Kim Eslinger
Editor
612-321-8040
kim@millcitymedia.org

David Tinjum
Photographer
612-321-8020
dave@millcitymedia.org 

Mill City Times is a not-for-profit community service.  We do not sell advertising on this site.

Mill Ruins Park

As the centerpiece of the revitalization of Minneapolis' historic West Side Milling District, Mill Ruins Park combines an exploration of the history of Minneapolis with present day activities for all ages.

In its 19th-century heyday, this area of mills, canals, tailraces and other historic resources comprised the largest direct-drive water-powered facility in the world and was the leading international producer of flour, a commodity which was shipped both nationwide and worldwide.

This industrial powerhouse was the catalyst for the development of Minneapolis and the birthplace of a number of companies which remain significant to this day, including General Mills, Pillsbury, Washburn Crosby (WCCO), and Xcel Energy.

More info...

Father Hennepin Park

Father Hennepin Bluffs Park provides areas for picnicking and play.

The park offers direct access to footpaths and bridges that display a unique view of the Mississippi River Gorge, the downtown skyline and the Stone Arch Bridge.

The eight acre park is located at the corner of Main St. SE and 6th Ave. SE. Featuring a covered band stand, the park is a picturesque site for weddings.

A great place to listen to live weekly music events from spring through fall.

More info...

Stone Arch Bridge

Built in 1882-83 by James J. Hill's Minneapolis Union Railway Company, the Stone Arch Bridge is recognized as a National Civil Engineering Landmark.

The bridge provides a link between Father Hennepin Bluffs Park on the east bank, and Mill Ruins Park and West River Parkway on the west bank.

In 1994 the bridge was converted into a pedestrian and bike trail and offers a panoramic view of St. Anthony Falls.

Named winner of 2008 Best Place to Take Out-of-Town Guests in City Pages' ''Best of the Twin Cities.''

More info...

Gold Medal Park

Highlights of Gold Medal Park include:

- Over 300 mature, large-caliper trees planted.

- A landscaped 32-foot high observation mound, with a spiral walkway leading to the top.

- Sweeping, panoramic views of the Mississippi River and architectural and cultural landmarks in the area: the Stone Arch Bridge, the Guthrie Theater, and the Gold Medal Flour sign.

- Undulating pathways leading through the park mimic the flow of the river and lead park-goers to and from the Riverfront.

The park is a key attraction in the burgeoning Mill District neighborhood, which includes the Guthrie Theater, Mill City Museum, Mill City Farmers Market, MacPhail Center for Music, and Open Book.

More info...

Water Power Park

Never before has the general public been able to walk on this piece of land and experience the power of the mighty Mississippi River as it flows over St. Anthony Falls. You feel the power of the river, the spray from the falls as you stand on one of the three overlooks with the skyline of downtown Minneapolis in the back round.

Overlooking St. Anthony Falls located on the upper portion of Father Hennepin Island on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis Minnesota. Water Power Park is accessible from Main Street just across from St. Anthony Main. Park in the St. Anthony Falls Ramp and take the connecting tunnel to Main St. and you will find yourself just across the street from Water Power Park.

More info...

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Mill District Front Page News

Covering life, work, and play in the Historic Mill District and Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront neighborhoods. Have local news or events to share?  Contact us.

Sunday
Apr172011

Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) to be featured on the History Channel tonight, April 17

The Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) will be featured on the premier episode of the History Channel's newest show, America's Wake-Up Call.  Tune in tonight, April 17 at 9:00pm (CST) to the one-hour show that looks at America's infrastructure and the toll that time has taken on it.  Host Timothy Galarnyk, a safety inspector with more than 35 years of experience, sets out to explore the condition of infrastructure in cities throughout the U.S. – uncovering projects and structures that are deteriorating and finding examples that are working.
 
HERC and several other Hennepin County projects, including the construction of the Lowry Avenue bridge and the Hennepin County Transportation Department's use of technology for projects such as snowplowing and traffic signal timing, are featured as examples of how proactive decisions and well-maintained facilities can ensure the safety and efficient operation of our infrastructure.

Saturday
Apr162011

Turmoil at the Southern Theater

Financial troubles at the Southern Theater were recently reported in the Star Tribune and on MPR.  The McKnight Foundation asked for the return of $300,000 due to concerns of mismanagement.

Saturday
Apr162011

Countdown to May 7 Opening Day at the Mill City Farmers Market!

Hurray! Only 3 weeks until the May 7 Opening Day at the 2011 Mill City Farmers Market!

Each Saturday until opening day, we'll continue to post pictures and videos from the 2010 MCFM to help get you in the mood...

Mill City Farmers Market 2010

Mill City Farmers Market 2010

Mill City Farmers Market 2010

Mill City Farmers Market 2010

Mill City Farmers Market 2010 

Mill City Farmers Market 2010

Mill City Farmers Market 2010

Mill City Farmers Market 2010

Mill City Farmers Market 2010

See you there! :) 

 

Friday
Apr152011

This Weekend in Mill City / April 15 - 17  

It's a busy weekend in the Mill City, my hometown.  Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis and across the Stone Arch Bridge in Old St. Anthony.

Friday, April 15

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival Opening Weekend at the Festival Central Pavilion

McKnight Artist Fellowships For Writers Poetry Reading at the Open Book

Live Music at the Aster Cafe

Saturday, April 16

The 10th Annual Marcy Arts Partnership Gala at the Soap Factory

Big River Family Day at Mill City Museum

Clicks, Claps and Clunks: Family Event at MacPhail

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival Opening Weekend at the Festival Central Pavilion

Earth Day Clean Up at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park

Childish Films Shorts Fest! at Central Library

Mill City Farmers Market at Local D'lish

Open Book Family Day - Gutenburg Meets Google: The Future of Type in a Digital Age

Live Music at the Aster Cafe

Sunday, April 17

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival Opening Weekend at the Festival Central Pavilion

Race for Justice

Scratch vs. Mix: Which Brownie is Better? at Mill City Museum

Live Music at the Aster Cafe

Weekend Brunch

Saturday & Sunday

Brunch at Spoonriver
750 South 2nd St (at Chicago Ave S)
Minneapolis, MN 55401
612-436-2236

Reservations recommended

10:00am - 2:00pm

See the menu...

Saturday & Sunday

Brunch at the Aster Cafe
St. Anthony Main
125 SE Main Street
Minneapolis, MN 55414
612-379-3138

Until 2pm.

See the menu...

Sunday

Brunch at Spill the Wine
1101 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55415
612-339-3388

brunch buffet 10am- 2pm Sunday
$12/person (kids 3 and under eat free, 4-12 years are 1/2 price!)

includes: eggs, bacon, french toast, hash browns, fresh salad and fruit, pastries, build your own omlette bar and more...

featuring absolut bloody bar for $5.

also offering fair trade coffee and full bar.

Thursday
Apr142011

Tonight is Opening Night of the Annual Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival 2011 at St. Anthony Main Theatre @MSPFilmSociety

CELEBRATING THE BEST OF INTERNATIONAL AND INDEPENDENT FILM!
 
The Film Society of Minneapolis-St. Paul 2011 Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival is slated for April 14 through May 5.  They will be presenting over 170 films from some 50 countries at the five-screen St. Anthony Main Theatre.  For three weeks, the Twin Cities celebrates the arrival of the best of international and independent filmmaking in the region.

Click here for daily list of films.

Wednesday
Apr132011

Artspace Project - ArtCube - Still Alive Adjacent to the AAN HQ Project @artspaceusa

It's been some time since we've heard anything on the Artspace project next to the future home of the American Academy of Neurology HQ.  Promising news for the Mill District of Minneapolis.

From The Line:

$15 million ArtCube affordable artist live/work apartments in early stages

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2011

Artspace Projects, Inc. is in the middle of putting together the funding for a $15 million development to go on a parcel near the Guthrie Theater, on the eastern edge of downtown Minneapolis. 

The project, which has been dubbed ArtCube, includes 45 affordable live/work studios for artists; it's similar to another Artspace project in Northeast, called the Jac Flats (which The Line wrote about here), according to Heidi Kurtze, the group's property development director. 

Read the full article...