Public Hearing for Urban Agricultur​e Activity Plan at MPRB May 21

Via a May 12 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Planning Committee will hold a public hearing for the Urban Agriculture activity plan on Wednesday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the MPRB Headquarters Building, 2117 W. River Rd., Minneapolis. If adopted by the Planning Committee that evening, the activity plan will be forwarded to the full MPRB Board of Commissioners for consideration.

All attending the public hearing will have an opportunity share comments about the plan. If you wish to speak at the hearing, there will be a sign-up sheet located directly outside the board room and you will have until 6:25 PM that evening to sign up to speak. If you require language translation or other accommodations, please call 612-230-6472 at least two business days before the hearing.

The Urban Agriculture activity plan was developed through an extensive community engagement process and contains recommendations related to policy, facility, program, and service improvements to better support urban agriculture activities within the park system.

Activity plans define the MPRB’s service delivery goals for a particular recreation activity city-wide. These plans determine the resources required to successfully achieve plan goals in service to residents and park visitors.

Community outreach and research, trend analysis, program analysis, and infrastructure assessment is used to develop service delivery goals for all MPRB’s Activity Plans. The development of the Urban Agriculture activity plan is supported by the Board of Commissioners and directly linked to the goals of the MPRB Comprehensive Plan.

For more information, please visit the Project Page on the MPRB website.

Stone Arch Bridge Going Dark

We were first alerted to this a few months ago by Riverfront redevelopment pioneer Peggy Lucas, who sent us a photo showing a few arches on the Stone Arch Bridge gone dark.  The lighting has deteriorated rapidly since then, to the point that most of the lighting has gone dark.

Stone Arch Bridge today:

Stone Arch Bridge 2 Years Ago:

Pillsbury Mill Complex Lighting Up

A preview of what the skyline will look like when the Pillsbury redevelopment is done.  It's been a long time since these windows have been lit up at night!

Vikings Stadium Construction - Week 24

Slowly, but surely...

We're attempting to publish a photo with this same view each week from the start of construction through the first game played at the new Minnesota Vikings Stadium in Downtown Minneapolis.

Week 1 at the 2014 Mill City Farmers Market

It was a glorious opening day at the 2014 Market - thank you Mother Nature!  In addition to reconnecting with our vendor friends from previous years, it was also fun meeting new vendors, including Driftless Organics, Seed to Seed Farm, Sunrise Creative Gourmet, Verdant Tea and Fresh Mud Pottery, and new Market Sponsor, The Wedge Community Co-op. 

Look for new Vendor and Sponsor spotlights in the coming weeks on our Farmers Market blog.

Happy to be back! :D

May 10 Market Album.

Northern Spark 2014 - Update #7

Insects Find a Temporary Home in Hotel Hotel

Hotel Hotel is a poetic exploration of the relationship between living organisms and architecture. This collaboration by Ben Moren, Kate Casanova and Daniel Dean reflects on the transience of life in the city, on temporary abodes, on sentient inhabitants, on occupying and moving through space, and on the interactions that occur in transit. Hotel Hotel’s occupants are species of insects, such as caterpillars, ants, and moths. They inhabit the intensely colored rooms that dramatically contrast their individual colors and movements. In Hotel Hotel, the insects are anthropomorphized yet remain alien. This project inserts these distinct species into the center of an imagined urban interior.

In Hotel Hotel, the projection functions architecturally as virtual space, allowing the viewer to experience scale in an unexpected way. Through the magic of projection, we see these insects populate a building, metaphorically embodying the complexity of peoples, customs, cultures, and individual traits that make up the citizens of contemporary cities.

Asia Ward's Electric Hopscotch Playfully Illuminates Convention Center Plaza

Electric Hopscotch is a glowing electronic twist on the classic jump and skip game. In Electric Hopscotch, the interaction between players is a physical dance of memory, ranging from simple steps to complicated jumps. Instead of chalked squares on the pavement, players position “jump-pads” in any order or direction they prefer. The jump-pads contain electronic memory sensors, outlined with glowing surface-mounted LEDs.  

To play Electric Hopscotch, a person completes a sequence of jumps and skips on the pads from start to finish. The pads remember the sequence of jumps and play back the order by lighting up in sequence. One player at a time—and then whoever wants to accept the challenge can try to replicate your rad jump and skip moves! 

Asia Ward is a Minnesota-based artist and educator whose work ranges from animatronic creatures to large-scale metal sculptures and aluminum dioramas. A past Art(ists) on the Verge fellow, Ward loves to show others how to work with basic circuitry, computer game programming, stop motion animation, and hacked sensors and toys, and has given workshops for all ages at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Murray State University in Kentucky, and the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Tomorrow: Opening Day of the 2014 Mill City Farmers Market Season!

Join your neighbors for opening day at the 2014 Mill City Farmers Market!  Celebrate the much awaited spring season, farm-fresh foods, local fine arts and crafts, and honor moms with spring flowers and family friendly activities. 8:00am - 1:00pm

Produce Planner: At the Market this Saturday, you will find: sweet sugar pea shoots, micro greens, herbs, arugula, spinach, carrots, rhubarb, beets, mesclun mix, radishes, starter plants, hanging baskets and patio pots, lots of bedding plants, plenty of SEED STARTS: summer squash, melon/watermelon, heirloom tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and more!

Mini-farm, all day: With furry creatures from Oliver H. Kelley Farm.

Mill City Cooks, 10am: Don’t miss this special kitchen demo with Market Chef Heather Hartman, who will be assisted by her daughter Josephine in honor of Mother’s Day!

Live Music, 11am – 1pm: Daddy Squeeze.

Art Market, All Day: Featuring Fresh Mud, Christy Wetzig, Larissa Loden, and Old World Cabinet.

Community Booth: Budding Farmers. This local nonprofit organization is an innovative enrichment program that connects children with the healthy food found at their local participating Farmers Market or participating Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farm! Stop by and see their cool Budding Farmers Fun Books!

Sponsors: Thank you to today’s sponsor Wedge Community Co-op!

Plus, check out these new vendors for 2014:

Chisago Lakes Berry Basket will bring an ambrosial assortment of strawberry varieties come late-June, Driftless Organics adds sunflower and pumpkin seed oil to market's offerings, Seed to Seed Farm brings us locally harvested artichokes, ginger, lemongrass, and more, Seven Songs Organic Farm presents ginger, turmeric, and garlic varieties, Sunrise Creative Gourmet offers fresh, frozen, and dry pastas, Verdant Tea introduces locally brewed kombucha, chai tea, and specialty loose leaf teas, Zula Juice provides ready-to-drink organic cold-pressed juices and cleanses, and Red Table Meat Co. will bring dry-cured pork products to the Market in late-June!

We're also excited to welcome our Mill District neighbor, Julia Timm, of Fresh Mud Pottery as a new art vendor for the 2014 season.  :D

Minnesota Super Bowl Bid Committee Submits Final Bid For Super Bowl LII

Via the Minnesota Vikings' website:

Minneapolis, MN (May 7, 2014) – The Minnesota Super Bowl Bid Committee has submitted its final bid to host Super Bowl LII in 2018. Delivered to all 32 NFL owners on tablets containing a Super Bowl LII app, the bid provides a preview to the final May 20 presentation.

“We have a great story to tell about the state of Minnesota,” said Richard Davis, chief executive officer of U.S. Bank and bid committee co-chair. “Today we delivered that story to all 32 NFL owners and made our best case for bringing Super Bowl LII to our region in 2018. We appreciate the energy and effort that has gone into this process from our community and business leaders to ensure that we submitted an extremely comprehensive and competitive bid.”

The final bid submission follows last month’s preliminary submission and contains details on all aspects of Super Bowl Week – event venue options, transportation and parking, lodging, security procedures, team practice sites and more. Highlights from the bid include:

• More than 180 hotels from throughout the region accounting for over 19,000 hotel rooms.
• 48 different venue options throughout Bloomington, Minneapolis and St. Paul identified for potential use during Super Bowl Week.
• Outstanding practice sites for the two competing teams.
• Strong connectivity through a variety of transportation options, including light rail, Park & Ride system, four airports, and eight miles of skyway.
• Integration of winter festivities into a branded celebration with a Super Bowl twist in 2018, including a flagship event at the St. Paul Winter Carnival.
• An NFL Legacy Program that will provide $2 million toward Minnesota charities that enhance the health, wellness and safety of children.

“We submitted a great bid that highlights all we have to offer,” said Doug Baker, chief executive officer of Ecolab and bid committee co-chair. “Our highly engaged community, great event venues, tremendous hospitality infrastructure, world-class transportation and airport facilities, unique skyway system and, of course, our new, best-in-class, iconic stadium are all strengths of our bid.”

“As the host community in 1992, we proposed to the NFL a legacy component that would live on beyond the game and since then has become a major component in Super Bowl bids,” said Marilyn Carlson-Nelson, former chairman and chief executive officer of Carlson Companies and bid committee co-chair. “It’s only fitting that 26 years later we will once again have an opportunity to work with the NFL to carry out a new community legacy that will have a positive impact on Minnesota children.”

NFL owners will vote on the final site for the February 2018 game on Tuesday, May 20. Details for media availability on May 19-20 will be forthcoming.

Watch video

May 15 Joint Community Meeting at Open Book: Downtown East Redevelopment Update

Ryan Companies Downtown East Redevelopment Project Update

Please join the East Downtown Council, along with the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA), the Elliot Park Neighborhood Inc (EPNi), and the Mill District Neighborhood Association (MDNA) to hear an update on the progress being made on Ryan Companies Downtown East Redevelopment Project.

May 15 at Open Book, 1011 Washington Avenue S, 6:30pm-8:00pm.
 
Guest presenters will include Rick Collins, Mike Ryan, Tony Barranco and Jeremy Jacobs from Ryan Companies. The four-some will provide an update on the following items:
•Status of building demolition, along with future demolition activity;
•Status of preservation of historic "medallions" from Star Tribune 425 Portland Avenue building;
•Construction schedule;
•Status update on Air Rights Development project; and
•Where to look for updates on the project.

AGENDA
6:30pm - Welcome and introductions by EDC President Dan Collison
6:45pm - Downtown East redevelopment project update by Ryan Companies
7:30pm - Q&A moderated by EDC President Dan Collison
8:00pm - Announcements and Adjournment

About Ryan Companies US, Inc.
Ryan Companies US, Inc. is a 3rd generation, family-owned national developer, designer, capital investment consultant, builder and real estate manager specializing in fully integrated solutions for 75 years. Key market sectors include: retail, distribution, and health care; and product experience includes work on office, retail, mixed use, hospitality, multi-housing, industrial, medical office building, senior housing, distribution center, public sector, and mission critical facilities.  Ryan serves customers throughout the United States with offices in the NorthCentral, Midwest, Great Lakes, SouthEast, SouthCentral and SouthWest regions. For more information, visit http://www.ryancompanies.com/. 

Godzilla! Minneapolis Exclusive from the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul, May 9-15

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul brings you Godzilla: The Japanese Original - 60th Anniversary Restoration, Friday, May 9 - Thursday, May 15.

He's back! After six decades of countless spin-offs, knock-offs, homages, and legions of fans, the "King of the Monsters" returns to the big screen like you've never seen him before. The 60th Anniversary digital restoration is uncensored, uncut, and undubbed; featuring 40 minutes of footage never seen in the US and in the original Japanese language. Behold Godzilla!

Oh no! There goes Tokyo!

Vandals Deface Mill Ruins Park

I've been traveling lately, so not sure when this occurred.  I hope the person(s) who did this are eventually caught.

Vikings Stadium Construction - Week 23

Progress continues...

We're attempting to publish a photo with this same view each week from the start of construction through the first game played at the new Minnesota Vikings Stadium in Downtown Minneapolis.

Northeast Riverfront Liquor Store Project Moves Forward

The Minneapolis Planning Commission approved a controversial project by Krause Liquor to build a liquor store on Broadway Ave. near the Minneapolis Riverfront on Wednesday, April 23.  Despite a 9-1 vote against the project by the St. Anthony West Neighborhood Organization, and overwhelming opposition from local residents, the Planning Commission voted unanimously in favor of the project.  The project needs additional approvals, including the Council of the Whole, before breaking ground.

From the City of Minneapolis website:

2.  Krause Liquor Store (BZZ-6425, Ward: 3), 80 Broadway St NE (Janelle Widmeier). This item was continued from the March 3 and March 24, 2014 meetings.

Staff report

A. Conditional Use Permit: Application by DJR Architecture, on behalf of Steve Krause, for a conditional use permit to allow a liquor store located at 80 Broadway St NE.

Recommended Motion: The Department of Community Planning and Economic Development recommends that the City Planning Commission adopt the findings and approve the application for a conditional use permit to allow a liquor store for the property located at 80 Broadway St NE, subject to the following condition:

1. The conditional use permit shall be recorded with Hennepin County as required by Minn. Stat. 462.3595, subd. 4 before building permits may be issued or before the use or activity requiring a conditional use permit may commence. Unless extended by the zoning administrator, the conditional use permit shall expire if it is not recorded within two years of approval.

B. Site Plan Review: Application by DJR Architecture, on behalf of Steve Krause, for a site plan review to allow a new 1-story, approximately 7,700 square foot building located at 80 Broadway St NE.

Recommended Motion: The Department of Community Planning and Economic Development recommends that the City Planning Commission adopt the findings and approve the site plan review application to allow a new 1-story, approximately 7,500 square foot building for the property located at 80 Broadway St NE, subject to the following conditions:

1. Not less than 30 percent of the Broadway St NE building elevation shall be windows that comply with the standards of section 530.120(b) of the zoning code.
2. Not less than 25 percent of the parking lot building elevation shall be windows that comply with the standards of section 530.120(b) of the zoning code.
3. At least 4 boulevard trees shall be planted in the Broadway St right-of-way, at least 2 boulevard trees shall be planted in the Marshall St right-of-way, and at least 3 boulevard trees shall be planted in the 11^th Ave right-of-way.
4. Not less than 6 canopy trees shall be provided in the required landscaped yards between the parking area and Marshall St and 11^th Ave as required by section 530.170 of the zoning code.
5. Department of Community Planning and Economic Development staff review and approval of the final building elevations, floor, fixture, site, lighting and landscape plans.
6. Site improvements required by Chapter 530 or by the City Planning Commission shall be completed by April 23, 2016, unless extended by the Zoning Administrator, or the permit may be revoked for non-compliance. 

Marcy-Holmes Spring Fest

We happened upon the Marcy-Holmes Spring Fest while out for a walk on Saturday.

Today Kicks Off Minneapolis Bike Week: May 4 - 11

Minneapolis is the best bicycling city in the country. It’s time to celebrate – Minneapolis Bike Week, set for May 4 -11, 2014, will be a weeklong celebration dedicated to the joy of riding a bike in Minneapolis and encouraging new riders to ride – to school, to the grocery store, to work or just for fun. The week will be filled with great events and activities for anyone – families, kids, people whose bikes spend too much time in their garages – who wants to explore our beautiful city on their bicycle. Take a ride – the rest of the city will be riding with you!

Theme Days:

• Sunday, May 4: Bike to Parks Day
• Monday, May 5: Cinco de Mayo
• Tuesday, May 6: Nice Ride Day
• Wednesday, May 7: Bike to School Day
• Thursday, May 8: Bike to Work Day
• Friday, May 9: Bike and Ride Day
• Saturday, May 10: Bike to Local Businesses Day
• Sunday, May 11: Family Bike Day

Plus all week: Commuter Pit Stops

Minneapolis Bike Week is being organized by the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition and more than 50 partners, including the City of Minneapolis.

For updates about Minneapolis Bike Week, visit mplsbike.org

WHO BOMBED THE TRAIN? Book Launch Party - May 7 at Bridgewater Lofts

Forty Press is hosting a launch party for WHO BOMBED THE TRAIN?, the third Skeeter Hughes mystery by Mill District resident, Judy Borger.  The event is being held Wednesday, May 7, from 7:00-8:30pm in the Bridgewater Lofts community room, 215 10th Avenue South (metered street parking).

Meet Judy, enjoy a short reading, Q&A, book signing and refreshments.

Electronic copies of WHO BOMBED THE TRAIN? can be downloaded from Amazon.  If you don't use a Kindle, you can read books from Amazon on your iPad or computer by downloading the free Kindle app to your device, buy the book, and it will be delivered to you immediately.

Northern Spark 2014 - Update #6

HOTTEA Pays Homage in Large-Scale Installation

HOTTEA's new work for Northern Spark, La Maroma, is a site-specific installation about the Ayutla River in Mexico as told through stories by his mother. The stories are funny, tragic, and sometimes very sad. "I remember as a child listening to these words of my mother and feeling close to these people," recalls Eric Rieger, who works under the moniker he adopted in earlier years as a graffiti artist.

La Maroma is a temporary, expansive work that will be composed of many thousands of yards of brightly-colored yarn. The completed work will create an illusion of a footbridge spanning the underside of a section of Minneapolis' Third Avenue Bridge.

HOTTEA is a Minneapolis-based artist known locally and nationally for installation work that uses delicate materials to create the illusion of bulk and volume in space.

Just announced: Northern Lights.mn and 89.3 The Current to Host GRRL PRTY at Opening Ceremony

Northern Spark 2014 kicks off at the Minneapolis Convention Center Plaza with a festive Opening Ceremony free for everyone to celebrate. Witness the unveiling of the winner of the Creative City Challenge, Balancing Ground, and help Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges officially open Northern Spark at 9:01 pm. Mu Daiko will energize the crowd beforehand and Minneapolis hip-hop trio GRRL PRTY will carry the energy into the night with a special set as the sun goes down.

No matter where you are at the start of the festival you can help us power up Northern Spark with your limited edition NS2014 Sparker. When the clock rings 9:01 pm, lift your sparker in the air and generate some energy to help spark the night.

Nicollet Mall Concept Design Presentations May 14

Two Bike Plan Open Houses, May 7 and May 8

Via an April 28 Hennepin County e-newsletter:

Bike plan open houses hosted by Hennepin County, Three Rivers Park District

Hennepin County and Three Rivers Park District are working together on updating a county-wide bicycle plan that reflects current and growing use of cycling in the region. The organizations have been working since June 2013 to gather input from the community, cities and other stakeholders to add to the draft plan.

The public is welcome to attend two open houses during bike week to learn more about the status of the current plan, help set the priorities for project implementation and the location of the enhanced network, and find out what trends were identified from the last fall’s community input.

Join county and park district staff from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7 at Minnetonka Community Center (at City Hall); or county and City of Minneapolis staff on Thursday, May 8 at Minneapolis Central Library (Doty Board Room).

For more information visit www.hennepin.us/bikeplan.  

Look for more news on the Hennepin County website.

National Park Service announces River Trip Planner

River Trip Planner

Now you can visit your national park without a car. The National Park Service - Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is excited to share their long awaited River Trip Planner.

This online resource will help you plan a route anywhere in the park, identify bus, rail lines and the best points of access (river nodes) for popular river destinations. It's an easy-to-use Google-based map with embedded park destination and alternative transportation (bus, rail, bike, boat, and walking) information that builds on existing regional transit, recreational trails and river access.

Click here for more information about destinations in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.