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.
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.
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:
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
7th Ave N
WORK ANTICIPATED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS WEEK AND NEXT WEEK
5th Ave N
7th Ave N
MISCELLANEOUS
8th Ave N – Tentatively planning to begin work at this location right after Memorial Day
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A total of 438 units of affordable housing will be supported through AHIF in 2019, including:
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.
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:
Together, TOD funded projects will contribute to:
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.
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.
Via a May 13 News Release from Rhythmically Speaking:
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.
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.
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).
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.
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
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:
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.
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:
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
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.
Editor's note - This is the first of an ongoing series of updates as the Hennepin Avenue Downtown Reconstruction project advances.
Hennepin Avenue Downtown Reconstruction Project
Hennepin Ave. reconstruction project, led by City of Minneapolis Public Works, will be reconstructed between 12th Street and Washington Avenue beginning Spring 2019. The project will reconstruct the pavement from building face to building face, including improvements to public and private utility infrastructure, and improved infrastructure for pedestrians, bicycles, transit, and vehicles.
Latest Project News
Private Utility crews have been installing new fiber optic conduits this past week from 10th to 12th and plan to be complete down to 11th this week.
CenterPoint Energy and Clearway Energy have continued their work between 7th and 8th Streets installing new condensate and gas mains. They plan to wrap up the services this week in that block.
What's Coming Up
Next week the fiber optic work will continue between 11th and 12th Streets, and CenterPoint will continue replacing the gas main across the 7th Street intersection. The Sanitary Sewer replacement work will begin at 9th Street. This work will stretch from 8th to 10th. At this time the traffic lanes will be moved to the outer most lanes, maintaining 1-lane in each direction through the work zones. Refer to PDF below for more details.
8th Street will be closed east of Hennepin.
Looking ahead, private utility work is planned to begin in June between Washington and 4th St.
For more information on this project contact:
Construction Manager, hennepinCM@minneapolismn.gov or 612-225-4049
Mill City Summer Opera returns to the Mill City Museum this July with Così fan Tutte, considered to be one of Mozart’s most “controversial” operas. It will be sung in Italian with English supertitles.
Opening night performance is July 12, including a gala reception at 6pm and reserved seating for the 7:30p performance, plus a dazzling after-party with the cast to cap off the evening. Opening night tickets are available now.
Additonal show dates are July 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24, and those tickets will be available May 14.
Survivors Memorial at Boom Island Park
A memorial to survivors of sexual violence has been proposed at Boom Island Park. The memorial, 30 feet wide with a circle of benches and three mosaic panels, would be built as early as this summer.
Mill City Times | 35W Bridge Memorial | Mill District Block Party | Mill City Media
Friday, May 17, 2019 at 7:25AM