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.
Planning Commission Meeting
4:30PM - Room 317
The 3 projects below are on the agenda, download site plans:
Thresher Square Project (36MB)
Superior Plating Project (56MB)
316 6th Ave N Apartment Project (25MB)
The development proposal from Graco for the commercial portion of the future Sherer/Halls Island Park was met with a fair amount of scorn last week at the July 1 Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board meeting. See the video above.
Download the Site Plan, will illustrations... (9MB)
NEWS COVERAGE OF THE ONGOING GRACO MPRB SQUABBLE
PARK BOARD DUMPS ON GRACO PROPOSAL, KEEPS IT ALIVE FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS
PROPOSAL AT PARK BOARD MAY AUTHORIZE PARK DEVELOPMENT BY GRACO
JUDGE GRANTS CONDEMNATION FOR GRACO EASEMENT
MINNEAPOLIS PARK BOARD APPROVES GRACO EASEMENT FOR TRAIL ACCESS
GRACO EASEMENT PROPOSAL HEADS TO MINNEAPOLIS PARK BOARD
PARK BOARD VOTES TO CONDEMN NORTHEAST LAND IF GRACO DEAL CAN'T BE REACHED
GRACO IS UNFAIRLY HOLDING TRAIL HOSTAGE
Via a July 5 Minneapolis Park and Rec Board e-newsletter:
Veit and Companies, a Minnesota contractor, will begin work on the permanent repairs of the failed slope (mudslide) on July 6, 2015. Initially, they will be working six days each week. The construction area, between 4th Street S and the Franklin Avenue bridge will remain closed until repairs are complete, currently estimated to be around October 31, 2015. Please use the posted detours.
The slope repair consists of constructing five retaining walls located both on MPRB property and on Fairview – University of Minnesota Medical Center property. Please see the project webpage for further details (or go to www.minneapolisparks.org/currentprojects and select "West River Parkway Slope Repair").
Concurrent with the repair of the failed slope, the Franklin Avenue Bridge is also undergoing reconstruction. Hennepin County is funding and managing this project. The work on the west pier of this bridge this fall and replacement of the bridge decking (summer 2016) will affect West River Parkway. The contractor, Kraemer NA is using the south portion of Bohemian Flats to prepare the pre-cast concrete decking. For more information on the Franklin Ave Bridge reconstruction, or to sign up for updates, please see Hennepin County's website.
Franklin Avenue Bridge construction updates
West River Parkway closure extends south of Franklin Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis
West River Parkway has been closed north of the Franklin Avenue Bridge since June 2014 due to mudslide repair work that will be completed by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board.
The closure extension is needed for construction crews to restore the bridge and apply new concrete. Hennepin County is doing this work earlier in the project so that W. River Parkway can open over the winter months once this season’s bridge and mudslide repair work are complete.
To summarize the detours:
•North on West River Parkway to east on Franklin Avenue: No change.
•North on West River Parkway to west on Franklin Avenue: Follow E. 25th Street to S. 31st Avenue. Then take a left on Franklin Avenue.
•East on Franklin Avenue to south on W. River Parkway: No change.
•West on Franklin Avenue to south on W. River Parkway: Follow S. 31st Avenue to E. 25th Street and take a right on W. River Parkway
Alternating bike and pedestrian lane closures begin June 29
Starting June 29, contractors will be installing a platform underneath the Franklin Avenue Bridge. During platform installation, bike and pedestrian lanes will only be open on one side of the bridge; lane closures will alternate every few days. All pedestrians and bicyclists should watch for signs and use the correct side of the bridge each day.
Once the platform is installed under the bridge, crews will continue concrete restoration. Work on the platform installation will occur over the next three weeks.
Crews are manufacturing 366 concrete bridge deck panels at the Bohemian Flats site. These panels will be installed in 2016 and become the new Franklin Avenue Bridge deck.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015 Hennepin County Commissioner McLaughlin, Minneapolis Park Board Commissioner Vreeland, and Minnesota State Representative Kahn joined project staff for a river tour of the remnant piers.
During the tour, the elected officials accepted the concept of salvaging the 1889 remnant pier blocks and re-locating to the "Bohemian Flats" area within Minneapolis Park Board property on the western bank of the river. The salvaging process of the pier blocks was completed on June 24, 2015.
Hotline: 888-474-8929
Email: franklinbridge@hennepin.us
Project website
Mpls.St.Paul Magazine’s Restaurant Week started in 2007 in an effort to connect Twin Cities food enthusiasts with the best in Twin Cities dining. Participating restaurants will serve two course lunches for $10-$20 and three-course dinners for $15-$30 (beverage, tax and gratuity not included).
Click here for more info and to view the list of restaurants in our riverfront neighborhoods.
"Parade of Vegetables" was the theme of the July 4 Market. Indeed, a parade of vegetables marched thru the Market, led by the talented H. Adam Harris who conducts the 'Storytelling Hour with the Guthrie Theater' program every first Saturday of the month.
UCare sponsored a free yoga session with instructor Ben Lee on the Guthrie terrace.
The world's tiniest potato?
New treat for your pet from Barkley's Bistro - "Doggy Snausages" made with pork and rice.
The tomato was having a hard time getting the broccoli to smile.
It's been a good growing season for cabbage!
The goat. :)
Note - For the first time since moving downtown in August 2009, we will miss an outdoor Market. We won't have a recap of the July 11 MCFM.
Free Yoga at Peavey Plaza, every Tuesday & Friday, begins Tuesday, July 7
Class from 12 pm - 1 pm, with registration at 11:30 am
Grab your friends, bring a mat and join us for an all ages & abilities yoga class on the plaza, taught by CorePower Yoga Minneapolis! Use this time to get fit, meditate or to take a break from your desk in Peavey Plaza’s unique urban setting. Mats are available on-site, and check-in begins at 11:30 am.
WomenVenture Small Business Showcase presented by Wells Fargo, every Wednesday, July 8 - July 29
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Shop small and celebrate local, women-owned businesses this summer each Wednesday in July at Peavey Plaza. WomenFenture clients like The Beez Kneez, Favorable Treats, Kisa Boutique, Seven Sunday Muesli, Steller Handcrafted Goods, Wind & Willow Home and others will showcase and sell their products on the corner of 11th Street and Nicollet Mall, downtown Minneapolis.
Up Next: Wednesday, July 8: Enjoy performances by Twin Cities Trapeze and eat at Sandy's Grill & Chef Shack food trucks, all located at Peavey Plaza.
Fitness at Peavey Plaza: Insanity Class, every Thursday thru July 30
12:10 pm – 1:00 pm
FREE and open to the public INSANITY classes taught by Gianna from YWCA. Forget everything you know about high-intensity workouts, because INSANITY will redefine your body and mind! The class incorporates 3 to 5 minute blocks of all-out exercise, with breaks in between long enough to catch your breath, grab some water and get right back to work. It’s called Max Interval Training. We keep your body working at maximum capacity throughout the entire workout, while you keep pushing your body’s limits, requiring it to adapt.
Peavey Plaza Music, August 3 - August 28
11 am - 12 pm | 5 pm - 8 pm
As summer winds down, take time to enjoy great music at Peavey Plaza. We'll have live bands and performers playing for your enjoyment. Take in some great tunes in the heart of downtown!
This year, Peavey Plaza will be home to a PARKLOT throughout the summer! PARKLOTs are urban pop-up parks aimed at helping create a consistently compelling experience downtown. It's an initiative of the Minneapolis Downtown Council's Intersections: Downtown 2025 Plan's Downtown Experience Committee with support from Hennepin Theatre Trust and presented by Bank of America. After having great success last year at the inaugural PARKLOT next to the Orpheum Theatre on Hennepin Avenue, this year Peavey Plaza and IDS Center will be host to pop-up parks during Summer 2015.
Other things happening...
Bean Bag Toss, every week day thru August 28
Want a break from the work day? Grab your coworkers or friends and stop by Peavey Plaza to enjoy some yard games in Downtown Minneapolis! Bean Bag Toss will be available to play throughout the work day, so swing by any time and see who will have bragging rights for the rest of the day!
Play a song or two on our Pianos, every week day thry August 28
We know there are some talented people in our downtown area—stop by Peavey Plaza and put your piano playing on display! We’ll have pianos on site throughout the summer, which are free to use and open to all ages and abilities. Take some time to stop by and play, or listen to others who are sharing their talents.
Borrow, Contribute, Add or Replace games and books, every week day thru August 28
Want to enjoy some literature outside this summer? Stop by Peavey Plaza and take a look at our collection! We’ll have books available to take and leave, and various games that will be available for use. Come by and spend some time taking part in some free games and reading.
Via a July 2 City of Minneapolis e-newsletter:
See Something, Say Something
Good morning! In light of recent news of heightened national alerts due to the July 4th Holiday and ongoing threats to the United States from terrorist organizations, I thought it might be a good time to send out a link to the terrorism prevention video we recently filmed, "How you can recognize the 8 indicators leading up to acts of crime and terrorism". Please take a few moments of your day to check out this video.
The message is an important one and one in which we hope to have the community, as a whole, knowledgeable of. It focuses on specific behaviors of crime and terrorism and the best way(s) to report such activity to the proper officials. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask! Please feel free to send this out to your community contacts as they are our eyes and ears out there. We encourage our citizens to let us know of anything that seems out of place or seems suspicious. With everyone’s help, we can help assure our community stays safe.
Also as a reminder, if you have community or business organizations who are interested in a more extensive Community Awareness Training program, the MPD can facilitate this at no cost. Just contact myself or Lt. Dean Christiansen for more information on that program.
Thank you and have a safe holiday weekend!!
STAY SAFE!
Best Regards,
John A. Elder
Office of Public Information
350 S. 5th Street, Room 130
Minneapolis, MN 55415
612-673-3829 Office
612-578-4322 Mobile
612-673-2613 Fax
@MPD_PIO
Via a July 1 Press Release from Pentair:
Minnesota Twins 2B Brian Dozier and Pentair Volunteers to Clean Mississippi Riverfront
Group supporting Minneapolis Parks Foundation’s Water Works project
The Minnesota Twins (represented by second baseman Brian Dozier) and Pentair volunteers will partner with the Minneapolis Parks Foundation to clean the Mississippi riverfront at Mill Ruins Park near the Stone Arch Bridge in downtown Minneapolis on Thursday, July 9th at 10 a.m.
Pentair, which helps customers around the world reduce, recover and reuse water, provides the technology that cleans water from the Mississippi River for more than 500,000 residents in the Twin Cities. The area surrounding the river near the Stone Arch Bridge is being developed as an innovative public space that will help protect the river, provide recreation opportunities and reveal historic features.
WHO: Twins Second Baseman Brian Dozier
75+ Pentair volunteers
Minneapolis Parks Foundation
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
Mill City Museum
WHERE: Mill Ruins Park near the Mill City Museum
WHAT: Riverfront clean-up
WHEN: July 9, 2015, 10:00 -11:30 a.m.
Pentair’s innovation in water reuse is evident at Target Field, where the Minnesota Twins turn to Pentair technology to capture and clean rainwater that’s then used primarily to clean stadium seats, saving approximately 2 million gallons of water each year.
As a growing global population puts increasing demands on resources, Pentair helps customers produce more food, energy and efficiencies from each drop of water. The company delivers industry-leading products, services and solutions for its customers' diverse needs in water and other fluids, thermal management and equipment protection. With 2014 revenues of $7 billion, Pentair employs more than 30,000 people worldwide.
The Minneapolis Parks Foundation, which partners with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, is an independent 501c3 dedicated to community investment in the nation’s top park system. It’s the private-sector leader of the RiverFirst initiative and Water Works, two design-based adaptive reuse parks projects on “America’s fourth coast,” the Mississippi River.
Celebrate the 4th of July during Minneapolis Red, White and Boom, a two-day celebration hosted by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The event, held along the downtown Minneapolis Riverfront, features live music, great food, fun activities for the whole family, and the grand finale – fireworks!
On July 4, Father Hennepin Park will offer FREE family activities in the Family Fun Zone from 6 pm to 9:30 pm. Activities include balloon twisters, caricature artists, hair painters and face painters. Live music will be playing at Mill Ruins Park and Father Hennepin Park from 6 pm to 10 pm. The Red, White and Boom Celebration closes with a spectacular fireworks display along the Riverfront at 10 pm.
Important Road Closure Information
These streets will be closed to vehicles during the dates and times provided.
July 3, 2015
◾6 pm: Main Street between Merriam and Sixth avenues
◾6:30 pm: West River Parkway, Eighth Avenue Bridge, East Island Avenue (Nicollet Island), Merriam Street, Main Street
◾All roads should be clear by 8 pm
July 4, 2015
◾2-10:30 pm: Main Street between Merriam and Sixth avenues, Third Avenue South between Main and Second streets
◾4:30-10:30 pm: West River Parkway between North Fourth and 11th avenues
◾9-10:30 pm: Third Avenue Bridge closed to pedestrians and vehicles
◾9:30-10:30 pm: Stone Arch Bridge closed to cyclists
Creative City Market: Thursday July 9, 4-10PM
On the second Thursday of July, August, and September the public is invited to the Minneapolis Convention Center Plaza to participate in evening under the setting sun, celebrating the act of making, surrounded by MN made art, wares, and performance, including:
Excerpt from a June 25 Northern Lights.mn e-newsletter:
Creative City Market: Call for Vendors
As part of the Creative City Challenge, Northern Lights.mn will be presenting the Creative City Market on the second Thursday evenings of July, August, and September from 4pm - sunset. We are looking for creators, makers, technologists, artists and art that reflect diverse communities and ways of thinking to participate. We’re looking for original work, simple to complex, large and small, including but not limited to, homemade objects-of-interest, engineering one-offs, artisan/cultural crafts, one-of-a-kind inventions, hand-crafted furniture and more. Find out more about the call here and submit your proposal here.
Submission deadlines:
7/2/15 for July 9th Market
8/6/15 for August 13th Market
9/3/15 for September 10th Market
We are also looking for survey seekers for these events. A small stipend will be available. If you are interested in being a survey seeker, please contact ady@northern.lights.mn for more information.
Mill City High School, the new public charter school located in downtown Minneapolis, has cleared two major
hurdles — enrollment and renovation funding — and is readying to open for the first day of school on Sept. 8.
Located in the education wing of the First Covenant Church, 810 South 7th Street, the school continues to accept ninth and tenth grade students and, on a limited basis, eleventh graders. "Now's the time to reserve your spot,” says John Miller, the school’s start-up director.
“The word's getting out and student numbers climb daily. An excellent, free high school option downtown is an attractive option for families—we have a diverse group enrolled from all over the metro."
Renovations begin in July with a completion date of mid-August. The school start date was pushed back to Sept. 8 to allow time for the City to do inspections and issue a certificate of occupancy.
Miller, who completes his role as start-up director on June 30, will assume the positions of Mill City High academic dean and social studies teacher. "We've hired a really fine group of educators—teachers and administrative staff—who are excited about implementing our program. We’re looking forward to working with the founding group of students to forge a school culture based on mastery, motivation, and joyful learning."
The school’s next information event is June 30, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the school. Students, families, and community members are invited to meet school board, faculty, and staff members.
The First Covenant Church facility is 70,000 square feet and situated on a city bus line and just one block from a light rail hub. Mill City will be located in a space separate from but connected to the church sanctuary. The
education building that will house the school includes a commercial kitchen, gymnasium, and proscenium stage.
Families are encouraged to apply online at www.millcityhigh.org.
The American Academy of Neurology held their annual bike helmet giveaway at the June 27 Market. Down the block, shoppers enjoyed wood fired oven pizzas from Northern Fires for the first time. Look for separate posts with more pictures and info on both of these later this week on our Farmers Market blog.
Welcome back, Mokum carrots - oh, how I've missed you!
Strawberries!
The Market staff gathers feedback from shoppers with these quick survey boards. The next time you see them on display, please take a minute to participate.
Below, the proud owner of a log from Cherry Tree House Mushrooms, which has been inoculated with mushroom mycelium and ready to fruit (not sure if this one is a shiitake or oyster).
Crisp and mild, kohlrabi is fantastic in a slaw.
Shoppers enjoying a meal on the plaza steps had a view of the HeartBeat 5000 racers on the Stone Arch Bridge.
The goat!
Excerpt from the June 26 Minnesota Center for Book Arts e-newsletter:
30 years?! Why, we don't look a day over 29!
Help us celebrate this wonderful milestone on Saturday, July 25, at our 30th Anniversary Gala, the centerpiece of this year's Book Art Biennial.
Begin the evening at 7:00pm in MCBA’s gallery and studios. Enjoy a variety of wines, summery cocktails and other refreshments; hors d’oeuvres and savory bites with a farm-to-table flair; and live music by the Jimmy Kennedy Jazz Trio, while you mingle with artists and special guests.
The MCBA Prize award ceremony convenes at 8:30pm, hosted by Minnesota Public Radio arts producer Marianne Combs! Marvel at this year's five finalist works, and witness the announcement of the winner. At the close, honor the winner with a champagne toast, artisan coffees by Blue Ox Coffee, and decadent French petits-fours, macarons and tartlettes from Patisserie Margo.
A limited number of VIP tickets are available; the VIP package includes an exclusive pre-reception (6:30-7:30pm) where you can enjoy a tasting of craft beers from Dangerous Man Brewing and artisan spirits by Norseman Distillery, along with hand-tied soft pretzels by Patisserie Margo and a variety of other sweet and savory pairings. VIP attendees will also have the opportunity to meet the honorees and experience the finalist artworks in an intimate setting. Free parking is available at Open Book and adjacent lots.
Reserve your tickets today!
Purchase online at BookArtBiennial.org or call The Shop at 612-215-2520.
The Anniversary Gala and MCBA Prize award ceremony are presented in conjunction with Book Art Biennial 2015 (July 23-26), a series of workshops, exhibitions, presentations and performances that explore contemporary practice in the book arts. The 2015 Biennial Symposium will continue a tradition of stimulating critical thinking and dialogue. New this year is a free citywide Book Arts Art Crawl in celebration of MCBA’s 30th Anniversary; participating venues include MCBA, Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), the Walker Art Center Library, and Form + Content Gallery. For more details on Symposium programming or to register, visit BookArtBiennial.org.
The following parkways will be temporarily closed from 8:30am to 11:30am June 27 for the HeartBeat 5000 Race:
Main Street SE from 5th Avenue SE to Hennepin Avenue
West River Parkway from Plymouth Avenue to the Stone Arch Bridge
HeartBeat 5000 Course Map
Please note that the duration of the closures is subject to change based on the event's start and finish times.
A complete list of current and upcoming parkway closures is available online.
The 17th Annual Twin Cities Jazz Fesitval is June 25-27. If you're planning to attend, Metro Transit will get you there for free - just print a pass!
The Twin Cities Jazz Festival is a free family-friendly event attracting over 30,000 people to the vibrant, joyful sounds of jazz. Events are held in and around Mears Park in St. Paul’s historic Lowertown neighborhood.
Help our Nice Ride Minnesota system set a new daily record for the most rides taken this Saturday, June 27, from 9:00am – Noon, during the #NicestDayEver.
Hop on a Nice Ride bike and be part of history! The Minneapolis Foundation and Nice Ride will provide complimentary helmets and 24-hour Nice Ride passes from 9 am to noon at select stations, including one along the riverfront. Nice Ride staff will be on hand to fit helmets and show first-time users how the bike sharing system works. Bring your friends and enjoy the #NicestDayEver! More information.
Helmets & passes will be provided at these stations:
•Loring Park Station (North side near Harmon Place)
•100 Main St. SE (St. Anthony Main)
•Theodore Wirth Beach (Glenwood Ave.)
•Midtown Greenway & 5th Ave. S
•Lake St. & Knox Ave. S
•Minneapolis Farmers Market (Border Ave. and 3rd Ave. N)
Locate stations with Nice Ride’s online station map.
This is simply an informal gathering of neighbors - the group decides the route. :)
WHAT: FREE Bike Helmet Giveaway by the American Academy of Neurology
WHERE: Mill City Farmers Market, Minneapolis, across from Guthrie Theater
WHEN: Saturday, June 27, 2015, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Arrive early as quantities are limited.
Get a FREE bike helmet! The American Academy of Neurology, the world’s largest association of neurologists, and the largest trade association in Minnesota, will give away and fit 1,000 bike helmets on Saturday, June 27, 2015, in an effort to raise awareness of brain safety to help prevent head injuries in Minnesota. The event will take place at the Mill City Farmers Market and starts at 8:00 a.m. Plan on arriving early as quantities are limited!
For the second Saturday in a row we woke up to rain. But the weather quickly turned around for the June 20 Market, and it got downright steamy by the time the Mill City Cooks demo started. Good thing Surly Brewing Co was on hand sampling some of their craft brews!
Northern Waters Smokehaus is a new Vendor this year. Look for a separate post later this week under our Farmers Market blog.
Get ideas on how to use in-season produce from the Meet Your Vegetables team. Look for a separate post later this week under our Farmers Market blog.
Viola blossoms from Seven Songs Organic Farm. :)
Is it just me, or does it look like there's a giant bread hand coming out of that basket?
Wilber's back! Visit ArtAndes to learn his story, as told by Melanie Ebertz (who happens to be one of my favorite people!).
The goat!
Mill City Times | 35W Bridge Memorial | Mill District Block Party | Mill City Media
Monday, July 6, 2015 at 10:21AM
