January 2020 by the Numbers

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:

goPuff Delivery Service Expands to Minneapolis

Via a February 5 News Release:

goPuff, a digital convenience retailer, has expanded service in Minneapolis, offering its superfast deliveries in the Midway area from 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., seven days a week. goPuff, which launched in the state of Minnesota with the opening of its St. Paul facility in June 2018, also operates in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis.

goPuff stocks more than 2,500 products in centrally located facilities in Minneapolis (and each market in which it operates) to bring products directly to the customer in those moments they need them most. From snacktime favorites such as ice cream, candy and beverages to household essentials ranging from cleaning products, diapers, and even pet goods, the unique delivery concept answers the call for consumers in need day or night with solutions spanning more than eight categories.

“goPuff’s mission is to create more time in the day for our customer by consistently redefining the very meaning of convenience to provide a high-quality experience at an exceptional value,” said Yakir Gola, goPuff co-founder and co-CEO. “Every day, we work tirelessly to further this mission by bringing the exceptional goPuff experience to more customers across the country. Since launching in Minneapolis in 2019, goPuff has delivered thousands of orders to customers in the city and today we’re excited to expand our service and deliver the moments that matter most to even more customers in the area.”

In celebration of the launch, goPuff also announced  Minnesota customers’ most-ordered items in popular product categories:

• Snacks: Gushers Flavor Mixer and Funyuns

• Ice Cream: Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked and Ben & Jerry’s Milk & Cookies

• Alcohol: White Claw Seltzer Variety Pack and Truly Hard Seltzer Berry Pack

• Home Essentials: Scott Toilet Paper and Bounty Paper Towels

• Frozen Food: Pepperoni Hot Pockets and Three Cheese Bagel Bites

Co-founded in 2013 by Rafael Ilishayev and Yakir Gola, two Drexel University undergraduates, goPuff began by delivering 50 basic products before pivoting the company to a full convenience store and alcohol delivery service in 2014. Today, the brand operates in more than 150 U.S. locations, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., and many more. goPuff, originally embraced by digital natives and Millennials who responded to the intuitive mobile app and entertaining social brand voice, has built a loyal following across demographics, catering to anyone who needs more convenience in their lives.   

All orders are accessible through the goPuff mobile app (iOS and Android) or goPuff.com. Users simply enter their address and scroll through a wide range of products across numerous categories including snacks, beverages, groceries, household goods, OTC, personal care, school supplies, pet supplies and more. Any order can be delivered for a flat $1.95 delivery fee.

goPuff currently serves customers in the following zip codes: 55114, 55116, 55401, 55402, 55403, 55404, 55405, 55406, 55407, 55108, 55413, 55414, 55415, 55454, 55455, 55479, 55487, 55411, 55417, 55116, 55102, 55455, 55408, 55409, 55415, 55108, 55407, 55406, 55413, 55403, 55117, 55405, 55418, 55414, 55401, 55104, 55419, 55105, 55114, 55402, 55113, 55103, 55454, 55404

For more information, please visit www.gopuff.com or check us out on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

City of Minneapolis Art in Public Places Call for Artists

Excerpts from the latest City of Minneapolis Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy newsletter.

Sign up for these newsletters at http://www.minneapolismn.gov/coordinator/arts/index.htm.

Art in Public Places: Call for Artists

The City of Minneapolis Art in Public Places Program is launching a new Call for Artists. The City is seeking an artist/artist team to design and fabricate an approximately 325 square foot, public artwork for the new park building at Currie Park.

The chosen public artists will work with residents of the Cedar Riverside area to create a new two-dimensional public artwork.

Artist Info Session: February 6th, 2020
Where: Mixed Blood Theatre, 1501 S 4th St, Minneapolis, MN 55454

For more information on how to apply, visit the City Webpage.

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Art Force at Nordhaus: Call for Art

Art Force is requesting submissions for the first exhibit of 2020 at the gallery at NordHaus.
NordHaus is a collection of custom designed apartment homes on First Avenue NE in Minneapolis.

The theme of the show is “Bold North.” The work should depict or respond to this theme, and each artist may submit up to six images for consideration.

Art Force is seeking:

• Art by artists living and/or working in Minneapolis
• Art of professional quality and presented as such. Pieces should be ready to hang.
• This is a 2 Foot x 2 Foot show. Submitted work must not be larger than 30” x 30” including framing.

The exhibition will be installed the first week of March, 2020 and will remain installed until the end of August, 2020. Artwork will be available for sale and Art Force will manage those transactions.

Submission Deadline: Received by 5 PM on Monday February 17, 2020.

Submissions should include:

• Images of artwork labeled with:     Title of Work     Size 
• Retail Price
• Media
• Artist Name
• Artist phone number, e-mail address, and mailing address
• Artist Statement (optional)

Please submit to lpr@artforce.org using www.wetransfer.com. It is free. Please indicate that your submission is for the NordHaus show.

If you have questions, please contact Leslie Palmer-Ross lpr@artforce.org.

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Threads Dance Project: Audition Notice

Threads Dance Project is seeking an ethnically diverse group of dancers ages 21 and older, that are quick learners and are fluent in a variety of dance forms.  Rehearsals begin on August 3, 2020 and the opportunity to perform in a new Ordway Theater commission next November, and other events.

Auditions will be held: Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Registration and warm up time: 9:00am-9:30am
Audition: 9:30am-11:30am

Location: Lundstrum Center for the Performing Arts. 1617 N. 2nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55411 FREE Parking available.

• Dancers must bring a headshot and resume.
• Looking for both men and women

Please visit the Threads Dance Project website for further information.

Heart Month Activities Begin Today, February 5, at Hennepin Healthcare

Via a February 5 e-newsletter from Hennepin Healthcare:

All around the world you’ll find people with unique personalities, passions and talents – each of them with a heart that they could not live without. Hennepin Healthcare has a month full of free, heart-healthy activities planned to celebrate these multi-chambered organs responsible for love – and life itself! Check out our exciting schedule and discover a way to treat your heart – and mind – this February.

Learn Hands-Only CPR and Save Lives
Wednesday, February 5
12pm to 1pm | HCMC Red Building, 2nd-floor skyway, public seating area

No mouth-to-mouth assisted breathing needed for this type of CPR! Learn this simple, life-saving technique from our Hennepin EMS team. Every second counts!

National Wear Red Day
Friday, February 7
Hennepin Healthcare is going red! Wear red on the first Friday in February to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and save lives. Email photos of your group wearing red to events@hcmed.org.

Two Daves with Heart: David Fine, MD on Healthy Matters with David Hilden, MD
Sunday, February 9
7am to 8 am | WCCO-AM Radio (Listen LIVE)

Tune in to hear cardiologist David Fine, MD kick off National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week and hear how this essential intervention following a heart attack, cardiac surgery or other heart issue helps patients regain strength and confidence.

Quigong with Acupuncturist Steve Compton
Wednesday, February 12
12pm to 1pm | Clinic & Specialty Center | M. Stillman Education and Community Center
Qigong is a mind-body-spirit practice with origins in China that improves mental and physical health by integrating posture, movement, breathing technique, self-massage, sound, and focused intent. Join Steve Compton as he leads a Shibashi (18 Harmonizing Movements) Qigong class – great for beginners! Register early - class may fill up. RSVP

Zumba with Patient Services Coordinator Deanne Flomo
Thursday, February 13
12pm to 1pm | Clinic & Specialty Center | M. Stillman Education and Community Center
Zumba, developed in Colombia, is a fitness program that combines Latin music with dance moves. Join Deanne Flomo for this “dance party” and get your heart moving! Register early - class may fill up. RSVP

Food is Medicine with Certified Executive Chef Antonio Sanchez and Registered Dietitian Elizabeth Rosenstein
Thursday, February 20
12pm to 1pm | Clinic & Specialty Center | M. Stillman Education and Community Center

Eating heart-healthy can be flavorful! Learn how to prepare heart-healthy meals and get cooking tips from Certified Executive Chef Antonio Sanchez and Registered Dietitian Elizabeth Rosenstein. RSVP

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) with Physician Assistant Natalie Ikeman
Friday, February 21
12pm to 1pm | Clinic & Specialty Center | M. Stillman Education and Community Center
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a form of timed cardiovascular high-intensity exercises with short periods of active recovery. Natalie Ikeman will teach this HIIT class using bodyweight only and modifications will be provided for all fitness levels. RSVP

Yoga with Cardiology Physician Assistant Jill Jordan
Wednesday, February 26
12pm – 1pm | Clinic & Specialty Center | M. Stillman Education and Community Center
Yoga is a mind and body practice with origins in India more than 5,000 years ago. Join Jill Jordan as she leads a yoga class combining physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation. No mat required. Register early - class may fill up. RSVP

The Hennepin Heart Center provides comprehensive care for your heart by specialists in all areas of cardiovascular medicine. Caring for common cardiovascular problems such as blocked arteries and abnormal rhythms, we also evaluate and manage heart failure as well as complex heart and arterial disease.

"Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder: Celebrating 85 Years" in Hennepin Gallery through February 28

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder: Celebrating 85 years in Hennepin Gallery through February 28

Hennepin Gallery joins in celebrating the 85th anniversary of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) with a month-long exhibit. MSR is the oldest Black-owned newspaper in Minnesota and one of the longest running, family-owned newspapers in the country.

The Hennepin Gallery exhibit features items of historical significance from the paper’s long and storied past. This includes a large collection of photographs that evoke a rich and vivid display of Black life in the Twin Cities that spans decades.

Many of the photos feature unknown individuals; members of the community may share any information about people they might recognize.

About the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

Established in 1934 by local civil rights icon and business leader Cecil Newman, the MSR has long been revered as a trusted news source and voice of the African American community. Years later, the paper and its staff remain committed to the credo that can be found on the wall of their historic office building in South Minneapolis:

“The Negro Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accords to every man, regardless of race, color, or creed, his human and legal rights. Hating no man, fearing no man, the Negro Press strives to help every man in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.”

Now under the direction of Newman’s granddaughter Tracey Williams-Dillard, the MSR continues to thrive, championing perspectives and stories that may otherwise go unheard.

The exhibit is part of a series of events coordinated by the Minneapolis Black Employee Network in celebration of Black History Month.

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 Street.

Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at hennepin.us/news.

Discover how we're making a difference in our communities at hennepin.us/stories.

2020 MN Brewery Running Series Schedule

The 2020 Minnesota Brewery Running Series line up is complete. Check out our upcoming season of events below and join in the fun! 

• 41 events
• 7 NEW brewery destinations
• 10, 10k course options
• 10,000 reasons to join in the fun!

Ryan Companies: Building A Better Workplace

Article and photos by Becky Fillinger

What company was ranked #9 in the Star Tribune's Top Workplaces for 2019? Here’s a visual clue for you:

Photo credit Legacy resident, Tabitha Mays

If you live in the Mill District, you’re probably aware that the Ryan Cos. US Inc. (and Edina developer Luigi Bernardi) are building The Eleven. But did you know that Ryan Companies headquarters are located in the Mill District at 533 S 3rd Street in the Millwright Building? I visited their offices in January and was impressed with the handsomeness and functionality of the LEED Platinum certified building.

Lamp with rebar baseI know that Ryan is a construction company, but was nonetheless delighted by the wide-open workspaces, ample areas for private meetings, visibility and accessibility of company executives and creative incorporation of construction materials into the interior design and decoration.

Rebar and cranes are repurposed as lighting features and private meeting rooms are built from construction gang boxes. I loved a 3D model of the Minneapolis cityscape in the front lobby. The Downtown Building Model was constructed by Rolly Stephens, Director of Virtual Design, whose hobby is, not surprisingly, wood crafting.

Ryan Companies welcomes the public to view the model from either outside or drop in to take a closer look.    

3D cityscape model with The Eleven condo project in yellow

Broader view of the cityscape

Ryan has been in business for 83 years, employs 1300 people in 16 offices in 8 regions, with the Minneapolis office being the largest office. It is certainly a Minnesota business success, but what makes it a top Minnesota workplace? Employee surveys – but what makes an employee admire their employer? Glassdoor reviews are very positive – 90% of anonymous respondents would recommend Ryan to a friend and 97% approve of the CEO. Quotes include: “A great culture that actually practices their morals and values” and “Great leadership and company culture make it a place that you enjoy going to work every day.”  I found many quotes about great benefits and honesty in all interactions with clients and employees.

Company motto displayed above a gang box meeting area

“Our company motto is ‘Do The Right Thing’ and you’ll see it reflected year-round at Ryan,” said Public Relations Manager Kathy Jalivay. "Examples of living the motto are played out in our philanthropic programs and helping with regional disasters. The monumental Cedar Rapids flooding of 2008 impacted 5,390 houses, dislocated more than 18,000 residents and damaged 310 City facilities. Ryan helped with pre-flood preparations and put a dedicated team in place to handle flood recovery construction. Ryan was pivotal in restoring Cedar Rapids, including rebuilding the city hall, public library, fire station, Veterans Memorial Building and the historic Paramount Theater." Jalivay added, “The Cedar Rapids story is a great testament to how we operate as a company. We don’t just build buildings. We build communities where people can thrive. Why did we do it? We had an office and employees there, we knew how to do it and it was the right thing to do.”

Light fixture made from a crane componentEvery Ryan employee is encouraged to use up to 20 hours of worktime each year to volunteer in their communities. The corporate goal is to contribute 3% of Ryan’s pre-tax earnings to local communities through volunteering. With 1300 employees, that’s over 3200 work days devoted to volunteering. The North Region spent almost 1,500 hours in 2019 at Ryan's Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity house, building a home for their partner family in South Minneapolis. The North Region builds a Habitat for Humanity house each year. Employees who typically do an indoor desk job might be found doing a dry wall installation – it ties the employee to the actual business of the company and to its charitable endeavors.

Another impressive goal is donating cash and sponsorships equal to 2% of pre-tax earnings each year. This is with a stated revenue of 2 billion dollars in 2018! Ryan matches 100% of employee charitable contributions to qualifying non-profit charities, up to $500 per charity per year. RyanGivesBack efforts raised $838,130 in 2019, including employee donations, corporate matching funds and direct contributions. The North Region’s RyanGivesBack 2019 campaign raised over $301,000 in employee donations, pledges and corporate matches.

Tom RehwaldtOne amenity jumped out at me as praiseworthy – a shared bicycle program. Employees may use corporate bicycles for quick trips around town for business or to take a work break.

Tom Rehwaldt, a Civil Engineer and Mill District resident, is an avid user. “The shared bicycles are a great amenity for our office. I often use them to grab lunch with friends on the other side of downtown. Biking instead of walking is much more enjoyable and saves me about 20 minutes.” 

Ryan Companies is evidently ‘doing the right thing’. It’s wonderful to learn that our Mill District corporate neighbor is doing well, taking care of employees and being recognized for it.

Original company truck on display in the lobby

Constuction-themed decor 

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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. 

A Fort in Paradise: Part II

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

Part I of this three-part series delved into the early history of Bdote, the land where the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers meet. The most important land to many Dakota was left untouched for thousands of years and was considered by many to be the exact spot where the Dakota people came to be, their Garden of Eden, paradise. However, as it is uniformly seen throughout early American history, the westward expansion of the United States meant the continent’s Native populations were forced from their own land. The Dakota were no exception.

During Lieutenant Zebulon Pike’s exploration of the northern Mississippi River in the early 1800s, he negotiated treaties with the Dakota to acquire land for the U.S. Government even though he never had the authority to do so. Once things settled down after the War of 1812 against the British, the U.S. Military began their plans to build a fort at Bdote.

Bdote - Fort Snelling by John Casper Wild - 1844

Lieutenant Colonel Henry Leavenworth lead troops to Bdote in 1819 and settled just up the Mississippi River at Mni Sni, or as they named it, Camp Coldwater, a freshwater spring. Construction of the stone military fort started a year later when Colonel Josiah Snelling arrived, and under his supervision, Fort St. Anthony was completed in 1825. That same year, the U.S. Military renamed the fort to Fort Snelling after the fort’s commander and architect. The first task for the fort and its troops was not to protect incoming pioneers and settlers, but to stop them from going into Dakota and Ojibwe land in order to make sure the fur trade continued unimpeded. A major reason for U.S. westward expansion was to acquire resources and make money, and fur trading was a major moneymaker.

Fort Snelling did its job of protecting the fur trade, and when more forts were being constructed further west and St. Paul, St. Anthony, and Minneapolis were being established, the need for a military fort in the area diminished. In 1858, the same year Minnesota became a state, the fort was closed. A former Fort Snelling sutler, or civilian merchant, and entrepreneur Franklin Steele purchased the fort from the government and intended to establish there the City of Fort Snelling. This vision never came to fruition, but Steele did turn the parade grounds into a pasture for his sheep.

Bdote - Fort Snelling - 1865

Fort Snelling would be reopened in April of 1861 when Governor Alexander Ramsey was the first to offer President Abraham Lincoln troops for the Union’s cause in the Civil War. The fort now served as a training center for Minnesota’s troops in the Civil War, and two years later in 1863, the fort expanded beyond its stone walls. By the time the Civil War ended, almost 25,000 troops passed through Fort Snelling. Two of those 25,000 troops were Rainvilles. My great great great grandfather Edward and his brother Louis were trained at the fort and became a trumpeter and sergeant respectively.

In 1862, Minnesota’s Civil War effort was lessened as the U.S.-Dakota War began. Fort Snelling provided U.S. troops to handle the violence in western Minnesota between settlers and the Dakota. Once that war ended, 392 Dakota men were tried and 303 were sentenced to death. President Lincoln ended up commuting the death sentences of 265 of the men, and in December of 1862 thirty-eight Dakota men became the victims of the largest mass execution in U.S. history in Mankato. The U.S. victory in the U.S.-Dakota War also saw over 1,600 non-combative Dakota interned at a two-acre concentration camp just beneath the bluff from Fort Snelling.

Bdote - Dakota Concentration Camp

Bdote - Mother with children inside the Dakota concentration campThroughout that winter, between 130 and 300 Dakota died from the cold conditions and disease. Of the 1,600+ Dakota at the camp, twenty-nine of them were Renvilles; direct descendants of Joseph Renville, my first cousin nine times removed, who was a translator for the Dakota and Zebulon Pike treaty discussions on that very land only fifty-seven years before. Never did Joseph Renville imagine his family would be interned at Bdote, and never did Edward and Louis Rainville imagine that twenty-nine of their second cousins would be interned at a fort where they were trained and stationed.

Fort Snelling, a fort that protected the fur trade between Native Americans and the United States, a fort that occupies one of the most sacred places to many Dakota, became a focal point for the darkest period in Dakota history. Once the Civil War ended, Fort Snelling became the headquarters of the U.S. military’s Department of the Dakota and provided supplies for the campaigns against Native Americans in the west. It is important to remember this grim chapter in Fort Snelling and Twin Cities history, as ignoring it would do us more harm than good. Knowing the atrocious behavior Minnesota and United States officials displayed towards the Dakota and many more nations, and understanding everyone’s story, will hopefully help the many peoples of the Twin Cities work together, learn from each other, and continue to build up this welcoming community that we all call home.

Fort Snelling’s history did not stop in the late 1800s. Stay tuned for Part III where I look into the fort’s involvement in both World Wars, and the Minnesota Historical Society’s continuous role in educating everyone from school groups to tourists at Historic Fort Snelling at Bdote.

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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 a historic interpreter and guide at Historic Fort Snelling at Bdote 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.

Enter the Meet Minneapolis Winter Sweepstakes and You Might Drive Off in an All-New Chevy Equinox!

Via a January 31 News Release from Meet Minneapolis:

Four weekly prize packages for a fun night in Minneapolis to also be awarded

The 2020 Twin Cities Auto Show is just around the corner and looks to be one of the best ever. Once again, Meet Minneapolis is excited to offer one lucky person the chance to drive off in a brand-new SUV now on display at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Four other weekly winners will get prize packages for a Minneapolis getaway. See details below.

Don’t let the snow and cold slow you down. Meet Minneapolis and Select Heartland Chevy Dealers are offering chances to get out and enjoy a winter adventure. The Chevy Equinox Sweepstakes* offers four weekly prize packages for a Minneapolis getaway and one grand prize of a two-year lease on an all-new Chevy Equinox. The winner of the brand-new SUV will be announced at the Twin Cities Auto Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Saturday, March 7.

One weekly prize package will be awarded every Friday from Feb. 7-28, and includes:
• A complimentary weekend night stay at the Hotel Emery, a downtown Minneapolis luxury hotel in the heart of the city (valid through March 31, 2021, and subject to availability). 
• A $50 gift card to Barbette, an award-winning French restaurant in the Uptown neighborhood featuring local and sustainably farmed ingredients.
• One escape room experience for two at Trapped Puzzle Rooms, a team-based puzzle experience with two locations in the Twin Cities.

Enter the sweepstakes at the Meet Minneapolis website or in-person at one of the various public shows leading up to the Auto Show (March 7-15) at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Sign up in person at the following times:
• Minneapolis Motorcycle Show – Feb. 1 (10 a.m.-7 p.m.), Feb. 2 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.)
• Minneapolis/St. Paul RV, Vacation & Camping Show, Lake Home & Cabin Show and Healthy Life Expo – Feb. 8 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.), Feb. 9 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
• Minnesota Golf Show – Feb. 22 (9 a.m.-7 p.m.), Feb. 23 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
• Home & Garden Show – Feb. 29 (10 a.m.-9 p.m.), March 1 (10 a.m.-6 p.m.)

From don’t-miss dining experiences to suggestions for a perfect winter day, Minneapolis.org has you covered with hundreds of ideas, tips and itineraries to help you experience the ‘City by Nature’ to its fullest. 

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. Weekly prize drawings will be held Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28. Entries for the Chevy Equinox Sweepstakes must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on Feb. 29. 

The five randomly selected finalists eligible for the grand prize of a Chevy Equinox lease must be present for the live drawing at the Twin Cities Auto Show to win. The grand prize drawing will take place the morning of Saturday, March 7.

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

Minneapolis Region to Host 2022 Gay Softball World Series

Via a January 30 News Release:

Minnesota Twins become first MLB team to partner with event in its 46-year history

One of the largest annual gay sporting events in the world will return to Minnesota, as the Minneapolis region secured the 2022 Gay Softball World Series. The Twin Cities Goodtime Softball League, in partnership with Sports Minneapolis, won hosting rights after a presentation to delegates from the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) last weekend in Columbus, Ohio. The tournament will be held on Aug. 28-Sept. 3, 2022.

The 2022 Gay Softball World Series will feature nearly 900 games taking place at softball complexes in Minneapolis, as well as Burnsville, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights and South St. Paul. Last year’s tournament in Kansas City, Mo., included 207 teams from 45 cities across the U.S. and Canada. The number of teams is expected to increase for the 2022 event.

In addition to a full schedule of games, events are planned every night of the tournament, including:

• Opening Ceremony
• NAGAAA Hall of Fame Induction
• Charity Night
• Pride Night at a Minnesota Twins game
• Closing Ceremony

“We are honored to bring the Gay Softball World Series back to the Twin Cities in 2022,” said Greg Fedio of the Twin Cities Goodtime Softball League who will serve as Executive Director of the newly formed Twin Cities Gay Softball World Series Organizing Committee. “We have put together a dedicated committee that is devoted to creating an amazing player experience and is looking forward to hosting teams from the 46 member cities of NAGAAA.”

“Securing the 2022 Gay Softball World Series is a very nice win for the Minneapolis region. We are particularly excited to showcase our vibrant and welcoming community to the athletes, as well as their family and friends,” said Melvin Tennant, Executive Director of Sports Minneapolis. “We look forward to setting a new standard of excellence for this great event.”

The Minnesota Twins have also pledged their support, becoming the first Major League Baseball team to partner with the Gay Softball World Series.

“The Twin Cities have played host to many of the country’s top athletic events. We’re a vibrant and diverse community that celebrates how sports brings communities together. We’re excited to help bring the Gay Softball World Series to Minnesota,” said Miguel Ramos, Minnesota Twins Senior Director of Diversity and Inclusion, who traveled to Columbus to help present the bid.

The 2022 edition of the Gay Softball World Series will be the 46th consecutive year of the event. It is the largest annual, LGBT, single-sport, week-long athletic competition in the world. According to the Twin Cities Gay Softball World Series Organizing Committee, it is expected to bring 5,000 visitors and approximately $7 million to the local economy. The Minneapolis region previously hosted the tournament in 1996 and 2012.

The Twin Cities Goodtime Softball League was founded in 1979 when a group of gay men challenged the Minneapolis Police Department to a charity game. Since then, it has grown to the third-largest LGBT league in North America with 35 teams and nearly 600 players. In 2017, the Twin Cities Goodtime Softball League was named “Best Softball League in Minnesota” by CBS affiliate WCCO. Members of this league will form the local organizing committee for the 2022 Gay Softball World Series.

NAGAAA was founded in 1977 and is an international sports organization comprised of men and women dedicated to providing opportunity and access for the LGBT community to participate in organized softball competitions in safe environments.

Minneapolis Public Housing Authority and Met Council to Form Nation’s First Regional “Moving to Work” Housing Agency

Via a January 28 News Release:

Housing authorities will combine resources and regulatory flexibility to increase housing choice for low-income renters across the metro

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approved a first-in-the-nation partnership between Minnesota’s largest public housing authorities: the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) and Metropolitan Council Housing and Redevelopment Authority (Metro HRA). In forming the nation’s first Regional Moving to Work (MTW) agency, MPHA and Metro HRA will combine efforts to make it easier for families with housing vouchers to move where they wish across the metro area, including to neighborhoods they feel offer the best chance for economic success.

“Today, low-income families with a voucher who want to move for better opportunity, employment, or affordability run into invisible lines and hurdles that make it much harder than it should be,” said MPHA Interim Executive Director Tracey Scott. “Now MPHA and Metro HRA will be able to try things no one in the country has tried before to lower those barriers and empower families to meet their goals.”

Moving to Work, or MTW, is a powerful federal designation held by just 39 U.S. housing agencies. MTW agencies are allowed to combine sources of funds and waive many housing regulations in the interest of their local communities. MPHA is Minnesota’s only MTW agency. However, in 2015 Congress allowed MTW agencies to form a regional MTW agency with one or more adjacent housing authorities, extending this power to others in the interest of “efficiencies and greater housing choice for low-income persons.” MPHA and Metro HRA are the first such arrangement approved by HUD.

“This first-of-a-kind partnership is a giant step forward in our efforts to reduce barriers to housing that’s safe and affordable,” said Metro HRA Director Terri Smith. “Far too many residents are hampered by their inability to find stable housing. That, in turn, limits the ability of our cities and towns to grow, prosper, and thrive.

“A lot of work remains, but participating in the Moving to Work Demonstration Program, in partnership with MPHA, gives us another tool and a unique opportunity to achieve state and regional goals of ending homelessness and providing housing choices to people and families,” said Smith.

Initially, the partners expect to establish a shared pool of Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and combine their administrative muscle to streamline processes and help families achieve geographic and economic mobility. Other metro area housing agencies could later choose to join the partnership.

Together, MPHA and Metro HRA serve more than 44,000 people in the Twin Cities through federal, subsidized housing programs.

Restaurant Week Winter 2020: Feb 23 - 28

Restaurant Week Winter 2020

Celebrate the best of Twin Cities dining with a week's worth of great deals in some of the Twin Cities trendiest and best restaurants from February 23 - 28.

Participating restaurants will serve two to three course, prix fixe menus for just $10 to $35 per person. (beverage, tax and gratuity not included.)

February 5 Public Hearing for Amendment to Ordinance Relating to Parkland Dedication

Via a January 27 e-announcement from Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

"Housekeeping" amendment necessary to address Federal Rule updates related to affordable housing

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will hold a public hearing on February 5, 2020 at 6 p.m. in the Board Room at its Mary Merrill Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Headquarters, located at 2117 West River Road, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Individuals who would like to speak to the Board of Commissioners about this amendment pending approval can sign up to speak at the meeting by calling 612-230-6400 before 3 pm on Feb. 5 or by signing up in person before 6 pm on the day of the hearing.

This amendment, in part, modifies the definition of "affordable housing units."  This amendment is also essentially a “housekeeping” amendment. The federal government updated its definition of “affordable housing units” to allow for income averaging. The City of Minneapolis is in the process of modifying its definition of “affordable housing units” to address inclusionary zoning units and projects using income averaging.

This is an official notice as required under Minnesota Statute Chapter 394.26, Subd. 1.”

Doug Verdier Shares His Early to mid-January 2020 Photos of the Water Works Project

Editors Note: Mill District resident Doug Verdier continues to document the progress of the Water Works project.

Construction of Water Works Park continues despite snow and very cold temperatures. These photos from early to mid-January show work on the future structures and landscaping preparatory earthmoving.

Workers erecting forms that will be used to extend the elevator shaft​ up to the restaurant level. Once forms are in place, concrete will be poured into them to create the elevator shaft walls.

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View of the elevator shaft form from 1st Street.

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Inside view of former Columbia Mill showing rebar in place for pouring​ a reinforcing wall on the inner side the stone wall, which has been stabilized.

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Closer view of the inside of Columbia Mill ruins as preparation​ continues for pouring of concrete reinforcing wall.

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Work continues on the area north of the Columbia Mill structure. RiverWest condos in background.

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Additional concrete prep work north of the Columbia Mill along 1st Street.

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Landscaping work on the 1st Street level of the park.

January Hiatus

Hello and thank you for checking out Mill City Times!

We are currently on our annual January vacation where the sun shines every day and the water is warm.

Updates will be much less frequent, but there will still be a few posted here, as well as Facebook.

Back at months end!

Kim :)

Brazilfest MN's Carnaval Brasileiro Celebrates its 18th Anniversary at the Fine Line, March 7

Via a January 21 News Release

The most attended and longest-running annual Brazilian festival in the Twin Cities heads back to the Fine Line for its 18th annual Carnaval Brasileiro on Saturday, March 7th at one of the premier live music venues in Minneapolis. Over 60 performers and artists - including percussionists, singers, musicians, samba dancers, actors and artisans - will transform the Fine Line into an authentically festive Brazilian cultural experience!

Guitarist/vocalist Robert Everest and his eight-piece group Beira Mar Brasil will host the Carnaval Brasileiro Masquerade Ball from 8pm to 12 midnight. Everest, who also serves as Executive Director of Brazilfest MN, has been joyfully exploring Brazilian music and culture for over 25 years and brings us authentic Brazilian carnival flavor through various musical genres from around the country - Samba, Axé, Frevo, Baião, and other dance-inducing styles. Joining Beira Mar Brasil for the fourteenth year, direct from Salvador da Bahia, Brazil’s famous party-loving city, will be singer and samba dancer extraordinaire, Dandara Odara, who performs at over 50 carnival celebrations around the world each year in Europe, North America, and of course, Brazil.

Along with Beira Mar Brasil, Carnaval Brasileiro 2020 will present several other performance groups, including Brazilian percussion ensembles Batucada Do Norte and Drumheart, professional samba dancers/instructors Ginga da Bahia, Edilson Lima (who has been featured on Ellen DeGeneres) and Tammy Chiarelli from São Paulo, Brazil, and Blue Lady - the mysterious mermaid, as well as Brazilian martial arts group Capoeira Floração of Minnesota. Carnaval guests can participate in Brazilian dance lessons, order a caipirinha, Brazil's national drink, purchase authentic carnival masks created by master Brazilian artisan Goretti Aamot, and have their face and body painted just like they do it in Rio!

The annual Carnaval, celebrated throughout Brazil, lasts nearly a week and has roots dating back to the 1700s. Like Mardi Gras, Carnaval is an all-out party with music, masks, dancing, and drinks - a final blowout before Lenten traditions kick in for the Easter season. This Minneapolis edition of Carnaval takes place after it is celebrated in Brazil, allowing for many of the special guests to come to Minneapolis for the event.

2020 Talk of the Stacks Series Announced

Talk of the Stacks is a reading series committed to connecting extraordinary authors with a community of readers at the Central Library. Talk of the Stacks is presented by U.S. Bank, with additional support from the Star Tribune. Events are held at the Minneapolis Central Library, Pohlad Hall, and are FREE and open to the public. Doors open at 6:15 pm for general admission seating. Programs begin at 7 pm. Book sales and signings follow.

February 24: Erika Lee in conversation with Tom Weber

April 20: Julia Alvarez

July 23: Larry Watson

Accessibility

To request ASL interpreting, please contact friends@hclib.org at least one week prior to each event. Assistive listening devices and wheelchair accessible and companion seating are available at all Talk of the Stacks events.

Notice of a Public Hearing: 200 Central Avenue

Notice of a Public Hearing: 200 Central Avenue

Heritage Preservation Commission meeting
Tuesday, February 4, 2020, 4:30 pm
350 South 5th Street Room 317
Minneapolis City Hall

Gretchen Camp, on behalf of Clark Street Holdings, LLC has submitted a Certificate of Appropriateness application for revisions to a previously approved plan for a new 28-story mixed use project at  200 Central Ave SE and 113 2nd St SE in the St. Anthony Falls Historic District.

The Heritage Preservation Commission will meet on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, at 4:30 p.m., in Room 317 City Hall, 350 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN. Interested parties are invited to at tend and be heard.

Planning Department staff will issue a recommendation to the Heritage Preservation Commission. After hearing from the public, the Heritage Preservation Commission will make a determination based on required legal findings of fact. Please visit http://www.minneapolismn.gov/meetings/hpc/index.htm for the agenda with staff reports (web page will be updated by the end of the day Monday prior to the meeting date).

In accordance with the Preservation Ordinance, all property owners within 350 feet of the subject property are notified of this public hearing. If you have questions about the project, please contact the City staff person listed below.

If you would like to submit comments, you may make them verbally at the meeting or submit them in writing to:

Peter Crandall, Senior City Planner

250 South 4th St, #300, Minneapolis, MN 55415

Phone: 612.673.2247 Email: peter.crandall@minneapolismn.gov

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For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact 612-673-3153. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612- 673-3000. TTY users call 612-673-2157 or 612-673-2626.

Opening Soon! West Elm North Loop

Via a January 17 News Release. Photos courtesy West Elm

West Elm will be opening its first downtown Minneapolis location soon – slated for the end of February

Global lifestyle and design brand West Elm is excited to open its first downtown Minneapolis store in late February. West Elm Minneapolis is tentatively scheduled to open Thursday, February 27 in the heart of the North Loop at 128 North 2nd Street on the ground floor of the SECOND + SECOND development. The new location will create approximately 30 new jobs.

As the second West Elm location in Minnesota, West Elm in downtown Minneapolis is the perfect location for the brand and its focus on modern design, sustainability and supporting local artists and makers. With the North Loop’s walkability, historically preserved buildings, and vibrant neighborhood businesses, West Elm looks forward to connecting like-minded creatives, designers and makers through pop-up events and workshops. West Elm’s first Minnesota location opened at the Shops at Centennial Lakes in Edina.

The more than 11,000-square-foot store will open featuring its spring collection, alongside West Elm’s collection of original, modern home décor and accessories. The new store will also feature an assortment of products made by independent artists in the community as a part of the company’s LOCAL program. Since 2013, West Elm LOCAL* has introduced over 900 artisans and their unique pieces to customers across the country. The downtown Minneapolis location will carry a unique array of locally crafted goods by Minnesota artists and makers, ranging from small accessories to works of art.

Customers will also have access to complimentary personalized styling and design with West Elm’s Design Crew. Guests can make a Design Crew appointment in-store or online at WestElm.com.

Sample furnishings:

Andes deco upholstered bed

Ikat border shag rug

Mid-century expandable dining table walnut

Mid-century expandable dining table walnut

For Minneapolis–Saint Paul residents looking for shopping benefits, West Elm offers a member rewards program called The Key. By joining for free, members receive 3 percent back in rewards across the entire Williams-Sonoma family of brands (West Elm, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Mark and Graham and Rejuvenation). Join at: https://www.westelm.com/thekeyrewards/. 

Prior to the store opening, West Elm will also host a grand opening celebration open to the public, tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, 6–8 p.m.

The grand opening celebration will be open to the public and feature:

• Local bites and specialty cocktails*.
• Sneak peek of West Elm’s exclusive spring line.
• Shopping for a great cause! A portion of proceeds from the evening will benefit a local nonprofit.
• Goods and gifts from local Minnesota artists and makers.

*Must be 21+ to participate

West Elm is still hiring! If you’re interested in employment, please email WestElmStores@wsgc.com.

For more updates, follow West Elm Minneapolis on Instagram (@westelmmpls).

Currie Park Construction Update

Via a January 17 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park & Rec Board:

• Work on the footings and foundations for the new restroom building footing is nearly complete.
  
  
• Utility installation is scheduled to occur over the next few months.
  
  
• Construction progress will slow until spring while the contractor awaits warmer weather to complete the majority of the above ground work

• With construction having begun in September, the project is planned to be complete by late summer 2020, barring delays due to weather or construction.

Nearby parks and recreation facilities

During construction, we hope you can enjoy other parks and recreation facilities in the area.
Get details on what is available by using the map below - or watch a short video on Facebook or YouTube.

Get more project information at www.bit.ly/curriepark.