West River Parkway – James I Rice Parkway Trail Improvement Construction Begins

Veit and Company has begun its spring construction activities along the new West River Parkway – James I. Rice Parkway trails.  Construction is expected to be completed by the end of May.  Much of the work remaining includes grading and seeding, planting trees, installing signs and creating a small trailhead plaza at Bohemian Flats.  Please obey detour signs and trail closures during this period. 

For more information, please see the project page (or go to www.minneapolisparks.org/currentprojects and select "West River/James I. Rice Parkway Trail Improvements").

Job Opening - Account Executive at Stone Arch

Are you passionate about your clients’ success? If so, read on…

At StoneArch we’re committed to solving healthcare’s biggest marketing challenges. If you have a proven track record of turning healthcare clients into true partners, we’d like to meet you.

As an Account Executive, you’ll join our Client Services team to provide outstanding service to clients, develop a solid understanding of clients’ business objectives and ensure that all strategies and tactics are aligned to those objectives. You’ll act as a liaison between clients, their brands, and our agency team to deliver stellar creative work to clients. This assignment will be for a minimum of four months as an independent contractor, with potential to become full-time employment.

To be successful in this role, you’ll need at least four years of account management experience. Previous healthcare (marketing/communications or public relations) experience and/or experience working in an agency with medical device and/or healthcare clients is preferred. You’ll also need a bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising, communications, journalism, or a related field; or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

We’ve spent the last 30 years partnering with health and medical organizations to communicate, educate and connect with their audiences. And we’ve won more than our fair share of awards along the way, both for our work and our culture. Our neighbors include the Guthrie Theater, the Stone Arch Bridge, the scenic Mississippi River, and the historic Mill Ruins district with a maze of walking and biking paths just outside our front door.

Sandra Peterson
Human Resources Manager

612.200.5035
careers@stonearchcreative.com

MPRB Receives $500,000 Grant for Sheridan Memorial Park

Excerpt from an April 21 announcement shared by the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Secretary Jewell, Director Jarvis Announce $3 Million to Develop and Enhance Parks, Outdoor Recreation Facilities in Minneapolis and Seven Other Cities

Revenue from Offshore Oil and Gas Royalties Used to Benefit Disadvantaged Neighborhoods with First-of-a-Kind, Competitive Grants

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Director of the National Park Service Jonathan B. Jarvis today announced $3 million to assist eight cities in constructing and enhancing parks and other outdoor recreation facilities in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is receiving a $500,000 grant for development of recreation facilities at Sheridan Memorial Park, located on a former industrial site on the Mississippi River in Northeast Minneapolis. Other projects range from the renovation of an athletic complex in Detroit, Michigan to construction of a new skate park in Madison, Wisconsin.

The grants, part of a new competitive grant program called the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership, are funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). For more than 50 years, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has invested revenue from federal offshore oil and gas royalties into more than 40,000 outdoor recreation facilities and conservation projects in every state.

“These eight projects are models of what we have been able to accomplish through the Land and Water Conservation Fund over the past half century,” Jewell said. “We are reinvesting revenues from offshore oil and gas development into parks and open spaces, giving back a portion of what we have taken from our lands and waters. These investments will bring badly needed outdoor spaces and recreational opportunities to urban areas where people, especially young people, will benefit from improved places for healthy outdoor activities.”

“Supporting local communities as they create and improve spaces for outdoor recreation through the LWCF Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grants allows the National Park Service to meet our goal of connecting all Americans to spaces where they can enjoy the great outdoors and establish meaningful relationships in their communities and with their public lands,” said Jarvis.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will apply the grant funds toward development of the 3.5-acre Sheridan Memorial Park, located in an area that is underserved by recreation opportunities and characterized by significant low-income and minority populations, a larger youth population, and above-average rate of negative health issues.  The park’s master plan includes a playground, multi-purpose field, picnic area, picnic shelter/restroom building, pathways connecting to a regional trail network, and an environmentally restored riverfront.
 
“We are thrilled to receive this grant for Sheridan Memorial Park. It will allow us to develop some of the recreational features within the park and increase park use by the community and the region,” said Liz Wielinski, President of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. “Sheridan is part of our RiverFirst initiative to transform 5.5 miles of the Mississippi River from Downtown Minneapolis to the northern city border, an area that has historically been industrial. We have done a lot of work with the Department of Interior, National Park Service, City Parks Alliance and other public and private agencies to create awareness of the significance of RiverFirst and the long-term environmental, recreational and economic benefits it will bring to the city.”

Wednesday, April 29 - Lunch with Lisa / Walker Art Center/Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Renovation Projects

WALKER ART CENTER/MINNEAPOLIS SCULPTURE GARDEN RENOVATION PROJECTS   

DATE: APRIL 29, 2015

TIME: 11:30PM, DISCUSSION STARTS PROMPTLY AT NOON

ST THOMAS UNIVERSITY—MINNEAPOLIS

OPUS 202

Join Council Member Lisa Goodman for lunch and conversation.   

Olga Viso, Executive Director of the Walker Art Center along with Dana Murdoch from the Park board, project manager, Sculpture Garden discuss the Walker Art Center/Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Renovation Projects.

Come and hear first hand about the exciting changes and upgrades to these wonderful City treasures.

$10 Lunch is offered

Come early to get your lunch and a good seat.

RSVP’S not necessary but appreciated for food count to 673-2207

*May Lunch with Lisa is a tour of the Emergency Preparedness Facility*

City of Minneapolis to Host Open Data Forum April 27

From the City of Minneapolis website:

If you're interested in learning more about what the City is doing around open data, staff from the City’s Information Technology department are hosting an open data public forum Monday, April 27, to give folks an opportunity to learn more about the City’s open data efforts and what will be new this year on the open data portal.

During the forum, staff will provide an overview of the City’s open data policy and give a presentation of the City’s open data portal. There will be time for discussion about what data sets are currently available and also what data sets will be available in the near future. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask staff questions about the portal and policy and provide feedback.

Open data public forum:
Monday, April 27, 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Flour Exchange Building, 310 4th Avenue S, Suite 400

Natural Food Cook Opportunity at Spoonriver Bar & Restaurant

Spoonriver, 750 South 2nd Street, is seeking a full time Natural Food Cook to share their commitment to local, sustainable and organic cuisine in the exciting and vibrant Mill District. Ideal candidate is a multidimensional kitchen expert, possessing experience with creative vegetarian specials and natural foods. Join a team of dedicated food professionals in an independently owned and operated establishment. Serious, responsible, creative and flexible applicants please call 612-436-2236.

Major Changes Planned for Pedestrians, Bikes in Downtown East

As a result of the major transformation happening in the Mill District (Downtown East), Minneapolis Public Works is developing a long term plan for a major revamping of the Pedestrian Realm.

The City of Minneapolis identified a study area bounded by Washington Avenue to 6th Street and 5th Avenue to Chicago Avenue.  Within that 12 block area, there are a number of development changes under construction with more being planned and proposed.  As such, the movement by all modes in this area will also change. 

Job Opening at 1010 Washington Wine & Spirits

1010 Washington Wine & Spirits seeks part time employees to greet customers, stock shelves and displays, run the cash register including both cash and credit card transactions.

Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 8 AM to 10 PM.  Shift time as well as length of shift are negotiable, as is hourly wage.  Knowledge of Wines, Spirits and Beer is preferable but not necessary.  A ready smile, a good attitude, and a willingness to work will overcome everything else.

Please Contact Don Hanson at (612) 339-4040 or by email  at Don@1010wws.com.

Repeal of Bike Speed Limits Fails at MPRB

A resolution to repeal the speed limit on Park Board trails failed last week.  Commissioner Anita Tabb summed up the opposition viewpoint succinctly (1 minute, 6 seconds):

Watch the entire discussion (20 minutes, 2 seconds):

[Video] Why the Lock at St. Anthony Falls is Closing - Rowers Attacked By Flying Asian Carp

A new video illustrating why the lock is closing - Washington University in St. Louis freshman men's crew team gets attacked by giant Asian Carp during a Friday morning practice at Creve Coeur Lake:

800 Youth Expected to Attend Annual Minneapolis Teen Job Fair at Central Library on April 25

Via an April 17 City of Minneapolis e-newsletter:

Over 800 Twin Cities Metro Area Youth Expected to Attend the Annual Minneapolis Teen Job Fair on Saturday, April 25

On Saturday, April 25, between 800 and 900 teens are expected to attend the Annual Minneapolis Teen Job Fair taking place at the Minneapolis Central Library from noon to 3:00 p.m. 

The Minneapolis Teen Job Fair is an opportunity for teens aged 14 to 19 to connect to job-search resources and find out more about available volunteer, internship, and employment opportunities.  Approximately 30 businesses and organizations are expected to take place including TJ Maxx, JC Penney and Taco Bell. 

Additionally, the Minneapolis Youth Congress will host two workshops “How to Get a Job?” and “Who We Hire” presented by a panel of employers including: North Community YMCA, Juxtaposition, TJ Maxx, and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

Youth will also have the opportunity to learn easy and fun ways to dress professionally during the event from Aveda Institute Minneapolis.  The flagship institute is planning two “Work Couture” fashion shows for the fair to demonstrate to youth how to use dress to leave a lasting positive impression when networking, inquiring about a job opening, and/or interviewing.

The Teen Job Fair is free and open to the public.  Preregistration is not required.  A complete list of exhibitors is available on the City of Minneapolis website.  The event can also be followed on social media by using the hashtag #Jobs4yoUth.

The Teen Job Fair is produced by City of Minneapolis department of Community Planning and Economic Development, Hennepin County Library, AchieveMpls, Minneapolis WorkForce Centers, Lunds and Byerly’s, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Minneapolis Youth Congress, and Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board. 

When: Saturday, April 25, 2015
            12:00p.m. – 3:00p.m.
               
Where: Minneapolis Central Library
             300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, 55401
             Second Floor

Neighborhood Volunteer Opportunities

Our Mill District neighbor, Claudia Kittock, would like to spread awareness of two volunteer opportunities in the area: Webster Elementary and Mile in My Shoes.

Webster Elementary opens this fall to serve downtown Minneapolis. Initially the classes will be K-2, and a grade will be added each year thereafter. 

They will need volunteers to assist teachers throughout the day, help with the literacy hour by reading with children (every day, but times are yet to be determined), in the lunch room and possibly at recess.  Once staff is hired and final numbers are received from the district office, details will be provided.  Whatever time you have is welcome!

To volunteer for Webster, email Kaylie Burns Gahagan at Kaylie.BurnsGahagan@mpls.k12.mn.us. An application can be filled out online.  All volunteers are required to attend an orientation session -to begin August 4.

The other organization is Mile in My Shoes (MiMS). Their goal is to foster wellness, empathy and empowerment within individuals and communities by bringing together diverse populations through the power of running. Members are made up of guests of the Emanuel House and the local running community.  

This group meets 6:00am – 7:00am Tuesday and Thursday mornings at Emanuel House, 818 South 3rd Street - rain or shine. They warm-up, run, and cool down together, with routes ranging from 1-3 miles. If interested, please send an email to Mishka at mn.mileinmyshoes@gmail.com and specify that you wish to run with the Emanuel House group.  This Minneapolis Running article from last Fall provides insight on what MiMS is all about.

Feel free to contact Claudia at cjkittock@gmail.com with questions on either of these opportunities.

Traffic Alert - One block of Fourth Street in Downtown Closing for Construction

Via an April 15 e-newsletter from the City of Minneapolis:

Crews will be filling in a tunnel that connected two Star Tribune buildings

Fourth Street South, from Portland Avenue to Park Avenue on the east side of Downtown, is closing to traffic today, Wednesday, April 15. Over the next couple months, crews will be filling in a tunnel that used to connect two former Star Tribune office buildings. They will also be rerouting utility lines located in that tunnel. 

The affected block of Fourth Street is one way eastbound. Traffic will be detoured onto southbound Portland Avenue, to eastbound Sixth Street, to northbound Park Avenue and back onto Fourth Street. The bike lane along Fourth Street is closed until the construction is complete, which is tentatively set for July 8. 

This is one of many construction projects that will affect traffic in Downtown this year. To help drivers know about all of the current and upcoming work, the City has mapped these projects. Links to the maps are available at www.minneapolismn.gov/publicworks/traffic.

Hennepin County Board Adopts Updated Bicycle Plan

Via an April 14 Hennepin County News Release:

Hennepin County board adopts updated bicycle plan

Hennepin County and Three Rivers Park District worked together to update a county-wide bicycle plan that reflects current and growing use of cycling in the region. The plan, called the Hennepin County 2040 Bicycle Transportation Plan, will guide the county’s work to expand the bikeway system, improve safety for people who bicycle, walk or drive, increase bicycling for transportation, and improve the health of county residents.

This plan, replaces the 1997 plan. Since 1997, the county has made great progress in enhancing its bicycle transportation network. It has built and funded more than 136 miles of new bikeways and closed 59 gaps in the bicycle network. Bicycle commuting has doubled in Hennepin County since 2000 from 0.8 percent to 1.6 percent of trips to work.

The plan includes 45 strategies and more than 170 action items that address infrastructure, education, encouragement, enforcement and evaluation. The plan also recommends the continuation of current county practices that contribute to the goals of the Hennepin County Pedestrian Plan and the Transportation System Plan.

Bicycle usage and interest continue to grow in Hennepin County. Transportation costs have increased and there is greater public concern about the environmental impacts of transportation. There is also a greater emphasis on active living and the public health benefits of bicycling.

Goals of the county bike plan:
•Quadruple the number of bicycle commuters from 2012’s 12,000 people to 48,000 people by 2040
•Complete an average of 20 miles of the bikeway system each year.
•Close an average of five bikeway gaps each year
•Achieve an access level where 90 percent of homes in Hennepin County are within one-half mile of a bikeway or within a mile of the enhanced bikeway network by 2040
•Move toward zero bicycle deaths
•Halve bicycle crashes per capita from 2010 levels by 2040

Development and implementation

Hennepin County will lead implementation of the plan, but also partner with other agencies and cities. This plan is a guide for supporting the vision of increasing bicycling within Hennepin County. Implementation of the plan requires additional action by the county board through the annual capital appropriations and cooperative funding agreements.

Development of the plan began in spring 2013, with community engagement activities throughout the plan drafting process. The plan was available for public comment in fall 2014 and winter 2015. It has been revised based on comments received.

For more information or to view the full plan, visit www.hennepin.us/bike.

Current Job Openings

Spoonriver Restaurant is seeking experienced servers for patio season.

Posted by Mill City Times on Thursday, April 9, 2015

Sales Manager position open at The Renaissance Minneapolis

Posted by Mill City Times on Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Riley Hayes has an opening for a Senior Account Executive.

Posted by Mill City Times on Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Nicollet Mall Project Update

Activity on Nicollet Mall to shift for construction

Work to redesign and improve Nicollet Mall begins soon. This season, crews will begin upgrading and relocating power, gas, telecommunications, sanitary sewer and water lines beneath the street in advance of the complete reconstruction. Over the next two years, the entire pedestrian and transit mall will be reconstructed, from building face to building face. More information on the new design, including renderings of how the new mall will look, is available at www.nicolletmallproject.com.

Because of this construction, there will be noticeable impacts on mall traffic and activities:

• Pedestrians - Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout construction. Sidewalks will remain open on at least one side of the street at all times, and customers and workers will be able to get to every business.
• Buses – Metro Transit plans to detour bus service from Nicollet Mall for construction later this spring, likely in May. Buses would return once the mall construction project is completed in 2017.
• Taxis – Taxis will not be allowed on the mall once construction begins. When the work is completed in 2017, Nicollet Mall will no longer have taxis north of 12th Street.
• Bicycles – Bike traffic will be maintained on the mall this year, but bikes will not be allowed in 2016 until the mall construction project is completed.
• Farmers Market – For the 2015 and 2016 seasons, the Thursday farmers market will move to Hennepin Avenue.
• Food vendors – Food trucks and other food vendors will move off the mall for this year and next year.
• Sidewalk dining – There will be sidewalk dining throughout the reconstruction. However, depending on where work will be taking place, restaurants may have outdoor seating temporarily removed during construction.

Plans call for a $50 million redesign of Nicollet Mall from Washington Avenue to Grant Street. The design includes features that prioritize the space for pedestrians, including hardier trees, enhanced sidewalk spaces, improved lighting and new places for people to enjoy the mall. The grand opening for the new Nicollet Mall will take place in 2017.

Since the 1880s, Nicollet Mall has been a retail and business hub for Minneapolis. Over the years, the mall has been through two major renovations: one in 1968 and one in the 1980s. Today the space is used by 130,000 Minnesotans daily and is home to events such as the Nicollet Mall Farmers Market. The City and the Minneapolis Downtown Council are in the process of redesigning the mall to make it an even better destination and a more powerful economic engine for the region and the state.

Best of Facebook Last Week from Mill City Times

There's way too much news to publish on our website, so make our Facebook page  a regular destination.  Here's a sampling of our most popular from last week:

Next month - Art A Whirl!

Posted by Mill City Times on Saturday, April 11, 2015

2023 sounds like a long ways away - but so did 1999 when Prince first sang about it.

Posted by Mill City Times on Friday, April 10, 2015

Not approved yet, but still a possibility.

Posted by Mill City Times on Friday, April 10, 2015

...and St. Paul is #4.

Posted by Mill City Times on Friday, April 10, 2015

The Minneapolis Millerettes! (Did anyone else think they were looking at a scene from 'A League of Their Own'?) :)

Posted by Mill City Times on Thursday, April 9, 2015

A few surprises in this top 10 list.

Posted by Mill City Times on Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Another book to add to your local history collection: "Nordeast Minneapolis: A History"

Posted by Mill City Times on Monday, April 6, 2015

Update: Downtown Public Realm Steering Committee Meeting Notes

Meeting notes from the recent meeting of the Downtown Public Realm Steering Committee.

Thursday Night - The Grain Belt Apartments and Historic Grain Belt Office Building Celebrate Grand Opening

What:    On Thursday, April 16, 2015, Everwood Development will celebrate the grand opening of The Grain Belt Apartments and historic Grain Belt Office Building.  The celebration will begin at 3:00 p.m. with a brief program including comments from Everwood co-founder and principal David Dye, Ward 3 Council Member Jacob Frey, and City staff.

The Grain Belt development is significant to the City of Minneapolis as the site was the last City-owned historic Grain Belt building to be developed.   In 1977, the City saved the one hundred twenty-four year old brewing complex from demolition by designating it as a Landmark and subsequently purchasing the property in 1989, one year before it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  Since then, the City has worked with local developers and the State Office of Historic Preservation to secure capital, and to rehabilitate and reinvigorate the brewery complex, which now includes architectural offices, Park Board facilities, a public library branch, a union office, and artist studios.  The Grain Belt Office Building located at 1215 Marshall Street NE was the last portion of the complex to receive this treatment.  Through the Everwood development of The Grain Belt Apartments and Office Building, this historic renovation is now complete.

The Everwood development also preserves the archaeological remnants of the City’s first (and the state’s second) brewery: the Orth Brewery, whose remains have been capped and protected by a public plaza at the corner of Marshall Street and 13th Avenue NE.

Following the grand opening program, attendees will have the opportunity to tour the newly remodeled historic Office Building and The Grain Belt luxury apartments.  The apartments are housed in two, four-story apartment buildings totaling 220,514 sq. ft.  Of the 150 apartment units, 120 have already been leased.  A reception with light refreshments and music will go until 4:30 p.m. For more information on The Grain Belt visit their website.

When: Thursday, April 16

3:00-4:30 p.m.

Where: The Grain Belt Apartments

1215 Marshall Street NE, Minneapolis

Elliot Park BLUH Meeting Thursday, April 16th, 7-8:30 p.m.

Elliot Park Building, Land Use & Housing Meeting Thursday, April 16th, 7-8:30 p.m. at the Elliot Park Recreation Center, 1000 E. 14th Street.

AGENDA

- HCMC Update-Revised plans & schedule

- 706 S 9th Street-Historic Building restoration project

- “The Commons” Presentation and discussion/feedback

- House of Charity - Presentation of new development project in Elliot Park