant allowed her to purchase a standing potting table and a Japanese-designed Paper Pot Transplanter. We’ve learned that sustainable farming also includes sustaining the physical health of the farmers. With our $1800 grant, she is able to continue farming.*

We’re also purchasing CoolBot units for our vendors. Refrigeration is very expensive. Our farmers were throwing away (or leaving in the fields to rot) valuable product that could be saved with an inexpensive cooling unit. I want to buy one for every farmer! Flowers stay fresher longer, vegetables don’t wilt so easily, everyone comes out ahead with a little bit of inexpensive refrigeration.

Mill City Gives – This is our food donation, or “gleaning” program. MCFM has been working with volunteers from Augsburg University’s Campus Kitchen since 2013, collecting excess produce from farmers at the end of the market day. Farmers donate fruits and vegetables that didn’t sell, CSA boxes that didn’t get picked up, etc. Starting in 2018, we are able to compensate farmers for their donated product thanks to a generous sponsorship from Delta Dental. Volunteers collect over 5,000 pounds of MCFM produce that they deliver to families and individuals in low-income housing in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. Any leftover produce is used in Campus Kitchen’s community garden lunch, the campus food shelf or for their Sunday night cooking class which teaches low-income and first-generation college students how to prepare healthy and delicious dishes using the fresh vegetables.

River, a MCFM day staff member, demonstrated a recipe at the March 7 market Mill City Cooks - Our goal is for every visitor to prepare at least one meal per week using ingredients from our farmers.  As part of this mission, MCFM offers free 20 to 30-minute professional cooking classes every Saturday between 10 and 11 AM. Classes are in the train shed patio area in the summer and across from the Information Booth in the winter. Today’s recipe is Mason Jar Vinaigrette. We encourage our guests to use #WeeklyMarketMeal to show us your meals.

Meet Your Vegetables - This is another of our experiential programs. It is a nutrition and public health internship in partnership with Allina Health. Designed for undergraduate students, interns work to create healthful, seasonal recipes to sample at the Market. They also complete a community engagement project focused on nutrition or food access. The internship requires a minimum of 120 hours, which is completed between May and October.  Students work alongside chefs, farmers, health care providers and non-profit professionals, giving them the opportunity for mentorship and career development in related fields.

Mill City Kids - Formerly called the Power of Produce, this free program teaches kids about healthy food choices and introduces them to farmers.  Kids ages 3-12 can sample a seasonal fruit or vegetable at the Mill City Farmers Market’s information booth.  After sampling, they earn a $2 market token that can be used to purchase produce at the market.

Zero Waste - In 2009, MCFM became the first Zero Waste Farmers Market in Minnesota! MCFM is proud to be a Zero Waste Market, where all the “waste” generated at the market from food sales, samples and events is composted or recycled. We have a 98% landfill diversion rate.

Community Booths – We are happy to offer other non-profits and local businesses space to share their good work through tabling at the market. MCFM receives lots of interest from local organizations interested in having a presence at the market, and we typically accommodate one or two organizations each week.  We give preference to healthy food, agriculture, cooking, environment, wellness and Mill District neighborhood organizations.

Heidi Skoog of Serious Jam at the March 7 market.

MCT: NPR published a study in 2019 that there were too few farmers to populate the market stalls and too few customers filling their bags with fresh produce at the 8600 nationwide markets, and as a result some markets were failing. Is the MCFM profitable? How healthy is the MCFM?      

BL: We are in relatively good financial health. MCFM lost a few sponsors and I working to recruit others.  Our Harvest Dinner in September is our annual fundraising event.  We fund our grants program with some of the proceeds from the dinner. We have vendor fees, which we want to keep low and the third leg of our financial picture is sponsorships. One of my jobs is to find ways to partner with vendors and sponsors in a meaningful way. An example is CoBank. Mike Romanowski, President of CoBank, is on our charitable fund board and the bank will be a sponsor of the market. CoBank is a national cooperative bank providing loans and other financial services to farmers, agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. They have a knowledge sharing program that will benefit all of our farmers. Our interests intersect on many levels.   

We do measure visitors to the market.  We remain about the same year after year – we haven’t lost visitors. We have a very loyal clientele. We know that there is a notion that MCFM is expensive. If you buy organic, our pricing is in line with what you would find at a brick and mortar organic food grocer.

MCT:  How do you select the vendors for the MCFM? 

BL:  We have a Vendor Advisory Committee. We’re selective - we want the right mix. We curated the market from the beginning. We don’t want to offer too many of any one item, such as cheese. We’re currently looking for fruit vendors. We have a good mix because we’re thoughtful.  

MCT: Can you give us an update on the collaboration between Birchwood Cafe and the Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) to open a new restaurant in the Spoonriver location?

BL: We’re very excited to see Birchwood and the MFU partnering again. It is not a new relationship – they collaborate at the Farmers Union Coffee Shop at the State Fair. The new Mill City restaurant will continue to build awareness of the need to support Minnesota farmers. I’m not helping with any part of it. They're all very capable business people and it should be open by the summer. MCFM looks forward to MFU as a sponsor.  

MCT:  How is social media handled for MCFM?  

BL:  Jenny Heck, Market and Social Media Manager – she handles our social media on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.

We’re looking for more people to help post on social media. We have so many stories to tell! If it helps the farmers, we welcome it. Please follow us and post photos and comments from your trips to the MCFM!

MCT: As a true local visionary, what’s next? 

BL:  I’m a Senior Fellow at the U’s Center for Spirituality and Healing. The next class will be offered next winter. I see myself consulting more in the future. Right now, I’m happy with the market and it is incredibly nice to have more free time for once in decades.   

MCT:  Other thoughts?

BL:  We’re very grateful that people meet their friends for coffee at the market. It’s fun here – the music, the coffee, the pleasant atmosphere. But we encourage them to also bring their shopping list. I guarantee the lettuce you buy here is going to taste a lot better than you find in traditional grocery stores, and you’re helping local farmers stay in business. 

*Mill City Times reached out Pam Benike of Prairie Hollow Farm. “A year ago I was trying to figure out how to spend the rest of my life and support my family if I could no longer farm. My surgeon told me that my back injury would not allow me to ever squat or bend in the future. I plant and grow year-round in hoop houses and in the ground. The grant from MCFM allowed me to have a future in farming. I can pot and plant standing up. The grant allowed me to continue in my livelihood. It was way more than the money – it was the idea that people cared about me and invested in my future.”

Pam Benike with a standing potting station.

Transplanter in use at Prairie Hollow Farm.

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About Becky Fillinger

I’ve been a resident of the Mill District only since July 2019, but have visited the Guthrie, the Farmers Market, restaurants and friends in the area for many years prior to making the leap to Minneapolis. I’ve lived in many places (and climates) in the US and can testify that our cultural events, bicycle and hiking trails, parks and green spaces, museums, diverse neighborhoods and wonderful restaurants put Minnesota and Minneapolis high on my best places list. I’m a member of the Mill City Singers and look forward to our choir practices and performances.

One of my main interests is community - a very broad concept. For me it means bringing people together with common interests to form meaningful relationships. I look forward to reporting on businesses and individuals in our neighborhoods. Feel free to drop me an email at becky_fillinger@hotmail.com with your thoughts and ideas for stories. 

Information about COVID-19 and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

Via a March 9 e-announcement from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

You have likely heard news about the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and that the Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed two cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is taking the situation seriously and actively monitoring the situation in partnership with the City of Minneapolis Health Department and the City of Minneapolis Office of Emergency Management. Our priority is to the health and safety of our park visitors and employees. Throughout the park system, maintenance crews are increasing the cleaning of communal surfaces, including door handles and drinking fountains, in our park buildings. 

The City of Minneapolis is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Minnesota Department of Health, which is leading the statewide response to COVID-19. Any decisions around MPRB operations and services will be coordinated with city and state emergency and public health officials and will communicated to the public in a timely manner.

In the meantime, the Minnesota Department of Health encourages everyone to take the same precautions as they would take to avoid colds and flu. 

What can Minnesotans do to protect themselves?

The best available guidance for avoiding coronavirus disease 19 is to take the same precautions you take for avoiding colds and flu:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover your cough and sneeze. Cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm.
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Stay home when you’re sick.
• Stay informed. Visit the Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) websites often.

How should I prepare?

• As always, be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home. Keep enough food, regular prescription drugs and other necessities on hand in case you need to stay home and are not able to easily go out.
• Make plans to care for sick household members.
• If you’re planning travel, check the CDC website for updated travel advisories.

As a reminder, seasonal flu is circulating in Minnesota. It’s never too late to get your flu shot, which will help protect you and those who are too young to get the shot.

Videos

These videos from Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm offer basic information about coronavirus disease 19 and resources for additional information and updates.

• English video
• Spanish subtitles
• Chinese subtitles

MacPhail Spotlight Series Explores Personal Side of Beethoven for 250th Anniversary - April 4

Via a March 9 Press Release:

MacPhail Spotlight Series: Anatomy of Genius uses personal letters and contemporary accounts to piece together the life of the genius composer – April 4

Regarded by many as the greatest composer of all time, like many creative geniuses, Beethoven struggled with the highs and lows of a creative life. MacPhail Spotlight Series: Anatomy of Genius shines a light on the lesser-known sides to the famous figure.

“Everyone knows something about Beethoven,” explains Mischa Santora, artistic director, MacPhail Spotlight Series. “But it was the struggles he endured throughout his life that made him a symbol for perseverance and victory which was reflected in his music. We’ve put together a program of three pieces that explore musical intricacies and stylistic evolution over the course of his life, performed by MacPhail teaching artists and members of the local music scene. The music will be interspersed with Beethoven’s letters to provide a fuller picture of the artist and genius.”

The program will feature “Septet in E-flat major, op.20” performed by Nina Olsen, clarinet; Allison Akins, horn; Marc Levine, violin; Chi-Chi Bestmann, viola; Rebecca Merblum, cello; Fred Bretschger (guest artist), bass, followed by “Piano Trio No. 1, op. 70 (Ghost)” with Marc Levine, violin; Julia Elkina, piano; Rebecca Merblum, cello, and conclude with “Piano Sonata No 30, op. 109” performed by Richard Tostenson.

MacPhail Spotlight Series: Anatomy of Genius will be held Saturday, April 4 at MacPhail Center for Music’s Antonello Hall (501 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis) at 7:30 p.m. A pre-concert lecture will be held one hour before at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for seniors (ages 55 and older) and youth (ages 6 through 18), and may be purchased by calling 612-767-5250 or by stopping by Student Services at MacPhail locations in Minneapolis, Chanhassen, Apple Valley or White Bear Lake.

The MacPhail Spotlight Series showcases the exceptional talents of MacPhail teaching artists and special guests, providing an intimate listening experience in MacPhail’s state-of-the-art Antonello Hall and locations throughout the Twin Cities and beyond. Under the artistic direction of Mischa Santora, this premier performance event is brought to life with collaborations from some of the Twin Cities’ finest artists.

MacPhail Center for Music is committed to transforming lives and strengthening communities through music learning experiences that inspire. Each year, MacPhail opens its doors to more than 16,000 students offering programming for all ages, backgrounds and abilities, at locations in Minneapolis, White Bear Lake, Chanhassen, Apple Valley and Austin, as well as 104 community partnerships across the Twin Cities and online at MacPhail Online. MacPhail has a 113-year history of excellence, promoting life-long learning and building long-term relationships between students and teachers. For more information, visit www.macphail.org.

The MPRB Invites You to Spring into Volunteering!

The Minneapolis Park and Rec Board Invites You to Spring into Volunteering!

Volunteers make a vital difference to people, parks and our community. Recruitment for Spring and Summer programs is happening now! Visit one of the pages below to learn more about current and ongoing volunteer opportunities.

Spring Sports Coaches (baseball, softball, tee ball and track & field)

Bike Adventure Program Volunteers

Track & Field Meet Volunteers

Park Ambassadors

Garden Volunteers

Summer Soccer Coaches

Click here to receive more information or to express interest in MPRB volunteer opportunities. Call (612) 230-6493 or email recvolunteers@minneapolisparks.org with questions.

Ballet Co.Laboratory Celebrates the Music of Queen and Legacy of Freddie Mercury in new ballet, Freddie – Break Free, Premiering at the Cowles Center for Dance in April

Ballet Co.Laboratory celebrates the music of Queen and legacy of Freddie Mercury in its new ballet, Freddie – Break Free premiering at the Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts on April 10, 11, 17, 18, and 19. This rock ballet features a collaboration of local artists including Queen tribute band Ready Freddie.

Ballet Co.Laboratory’s 90-minute ballet is set to live Queen music with choreography by Zoé Emilie Henrot that reaches outside the classical ballet dimensions with poise and spunk. Freddie – Break Free cannot be categorized as an evening at the ballet or an exhilarating concert experience. Rather, audiences will experience a blurring of boundaries, a taste of artistic collaboration, and in the words of Freddie Mercury, a “theatrical event.”

“The overarching theme of this production is to inspire everyone to break free and celebrate their own unique self,” revels Henrot. In true Freddie fashion, this ballet will encourage audiences to interact with the performers by singing along to the music and dancing in their seats. This will be like no other night at the ballet.

February 2020 by the Numbers

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:

In the News - Downtown & the Riverfront Neighborhoods

Our weekly digest of stories about Downtown Minneapolis and the Central Riverfront neighborhoods:

WEEK OF MARCH 9, 2020

Minneapolis City Council committee nixes applying for federal grant for more cops
A Minneapolis City Council committee voted against applying for a $1.3 million federal grant that would have allowed the hiring of 10 new officers to beef up traffic enforcement citywide.

Downtown Minneapolis restaurant tightens security after shooting inside wounds worker
The gunfire occurred about 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Breakfast Bar of Minnesota at 319 N. 1st Av. during what police said was a physical confrontation between a customer and the staff member.

Storage containers are a lifeline for homeless in Minneapolis
People can leave their things in the containers and go about their day.

Transit ridership in Twin Cities metro area declined slightly last year
Local bus usage continues to dip, but light-rail use up.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey wants to keep Mark Ruff as city coordinator
The city coordinator is the highest ranking nonelected position in city government, advising elected officials and managing seven departments.

Construction Update: The Dayton's Project
The 1.2 million square foot project has made significant progress since we last visited. While the office space has been largely ready for tenants to begin building out, the retail and amenity space is where we saw the most progress.

14 Developments to Watch
Executive vice president of AIA Minnesota Mary-Margaret Zindern and editor of AIA Minnesota’s Architecture MN Chris Hudson cued us in on some projects and key takeaways the Metro should be keeping on eyes for the next 10 years.

Game-Changing Commercial Real Estate Developments
The luxury condos, hotels, and office towers elevating the Twin Cities skyline.

North Loop company doubles in size, attracts big banks as customers
Minneapolis company attracts bigger banks with its system for signing up customers.

Bells will ring across Minneapolis for Minnesota Orchestra's new summer festival
Goodbye, Sommerfest. Hello, Summer at Orchestra Hall.

Art Exhibitions Coming to the Twin Cities This Spring
Find all the inspiration you need locally to bring renewed creative energy to your life (even if the snow sticks around).

The Loneliest Office in Minneapolis
What’s it like to work 10 hours a day in a glass cube 235 feet above downtown?

Restaurant Roll Call - The latest openings and closings
What's open, what's closed and what's still to come in the Twin Cities and beyond.

Billy Sushi to Open in May in the North Loop
Billy Sushi will be the name of the new restaurant that will be located at 116 N 1st Avenue. The name comes from the man behind the project, Chef Billy Tserenbat.

The Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in the Twin Cities
Let's go to breakfast, people. In the mood for a three-hour mimosa fest? Classic hash browns? Something with a little kick? A morning sugar rush? We've got it all. Rise and shine!

Now open: Stilheart delivers quality cocktails (en masse) to the North Loop
When news arrived late in 2019 that a new effort from the folks at Lawless Distilling Co. and Bittercube Bitters was destined for the North Loop, our spirits warmed just thinking about what Stilheart Distillery and Cocktail Lounge might hold in store when its doors finally opened.

Visit the In the News Archive...

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

River Hub: News from the Minneapolis Riverfront

Our weekly digest of news relating to the Minneapolis Riverfront, in collaboration with The Great River Coalition:

WEEK OF MARCH 9, 2020

Park commissioners push back on idea for ‘promenade’ over St. Anthony Falls
A Hennepin County official has a dramatic plan to elevate the region’s status for architecture: a wishbone-shaped walkway above the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis.

Solution for a scourge? University of Minnesota scientist is progressing with carp-killer tool
DNA-altering project is gaining attention as potential advance against invasive carp.

My internship highlight: Planting hundreds of native trees on a tiny metro river island
Being an intern at FMR comes with many perks. One is being able to participate in volunteer habitat restoration outings.

Volunteers-In-Park: Sue
Meet Sue, a volunteer at Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.

Sunday Deadline: Job Openings at Mississippi Watershed Management Organization
Applications for summer internships are due by March 15.

Visit the River Hub Archive...

Great River Coalition Shares Notes on Recent Pollinator Research and 5th Annual Earth Day Bee Run/Walk & River Cleanup

Article by Rick Margl, Board VP with the Great River Coalition

Impact of Climate Change on Pollinators

One of the most daunting challenges of our time is to understand society’s impact on the earth’s climate and to develop means to mitigate and, eventually, reverse the damage we’ve collectively imposed on our environment. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the five warmest years recorded since 1880 have all occurred since 2015. The two-degree increase in surface temperature experienced since 1880 represents an immense amount of additional heat in our oceans and atmosphere.  That extra heat is driving regional and seasonal temperature extremes, reducing snow cover and sea ice, intensifying heavy rainfall, and changing habitat ranges for plants and animals—expanding some and shrinking others.

Credit: NASA/NOAA

Some people struggle to understand how climate change is impacting their daily lives. Unfortunately, for farmers who rely on native bees for pollination of food crops, the impact is already sadly apparent. In a recent issue of ScienceDaily magazine, Peter Soroye and other researchers at the University of Ottawa in Ontario describe how their research has confirmed that bumblebees are declining at a rate “consistent with a mass extinction” and that declines show a direct correlation with warming temperatures in North America and Europe. Analyzing data on 66 bumblebee species over a 115-year period, they were able to identify population declines by locality and compare to warming trends over the time period. They found that in the course of a single human generation, the likelihood of a bumblebee population surviving in a specific locale has declined by an average of over 30% globally and 46% for North America. Climate change is affecting pollinators and all of us who depend on them - we all have a part to play in reversing it.

Genetically Engineered Bacteria Protecting Honeybees

Credit: Stephen Ausmus, USDA Agriculture Research ServiceA significant threat to honeybees across the globe is a phenomenon referred to as Colony Collapse Disorder, in which the majority of worker bees abandon a colony, leaving the queen and a small number of nurse bees to care for the immature bees. A number of factors are suspected to play a part in collapse disorder, including Varroa mites (seen in the photo), pesticide pollution, viral infections, poor management practices, lack of quality forage and other stressors. Given the global importance of honeybees in food production, many researchers are working on developing solutions to the disorder. Scientists at the University of Texas-Austin recently announced a promising approach that employs genetically engineered bacteria that live in the guts of bees. The bacteria act as biological factories producing medicines that protect the honeybees from Varroa mites and deformed-wing virus. Way to go science!

How You Can Help Pollinators

One great way to support healthy and sustainable pollinator populations is to minimize the use of pesticides. Check bee toxicity before use and avoid application near food or nesting sites.

In an effort to curtail the use of pollinator-toxic pesticides, Minnesota State Representative Jean Wagenius recently submitted a bill (HF1255) that would allow cities to ban a group of pesticides that the MN Department of Agriculture has labeled as lethal to pollinators. Issues regarding the proposed legislation are further described in a recent Star Tribune article. As citizen advocates, research the issue and then make your opinions known by contacting your state representative to voice your support! Spread the word about threats to pollinators!

Another way to help pollinators is to join us for the 5th Annual Earth Day Bee Run/Walk & River Cleanup on April 18th at Boom Island Park. Family-friendly (bring those strollers!) and dogs are welcome on a course that travels through one of the city's most historic and naturally beautiful areas. Before and following the 5K learn about efforts to protect pollinators, and enjoy live music, entertainment, and 50th anniversary Earth Day festivities. Take part in an organized river cleanup.

The Great River Coalition is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that advocates for preserving, protecting and promoting the historic, commercial and environmental significance of the Mississippi River, the City of Minneapolis and its relationship to the people and their communities.

Refined Performance + Rehabilitation Opens in Former Key North Space

Via a March News Release:

Old Town Minneapolis got a brand new fitness facility in November 2019 when Refined Performance + Rehabilitation opened in the former Key North boutique space at 515 First Avenue Northeast.

Owner Chad Scheitel found Old Town to be the perfect location for their fitness facility, as it complements the nearby massage and yoga studios and will serve the many residents currently residing in and moving into the area.

Chad ScheitelThe gym offers state-of-the-art training equipment including cardio, free weights, TRX, Sorinex basecamp racks, kettlebells, and more.

Members use a key card to access the gym seven days per week from 5 AM – 11 PM, and may work out independently or hire one of the gym’s personal trainers. Staff hours are by appointment.

Chad Scheitel holds a Bachelors degree in Health Promotion Science from Augsburg University and an MA in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota. He has 19 years of experience as a personal fitness trainer.

Breanne GrannChad’s wife, Breanne Grann, provides chiropractic services at the gym, and has 10 years of experience. Dr. Grann earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University.

Amara KamaraA third team member, Amara Kamara, holds a BA in Exercise Science from Tulane University, with 21 years of personal training experience.

Specials include a free one-week trial and $99 for three personal training sessions.

Visitors interested in touring Refined Performance + Rehabilitation should call 612-559-4923 or email info@refinedmpls.com to make an appointment.

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Meet Minneapolis to Give Away a Chevy Equinox at Twin Cities Auto Show This Weekend

Via a March 4 News Release from Meet Minneapolis:

Meet Minneapolis and Select Heartland Chevy Dealers have teamed up to give away a two-year lease on a Chevy Equinox at the 2020 Twin Cities Auto Show. The Grand Prize will be awarded on the morning of Saturday, March 7 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Five finalists will be randomly selected and must be present for a chance to win the brand-new SUV.

Event Information
- Drawing will be held at 8:15 a.m., on Saturday, March 7 at the Minneapolis Convention Center
- March 7 is the opening day of the 2020 Twin Cities Auto Show with the doors opening at 10 a.m.

Sweepstakes Details:
Only one entry per person. No purchase necessary to win. Open only to legal residents of Minnesota, as well as Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Must be 21 years or older at the time of entry. Some residency restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. The five randomly selected finalists eligible for the grand prize must be present for the live drawing on Saturday, March 7 to win.

*For full sweepstakes information and rules, including eligibility, prize descriptions and other details, click here.

“Your Table is Ready: Dining Out in Hennepin County through the Decades” in Hennepin Gallery March 4 through May 26

Via a March 4 announcement from Hennepin County:

“Your Table is Ready: Dining Out in Hennepin County through the Decades” in Hennepin Gallery March 4 through May 26

Hennepin Gallery is celebrating our love of food and fine dining in the new exhibit, “Your Table is Ready: Dining Out in Hennepin County Through the Decades.”

Thanks to the Hennepin County Library Special Collections, the Hennepin Gallery exhibit features menus, photographs, postcards and more celebrating the restaurant scene from the 1880s through the 1970s. Do you remember the lavish Minneapolis restaurants like The Nankin or Charlie’s Cafe Exceptionale? Do you still visit the iconic Murray’s and the northeast favorite, Jax’s Café? How about the first drive thru or drive in?

Through times of prosperity and times of shortage -- World War I, Prohibition, the Great Depression, and World War II – Minnesotans continued to eat out. Even with the advent of fast food, fine dining continued to flourish because many of these restaurants served more than just food: They featured stimulating, opulent interiors and memorable live entertainment. Eating out was an experience.

We hope you are hungry because your table is ready. Come to the Hennepin Gallery and enjoy.

About the Hennepin County Library Special Collections

The Hennepin County Library Special Collections at the Minneapolis Central Library houses over 1,000 local menus from the 1880s to today. View more menus online in the Library’s Digital Collections www.hclib.org/digitalcollections.

Interested in donating menus to the collection? Contact specialcoll@hclib.org.

This exhibit is presented by Hennepin County Library Special Collections.

The Hennepin Gallery is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Hennepin County Government Center, A-Level, 300 S. Sixth St., Minneapolis.

DMNA Approves Resolution to Fund Mill District Police Substation

At its February 24, 2020 meeting, the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA) unanimously approved a resolution to fund a police substation on South Second Street in the Mill District.  Working with Sherman Associates, owner and developer of the Vicinity, and the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), Joe Tamburino, former chair of the DMNA, spent several years making the police substation a reality. 

The DMNA will be signing a five-year license giving the MPD’s Homeless Initiative officers a base of operations.  It is hoped that having the substation in the neighborhood will assist with local outreach and provide an enhanced police presence in the neighborhood. The substation will be available for use by any licensed Minnesota peace/police officer.

Pam McCrea, chair of the DMNA, applauded the work that went into making the substation happen with “special thanks to Joe Tamburino who took the leadership and never dropped the ball.” Steve Fletcher, city council member and neighborhood resident, when asked about the substation, noted that the anticipated use of the space would put eyes on the street without drawing resources away from higher priority tasks.

Meet Minneapolis Coronavirus Update

Via a March 3 e-announcement from Melvin Tennant of Meet Minneapolis:

In mid-February, we shared initial information on COVID-19 (also commonly known as the Coronavirus). Today, I’d like to provide you with an update, as our Meet Minneapolis team continues to monitor, prepare and navigate new developments locally, nationally and internationally. Over the next 90 days, approximately 140 meetings and conventions booked Meet Minneapolis are scheduled to take place. Currently, there have been no cancellations at the Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) due to COVID-19, and we have only learned of one reported meeting cancellation at a local hotel. What we have encountered, thus far, are more than a dozen inquiries from groups looking for on-the-ground information on what we are doing. How is Meet Minneapolis addressing COVID-19?

We have been proactively gathering information from multiple entities and providing details to meeting planners with groups scheduled to be Minneapolis. We are in regular communication with our main tourism assets and organizations to learn about the proactive and preventative measures they are taking. More details can be found below. We added information to the MCC website, which can be found here. We are responding to media requests with the facts and not speculation. (We have had two requests so far.) Internally, we are reviewing our business continuity plans and addressing the needs of our staff members, as it is essential for Meet Minneapolis to remain operational should circumstances deteriorate.

Organizationally, Meet Minneapolis is committed to providing accurate information to and about our tourism and hospitality community.

All of our health information and guidance that we share will come from official sources such as the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). We will collect and disseminate as much information as we are able regarding the state of the tourism and hospitality industry from partners and associations. We will continue to utilize national resources for information on a broad scale including U.S. Travel, Meeting Professionals International and others.

We are also making sure our customers know that, currently, no cases of COVID-19 have been identified in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region or the state of Minnesota. We are emphasizing that there are no domestic travel advisories or restrictions. Plus, we are providing customers with information from the MDH, CDC and WHO. Our tourism and hospitality industry supports more than 37,000 workers in Minneapolis. We know COVID-19 has the potential to greatly impact the lives of our residents and the livelihoods of many others.

Helpful 2020 Census Information from the City of Minneapolis

The 2020 Census is almost here!

Ten Days Away:

• As of March 2nd, we are only ten days away from the 2020 Census going live and being able to complete the 2020 Census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, on March 12th, the community will be able to visit My2020Cenus.gov to complete the census questionnaire.
• Invitations to respond to the 2020 Census will arrive between March 12-20 with instructions for responding online.
• You can respond online or by phone.

Where can I get help completing the census?

• If you need assistance to complete the 2020 Census, we encourage you to visit one of our Trusted Spaces questionnaire assistance centers (QAC). Our QAC's are community spaces staffed by familiar faces available to assist you with completing the 2020 Census. For more information about locations and hours please click here.

Click to watch a short video on how to complete your census questionnaire online.

What questions will you be asked on the 2020 Census?

• The U.S. Census Bureau has provided the questions that they will ask here.

Click to view the U.S. Census Bureau's "Why We Ask" factsheet

How will people experiencing homelessness be counted?

• In 2020, the Census Bureau will devote three days to counting people who are experiencing homelessness across the country. These days follow months of outreach and coordination with local census offices, partners, shelter directors, service providers and others. The dates are as follows:
  • March 30, 2020: Counting people who are in shelters.
  • March 31, 2020: Counting people at soup kitchens and mobile food vans.
  • April 1, 2020: Counting people in non-sheltered, outdoor locations, such as tent encampments and on the streets.

How to avoid census scams online:

Phishing is a criminal act in which someone tries to get your information by pretending to be an entity that you trust. Phishing emails often direct you to a website that looks real but is fake—and may be infected with malware.

It is important to know that the Census Bureau will not send unsolicited emails to request your participation in the 2020 Census. Further, during the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau will never ask for:

• Your Social Security number.
• Your bank account or credit card numbers.
• Money or donations.

  In addition, the Census Bureau will not contact you on behalf of a political party.

What’s at stake?

The responses to the 2020 Census will determine how the federal government will distribute billions of dollars to community. We invite you to view and share the following 2020 Census videos, featuring local community members speaking about what’s at stake for Minneapolis communities:

1. VJ-African American Community
2. Cassandra-Native American Community
3. Ser Lee-Hmong Community
4. Bihi-Somali Community
5. Rico-Latinx Community
6. Bosteya-Somali Community
7. Nadia-Latinx Community

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Census Events/News

Learn about Census Statistics in Schools (SIS Week)

Click to view the "Getting an Accurate Count" video

Click to view "What Will you do After High School?" video

Click to view the Census 101 for students factsheet

• March 2nd-March 6th is Census Statistics in the Schools
• March 12^th – Don't forget to apply for $750 in Grant money from the State of MN via The Minneapolis Foundation for census engagement.
• Minneapolis Complete Count Committee Meeting, Tuesday March 17: Are we ready for the census?
  • 6:00 – 8:00 PM
    UROC
    2001 Plymouth Ave N
    Minneapolis, MN 55411
    *Dinner will be provided
• Census on the radio
  • La Raza (95.7 FM) March 3 and March 31, 3:00-4:00pm
  • KALY (101.7 FM) March 12, 2:00-3:00pm
  • KMOJ (89.9 FM) March 25th, 1:30-2:00pm
• The National League of Cities has just announced an open call for proposals.
  • Grants of $2,500-$40,000 are available for cities, towns, villages, and their local partners to improve or increase Get Out The Count activities that target historically under-counted and hard-to-count communities.

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Translated materials and resources

The City of Minneapolis has translated census outreach materials into additional languages not available on the Census Bureau website. Visit minneapolismn.gov/census/wecountresources for information in: Hmong Lao Somali The resources page also includes existing translations on the US Census website in: Spanish English Other major languages.

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More information about the City of Minneapolis We Count campaign: Read more about the Minneapolis We Count campaign, including materials, resources and door-knocking and volunteer opportunities at wecountminneapolis.org Follow the City of Minneapolis on our platforms and help us to spread the word about being counted by sharing our videos and resources: Twitter: CityMinneapolis Facebook: CityofMinneapolis Instagram: Mplsgov Youtube: CityofMinneapolis

MSP Film Announces Wicked Women Screening Series

In celebration of the upcoming release of breakthrough filmmaker Rose Glass’s divine horror tale SAINT MAUD, MSP Film presents the Wicked Women Screening Series, including SUSPIRIA on 3/18, ROSEMARY'S BABY on 3/25, and a free advance screening of SAINT MAUD on 3/31. Admission for the retro titles are just $5. St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 Main Street SE.

SUSPIRIA -  In Dario Argento's horror classic, an American newcomer to a prestigious German ballet academy comes to realize that the school is a front for something sinister amid a series of grisly murders.

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ROSEMARY'S BABY - A young couple moves in to an apartment only to be surrounded by peculiar neighbors and occurrences. When the wife becomes mysteriously pregnant, paranoia over the safety of her unborn child begins to control her life.

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SAINT MAUD - The debut film from writer-director Rose Glass, Saint Maud is a chilling and boldly original vision of faith, madness, and salvation in a fallen world. Maud, a newly devout hospice nurse, becomes obsessed with saving her dying patient’s soul — but sinister forces, and her own sinful past, threaten to put an end to her holy calling.

Soccer in the Twin Cities

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

The twenty-fifth season of Major League Soccer has officially begun. Our team, Minnesota United FC, is opening this milestone season on the road for two games, against the Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes, before their home opener at Allianz Field against the New York Red Bulls. While there is a lot of hype and excitement around Minnesota United, the state’s history of professional soccer stems back to 1976 and beyond.

1925 photo of two local soccer clubs facing each otherBefore a professional team called Minnesota home, many immigrant communities started their own clubs dating back to the 1880s. Amateur teams like the Minnehaha Thistles and St. Paul F.C. played across the Twin Cities and Upper Midwest, and every year starting in 1888, they competed for the Shaw Cup, the state’s first prestigious soccer trophy.

In the 1900s, the sport continued to make strides and gain popularity. In 1952, the Minnesota Soccer Association, now the Minnesota Amateur Soccer League, was founded. The next decade saw the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association begin, who is now the host association of the Western Hemisphere’s largest youth soccer tournament at the National Sports Center in Blaine, the USA Cup. If you’re interested in learning more about the beginnings of soccer in Minnesota, check out this article by Brian Quarstad of FiftyFive.One, an online local soccer magazine.

Minnesota Kicks, 1977 

The first professional soccer team in the state came in 1976, the Minnesota Kicks, when the Denver Dynamos moved to Metropolitan Stadium. During their six years in the North American Soccer League, the Kicks made the playoffs every year, and made it to the final of the Soccer Bowl in their first year. They even became the first team to win four straight NASL division titles. When stars like Pelé came to town, the Met was rocking and raucous with 45,000 fans in attendance. People would even go just to tailgate outside of the stadium, a tradition that Minnesota United fans are trying to continue on. Unfortunately, the team ran into financial problems and folded after the 1981 season even though they planned to move into the new Metrodome the next year.

In 1984, Minnesota once again fielded a team in the NASL when the Fort Lauderdale Strikers moved to the Metrodome. This would be the last season of the NASL, and the Minnesota Stickers would move to the Met Center and join the Major Indoor Soccer League for four seasons before folding.

Minneapolis City Soccer Club logo

A couple years later in 1990, the head coach of the St. Paul Academy boys soccer team, Buzz Lagos, rounded up the top amateur players in area and the Minnesota Thunder came to be. In 1994, the Thunder joined the U.S. Interregional Soccer League and a year later, the team turned pro. During this era, the Thunder helped the careers of future US Men’s National Team players, Tony Sanneh and Manny Lagos, the current chief soccer officer and sporting director for Minnesota United. The Thunder would go on to play in the United Soccer League, the second tier on the US soccer pyramid, and created great rivalries that have stuck around to this day against the Montreal Impact, Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and Vancouver Whitecaps.

The 2005 season was historic for the team. In that year’s iteration of the US Cup, a tournament with competitors from every tier of the US soccer pyramid, the Thunder defeated three MLS teams before getting knocked out of the tournament in the semi-finals by the LA Galaxy. 2009 ended up being their final season, when financial problems once again became the final blow. That season, a ninth grade Michael attended a match against the Puerto Rico Islanders with his teammates and coaches of DeLaSalle High School’s ninth grade soccer team, also known as the Islanders. With the help of the Dark Clouds, the Thunder’s supporter group, we chanted throughout the match “our Islanders are better than yours.” Good times.

Thankfully, a few people decided that professional soccer in Minnesota should stick around, and the year after the Thunder folded, the National Sports Center in Blaine created the NSC Minnesota Stars. The stars would join the second iteration of the NASL, this time a second-tier league, in 2010 with former player and Minnesota soccer legend, Manny Lagos, as their head coach. A year later, the National Sports Center did not meet the financial criteria to be able to continue to own and operate the Stars, so the NASL stepped in and ran the team, which would be known as Minnesota Stars FC. The 2011 season saw the Stars become champions. In 2012, the team would play a few games in the Metrodome, and would eventually make it back to the final. The Stars couldn’t pull off a win this time around, but in attendance was Dr. Bill McGuire who would purchase the team very soon after.

Minnesota United inaugural home opener ticket from 2017Now rebranded as Minnesota United with the state bird, the loon, as a focal point in their marketing, professional soccer in Minnesota was here to stay. By uniting soccer fans from across the Twin Cities and state, Minnesota United grew at a quick pace. Fan favorites Christian Ramirez won the Golden Boot, most goals scored in a season, in 2014 and 2016, and Miguel Ibarra earned the Golden Ball, league MVP award, and a callup to the US Men’s National Team in 2014 after an amazing season.  The success of Minnesota United saw their fanbase grow and new supporter groups popping up to join the Dark Clouds, such as True North Elite.

In 2017, Minnesota United made the jump to Major League Soccer, and are coming off a 2019 season that saw them make the playoffs for the first time and open a brand-new soccer specific stadium, Allianz Field. Because of the stadium’s high quality and the atmosphere the fans and supporter groups have created, Allianz has already hosted men’s and women’s national team matches. If you haven’t been to a Minnesota United match at Allianz Field yet, you won’t be disappointed and are guaranteed to have a blast. If smaller crowds are your thing, but still want to have a fun time, check out Minneapolis City SC, a local team that plays in the National Premier Soccer League, the fourth tier of the US soccer pyramid, with home matches at Augsburg’s Edor Nelson Field. They’re a club that is going above and beyond for the sport in Minneapolis and have developed local talent who have gone on to play professionally in MLS, Canada, and Sweden. 

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About Michael Rainville, Jr.

A 6th generation Minneapolitan, Michael Rainville Jr. received his B.A. in History from the University of St. Thomas, and is currently enrolled in their M.A. in Art History and Certificate in Museum Studies programs.

Michael is also an intern at the Hennepin History Museum and a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment LLC, giving Segway tours of the Minneapolis riverfront for 7+ years. Contact: mrainvillejr@comcast.net.

Click here for an interactive map of Michael's past articles.