This Week at City Hall - Mill City Quarter

Community Development and Regulatory Services Committee Agenda

Standing Committee of the City Council, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Regular Meeting

March 24, 2015 – 1:30 p.m.

Room 317, City Hall

Members:   Council Members Lisa Goodman (Chair), Jacob Frey, Kevin Reich, Abdi Warsame, Alondra Cano and John Quincy (Quorum 4)

Council Committee Coordinator: Irene Kasper 612-673-2219

Presentation

1.   Presenting resolution honoring Erik Hansen for 12 years of service to the City of Minneapolis.

Staff Reports: Erik Hansen RESL

Public Hearings

Department of Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED)

2.   Land Sale (2933 5th Ave S and 2937 5th Ave S):

Considering a resolution authorizing sale of properties to Cedar and Riverside Company for $36,000 each, subject to conditions: a) land sale closing must occur on or before 90 days from the date of City Council approval; b) payment of holding costs of $300.00 per month if the land sale closing does not occur on or before the closing deadline. The sale conditions may be waived or amended with approval of the CPED Director. 

Staff Reports: 2933 5th Ave RCA; 2933 5th ATTACH

3.   Land Sale (2600 Irving Ave N):

Considering a resolution authorizing sale of property 600 Irving Ave N to Andre Duke for $6,000, subject to conditions: a) land sale closing must occur on or before 90 days from the date the City receives title; and b) payment of holding costs of $300.00 per month if the land sale closing does not occur on or before the closing deadline. The sale conditions may be waived or amended with approval of the CPED Director. 

Staff Reports: 2600 Irving Ave N RCA; 2600 Irving Ave N ATTACH1; 2600 Irving Ave N ATTACH2

4.   Corcoran Triangle, LP (3120 24th Ave S):

Considering a resolution giving preliminary approval to the issuance of up to $13,000,000 in Tax-Exempt Multifamily Housing Revenue Entitlement Bonds to assist in the acquisition land and the construction of a 135-unit multifamily rental housing development and of facilities functionally related.

Staff Reports: Corcoran Triangle RCA; Corcoran Triangle ATTACH1; Corcoran Triangle ATTACH2

5.   Ecumen Mill City Quarter, LLC – Abiitan (428 2nd St S):

Considering a resolution granting preliminary and final approval to the issuance of up to $32,000,000 in Tax Exempt Senior Housing and Healthcare Revenue Bonds to assist in the acquisition, construction, and equipping of a 151-unit multifamily rental apartment development, and facilities functionally related and subordinate thereto, comprised of approximately 48 memory-care units and approximately 103 apartment homes with home-care services that will be provided to residents as a separate charge on an as-needed basis. 

Staff Reports: Ecumen Mill City Quarter Bonds RCA; Ecumen Mill City Quarter Bonds ATTACH

6.   Mill City Quarter (300 2nd St S):

Considering a resolution granting preliminary and final approval to the issuance of up to $22,000,000 in Tax Exempt Multifamily Housing Revenue Entitlement Bonds to assist in the acquisition, construction, and equipping of a 150-unit multifamily rental apartment development.

Staff Reports: Mill City Quarter RCA; Mill City Quarter ATTACH

7.   Land Sale (Mill City Quarter and Abiitan):

a)   Considering resolution authorizing sale of 300 2nd St S and 428 2nd St S to Eagle Iron Partners, LLC or Assigned Developers (322 Second Street Apartments, LLP and Ecumen Mill City Quarter, LLC) for a collective price of $3,161,000;

b)   Considering resolution authorizing a waiver of the Park Land Dedication requirement contingent on execution and filing of a Parkland Development and Easement Agreement as described herein between the City, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, 322 Second Street Apartments, LLP, Ecumen Mill City Quarter, LLC and Mill Place, Inc.;

c)   Approving a $350,000.00 loan in accordance with term sheet;

d)   Authorizing a Redevelopment Contract(s) and execute any other necessary documents consistent with the term sheet;

e)   Authorizing staff to execute a Parkland Development and Easement Agreement;

f)    If requested by the development entities, terminate the Parking Lease between Canal Street Limited Partnership and the City upon closing; and

g)   Authorizing execution of one or more agreements with Ecumen Mill City Quarter, LLC and Eagle Iron Partners directing a portion of the brownfield grant funds awarded to Eagle Iron Partners to be provided to the Ecumen Mill City Quarter, LLC project instead.

Staff Reports: Mill City Land Sale RCA; Mill City Land Sale ATTACH1; Mill City Land Sale ATTACH2; Mill City Land Sale ATTACH3; Mill City Land Sale ATTACH4; Mill City Land Sale ATTACH5; Mill City Land Sale DFC MEMO

CPED/Licenses & Consumer Services

8.   Ambiente Gallerie (505 1st Ave NE):

Considering application for a Rental Hall license (New Business).

Staff Report:  Ambiente Gallerie RPT

9.   La Ceiba Bistro (3500 Bloomington Ave S):

Considering application for an On Sale Wine with Strong Beer license (New Business).

Staff Report:  La Ceiba Bistro RPT

10. Sal’s on Fifth (10 N 5th St):

Requesting an Extended Hours license with Operating Conditions (New License).

Staff Report:  Sal’s on Fifth RPT

11. The Bad Waitress (2 E 26th St):

Requesting an On Sale Wine with Strong Beer license (License Upgrade).

Staff Report:  The Bad Waitress RPT

Consent

CPED/License & Consumer Services

12. License Applications:

Granting licenses recommended for approval (see separate Licenses Agenda-not available in electronic format). 

New liquor, wine & beer establishment owners, licenses, permanent expansions, upgrades and added conditions to existing licenses detailed as follows: Doubletree Suites by Hilton Hotel Minneapolis, 1101 LaSalle Ave (New Proprietor); Prairie Dogs, 610 W Lake St (New Proprietor); Spearmint Rhino Gentlemen’s Club, 725 Hennepin Ave (Permanent Expansion); Westin Minneapolis, 88 S 6th St (New Proprietor).

Staff Reports:  License RCA, Doubletree Suites RPT;  Prairie Dogs RPT; Spearmint Rhino Gentlemen’s Club RPT;  Westin Minneapolis RPT

CPED

13. Housing Replacement District III – Removal and Subsequent Reinstatement of 3712 28th Ave S):

Approving resolution removing 3712 28th Ave S from Housing Replacement District III and placing it back in the district once a new Property Identification Number has been assigned. 

Staff Reports:  HRD III RCA

14. Lifetrack Resources Master Contract:

Authorizing increase in the maximum amount of eligible employment and training services expenditures for Master Contract C-28857 with Lifetrack Resources by $250,000, for a new maximum amount of $500,000.  

Staff Reports:   Lifetrack Resources RCA

15. Conurbation LLC Contract Extension:

Authorizing execution of an amendment for $50,000 to an existing contract for continued project management services (Refer to W&M).

Staff Reports:   Conurbation RCA

16. Nicollet Hotel Block Development Rights Designation (30 S 3rd St):

Awarding exclusive negotiating rights to United Properties as the developer of the City-owned property (Nicollet Hotel block) for a period of 12 months and authorizing a redevelopment contract terms and, upon successful negotiation, return for further City Council review and approvals. 

Staff Reports:    Nicollet Hotel Block Dev Rts RCA

17. Interim Parking Rental Agreement for 205 Park Ave:

Authorizing an interim parking rental agreement with Ecumen Mill City, LLC for parking vehicles on the City-owned 205 Park Ave lot during the construction of the Mill City Quarter senior housing development at 300 2nd St S consistent with the terms of report.

Staff Reports:  Interim Prkg Agrmt RCA; Interim Prkg Agrmt ATTACH

Department of Intergovernmental Relations/Grants & Special Projects

18. 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan:

Setting a public hearing for April 7, 2015, at 1:30 p.m., to receive public input on the 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan which is the City’s application to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the entitlement programs of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). 

Staff Reports: Con Plan Set Pub Hrg RCA; Link to Con Plan Website

Regulatory Services

19. License Fees for Tiered Rental Licenses and Condos Ordinance:

Setting a public hearing for April 7, 2015, at 1:30 p.m., to received public input on an ordinance amending Title 12, Chapter 244 of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances relating to Housing: Maintenance Code, amending provisions related to license fees for tiered rental licenses and condominiums (by B. Johnson).

Staff Reports:  None

Referred from City Council 3/20/2015

20. Director’s Fee Schedule Ordinance:

Referring to staff the subject matter of an ordinance amending Title 5, Chapter 91 of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances relating to Building Code:  Permit Fees, amending the fee schedule and fee refundsrelating to the Director's Fee Schedule (by Quincy) (Also in W&M).

Staff Reports:  None

Discussion

Finance & Property Services Department

21. Target Center Renovation Project:

Authorizing execution of a Renovation Agreement, with terms modified from previously approved Term Sheet (Refer to W&M).

Staff Reports: Target Center Renovation RCA

Notice: A portion of this meeting may be closed to the public pursuant to MN Statutes Section 13D.03 or 13D.05

34th Annual Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival runs April 9-25

The MSP International Film Festival is the largest film event in the region, and one of the largest and longest running film festivals in the country.  It annually presents 200+ feature length and short narrative and documentary films from 60+ countries. Tickets

Public Forum: Design Alternatives for the Downtown East Commons on April 8 at the Mill City Museum

Mark your calenders / Wednesday, April 8 at Mill City Museum

Be the first to see the design alternatives for the newest Minneapolis Park. 

RSVP on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1066602576689577/

WHAT:             On Wednesday, April 8, 2015 the City of Minneapolis will be hosting a public meeting at the Mill City Museum from 6:00-7:30 p.m. to unveil the first set of draft alternative approaches for the Downtown East Commons. 

The draft alternative approaches will be presented by Hargreaves Associates, the nationally and internationally recognized landscape architecture firm the City hired to lead the project after a competitive Request for Proposal process. The draft approaches will incorporate feedback the Hargreaves-led design team received during a public meeting that took place on February 24, through the 2,350 plus surveys completed to date (online surveys will be accepted through March 31, 2015), and community outreach done by City staff. 

Following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to comment and ask questions about each approach. The design team will consolidate the feedback they receive at this meeting into a single preferred scheme for the Downtown East Commons design. The City currently has a public meeting planned for Wednesday, May 27, 2015 to present the preferred approach. The location is yet to be determined. For more details on the Downtown East Commons project visit the project website.         

WHEN: Wednesday, April 8, 2015

                    6:00-7:30pm

WHERE: Mill City Museum, 704 South 2^nd Street, Minneapolis

RSVP on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1066602576689577/

MORE: Downtown East Commons

The Downtown East Commons is a two-block, 4.2-acre area bounded by Park Avenue, 4th and 5th Streets, and a proposed building on 5th Avenue South. The idea for a public green space was unveiled in May 2013 as a part of the Ryan Development concept now under construction in Downtown East. 

The Commons will serve as a retreat for the everyday needs and wants of residents and daytime workers of Minneapolis as well as a destination for the City’s biggest events, including once in a decade events such as the 2018 Super Bowl and once in a year events such as civic celebrations.

Hargreaves Associates

Hargreaves Associates creates transformative public realm projects that embody a commitment to civic vitality and creative urban solutions, balancing complex social and ecological processes in bold simple ways. With offices in San Francisco, New York, and Cambridge, Hargreaves Associates works on landscape architecture and planning projects that encompass a wide range of scales and locations, both national and international. Signature projects include Discovery Green in Houston, TX; Crissy Field in San Francisco, CA; and both the Sydney Olympic Park in Australia and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. Hargreaves Associates has received over three dozen American Society of Landscape Architecture awards and numerous international awards.

RSVP on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1066602576689577/

Northern Spark Returns June 13

ALL NIGHT: Join us!

WONDER: Northern Spark 2015 Commissioned & Presented Artists Preview

WANDER: 2015 Festival Locations

ILLUMINATE: Announcing our wonderful partners

TOGETHER: Be a part of this year's Festival

 Click here for details!

Tomorrow (March 20) - Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition Joyride Series Kick Off Ride at Gold Medal Park

Join the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition for their Joyride Series Kick Off Ride this Friday, March 20.

4:00pm: Meet at the top of Gold Medal Park
4:30pm: Roll Out

Take a leisurely roll around the beautiful Mississippi & end back at Izzy's Ice Cream for an afternoon treat.

March 20 kicks off Minneapolis Bicycle Coalitions Joyride Series for the season. Join them for a no-drop (no one is left behind) easy and fun ride. Some Joyrides will end with root beer floats in a sunshine filled park, some days you'll loop to Hopkins for a Depot Coffee House snack, sometimes you'll find a happy hour.

New Development Coming to the Mill District at 800 South Washington Avenue or the “Guthrie Liner Parcel”

The City of Minneapolis is Seeking Redevelopment Proposals for the City-Owned Property Located at 800 South Washington Avenue or the “Guthrie Liner Parcel”

The City of Minneapolis is seeking redevelopment proposals for the City-owned property located at 800 South Washington Avenue, commonly referred to as the “Guthrie Liner Parcel.”  The 24,419 square foot site is the undeveloped portion of the block that runs along Washington Avenue from Chicago Avenue to Ninth Avenue and is immediately adjacent to the Riverfront (Guthrie) parking ramp.

This parcel benefits from significant public and private investments in the immediate vicinity, including the Mill City Museum, Mill Ruins Park, West River Parkway, and its associated riverfront trails, Open Book, Guthrie Theater complex, American Academy of Neurology headquarters, Mill City Farmers Market, the new multipurpose stadium, and the Ryan/Wells Fargo development.

The City’s development goals for the project include maximizing the site’s development potential and contributing to the vibrancy of the Mill District area with a well-designed development that will bring employees, residents, customers, hotel guests and/or visitors to the area.  If housing is included in the proposal, the City would like to see a mixed-income project with at least 20% of the proposed units affordable to households at or below 50% of Area Median Income.  Additionally, the City would like to see proposals that, at a minimum, include retail at both corners fronting along Washington Avenue.

“Washington Avenue could be a happening, bustling boulevard teaming with vibrancy, people, and shopping,” said Ward 3 Council Member Jacob Frey, “To realize this potential, however, we need proposals that activate the street level in a big way, so substantial ground floor retail is an absolute must.”

Questions regarding the Request for Proposal (RFP) must be submitted via e-mail to Bob Lind, City of Minneapolis, Department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED), 105 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55401, no later than Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at 4:00 p.m. CST.   Questions will be answered and posted on the CPED website by Wednesday, April 22, 2015 CST.

Proposals are due to City offices no later than 4:00 p.m. CST Wednesday, May 20, 2015.  Proposals received after the deadline will not be accepted.  The redevelopment RFP for 800 South Washington Avenue or the “Guthrie Liner Parcel” is available below:

Gold Medal Market & Deli is Now Open!

Gold Medal Market & Deli, 1020 Washington Avenue S, officially opened today. The space was previously occupied by Mill City Grocery Market and Deli on the retail level of the Bridgewater Lofts building.

The store is owned by David Maalouf of Zakia Deli (Northeast Minneapolis), and will serve Zakia's Lebanese-American cuisine, along with fresh olives at a self-serve bar.  Also look for specialty meats and cheeses, gluten-free and organic items, and every day staples.

Initially their hours will be Monday-Friday 7:00am-10:00pm, Saturday 8:00am-9:00pm and Sunday 9:00am-9:00pm.

Please stop in and welcome David and his staff to the neighborhood, and let them know you heard it on Mill City Times! :)

Nominations Are Being Sought for the 25th Annual Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Awards

 

Via a March 17 Press Release from The City of Minneapolis:

Tuesday, March 17, 2015 – (Minneapolis, MN) – Preserve Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission are seeking submissions for award nominations to recognize projects, individuals, and organizations that celebrate the heritage and historic character of Minneapolis.

Projects will be judged based on their careful attention to the quality of design, architecture, workmanship, and materials, as well as their positive impact on surrounding neighborhoods and community. A jury comprised of two Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commissioners, two members of the American Institute of Architects Minneapolis Chapter, and two board members from Preserve Minneapolis will review the nominations. 

Nominations are due by 4 p.m. CDT on Friday, April 10, 2015. Nominations can be delivered to: AIA Minnesota, Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Awards, 275 Market Street, Suite 54, Minneapolis, MN, 55405.  To nominate a building project, individual, and/or community organization download and complete the nomination form.

The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Awards will be presented at the 25th Annual Minneapolis Preservation Awards luncheon presentation held at International Market Square on Thursday, May 21st, 2015, beginning at 11:30 a.m.  The Awards Ceremony is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. 

To learn more about the awards or to view a list of the 2014 Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Awards winners, visit the AIA website.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Whether you're celebrating St. Paddy's with a pint of Irish Moxie at Izzy's, or a pint of your favorite brew at a local pub:

May your mornings bring joy
and your evenings bring peace,
May your troubles grow less
as your blessings increase!

Update on Graco / MPRB Riverfront Trail Issue

Riverfront champion Edna Brazaitis speaks at MPRB meeting:

From the Strib:

Both sides have buttressed their positions as they prepare for a meeting next week to see if an impasse can be resolved involving an easement for a riverside trail over land owned by Graco Minnesota Inc.

Representatives of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, the city and Graco are scheduled to meet next week to try to resolve a situation in which Graco is insisting on buying part of a nearby piece of Park Board property before it grants an easement for a trail that has been scheduled for construction later this year. It's the first meeting involving all three parties in at least a year, Park Board President Liz Wielinski said.

The company faces a high bar in seeking to buy two acres of parkland on the north side of the Plymouth Avenue Bridge in northeast Minneapolis. The Park Board reached a $7.7 million purchase agreement for the 11-acre site in 2010 and plans to recreate as wildlife habitat an island that existed historically

"I don't sell parkland," said Wielinski, the area's commissioner.. There's also a high bar in the law.  Six of the nine commissioners must vote for a land sale for it to go ahead, and a district judge's approval is required in a proceeding in which any citizen can intervene.

Read the full article:

http://www.startribune.com/local/blogs/296074361.html

The Jewel of Minneapolis: The Mississippi River Gorge becomes a Park

A talk by David C. Smith, author of “City of Parks: The Story of Minneapolis Parks”

Nearly the entire length of the Mississippi River Gorge in Minneapolis is a city park. Find out how and why that happened – and who we should thank.

Monday, March 23, 7-8 pm

St. Peder's Lutheran Church

4600 E. 42nd St., Mpls

Job Opening at the Mill City Museum [Download]

The Mill City Museum (Minnesota Historical Society) seeks applicants for a Visitor Services Manager to manage and supervise Mill City Museum’s admissions, retail, visitor information and facility rental programs, and ensure outstanding service for all customers, both external and internal.

Scenes From the March 14 Mill City Farmers Market

Hazelnut Valley Farm debuted at the March 14 Market.  Their roasted hazelnuts are crunchy and delicious, and the hazelnut oil is excellent for your skin.  The shells are also great for mulch - slugs don't like the jagged edges.

Shoppers enjoyed samples of Prohibition Kombucha.

The Herbivorous Butcher was a huge hit.

April 11 is final indoor Market for the 2014-2015 Winter season.  The 2015 outdoor season kicks off May 9 - we'll be celebrating its 10th Anniversary!

2015 Art-A-Whirl Positions Announced

NEMAA is currently seeking candidates to apply to upcoming contract/internship/volunteer positions for Art-A-Whirl. As a small nonprofit organization, these positions are crucial to the success of the event. Positions vary, stipend offered for each. Build your skills while you build community!

View a complete listing of Art-A-Whirl Volunteer Shifts here.

Internships and volunteer positions listed below are longer-term, or include more investment of time. Click here for more details.

  - 2015 Art-A-Whirl Volunteer Coordinator (Seasonal contract position with stipend provided, experience required)
  - 2015 Art-A-Whirl Silent Auction Coordinator - Internship
  - Artist Directory & Guide Distribution Volunteer
​  - 2015 On-Call Art-A-Whirl Volunteer

The 2015 Art-A-Whirl is happening May 15, 16 and 17.

Washington Avenue North Loop Restriping

From the Hennepin County Website:

Hennepin County in coordination with the City of Minneapolis is examining the option of restriping Washington Avenue (County Road 152) from Hennepin Avenue to Plymouth Avenue in the North Loop area. The goal of this reconfiguration is to increase the safety and well-being for all road users (drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists).

The scope of the project is anticipated to include changing a portion of the road north of North 5th Avenue from its current 4-lane design to a 3-lane which would provide two lanes for moving traffic plus a center continuous left turn lane. The addition of bike lanes along this segment of Washington Avenue will also be a component of this reconfiguration.

Intended benefits of the project include increased comfort and safety for bike riders; slower speeds; smoother operations for all transportation modes (vehicles, buses, bikes, pedestrians); likely reduction in all crashes due to removal of conflicts and better lane definitions.

This project is planned for implementation during the summer of 2015.

Public meeting:  Next meeting is with the North Loop Neighborhood Board on March 25th at the Paxon - 360 North 1st Street.

Submit Your Ideas to Program mini_polis at the Minneapolis Convention Center Plaza This Summer by April 13

Via a March 13 Press Release from Minneapolis by Nature:

OPEN CALL: PROGRAMMING THE PLAZA

MINNEAPOLIS, (March 13, 2015)– The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC), the Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy Program of the City of Minneapolis and Meet Minneapolis, Convention & Visitors Association, in collaboration with Northern Lights.mn and the Northern Spark festival announce an open call to program the Minneapolis Convention Center Plaza. Three commissions will be awarded for three projects to program mini_polis on the plaza from one day or for up to one month as part of the Creative City Challenge.

On March 5, mini_polis was announced as the 2015 winner for the Creative City Challenge and will debut at the MCC Plaza on June 13, 2015, as part of Northern Spark, an annual dusk-to-dawn festival in Minneapolis with tens of thousands of participants.

Program the Plaza is a call to propose events, pop ups, gatherings, performances, games, classes, races, workshops and all manner of activities, which take advantage of mini­_polis as a continuing platform for participation and engagement. Program the Plaza proposals should take into account the unique characteristics of mini_polis, a collaboratively built model of downtown Minneapolis.

This is a unique opportunity to create programming that animates the Minneapolis Convention Center Plaza for up to one month in July, August or September. The timing/frequency of programming is open with the scope being that the programming has to occur for a least one day and up to one month. It can be a one day event during the month; it can be every Thursday at noon; it can be every day at dawn; it can be one weekend and two nights -- it’s up to the planner what to propose, as long as it takes place between the first day and last day of the month and meets all regulatory requirements.

The commission fee for each “month” of programming is $10,000 inclusive of artist fees and production costs.

Submissions are due Monday, April 13, 2015, by 4:30 p.m. Central time. Email questions to creativecitychallenge@northern.lights.mn or visit www.minneapolis.org/minneapolis-convention-center/on-the-plaza/programming-the-plaza for more information.

Creative City Challenge background information

The Creative City Challenge (CCC) is a competition for Minnesota-resident architects, landscape architects, urban designers, planners, engineers, scientists, artists, students and individuals of all backgrounds to create and install at the MCC Plaza a temporary, destination artwork. The artwork acts as a sociable and participatory platform for summer-long onsite programming, and encourages a sense of connectedness to the city as a whole and its rich cultural and natural offerings. The MCC Plaza is a green roof that is located directly across from the MCC at 1301 Second Avenue South.

The CCC’s goal is to draw visitors and residents of the city to the Minneapolis Convention Center as a central meeting space for the surrounding area, as well as to provide a compelling gathering site for the MCC’s thousands of visitors. The commission fee for the winning project is $75,000, inclusive of all artist fees, installation and de-installation costs. The winning project will remain on the MCC Plaza throughout the summer and be the site of public events to be announced at a later date. The MCC is a site of convergence for visitors to Minneapolis from around the country and the world, as well as being a part of the local neighborhood, and Minneapolis’ downtown.

More information about Creative City Challenge, past projects and the new winning project is available at www.minneapolis.org/minneapolis-convention-center/ccc.

2015 winner: mini_polis by Niko Kubota and teamis a scale model of Minneapolis built in collaboration with community participants in a series of “build workshops.” The mini_polis team, led by local designer-educator-artists Niko Kubota, Jon Reynolds and Micah Roth, will collect place-based hopes and memories at the workshops and create a multimedia interface within the finished city model to share these stories. The completed mini_polis will be a landscape of lighted plywood buildings, laid out to approximate the Minneapolis downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. A multimedia interactive map station will allow visitors to interact with installation: selected buildings will light up and play the model builder’s story, giving the viewer a peek into the experiences and hopes of a particular place they can now locate in their city. View more about the project and a brief video explanation here: www.minneapolis.org/minneapolis-convention-center/ccc/minipolis.

ABOUT MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER

The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) is the largest indoor, contiguous, convention center in the Upper Midwest with over 1.5 million visitors annually, including 250,000 during the summer months. The MCC is more than a meeting place. It's more than a show space. It's a building all about building something else…relationships. A blend of form and function, the MCC provides aesthetically pleasing and innovative solutions for a variety of conferences, trade shows and events. With nearly 480,000 square feet of trade show space, 87 column-free conference meeting rooms, a 28,000-square-foot ballroom, and an auditorium with superb production and flexible technology options, the facility can handle any event from a small meeting to a large convention or trade show.

ABOUT THE ARTS, CULTURE AND THE CREATIVE ECONOMY PROGRAM, CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS

The Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy Program is an initiative of the City Coordinator's office established August 2011 to leverage the creative sector towards strengthening social and economic growth in the City of Minneapolis. The goals of the program are to: promote and coordinate city resources to develop the arts as an economic generator in alignment the city goal "art and artists are economic drivers in and of themselves,” to stimulate cross-sector collaboration to strengthen the arts economy and community in Minneapolis and provide presence and visibility for the creative sector in the City of Minneapolis.

ABOUT NORTHERN SPARK

Northern Spark is produced by Northern Lights.mn, a non-profit arts organization dedicated to artists working innovatively in the public sphere, exploring expanded possibilities for civic engagement and encourage pluralistic community. This year’s festival begins at 9:01 p.m. on June 13 in Minneapolis. http://northernspark.org 

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 of the greater Minneapolis area.

Meet Minneapolis is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of the Destination Marketing Association International.

Online: http://www.minneapolis.org/ and http://go.minneapolis.org/
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/meetminneapolis?ref=ts
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/meetminneapolis
On Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/meetminneapolis/

Webster Elementary March 14 Meet and Greet

Webster Elementary School opens this Fall! If you know of a young family currently living downtown - or planning to move downtown - please let them know about this March 14 Meet and Greet.

Minneapolis Seeks Designs for Utility Box Art Wraps (Deadline for Applications is April 17)

Via a March 12 e-newsletter from the City of Minnapolis:

The City of Minneapolis Art in Public Places program announced a unique opportunity for local artists to submit designs for utility box wraps.

From Minneapolis to California to New Zealand, artists and neighborhoods have been painting and wrapping utility boxes in an effort to reduce graffiti and beautify their communities. In recent years these projects have been piloted locally in downtown, in the Kingfield and Corcoran neighborhoods and along the American Indian Cultural Corridor.

The process for undertaking this type of project can be time consuming for neighborhoods--both for organizing the artist designs, and also for obtaining the necessary approvals. Minneapolis Art Wraps is an effort to assist interested groups in developing these projects, with the goal of creating a vibrant city-wide gallery that celebrates the range and talent of creative artists living and working here. A total of twelve artists’ designs will be selected by the City for participating neighborhoods to choose from.

The City has released a Call for Artists that details the process for applying. The call is open to professional artists who live or work in Minneapolis in any media that can be translated into a digital image and wrapped onto a utility box. This includes painting, photography, collage, mosaic quilt making, etc. Selected artists will be paid an honorarium of $1,000. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, April 17, at 4 p.m. There will be an informational meeting for interested artists on Tuesday, March 26, 5:30 p.m. at Reverend Martin Luther King Park, 4055 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis.

Neighborhood and non-profit organizations who are interested in developing their own artistic utility box projects, can apply for permission to place their designs on City-owned utility boxes.

For more information visit www.minneapolismn.gov/dca or contact Mary Altman at mary.altman@minneapolismn.gov.

YogaFit Studios Northeast Offers Free Yoga to Target Layoffs

Were you (or do you know someone who was) one of the Target employees who left the corporate offices with a box of personal belongings yesterday (or last month)?  The staff at YogaFit Northeast would like to ease the pain by extending free yoga to anyone who was part of these mass layoffs. They asked us to share this March 10 post from their Facebook page:

"We're saddened that many friends were impacted today and last month's with the Target layoffs. We know there will be new bright starts for you. In the interim, come spend a FREE MONTH of unlimited classes with us at YogaFit Studios and do something for yourself! For anyone laid off by Target Corp today or the last round of layoffs in early February, YogaFit is offering free unlimited yoga on us at YogaFit Linden Hills & YogaFit Northeast Minneapolis studios through April 15th. Just bring in any type of documentation that shows you were part of the layoff today or early February and that's all we need and we'll even give you a gift just for taking care of yourselves! ‪#‎target‬ ‪#‎layoffs‬ ‪#‎silverlining‬ - If you have any questions - call the owner anytime 612-802-0243."

Donizetti Opera to be Mill City Summer Opera’s Fourth Season Production

Via a March 10 Mill City Summer Opera News Release:

Donizetti Opera to be Mill City Summer Opera’s Fourth Season Production

Metropolitan Opera star Leah Partridge to perform in The Daughter of the Regiment

MINNEAPOLIS (March 10, 2015) – With the success of three previous sold-out seasons, Mill City Summer Opera (MCSO) today unveiled the opera and cast for its fourth season. The company will produce Gaetano Donizetti’s brilliant comedy The Daughter of the Regiment, directed by David Lefkowich, July 11-21, 2015.

The Daughter of the Regiment will be presented at 8 p.m. on opening night July 11, and on July 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21. Mill City Museum’s dramatic Ruin Courtyard will again be the venue for all performances.

Karen Brooks, Mill City Summer Opera founder and executive director, said, “Mill City Summer Opera is excited to present this marvelous French comedy to our patrons this summer. We are thrilled to have such a strong cast to delight our audiences with a fun story and vocal pyrotechnics!”

This two act opera centers on Marie, the “daughter” of a regiment of soldiers who adopted her when she was a young girl and raised her as one of their own. Marie meets a local boy, Tonio, who joins the regiment in order to marry her. They soon fall in love. But the Marquise de Birkenfeld declares she is Marie’s aunt, and that Marie must leave the regiment to become a proper lady. Ultimately true love wins and Marie and Tonio are allowed to marry. The first act is set in the mountains of Tyrol, and the second takes place within the chateau of the Marquise de Birkenfeld.

Set to a French libretto by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Jean-François Bayard, this opera is known for its lighthearted, catchy music that captures the story’s humor with its playful yet challenging vocals. The opera’s dialogue will be in English and all music and arias are in French. Supertitles will translate the French into English.

ARTISTIC DIRECTION

MCSO’s Artistic Director David Lefkowich, known for his lively stage direction and fresh take on well-known operas, will again lead the artistic vision for this production along with Music Director Brian DeMaris, a 2013 winner of The American Prize in Opera Conducting. The limestone mill ruins will serve as a striking backdrop to Jo Winiarski’s set design in both acts. Winiarski designed the gorgeous set for MSCO’s 2012 production of The Barber of Seville. Jessica Jahn will design the late 18th Century-era costumes.

CAST

As in previous years, artistic director David Lefkowich has assembled a stellar cast drawn from outstanding singers of national reputation. Soprano Leah Partridge is cast as Marie, a role she has sung to critical acclaim at the Metropolitan Opera. The role of Marie has been sung by such famous coloratura sopranos as Lily Pons, Jenny Lind and Beverly Sills. Chad Johnson, tenor, will sing the famous and challenging aria “Ah, mes amis” for which he must deliver nine consecutive high Cs – a spectacular feat often called the Mount Everest of tenor arias.

Acclaimed Minnesota actor and singer Bradley Greenwald plays the role of Hortensius, the butler, and will be performing with MCSO for the first time. Greenwald most recently played the role of Fagin in the Twin Cities product of “Oliver” by Theater Latté Da. Rounding out the cast are Cindy Sadler as the Marquise de Birkenfeld who will play the piano while singing in Act II and Nathan Stark as the Sergeant Sulpice.

TICKETS

●      In the opera company’s first three seasons, tickets sold out in a matter of hours in May, months before the July performance dates. Patrons are encouraged to buy tickets early.

●      Opening Night tickets are available NOW through the Mill City Summer Opera website at www.millcitysummeropera.com or by calling the Opera at 612-875-5544. The Opening Night ticket purchase includes a pre-opera reception at Sea Change restaurant, the 8 p.m. performance, and a tax-deductible donation to MCSO. Available now for $195.

●      Mill City Summer Opera donors of $250 or more will be invited to participate in a pre-sale starting May 11 at 10 a.m., for performances on July 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21. Up to four tickets may be purchased with each $250 donation. Tickets will be available through the Mill City Summer Opera website at www.millcitysummeropera.org.

●      Regular ticket sales to the general public commence May 18 at 10 a.m. through the MCSO website at www.millcitysummeropera.org. Tickets are $35-100.

Excerpts from previous reviews of Mill City Summer Opera performances:

“A temperate evening on Saturday added to allure of the opening of Rossini’s Barber of Seville, staged by Mill City Summer Opera in the Ruin Courtyard of the Mill City Museum. It made a pleasant setting for a smart production, with singing of a consistently high order...” –William Randall Beard, Star Tribune

“Crackles with energy and imagination … manages to outshine a very impressive debut.” –Rob Hubbard, Pioneer Press

OPERA REDEFINED: ABOUT MILL CITY SUMMER OPERA

Mill City Summer Opera is a 501(c) (3) performing arts organization founded in 2011 to bring the Twin Cities exceptional opera performances set in a nontraditional venue. The Minneapolis riverfront, bordered by Mill City Museum’s Ruin Courtyard, offers an intimate and unusual setting ideal for experiencing opera outdoors.

Adding to the rich cultural life of the redeveloped Minneapolis milling district, Mill City Summer Opera features a multi-level stage built within the remnants of the mill’s waterpower system. Musicians performing the music for the opera play behind the staging, at a height of the second row of windows on the north wall, distanced from the production so as to not overpower the singers and audience with sound. This allows audiences to sit as close as possible to performers and staging, creating an intimate setting in which to fully absorb the opera’s musical and theatrical impact.

Previous productions by MCSO include Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci in 2012; The Barber of Seville by Rossini in 2013; and Tosca by Puccini as well as Guns & Rosenkavalier in 2014.

ABOUT MILL CITY MUSEUM’S CHARLES H. BELL RUIN COURTYARD

MCSO is proud to once again work with the Mill City Museum, a lead sponsor for our 2015 season. Built within the ruins of the Washburn A Mill, Mill City Museum chronicles the people and industries that built Minneapolis, transformed a region and influenced our world. The story comes to life through the eight-story Flour Tower, Water Lab, Baking Lab and other hands-on exhibits. The open-air Ruin Courtyard showcases the ruins of the historic mill and serves as a programming space. 

Mill City Museum is part of the Minnesota Historical Society’s statewide network of museums and historic sites.

The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. The Society collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, the Society preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history.