Experience the Twin Cities Has Two New Tour Options for Summer 2019
Monday, May 20, 2019 at 10:16AMExperience the Twin Cities is offering two new ways for you to enjoy local craft beers during the summer of 2019: the Minneapolis Brewery and Boat Tour, and Brews 'n Bites.
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Minneapolis Riverfront News
Covering life, work, and play in the Historic Mill District and Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront neighborhoods. Have an opinion, local news or events to share? Contact us.
June 2019 Events at the Hennepin History Museum
Just in from our friends at the Hennepin History Museum:
Friday, June 7, 4 – 6 PM
Field Trip! Dinkytown: Forever Young Walking Tour
Hennepin History Museum's Interim Director, Cara Letofsky, will be your guide on this half-mile walk. This tour explores Dinkytown’s early commercial years, signature buildings, legacy businesses, and its role in the student protests of the 1960s. Because of its proximity to the U of M, Dinkytown has always been subject to the winds of change and cycles of urban growth and decline.
Admission: $12; $10 for HHM members. Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4249039
Thursday, June 13, 6 – 8 PM
Mapping Prejudice Volunteer Training
You can be part of this important project. Penny Peterson and Maggie Mills will conduct a volunteer training session and guide you through the process of researching documents. Bring along a laptop and learn how you can contribute to building the interactive Mapping Prejudice map of racial covenants in Hennepin County.
Admission: Free for volunteers, but please RSVP: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4246521
Saturday, June 15, 2 – 4 PM
Walking Tour of Washburn-Fair Oaks Historic District
Author and historian Shari Albers will lead a walking tour of the Washburn-Fair Oaks historic neighborhood where Hennepin History Museum is located. Many fine old homes still stand in what was known as the Miller District. Shari’s tour also points out locations of homes that no longer exist, but were designed to impress.
Shari Albers is a long-time volunteer docent at Hennepin History Museum. She developed this tour and others, which she leads for the Museum and Preserve Minneapolis.
Admission: $12; $10 for HHM members. A tour booklet is included in price. Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4249099
Sunday, June 16, 2 – 4 PM
Fireside Chat: Creating the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. Concern about the power the Republican Party exerted on elected offices throughout the state, and an approaching national election, provided incentive for the Farmer-Labor Party and the Democratic Party to merge in 1944. The new party carried the state for Roosevelt that year and elected Hubert Humphrey Mayor of Minneapolis in 1945. Speakers will discuss the political tenor and events leading up to the merger, the forces at work, the key figures involved, and its relationship to Hennepin County. Come for an interesting conversation with artifacts from the time and many historic photographs.
Admission: $8; $5 Seniors/Students; free for HHM members. Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4248960
Thursday, June 20, 6 – 8 PM
Fireside Chat with Marcia G. Anderson, Author of A Bag Worth A Pony
Retired curator Marcia G. Anderson will talk about her book A Bag Worth A Pony: The Art of the Ojibwe Bandolier Bag. As a result of thirty years of study, Marcia shares what she learned from the talented bead artists who keep the form alive, from historical records, and from the bags themselves. From the 1870s to the present day, Ojibwe bead artists of Minnesota have been especially regarded for their lively, creative designs. Neighboring Dakota people would trade a pony for a beautiful beaded bag.
Marcia examines the history, forms, structure, and motifs of the bags, giving readers the tools to understand a bag’s makeup and meaning.
Admission: $8; $5 Students/Seniors; free for HHM members. Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4249058
Save the Date: Thursday, June 27, 6 – 8 PM
Opening Reception - Being Human: Stories from Humans of Minneapolis
In 2010, Stephanie Glaros began walking to work in downtown Minneapolis with her camera in hand, and asked people she encountered along the way if she could take their photograph. It was a means of breaking through the social barriers she felt between herself and others. Originally a personal project called Minneapolis Strangers, it evolved into Humans of Minneapolis, inspired by the storytelling project Humans of New York. She shared her photographs and interviews online, developing a social media following of over 70,000. While preparing a book about the work, published in 2016, she learned how the project had affected the people in the photographs. It is a project that keeps on giving. She relaunched as a nonprofit organization in 2018, with the mission of connecting hearts and minds with storytelling to encourage empathy and build community. Being Human: Stories from Humans of Minneapolis is a curated collection of memorable stories from the project.
MacPhail Video Featuring the Mill City Singers
This video from MacPhail Center for Music's 2019 Music Matters luncheon captures the essence of the Mill City Singers, led by J.D. and Fred Steele.
Cardinals in Love
Mill City Times photographer Ryan Ojard has been following this pair of cardinals, nicknamed Alice and Eugene, throughout the spring. Eugene lovingly tends to his mate, and Ryan was quick to catch this shot of him feeding Alice.
North Loop Paving Update
Editor's note - This is an ongoing series of updates as the North Loop Reconstruction and Pedestrian Improvements project.
North Loop Reconstruction & Pedestrian Improvements
The North Loop Reconstruction & Pedestrian Improvements Project consists of two separate projects:
- A full street reconstruction along 3rd St N between 10th Ave N and 5th Ave N
- A pedestrian improvement project generally bounded by 10th Ave N on the north, 1st Ave on the south, West River Parkway on the east, and 4th St N on the west
North Loop Reconstruction Updates
WORK THIS PAST WEEK
Full depth pavement removals on 5th Ave N between 4th St N and 5th St N5th Ave N
- Finished salvaging brick pavers on 5th Ave N
- Finished full depth pavement removals on 5th Ave N. Local access allowed, once CenterPoint’s work begins, 5th Ave N may become a one-way. More to come.
- CenterPoint Energy is currently at the intersection of Washington Ave and 5th Ave N and working towards 4th St N
7th Ave N
- Began full depth pavement removals between Washington and 4th Ave N, tentatively planning on starting on 4th St N and working towards Washington (skipping 3th St N). As crews progress with pavement removals they will build a gravel access road.
- Preparing for next week's utility work
WORK ANTICIPATED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS WEEK AND NEXT WEEK
5th Ave N
- CenterPoint Energy 6” gas line installation
7th Ave N
- Begin utility work on 7th Ave N on Monday May 20th
- Water – there may be some short term, shut offs, the water department will give 48 hours’ notice to impacted businesses, 24 hours’ notice to impacted residences
- Sewer
- Gas
- Electric
MISCELLANEOUS
8th Ave N – Tentatively planning to begin work at this location right after Memorial Day
- Begin salvaging brick pavers on 5-28-19
- Followed by full depth removals
Stakeholder Meeting -These meetings are informal, held biweekly and intended to offer residents and businesses located on the project site an opportunity to get construction updates, ask construction and access related questions.
Date/Time: May 29th, 7:30 am to 8:30 am
Location: Corner Coffee 514 N 3rd St #102, Minneapolis MN 55401
As always, feel free to John Benjamin (651-443-1096) or myself (612-673-3365) with any construction related questions or concerns.
For more information on this project, visit the project website.
North Loop Pedestrian Improvements Updates
This project is tentatively scheduled to start on June 17, 2019. More to come.
For more information on this project, visit the project website.
Contact Information
Project Manager:
Stephanie Malmberg, stephanie.malmberg@minneapolismn.gov, 612-673-3365
Chief Field Inspector:
John Benjamin, john.benjamin@minneapolismn.gov, 651-443-1096
Friends of the Mill District's Complimentary Yoga in the Park returns to Gold Medal Park on Saturday, May 25
Article by Claudia Kittock
It has been a long winter, and it seemed as if warm weather would never come. At last, the Friends of the Mill District is happy to announce Mill City Yoga in Gold Medal Park is back! We will be meeting on Saturdays, beginning on May 25th, ending on August 31st.
Each session will begin at 9 a.m. and end before 10. Grab your mat (or a towel), bring a neighbor and meet us by the orange sculpture. The sessions are free of charge and sponsored by the Friends of the Mill District charity. Come salute the sun and enjoy the beauty of our neighborhood with your friends and neighbors. Questions and comments can be sent to cjkittock@gmail.com.
New Exhibit Featuring MNHS Fashion Collections Opens Today at Minneapolis Institute of Art
Via a May 16 News Release from the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS):
Photo: Brocade burgundy velvet two-piece evening dress created by dressmaker Mary G. Worley of St. Paul, ca. 1884-1889A new exhibit co-curated by staff from the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) and Minneapolis Institute of the Art (Mia) traces the rise of Twin Cities couture—high-end, hand-sewn, custom-made clothing—during a pivotal moment for fashion both worldwide and the developing state of Minnesota.
Opening today in Mia’s Cargill Gallery, the new exhibit “The Art of High Style: Minnesota Couture 1880–1914” features historic dress from the Minnesota Historical Society collection—most never displayed before—set in context with paintings and works on paper from Mia’s collection.
”We’re delighted to share these extraordinary objects that tell the story of Minnesota’s little-known historic couture fashion industry and the talented female artisans who led it,” said Nicole LaBouff, associate curator of textiles at Mia.
Twin Cities couture ascended during a pivotal time for Minnesota. Abundant natural resources extracted through milling and mining, along with innovations in rail transportation, brought a rapid growth in the state’s population. The economic boom enriched early Minnesotans and attracted industrial tycoons, and this class of wealthy white citizens sought elegant dress to reflect its new status.
Local designers had strong ties to Paris and other fashion centers, and their painstakingly and meticulously tailored clothing kept their clientele in step with tastemakers around the globe.
"The exhibit highlights the interrelationships between the couturieres who created the vision, their clients who dressed for their social occasions, and the workers who constructed the garments. All set within a backdrop of the development of Minnesota's industries,” said Linda McShannock, MNHS textile curator and co-curator of the exhibit.
“The Art of High Style” will be on display at Mia through Aug. 4, 2019, and is free and open to the public.
Expanded Skate Park and Field Lighting Coming Soon at Elliot Park
New project will significantly upgrade skate park and install field lighting at new athletic field
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board announced a new project at Elliot Park that will expand and enhance the skate park and add new athletic field lighting, along with new paths and potentially upgraded picnic facilities.
The Elliot Park skate park was built in 2004. Phase Two, planned for construction this fall, will add a new sidewalk connection to the corner of S Eighth Street and S Ninth Street and a variety of new features, like a a skateable seat wall, quarter pipe, rail and ledges. The Minneapolis Skate Park Activity Plan, approved in January 2018, helped guide the Phase Two design.
The athletic field, which was upgraded and expanded in 2015, will be outfitted with four new light poles to extend play into the evening. Existing pedestrian and path lighting will also be replaced throughout the park.
If funds are available within the budget after construction bids are received, the project could include upgraded picnic facilities. One option is a new lunch patio on the west side of the park, another is to relocate picnic tables to shaded areas on the north side of the park.
This project is funded through a $535,000 allocation from Elliot Park neighborhood Park Dedication Funds and 20-Year Neighborhood Park Plan park rehabilitation funds.
Follow the links below to check out diagrams and renderings of the planned improvements & complete a short online survey.
Aerial Diagram [PDF]
Skate Park Renderings [PDF]
Take Online Survey
2018 Pedestrian and Bicycle Progress Report
Via a May 14 e-newsletter from Hennepin County
New pedestrian and bicycle progress report now available
Biking, walking and rolling are an important part of everyday life for many Hennepin County residents. Whether it is for transportation, recreation or physical activity, we work to create options for getting around that are safe, comfortable and efficient for more people.
Every year, we invest in our growing network of sidewalks, trails and bikeways. In 2018, the county bikeway network grew by 15.6 miles with 22 projectscompleted and two priority gaps in the network closed. We also installed or upgraded 450 sidewalk ramps and added 32 accessible pedestrian signals.
Check out the full report to learn more about how Hennepin County worked to serve people walking, biking and rolling in 2018.
Hennepin County Awards Funding to 20 Housing and Development Projects
Via a May 14 e-newsletter from Hennepin County
The county is designating more than $6.35 million to help fund 20 housing, development and infrastructure projects throughout the county, including along major transit corridors.
Acting as the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Tuesday, the county board awarded $3.5 million from the Affordable Housing Incentive Fund (AHIF), and $2.85 million from the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) program.
Together, these awards will fund the creation or preservation of 733 new affordable units of housing.
AHIF — $3.5 million for 10 affordable housing projects
A total of 438 units of affordable housing will be supported through AHIF in 2019, including:
- 79 units for people experiencing homelessness
- 71 units set aside for households with income less than 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
- 246 units with rental assistance, making rents affordable to households below 30% AMI
- 38 units for people with a disability
- 53 units for large families
- 15 units for extended foster care youth
- 31 units for county Health and Human Services clients
The Affordable Housing Incentive Fund is a program unique to Hennepin County that supports the development and preservation of long-term affordable housing for low- and very-low income households. The program is funded through a countywide property tax levy.
Since 2000, about $66 million has been committed to affordable housing projects through AHIF, supporting 8,300 units of affordable housing.
Read more about 2019 AHIF projects and awards.
TOD — $2.85 million for 10 transit oriented development projects
A total of 501 housing units, 295 of which are affordable, and 200,000 square feet of commercial space will be supported through the TOD program in 2019, including:
- Four housing and mixed-use projects
- Two commercial projects
- Four infrastructure projects
Together, TOD funded projects will contribute to:
- 187 new or retained jobs
- $148 million in leveraged private and public funding
- Improved connections to transit
The Transit Oriented Development program supports redevelopment projects that increase housing choices and jobs accessible by transit to grow a more sustainable and economically competitive region.
Since 2003, the TOD program has generated more than 7,000 new or retained housing units, including 3,300 affordable units, more than 2,500 jobs, and more than 2 million square feet of commercial and office space.
Hennepin County Libraries Are Ready to Keep Your Kids Engaged Throughout the Summer
Every summer, Hennepin County Library (HCL) welcomes thousands of youth from across the county to its various Summer Learning programs. Libraries are critical to keeping kids engaged and learning during the summer months.
This past year HCL offered 992 fun, educational, and interactive Summer Learning programs at 41 libraries, with total attendance of more than 18,000. Hennepin County Libraries are a crucial resource for thousands of families seeking to keep their children engaged and learning during the summer months.
Use this link to drill down by location, date range, activity type, age range, etc.
Buses to Replace Blue and Green Line Trains May 17-20
The Cohort - Rhythmically Speaking's New Annual Summer Show comes to the Southern Theater in August
Via a May 13 News Release from Rhythmically Speaking:
Public is Invited to the May 21 Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge Reopening Commemoration
The Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge was repaired last year
Repair of historic bridge connecting Boom Island Park and Nicollet Island to be celebrated on May 21 at 4 pm
Join Commissioner Chris Meyer and the Northeast Minneapolis community on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 4 pm to officially celebrate the reopening of the historic Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge after a repair project. The event will feature a brief program featuring local officials, a ribbon-cutting and light refreshments.
The Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge reopened last November after an extensive repair project revitalized the 118-year-old structure. In April, work resumed to complete remaining work at the site, like grading and turf establishment, concrete abutment work, paint touch-ups, and electrical work.
About the Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge
The current trail connection between Boom Island Park and Nicollet Island was originally built in 1901 as a railroad bridge. In the 1970s, the rail yard it served was cleared and the bridge was given to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, which converted it to a pedestrian and bicycle bridge in the 1980s.
In late 2013, the bridge was closed to emergency and maintenance vehicles after significant deterioration was discovered during an inspection. Emergency repairs were completed in July 2015 and permanent repairs were performed May-November 2018.
MPRB Announces Women's Golf Day Has Been Expanded to Women's Golf Week
Via a May 10 e-newsletter from Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:
Last year's response to Women's Golf Day was so great, we expanded it to a week!
Celebrate girls and women playing golf with FREE golf or FREE clinics!
Women's Golf Week has expanded. Instead of just one day, women across Minneapolis can participate in events over five days at six of our seven courses. These three-hour events celebrate girls and women playing golf and learning skills that last a lifetime.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's Play Golf Minneapolis courses are the only golf courses in the state hosting outdoor Women's Golf Week events, with FREE clinics, or a FREE 9-hole round (walking or riding on a cart) offered at six golf courses throughout the city.
Register for FREE Women's Golf Day Clinics at each golf club.
E Line Update: May 2019
Via an e-newsletter from Metro Transit:
Metro Transit is planning improvements to the Route 6 corridor with the E Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. Bus Rapid Transit brings better amenities, faster service and a more comfortable ride. For more information visit the project web page.
Upcoming opportunities to influence where the E Line will travel
Join us at one of the upcoming Open Houses (no formal presentation, come anytime).
- Monday, May 20, 4 – 6 p.m., Southwest High School, Cafeteria
- Tuesday, May 21, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., Marcy Open School, Multipurpose Room
- Wednesday, May 22 4 – 6:30 p.m. Walker Library, Bde Maka Ska Room
Learn more about the routing options being advanced for further consideration and some early ideas about connecting bus service. We would like your input.
Northern routing recommendation
Metro Transit staff are recommending that the E Line cross the river from downtown Minneapolis into the Marcy-Holmes and Dinkytown area on 4th Street and University Avenue. This decision was based on current Route 6 ridership, transit supportive land uses, access to regional destinations such as the University of Minnesota, and a large amount of community support. Additional planning work is needed to determine whether the E Line should end at Stadium Village Station or Westgate Station.
Ongoing analysis of southern routing options to Southdale Transit Center
Three routing options are being advanced for the southern portion of the E Line. All three options end at Southdale Transit Center, with routing either on 44th Street to Xerxes Avenue, 44th Street to France Avenue, or Xerxes Avenue to France Avenue via 50th Street. Southdale Transit Center is being recommended as the southern endpoint due to strong community support, integration with the planned and existing bus network, and high ridership at that location. Metro Transit is seeking feedback on which option should be selected for the final E Line routing at the upcoming open houses.
Routing options still under consideration
Future questions & steps
One recommended alignment will be brought to the community and the Metropolitan Council this fall. The recommendation will include some early ideas about station placement and connecting bus service. More detailed planning on station locations and connecting bus service will occur in 2020. Additional engineering will be needed to make the E Line construction ready. Community input is needed and will be sought in every project phase.
House of Charity's new CEO, Deborah Moses, is Setting the Bar High
Article by Claudia Kittock
For more than 60 years, House of Charity has been serving those in need in Minneapolis. Located at 510 S 8th Street, their mission is to feed those in need, house those experiencing homelessness, and empower individuals to achieve independence. The House of Charity’s treatment program served 211 people in 2015, with a return on investment to society of $6,542,700. This organization does amazing work, and as is their tagline, they are "the heart of the city."
Deborah F. Moses, CEO/Executive Director of House of CharityIn December of 2018, the House of Charity Board of Directors named experienced nonprofit leader Deborah F. Moses, DPA, MPH, as the new Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the agency. Deb is a lifelong resident of Minneapolis and has worked in many local nonprofits. She has a Ph.D. in public administration and says that coming to House of Charity felt like "coming home."
Deb is particularly invested in health care and improving access at a reasonable cost. The fastest growing demographic in people experiencing homelessness is in the over 55 age group. Many of them have struggled with health issues, and the cost of care can wreck economic and social havoc.
Deb hopes to integrate House of Charity into the community in an even more meaningful way, and is looking for community members to help. House of Charity does kind, respectful, compassionate work 365 days a year, and they can do even more with additional help. How can you help? There are several ways:
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About Claudia Kittock
Hennepin County Requests Your Thoughts on the Washington Avenue Project
Via an e-newsletter from Hennepin County:
Washington Avenue and South 2nd Avenue intersection
Washington Avenue user survey
We want to better understand your experiences on Washington Avenue South (County Road 152) since the road was reconstructed.
In 2017 Hennepin County reconstructed Washington Avenue between Hennepin Avenue and 5th Avenue South in downtown Minneapolis. The project, completed in a partnership with the City of Minneapolis, updated the road for all users. New features include:
- cycle track and bicycle signals
- shortened crossing distances for people walking
- enhanced streetscaping, including trees, plantings and benches
- improved driving surfaces
- dedicated turn lanes at key intersections
Now that people have had some time to use these features, we are collaborating with the city to gather feedback from users like you. We have designed a survey for each type of road use. Please take whichever survey(s) best describe your typical use(s):
The surveys will close Friday, May 17.
North Loop Reconstruction and Pedestrian Improvements
Editor's note - This is the first of an ongoing series of updates as the North Loop Reconstruction and Pedestrian Improvements project advances.
North Loop Reconstruction & Pedestrian Improvements
The North Loop Reconstruction & Pedestrian Improvements Project consists of two separate projects:
- A full street reconstruction along 3rd St N between 10th Ave N and 5th Ave N
- A pedestrian improvement project generally bounded by 10th Ave N on the north, 1st Ave on the south, West River Parkway on the east, and 4th St N on the west
North Loop Reconstruction Updates
On May 6, 2019, the project began with brick paver removals on 5th Ave N. Next week the contractor will remove the roadway pavement and east sidewalk on 5th Ave N (between Washington to just past 4th St N). Once removals are complete CenterPoint Energy (CPE) access the site to install a 6" high pressure steel gas line. CPE's work is anticipated to take 7 weeks to complete. Once the gas main installation is complete the Contractor will return to 5th Ave N to begin underground utility work.
Upcoming Construction
7th Ave N (Washington to 4th St N, the contractor will jump over 3rd St N) removals will begin the week of May 13th. 7th Ave N will be closed to thru traffic.
Work expected for the week of May 13, 2019
- Asphalt milling on 5th and 7th Aves N
- CenterPoint Energy continue installing 6" gas line between 2nd St N and Washington
- CenterPoint Energy will start 4" gas replacement on 7th Ave N
- Continue salvaging brick pavers on 5th Ave N
- Begin pavement removals on 5th Ave N
- Begin pavement removals on 7th Ave N
Other Information
Bi-weekly stakeholder meetings will be held the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month from 7:30 am to 8:00 am to provide updates and to address any construction related question or concerns.
For more information on this project, visit the project website.
Upcoming Construction
Construction is scheduled to begin on June 3, 2019.
Traffic may be detoured around the work as crews move from intersection to intersection; however, the detours are anticipated to be short in duration and in distance (usually to the next block over).
For more information on this project, visit the project website.
