Hennepin County Works Year-round to Conserve Energy and Resources

Via an April 19 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Hennepin County works year-round to conserve energy and resources

This Earth Day, Hennepin County highlights four focus areas that staff are implementing to help protect the environment.
 
Powering with renewable solar energy

Hennepin County is one of 31 local governments in the Twin Cities metro area that are investing in solar energy through community solar gardens. The solar gardens will be constructed later this summer. Once they are up and running, Hennepin County will subscribe to eight solar gardens that will produce 3.7 million kWh of electricity annually. That’s equivalent to powering 400 homes or 4 percent of Hennepin County’s energy use.

This project recently won the 2017 Environmental Initiative Awards in the community action category.

Reducing energy use in county buildings

Hennepin County’s largest energy user is our buildings. In 2013, Hennepin County created a goal to reduce energy use in our buildings 20 percent by 2020—3 percent each year over 7 years. The county is on track to meet this goal, but will need to continue to prioritize conservation and efficiency. Success by 2020 means saving enough energy annually to power 35 out of our 41 Hennepin County libraries for the entire year.

Hennepin County uses a variety of technologies to save energy, including approximately 200,000 sensors inside buildings to monitor energy use. These sensors alert staff when there is a problem, saving about $1 million each year.

Nearly half of the county’s energy use is for heating and cooling buildings. Energy recovery wheels are used to return 70 percent of exhausted heat back into the building. LED lighting saves 60 percent of energy over standard lighting. Staff work behind the scenes to improve efficiencies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a daily basis.

Fighting emerald ash borer

Ash trees are threatened by emerald ash borer, an invasive tree pest from Asia. In Hennepin County alone, there are more than 1 million ash trees in yards, parks and streets. That’s about 15 percent of the tree canopy. Hennepin County is responding to the emerald ash borer threat by:

• Proactively removing and replacing ash trees.
• Inventorying and monitoring trees
• Diversifying trees in our communities

The county offers information about how to identify ash trees, sign of emerald ash borer, and options for managing ash trees.

Trees are an integral part of the natural resources system and provide numerous benefits including conserving energy, managing stormwater, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, filtering air, alleviating the urban heat-island effect, creating habitat, and enhancing the local food supply.

Reducing waste

Hennepin County is a national leader in recycling. In 2016, 82 percent of the waste generated in Hennepin County was diverted from landfills and reused, recycled, composted, or burned to create energy.

New initiatives include the Zero Waste Challenge, promoting food waste prevention, adding a recycling option for non-reusable clothing and linens at the county’s drop-off facilities, and expanding a reuse program at apartment buildings to collect furniture and other household goods.

These new initiatives complement the existing programs that continue to be strong include Master Recycler/Composter volunteers, Fix-It Clinics, recycling grants, medicine collection and environmental education.

Learn more about our latest recycling efforts in the 2016 Recycling Progress Report.

RSVP for April 29 Abiitan Mill City Grand Opening Event

Abiitan Mill City, downtown's first premier 55+ living community at 428 S 2nd Street, will host a Grand Opening celebration on April 29 from 1-4pm. Enjoy some great company and food while touring Abiitan's apartments and amenities, and learn about their upscale features and award-winning Memory Care services. RSVP Online

Hennepin County Has More Than 650 Miles of Bikeways

A recent e-newsletter from Hennepin County included a reminder that May is Bike Month, and Hennepin County has more than 650 miles of bikeways that connect people with places they want to go. Visit the Ride Hennepin website for tips, events and an interactive county bike map.

Bushel & Peck - Tasty New Brunch/Lunch Option in the Mill City Museum

If you've visited the Mill City Museum this month, you may have noticed D'Amico's is now Bushel & Peck, a new café part of the D'Amico family where you'll find healthy cuisine created from farm-fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Members of the B & P team (left to right) Sarah, Zack, Will, Maryah and Maddy the weekend manager.

The Bushel & Peck staff is welcoming and accommodating, and you'll find the updated seating area comfortable. It's modern, yet fits in with its historic surroundings.

The weekend brunch menu includes seasonal mimosas and the Bushel Bloody Mary. The BBM has a kick, and I'll take a Brussels sprout garnish over celery any day! Wine and beer are also available.

Service with a smile - Maryah delivers our order of Avocado Toast.

I would happily enjoy everything on the menu, but on this visit we opted for the Avocado Toast, Bushel Burger and Eggs Benedict. (Next time it will be Swedish Pancakes and Farmers Market Frittata for sure!)

As a member of the "clean your plate" club, I appreciate the portion size. These dishes are in tune with what the average person should have for a meal.

As luck would have it, Chef Josh Brown was in the house and generously took time from his busy schedule to chat with us. He shared his philosophy for creating delicious dishes with a limited number of quality ingredients. As an example, the avocado spread on the Avocado Toast has only a few ingredients, but wow, so much flavor!

Bushel & Peck is open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00am - 4:30pm; Sundays Noon - 4:30pm. They will also be open Mondays in July and August.

Click here for additional pictures, taken by local photographer Katrina Hannemann. Stay tuned - a Press Release is coming out this week. In the mean time, check out the menu!

Catch the zAmya Theater Showcase 'Portraits: Looking Forward, Looking Back' at Central Library April 19 and 23

Article by Claudia Kittock

zAmya Theater Showcase - Portraits: Looking Forward, Looking Back

If you haven't been to a zAmya performance, you are in for a treat. zAmya Theater Project is a unique creative process that brings together homeless and housed individuals to create and perform a theatrical production. zAmya turns “homeless” from a word back into a person, or persons. These are living, breathing, laughing, singing persons who act — yes, act — in entertaining, genre-defying productions that are guaranteed to change your mind, if not your life.

Please join zAmya at the Minneapolis Central Library on April 19 at 6:30pm or on April 23 at 3:00pm for a performance of their new production, Portraits: Looking Forward, Looking Back. The performances are free and open to the public. Get out your date books!

Claudia can be reached at claudia@millcitymedia.org

Section of West River Parkway "Trail" (not the road) Will be Closed Monday-Friday Next 2 Weeks

Closure necessary for repair and preventative maintenance on Guthrie Theater Endless Bridge

West River Parkway Trail will be closed between Portland Avenue and 11th Avenue S, Monday-Friday over the next two weeks. The closure is necessary for repair and preventative maintenance on the Guthrie Theater's Endless Bridge, which juts out over the parkway and trail.

The parkway will remain open to motorized traffic. Trail users will be detoured west to 2nd Street. The trail closure begins Monday morning, April 17 and will continue until Friday evening, April 21. The closure will be suspended over the weekend and resume Monday morning, April 24 until work is completed later that week.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board appreciates the public's patience while this project is completed.

Washington Avenue Reconstruction Update

Via an April 14 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Crews continue replacing storm sewer pipes and watermains underneath the roadway. Additional utility crews will be relocating telecommunications, gas and electric utilities in the project area. Curb and gutter concrete will be poured at 3rd Avenue this week.

New work at two intersections:

2nd Avenue South work begins
Beginning Tuesday, April 18, crews will begin working on the east side of 2nd Avenue South. Crews will be closing 2nd Avenue South between 3rd Street South and Washington Avenue to all through traffic, except buses. Weather permitting, this closure will last approximately four weeks.

Marquette Avenue work begins
Also beginning Tuesday, April 18, crews will begin working on the east side of Marquette Avenue. Crews will be closing Marquette Avenue between 3rd Street South and Washington Avenue to all through traffic. Southbound bus traffic will not be affected. There will be no street parking on the east side of this block during this work. This closure will last approximately three weeks, weather permitting.

Interim alternate routes
The closures on 2nd Avenue South and Marquette Avenue will not affect traffic on 3rd Avenue South or Hennepin Avenue South. These closures are necessary to remove and replace curbs and gutters, pavement, and relocate/install new underground utilities.

Get more information
Contact the project at washingtonave@hennepin.us or 612-543-3722.

Help Plan Upcoming Improvements at Sheridan Memorial Park!

Sheridan Memorial Park centers on a 30-foot diameter sculpture by local artist Robert Smart.  

Project will add picnic shelter, playground and pathways to riverfront park in 2018

Sheridan Memorial Park will receive more than $1 million in park improvements in 2018, including a picnic shelter, playground and pathways. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is hosting three community meetings over the next few months to gather public feedback that will help shape the project.

The first meeting is Wednesday, April 26, 2017, 6-8 pm at East Side Neighborhood Services (ESNS), 1700 2nd St. NE. At the meeting, interested community members and park users will receive a project overview and be asked preferences regarding various project elements.

At the second meeting, scheduled Wednesday, May 24, 2017, 6-8 pm at ESNS, up to three alternatives will be unveiled for site layout and the building and playground design. At the third meeting, Wednesday, June 21, 2017, also 6-8 at ESNS, the preferred design option will be presented and discussed.

Concept approval by MPRB Commissioners is scheduled for fall 2017 following a public hearing. Construction bids will be awarded over winter 2017-2018 and the park improvements will be built during spring-summer 2018.

Some site work will occur at the park in the coming months in preparation for 2018 construction, including soil cleanup at the park paid for through a Hennepin County Environmental Response Fund grant.

A scene from the 2014 Sheridan Riverfront Festival

Public Meetings:

Meeting #1

  Date: April 26, 2017

  Time: 6-8 pm

  Location: East Side Neighborhood Services

  Address: 1700 2nd St. NE

  Topic: Project overview and discuss community preferences

Meeting #2

  Date: May 24, 2017

  Time: 6-8 pm

  Location: East Side Neighborhood Services

  Address: 1700 2nd St. NE

  Topic: Design alternatives unveiled and discussed

Meeting #3

  Date: June 21, 2017

  Time: 6-8 pm

  Location: East Side Neighborhood Services

  Address: 1700 2nd St. NE

  Topic: Discuss preferred design option

Minneapolis City Council Approves New $1.5 Million Fund to Preserve Affordable Housing

Via an April 14 News Release from the City of Minneapolis:

Today, the City Council approved $1.5 million for the Minneapolis Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) Preservation Fund to assist non-profit housing providers to acquire and preserve NOAH rental property in Minneapolis. 

NOAH generally refers to unsubsidized multifamily rental housing affordable to households with incomes at or below 60 percent of the area median income ($51,480 for a family of four.)  Rents in NOAH units average between $550 and $1,200 per month. Minneapolis has about 23 percent of the NOAH units in the seven-county metropolitan area, or about 38,000 units.  The strong real estate market and low rental vacancy rate (2.7% regionally) has made these properties more attractive to investors, leading to increased sales, higher rents and displacement of tenants who cannot afford increased rents.

“Housing is a basic human right,” said Mayor Betsy Hodges. “I’m proud to have led this innovative approach to help ensure we stop losing more affordable housing than we can build, and I’m thankful to the Council for helping make this investment a reality.”

“We need to do what we can to stop the unnecessary displacement of tenants when affordable housing is sold specifically to upgrade units and mark up rent,” said Council Member Lisa Goodman, Chair of Community Development Y Regulatory Services Committee.  “Assisting buyers who actually care about low income tenants and support affordable housing preservation to purchase these buildings and preserve them is critical right now given the crisis in affordable housing availability.”

Minneapolis has experienced a disproportionate share of these sales.  In 2016, Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP) released Sold Out, a report stating from 2010-2015, Minneapolis saw the greatest number of apartment property sales compared to all other communities in the metropolitan region:  355 property sales comprising 10,512 units.  This represents 41% of all apartment sales in the metro region during that period.

In Minneapolis, approximately 53% of residents live in rental housing and about half of them are considered “cost burdened,” meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on rent.  Over the last decade, the City of Minneapolis has led the region in both its investment in and production and preservation of affordable housing units.  Still, there are about 10,000 fewer rental housing units in the city affordable to low-income households than there were in 2000, and cost burden rates for low income renters have increased from 64% to 74%.

In response to this affordable housing crisis, the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, with the support of the McKnight Foundation, Minnesota Housing, Hennepin County, and private investors, launched a new regional $25 million affordable housing impact fund, or the NOAH Impact Fund, in 2017.  The NOAH Impact Fund provides a source of funds for socially minded owner-operators to acquire and preserve the affordability of NOAH properties.  

To further help socially minded developers and preserve/create affordable housing in Minneapolis, in 2016, the City approved changes to its investment policy to permit investment in mortgage backed securities issued by Freddie Mac where the underlying mortgages are for NOAH properties located in Minneapolis.  Minneapolis’ investment in these securities would result in lower interest rate financing for purchasers of NOAH properties.

Also in 2016, Freddie Mac Multifamily launched a pilot initiative in collaboration with NorthMarq Capital, Mercy Housing, CommonBond Communities, and National Housing Trust (NHTCDF) to match nonprofit housing providers with socially conscious investors to finance NOAH acquisitions.

The Minneapolis NOAH Preservation Fund of $1.5 million directly supports the efforts of the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund NOAH Impact Fund of $25 million and Freddie Mac pilot program. Non-profit housing providers working with these initiatives are eligible to request funds from the Minneapolis NOAH Impact Fund.

Road Closures for Saturday, April 15, Hot Chocolate 5K/15K

The following roads will be closed from 7:30am-12pm for the Hot Chocolate 5K/15K:

SE Main Street
Stone Arch Bridge
West River Parkway - from Plymouth Ave to E 27th St.

Click here for the full course map and additional info on this event.

Water Works Park Update: Community Invited to View Water Works Design Progress

Two open houses will be held on Monday, May 1, 5:30-8pm, at Mill City Museum, and Tuesday, May 2, 11:30am-1:30pm, at the Water Works site

RSVP for the May 1 Event...

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the Minneapolis Parks Foundation are hosting two community open houses to inform the public about progress on the Water Works project. Water Works is a transformative park development project adjacent to St. Anthony Falls and the Stone Arch Bridge that will bring significant new historic, cultural, and recreational amenities to the most iconic location in Minneapolis and the region. The open houses will be held 6-8pm, Monday, May 1, at Mill City Museum, and 11:30am-1:30pm, Tuesday, May 2, at the Water Works site.

In 2016, the Minneapolis Park Board retained, in partnership with the Parks Foundation, a multi-disciplinary design team headed by Damon Farber Landscape Architects and HGA Architects to complete schematic design through construction administration for phase one of the Water Works project, known as the Mezzanine Phase. The 106 Group, a cultural resources consultant, has been working with the design team on identifying significant historical and architectural resources on the site. Construction is slated to begin in 2018, with completion in 2019.

Water Works open house agendas

At both open houses, community members will be able to see updated designs and hear from Park Board and Parks Foundation staff and the design team. Registration is not required for either public meeting.

The Monday, May 1, open house will begin at 6pm and be preceded by a walking tour of the Water Works site at 5:30. Following the tour, the meeting will proceed with a presentation by Park Board and Parks Foundation staff and design team members, followed by one-on-one discussion and opportunities to comment on the designs.

The Tuesday, May 2, meeting will have no prepared presentation. Community members are invited to stop by and speak with staff and designers, view the designs, and share their comments. In case of inclement weather, the alternate location for the May 2 meeting is the Crown Roller Building, First Floor Innovation Room, 105 S 5th Ave, Minneapolis.

RSVP for the May 1 Event...

Prince Tribute Book 'Dig if You Will the Picture' Event April 20 at Minneapolis Visitor Information

Via an April 12 e-newsletter from Meet Minneapolis:

Dig if You Will the Picture, tribute to Prince, cover artist book signing April 20

A year has come and gone since the passing of Prince, Minneapolis’ most beloved musical legend. In his honor, New York Times bestselling author Ben Greenman has penned a beautiful biography on the life of the late pop sensation, titled Dig if You Will the Picture. The cover art for the book, which surely had to be as vibrant as Prince himself, was created by local Minneapolis artist, Kristi Abbott. Both the book and cover are a unique and kaleidoscopic look into the life, legacy, and electricity of the pop legend and his wide-ranging impact on our culture.
 
From 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, Prince fans are invited to a special book signing with Abbott. Copies of the book will be available along with prints of the cover, pint glasses, and an assortment of other products for the public to both purchase and have signed by Abbott. Snacks and light refreshments will be available. Hosted by Love From Minneapolis, the event will take place at Minneapolis Visitor Information on Nicollet, 505 Nicollet Mall Suite 100.
 
Steve Noonan, a former sound engineer for Prince, will play original music during the event.
 
ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS
 
Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit to the greater Minneapolis area.
 
Meet Minneapolis is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of the Destination Marketing Association International.
 
CONNECT MEET MINNEAPOLIS!
Online: http://www.minneapolis.org/ and for deals & exclusive experiences: http://go.minneapolis.org/
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/meetminneapolis?ref=ts
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/meetminneapolis
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meetminneapolis/
On Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/meetminneapolis/
#askMPLS: Use this hashtag to get answers to all your Minneapolis questions from our team

My North Series - 52 Minnesota Stories Leading up to the 2018 Super Bowl (Episodes 6-10)

Count down to Super Bowl 52 with this weekly video series of 52 love letters to Minnesota from notable Minnesotans. My North is an editorial video series created by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine and presented by Explore Minnesota. Hear from tastemakers and stylemakers. Artists and athletes. Authors and entertainers. These are their odes to the state they love. Below are episodes 6-10 - click here to see more! 

Construction to Begin on Downtown View, a 5-Story Housing Development in Mpls for Homeless Youth

Via an April 10 News Release:

New 46-unit housing development in downtown Minneapolis aims to transform lives of homeless youth 

5-story YouthLink & PPL partner project to provide housing and services for youth, 18 - 24

Downtown View, a $17 million, five-story partner development project with YouthLink and Project for Pride in Living (PPL) will begin construction next week to provide 46 units of high quality housing and supportive services for youth experiencing homelessness, ages 18 – 24.  YouthLink, which serves more than 2,000 homeless youth every year, can change the life trajectory for youth experiencing homelessness by connecting them to housing, education, employment, mental and physical health support, and other resources that eliminate suffering and dependence on social services.

On any given night, 6,000 young people are experiencing homelessness in Minnesota. Downtown View will support this population by providing critical units of housing and collaborating with nearly 30 agencies working to end youth homelessness. By transforming the individual lives of young people experiencing homelessness, Downtown View will contribute in a significant and measurable way to reducing disparities, lowering social-service costs, and improving the workforce outlook across the Twin Cities region. 

Downtown View, which will connect to YouthLink’s existing Minneapolis headquarters, will provide a unique resource to residents in three key ways: by serving older youth; by focusing services on youths’ long-term goals; and by utilizing the wealth of services offered in YouthLink’s existing Youth Opportunity Center. The development will also include a Career Pathways Center, a resident fitness area, access to mental health support, and employment/education navigation.

All of the $11.8 million in public funding has been secured to complement YouthLink’s $6 million comprehensive campaign, which includes a lead gift of $500,000 from the Pohlad Family Foundation.  Other major donations include: Buuck Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation, Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association, The Patrick & Aimee Butler Family Foundation, Ronald and Joan Cornwell, and the John and Denise Graves Family Foundation.

“We know investing in young people experiencing homelessness has long-term positive outcomes for both the young person and for our community,” says Dr. Heather Huseby, executive director of YouthLink.  “With the creation of 46 much-needed units of safe, supportive housing, expansion of the Youth Opportunity center, and a Career Pathways Center, we will increase economic and education opportunities and equity for young people.”

Designed by UrbanWorks Architecture, the unique housing project will be developed by PPL and built by Greiner Construction.  Groundbreaking ceremonies will be held at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday April 18 at the new site, located at 41 N. 12th St. in downtown Minneapolis.

Construction is expected to be completed by late 2017 before cold weather season begins.

About YouthLink

For over 40 years, YouthLink has provided a safe and supportive refuge, along with the resources needed by young people experiencing homelessness. Last year, more than 2,200 young people from the Twin Cities accessed YouthLink—which is also home of the Youth Opportunity Center (YOC)—in downtown Minneapolis. At the YOC, YouthLink and over 30 community partner agencies come together to provide a holistic array of services to help young people become educated, employable, and stably housed.

About Project for Pride in Living 

Founded in 1972, Project for Pride in Living (PPL) empowers thousands of individuals and families with lower incomes to reach self-reliance through affordable housing, employment readiness and job placement. We work together with participants to create vibrant, equitable, and diverse communities filled with residents who have achieved stability and are contributing to the regional economy. Last year alone, more than 14,200 people moved into affordable housing, earned higher incomes, improved their academic skills and gained economic independence with the help of PPL.

North Loop Clinic and Pharmacy opens Monday, April 17

Via an e-newsletter from Hennepin County Medical Center:

North Loop Clinic and Pharmacy opens Monday, April 17
Open House set for Wednesday, April 26

The North Loop Clinic and Pharmacy, located on the first floor of the Tractor Works Building at 800 Washington Avenue, opens on April 17 in the North Loop neighborhood and central business district in downtown Minneapolis. The clinic is owned by Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc.

“We’re excited to make our health care and pharmacy services available to people who live and work in the vibrant North Loop area,” said clinic medical director Dr. Jane Hess. “We look forward to partnering with our new neighbors to achieve and maintain their health care goals.”

North Loop Clinic was designed to give patients convenient access to the care they need – when they need it – while connecting them to the comprehensive services and expertise available through Hennepin Healthcare System.

The 6,312 square foot neighborhood clinic provides a full range of care for everyone in the family, including family/pediatric medicine, dermatology, allergy, women’s health (certified nurse midwives, OB/GYN specialists), integrative health (acupuncture, chiropractic), laboratory services and a convenient, on-site pharmacy.

“In addition to general dermatologic care, we are also offering cosmetic dermatology at the clinic,” explains Dr. Hess. “Botox, micro needling, cosmetic fillers, chemical peels and other procedures are available, and our adjoining pharmacy will carry a variety of cosmetic products.”

North Loop Clinic and Pharmacy offers same day and next day appointments, as well as evening and Saturday hours. Walk-in appointments and new patients are welcome.

The public is invited to an Open House at North Loop Clinic and Pharmacy on Wednesday, April 26 from 4-7pm. Clinic providers and staff look forward to meeting visitors, and giving tours and health demonstrations. Refreshments will also be served.

North Loop Clinic is the eighth neighborhood clinic to join Hennepin Healthcare System. In 2018, a 325,000 square foot Specialty Center opens on 8th Street across from Hennepin County Medical Center, offering convenient access to many of the hospital’s downtown campus clinics and outpatient services. For more information about North Loop Clinic and Pharmacy or to schedule an appointment, call 612.873.6963 or go to www.hcmc.org/northloop.

Upcoming Performances by Friends of the Mill District Singers

Article by Claudia Kittock, Photos by Rick Kittock

After the first 6 sessions of this cycle of rehearsals, the Friends of the Mill District Singers are better than ever. Averaging 45 singers/rehearsal, we are singing with great enthusiasm, and our skills are improving weekly. Every rehearsal brings us new members, and our roster now tops out at 155!

We have upcoming performances that you won’t want to miss. We are singing at the Capri Theater in North Minneapolis on May 16 at 7:00pm. The performance will include the MacPhail Community Youth Choir, the Capri Glee!, and the Friends of the Mill District Singers. Don’t miss it! The last performance there was standing room only.

The Friends of the Mill District Singers will also be featured at the Loring Park Music Festival on June 10th at 2:00pm. It is an outdoor music festival. Mark your calendars.

We will end our spring session with a performance at a Minnesota Twins game in June, singing ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’ during the 7th inning stretch. Watch for the date!

This is a vibrant, exciting part of our community. Membership is open to all that are interested.  Come join us!  It only takes one rehearsal to get hooked.  Our next rehearsal is on April 22 at 2:00pm on the 8th floor of the Guthrie. If you're interested, contact cjkittock@gmail.com. 

Hanging Out With One of Our Resident Eagles

Thank you to local resident Lee Munnich for sharing this picture.

If you're not familiar with this nest, it's located in a big old (cottonwood?) tree along the running/biking/utility road across from the Stone Arch Apartments (just off of Father Hennepin Bluff Park). Until the leaves fill in, you can see it from the 35W Bridge.

Our Neighborhood Connections - It All Starts With Asking a Question

Article by Claudia Kittock, Photos by Rick Kittock

A group of friends, 3 residents and 1 business owner in the Mill District, decided to form a neighborhood charity in January of 2016. The history of our neighborhood is very short. Fewer than 300 people lived in the Mill District in the early 1990s, and in a very short time we have grown to approximately 5000 residents. It seemed obvious to the founders of Friends of the Mill District that this was a neighborhood without a well-formed sense of community yet, and that became an integral part of the mission of this group, “...to build community in the Mill District by connecting, convening, and supporting our neighbors.”

I always believed that connections implied people with money, so was baffled when the members of our charity urged me to use my connections. How could I? My husband and I are teachers and the idea that we have connections with people with significant money is not true. However, I have found that the connection part of our mission has been a series of epiphanies, each one more unexpected than the one before. Each of these moments has been filled with a reminder of the goodness of people and the quiet kindness of so many.

 “Why isn’t there more music in the
neighborhood...you know, like a choir?”
The simple answer to that question was,
“I don’t know, but I will find out.”

This story is about the first and most powerful lesson I learned and continue to learn. Listen...tell your story...ask for help...and be prepared to be stunned by the responses of the good and kind people in this community. Change can only happen person to person, and that is the essence of the work we all need to do. Connections matter. Not the connections that lead to power, but the human connections that build us all up. I am better and stronger because of the people I know and count as a friend. 

Here is the latest example:

The Friends of the Mill District Singers has been one such endeavor. It began on a run. A group of neighbors, who enjoyed running together, decided to form a neighbor running group and invited residents from Emanuel Housing to be part from the beginning. Emanuel is a 101-unit sober, supportive, permanent housing program that serves economically disadvantaged single men and women.

We discovered the commonality of running was a means to become friends. On these runs we talked about running, the neighborhood, and our diverse backgrounds. During one of these runs, a friend brought up music and asked the question, “Why isn’t there more music in the neighborhood...you know, like a choir?” The simple answer to that question was, “I don’t know, but I will find out.” When I asked a MacPhail Center for Music employee the same question, she promised to do some research. Within a week, she suggested MacPhail might be willing to help us set up a pilot project to find out if we could make a choir a reality and offered us JD Steele as the director and his brother, Fred, as the accompanist.

As we have grown to 151 singers on our roster, we have worked hard to be inclusive. 100 of our singers are women, 35 are people living below the poverty line, and each new session of rehearsals brings us new singers and friends. We have sung at venues as diverse as the MacPhail Music Matters Luncheon to the 7th Inning Stretch at a Minnesota Twins games. Through it all, we have found friends and community through a shared joy of singing.

How did this happen? Did you follow the connections? Friend from Emanuel - discussion with people at MacPhail - pilot funding from DMNA - donation of rehearsal space from the Guthrie, Mill City Museum, MacPhail, American Academy of Neurology and First Covenant Church -JD and Fred Steele - Friends of the Mill District Charity - community members who sing and support the choir - Emanuel Housing - Alliance Apartments - Harbor Lights - Minnesota Regional Arts Council funding - contributions from Cynthia Froid Group and American Academy of Neurology - Minnesota Twins - Holidazzle -  Park Music Festival - they just keep coming!

Yet another example of connections started in December when Linda Brandt, a singer with the Friends of the Mill City Singers, asked a friend and fellow singer from Alliance Apartments if she could come and play Christmas Carols and host a sing-a-long. She told me about the sorry state of the piano there and asked if we could do something about it.

For the past few months, I have been combing the ads on Craigslist, looking for a free piano. None seemed to fit, so I posted an ad on NextDoor.com. Within 24 hours, I had 4 people offering me a piano. The one that intrigued me was an upright grand and the owner, Suzanne Stenson O’Brien, lived near Alliance.

I shared the story with a group of singers, and at the end of the rehearsal another singer, Anne Carrier, handed me a sheet of paper. When I got home, I realized it was a check that would cover the cost of moving the piano and tuning it.

On Monday, April 3, the piano arrived. 45 minutes later the tuner brought the piano back to life, and residents were waiting to play it as we all left. Can you count the number of connections that were needed to make this happen? Linda Brandt, choir member - Susan Stenson O’Brien who donated the piano - Anne Carrier donated the money for moving the piano and tuning - Karen Johnson, manager at Alliance - Miami, Angie, Brenda, Glenda and all the other singers from Alliance - JD Steele and Fred Steele who lead us in making the music - Next Door.com where I placed the ad asking for a free piano - Claudia Kittock (me) who asked the questions - and the connections keep growing!

Here’s what I have learned about connections. Ask questions. Tell the story. People have kind hearts and an endless capacity for helping. All it takes is the willingness to talk to one another and wait for the love to show up. Doing this work has changed my life. Join me and it will change yours!

Claudia can be reached at claudia@millcitymedia.org.

Washington Avenue Reconstruction Update

Via an April 7 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Reconstruction work has begun

As you may have noticed, reconstruction began two weeks ago, on March 27, 2017. Crews started removing pavement in the Eastbound lanes between Hennepin Avenue and 2nd Avenue.

With pavement gone, they will be removing and replacing water and storm sewer as well as utilities relocation. This will be the major focus of activity for the next few weeks.

Getting around the area

Eastbound Washington Avenue traffic will be detoured via Hennepin Avenue, 4th Street, and 5th Avenue. This detour will last the duration of the project, with expected completion in August 2017.
Some short-term lane reductions are possible, however westbound Washington Avenue will remain open through 2017.

Stay safe

It is important to obey the speed limits and stay alert in this area, including during the evenings and weekends. Traffic changes, construction crews, equipment and work areas near the roadway can create unexpected situations.

The county appreciates residents’ patience and understanding during these projects and activities. We remind people to slow down when traveling past construction sites and county crews and to allow for extra time when traveling during construction season.

Get more information

Learn more and sign up for project updates at www.hennepin.us/washingtonave.  Contact the project at washingtonave@hennepin.us or 612-543-3722. 

Minneapolis Youth Employment Program STEP-UP to Provide Job Interview Experience to Over 1,700 Youth April 10-13 at the Convention Center

Via an April 7 News Release from Community Planning and Economic Development:

Minneapolis Youth Employment Program STEP-UP to Provide Job Interview Experience to Over 1,700 Youth

Over 400 Twin Cities Business Professionals and Community Volunteers to Provide One-on-One Interviews and Feedback to Youth at Minneapolis Convention Center April 10-13
During STEP-UP Mock Interviews

Next Monday-Thursday, April 10-13, over 1,700 Minneapolis youth and 400 Twin Cities business professionals and community volunteers will descend on the Minneapolis Convention Center for four nights for the 14th Annual STEP-UP youth employment program Mock Interviews.  Organized by City of Minneapolis STEP-UP partner organization AchieveMpls, these practice interviews match youth who are preparing for summer internships at top Twin Cities organizations with experienced professionals and community volunteers eager to share their skills and expertise with the future of the workforce.

“It is great to see our diversity represented in the STEP-UP interns each year with hundreds of talented future leaders paving the road for a more prosperous Minneapolis,” said Mayor Betsy Hodges. “The future of our city is in the hands of our youth, and the time and resources we invest today in them is crucial for sustaining our growth. Thank you to all the volunteers that have taken the time out of their day to help prepare tomorrow’s workforce.”

The Mock Interviewsare scheduled from 4:45 - 6:15 p.m. each night at the Minneapolis Convention Center (Room 103, 1301 Second Avenue South).  The 400-plus volunteers will include employees from over 130 Twin Cities companies, nonprofits and public agencies, including Target (53), Workday Foundation (50), U.S. Bank (36), Wells Fargo (36), Best Buy (34), Xcel Energy (33), and Accenture (23). 

Prior to the interviews, each STEP-UP program applicant completes 7-14 hours of work readiness training depending on their age and program level. The trainings, directed by AchieveMpls and certified by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, focus on workplace behavior, professional communication, problem solving, professionalism, interview skills, resume writing, and other skills.

“The annual STEP-UP Mock Interviewsare invaluable for interns by providing an opportunity to build their confidence and apply what they’ve learned about the interview process in a real-life scenario,” says Katie Petersen, Bremer Bank Senior Human Resources Manager and a STEP-UP Achieve supervisor. “They’re also an excellent way to connect STEP-UP interns with potential employers in the community. In addition, it’s very satisfying for our Bremer Bank volunteers to help these hardworking, eager-to-learn students hone their interview skills by providing helpful feedback and encouragement.”

The Mock Interviews allow interns to put their new skills to the test in what for many, is their first professional job interview.  The interviews last about 15 minutes.  Following, the volunteers coach each STEP-UP intern, modeling professional communication by providing respectful, candid feedback to help them strengthen their skills and confidence. 

“I’m so thankful for each and every person who has made STEP-UP so amazing,” said STEP-UP intern Hafsa Hassan. “It has changed my life. STEP-UP is helping build bright futures for the leaders of tomorrow and I would love to be a mentor one day and help others students get the best of this experience.”

Founded in 2004, the City of Minneapolis STEP-UP youth employment program has created over 24,000 valuable workplace experiences for Minneapolis youth ages 14-21. Managed in partnership with AchieveMpls with support from the Minnesota WorkForce Centers, and Project for Pride and Living (PPL), STEP-UP recruits, trains and places Minneapolis youth in jobs with a wide range of top Twin Cities businesses, nonprofits and public agencies, building a stronger future workforce for our knowledge-based regional economy. STEP-UP serves populations that face the greatest barriers to employment, particularly youth from low-income families, youth of color, youth from recent immigrant families, and youth with disabilities.

Learn more about STEP-UP on the City of Minneapolis’ website. Follow STEP-UP activities and events all year long via @STEPUPMpls on Facebook, Instagram or with hashtag #STEPUPMpls.