Minneapolis Central City Tunnel Project Update, Nov. 19

Via a November 19 e-announcement from the City of Minneapolis:

Project Overview

The City of Minneapolis Public Works Department is constructing a new parallel storm tunnel, enlarging a portion of the existing storm tunnel, and constructing a new tunnel access in Downtown Minneapolis. This project is anticipated to be completed summer 2023.

The new tunnel is being constructed parallel to the existing tunnel located under Washington Ave S between Nicollet Mall and Chicago Ave. The existing tunnel under Chicago Ave between Washington Ave S and the Mississippi River is being expanded to handle the increased stormwater capacity. The purpose of this project is to reduce pressure in the existing tunnel, provide more room for future growth, and to reduce the need for future repairs and tunnel failures.

Latest Project News

Nicollet Mall

• Crews are setting up equipment and materials and will beginning drilling the well near the southeast corner of the Nicollet Mall and Washington Ave intersection. 
  • The eastern sidewalk along Nicollet Mall between Washington Ave and 3rd St N is temporarily closed.
  • Pedestrians are still able to use the sidewalk on the west side of Nicollet Mall.
  • The crosswalk at the Washington Ave intersection remains open.

2nd Avenue

• Crews continue setting up equipment and materials to install the new tunnel access shaft in the southbound lanes of 2nd Ave S, just north of the Washington Ave intersection. Drilling and excavation of the new access shaft will begin the week of November 29 and work is estimated to take two months to complete.
  • The sidewalks will remain open on both sides of the road. 
  • The crosswalk at the Washington Ave and 2nd Ave S intersection remains open.
  • 2nd Ave S remains a single lane in each direction using the northbound lanes between Washington Avenue and 1st St S. 
  • Access to driveways off 2nd Ave S remain open. There may be short-term access delays while crews move equipment and materials around.

4th Avenue

• The east lane of 4th Ave S between 3rd St S and Washington Ave remains closed near the Washington Ave intersection. This is necessary to complete setting up the dewatering well and pumps. This work is anticipated to be completed in early December.
  • The sidewalk on the east side of 4th Ave S remains temporarily closed until the dewatering well is setup. 
  • Pedestrians can use the sidewalk on the west side of 4th Ave S. 
  • The crosswalk at the Washington Ave and 4th Ave intersection remains open. 
  • Access to driveways off 4th Ave S remain open. 

Portland Avenue

• The west lane of Portland Ave remains closed between 3rd St S and Washington Ave. This closure is needed to complete installation of the temporary dewatering well and pump setup on the southwest corner of the intersection. Work is anticipated to be completed in early December. 
  • During this closure, bicyclists will share the open traffic lane and pedestrians should use the eastern sidewalk.

Mississippi River Portal

• Crews continue excavating soils above the storm sewer tunnel and will begin removing the top five feet of the existing retaining wall at the Mississippi River portal site
  • The parking lot off Portland Ave east of the Stone Arch Bridge, near Mill Ruins Park, remains temporarily closed for the winter and will reopen spring 2022. This closure is necessary to complete the work in this area safely and efficiently. 
  • The parking lot near Portland Ave and W River Pkwy remains open.
• Expect additional noise, dust, and vibration as crews complete work.
• Schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

Long Term Closures/Restrictions

• The north sidewalk along Washington Ave remains closed between Hennepin Ave and Nicollet Mall through spring 2022. The contractor will be utilizing an existing shaft to perform work for connecting the existing tunnel to the new tunnel.
  • During this closure, pedestrians will share the bike lane on Washington Ave.
  • The crosswalks at the Washington Ave intersections of Nicollet Mall and Hennepin Ave remain open.

Stay Connected

There are multiple ways to get information including email updates and ongoing stakeholder meetings. Visit the project website for more information and to sign up for project updates:

https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/central-city-tunnel/

Email the project team: info@mplscentralcitytunnel.com

Contact the project hotline: 612-888-9418

New Mill District Signage

Submitted by Mill District resident Doug Verdier 

The Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA) has been installing signage and historical plaques throughout the Historic Mill District recently. Below are some samples of the informative installations. Thank you DMNA for this addition to the Historic Mill District.

4th Street Reconstruction Update

Via an e-update from the City of Minneapolis:

The City of Minneapolis is reconstructing 4th St. between 2nd Ave N and 4th Ave S in downtown Minneapolis. The reconstruction will include wider sidewalks, improved crossings, a new bi-directional off-street bike path on the north side of the street, lighting, trees and planting beds. Construction is underway and is expected to be complete in 2022. Phase 1 includes construction from Hennepin Ave to 4th Ave S and Phase 2 includes construction from 2nd Ave N to Hennepin Ave. Phase 1 occurred during 2021 and Phase 2 will begin in 2022.

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Latest Project News

• Phase 1 work, between Hennepin Ave and 4th Ave S, is substantially complete and 4th Street is now open to through traffic. The Washington Ave detour is no longer in effect.
• Remaining work this year includes completion of the traffic signal and lighting installations, anticipated to occur in December 2021.
• Xcel Energy will continue work between 2nd Ave N and Hennepin Ave through the winter which may result in periodic lane closures.
• Phase 2 construction, between 2nd Ave N and Hennepin Ave, will begin in spring of 2022. Construction crews plan to begin work as soon as possible depending on the weather and plan to be complete by mid-summer.
• There will be no further project newsletters or stakeholder meetings in 2021. Newsletters and stakeholder meetings will begin again in 2022, prior to the start of construction. Stay tuned!
• The project hotline and email address will remain active through the duration of the project.

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Stay Connected

There are multiple ways to get information including email updates and ongoing stakeholder meetings. Visit the project website and sign-up for updates: www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/fourth-st-n-and-s/

Provide questions, comments or concerns on the interactive map: https://zan.mysocialpinpoint.com/4thstreetreconstruction

Email the project team: info@4thstmpls.com

Contact the project hotline: 612-412-9774

Eclipse in the Clouds by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Mill District resident Ric Rosow

This photograph was taken at 5:45 a.m. on November 19th as the moon was in the final stages of its partial eclipse. The weather forecast was correct. Skies were clear at the start of the eclipse. Then several hours in clouds began to form. In the later portions of the eclipse event, clouds totally obscured the moon and then as in the photo, would open up momentarily for an interesting view. I set the camera to take a photograph every 20 seconds. As the eclipse progressed I changed exposure to account for the moon turning darker as more and more of it passed into the shadow of the earth. Four times I shut the camera off to change the battery. I felt like I was back in college studying for an exam, pulling an all-nighter photographing from midnight to 6:22 a.m.

The next lunar eclipse is a total eclipse on May 15, 2022. I hope to see and photograph that one as well. See more of my work @ricrosowphotography @treslechesartgallery @Nemaa.

Mr. Pettingill’s Wonderful Water

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

1875 - Chalybeate Springs near Pillsbury A MillIn 1875, the Minneapolis Riverfront welcomed its first, and last, resort. Mr. Mannesseh P. Pettingill reached an agreement with the St. Anthony Falls Company to lease a portion of their land, where he would start a spring-fed resort and tourist attraction. This was not the first time people would visit the springs, as they have been a popular spot to unwind since pioneers settled in the area. However, during the Civil War, the springs fell out of popularity.

The visitors of Mr. Pettinghill’s resort descended a steep flight of stairs, which were located in present day Father Hennepin Bluff Park. At the base of the bluff, they were able to enjoy ice cream, cigars, great views of St. Anthony Falls, and relaxing natural springs, which he marketed it as his Wonderful Water. One of the main attractions of the resort was a cavern, advertised as “Chute’s Cave.” An August 1876 issue of the Minneapolis Tribune says that visitors were able to take a tour of the cavern. “For the moderate sum of ten cents you can take a seat in a boat, with a flaming torch at the bow, and with a trusty pilot sail up under Main Street a distance of 2,000 feet.” If you were not the adventurous type, they also provided live music along the banks of the Mississippi every Saturday, such as the East Minneapolis Cornet Band on the evening of August 26th. Mr. Pettingill eventually constructed a covered dancefloor as a “rendezvous for lovers of dancing, where they can trip the light fantastic whenever occasion admits.”

1875 - Chalybeate Springs near Pillsbury A Mill

The growth of the city eventually made it hard for Mr. Pettingill to continue to run his resort, and in Autumn of 1880, it closed for good. Everything that could have went wrong happened all at once. Milling continued to grow at a rapid pace, which chased away many visitors of the resort because of the noise pollution, it was discovered that the source of Mr. Pettingill’s Wonderful Water was a swamp, and to top it all off, the city connected its sewers to the tailraces of the mills that emptied into the river right next to the resort.

Lower Father Hennepin Bluff Park

Fortunately for us, that area has cleaned up quite nicely. If you want to check out the springs, wait until the snow melts and the river thaws, and wander down the trails of the lower section of Father Hennepin Bluff Park and rediscover the beauty that attracted many residences of the Twin Cities and beyond to Mr. Pettengill’s resort.

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About Michael Rainville, Jr.

A 6th generation Minneapolitan, Michael Rainville, Jr. received his B.A. in History, Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies, and M.A. in Art History from the University of St. Thomas.

Michael is a historical interpreter at the Minnesota History Center and has been a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment LLC, giving Segway, walking, and biking tours of the Minneapolis riverfront for 9+ years.

 

He can be reached at mrainvillejr@comcast.net

Out of the Box Opera Presents Holiday Tenor Extravaganza at Canopy, Dec.16-18

Out of the Box Opera will present Holiday Tenor Extravaganza on December 16, 17 and 18 (performances at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30) as the final installment in its 2021 series at the Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis. The evening will offer a mix of opera, pop and traditional holiday music sung by a trio of tenors moving in and around the hotel’s restaurant and lounge.

Out of the Box Artistic Director David Lefkowich stated, “We think of what we do not as shows in the conventional sense but as musical adventures that include the audience as part of the performance.” In the case of the Holiday Tenor Extravaganza, individual singers will stop and engage with hotel diners and guests sitting at their tables or mingling in the lounge. The cast will also perform together as a group of strolling carolers. The repertoire will be equal parts traditional carols, popular holiday songs and opera arias in keeping with the spirit of the season. Lefkowich says that in putting together the program, he asked the singers to choose some of their own favorite pieces. “We think this will give the evening a sense of authenticity and intimacy, knowing that these men are singing music that recalls their own holiday memories.”

Musical Director and accompanist Carson Rose Schneider added, “We have chosen three dynamic singers to fill out our version of The Three Tenors. They have broad and varied backgrounds which fit perfectly with the range of music we are featuring in this event.” David Walton performed in the first Canopy show, A Night at The Opera/A Night on The Town, and with Out of The Box in 2019’s Acis and Galatea The Wonder Nymph. Walton has appeared locally with Minnesota Opera and Minnesota Bach Ensemble and nationally with Virginia Opera, Opera Carolina and Glimmerglass Festival. Brian Wallin performed earlier this year in Hello Italy at the Canopy and was in the cast of Out of The Box’s very first show, Love Lost/Love Found at the Weisman Art Museum in 2017. Walin has also performed with Minnesota Opera, Glimmerglass Festival, Atlanta Opera, and Opera National de Bordeaux. This is Eric Morris’ first performance with Out of The Box, but he has appeared locally as a performer with the Guthrie Theater, Theatre Latte Da, Mill City Summer Opera and Chanhassen Dinner Theatre and has directed shows at the Old Log Theater. Outside the Twin Cities, Morris has directed and performed with Dayton Opera and Michigan’s Barn Theater.

Umbra’s award-winning Executive Chef, Kevin Aho, has crafted a special menu offering exclusively for the three nights of Holiday Tenor Extravaganza performances. This Winter Feast includes a salad, 16oz Prime Rib, truffle mashed potatoes, seasoned vegetables and hazelnut tart. Visit their website to see the most up-to-date menu and reserve your table.

The show is a non-ticketed event. A dinner reservation at Canopy’s restaurant, Umbra, will guarantee reserved seating, but the show can also be seen and heard from the hotel’s lounge and lobby (and even from balconies in the hotel’s atrium if you have a room).

Thanksgiving Stock Up at the Nov. 20 Mill City Farmers Market

Vikings & Goddesses pumpkin pie

This Saturday, November 20, be sure to visit the Mill City Farmers Market inside the Mill City Museum to stock up on Thanksgiving staples! Here's the list of vendors who look forward to seeing you. (Pre-orders aren't required, but will save you time.) Masks required.

Looking for a traditional pumpkin pie? You can pre-order one from Vikings & Goddesses, or you can make your own using one of their pre-made frozen crusts. Want to make your own crust? Check out this instructional video. They use flour from Baker’s Field Flour & Bread, who you'll also find at the MCFM.

Stock up on: 

• Root veggies (potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, shallots, garlic, carrots)
• Winter squash, lettuces, spinach, arugula, celery, herbs, mushrooms and more local vegetables
• Fresh rolls and Thanksgiving pies
• High quality meat, cheeses and eggs
• Maple syrup, fermented foods, artisan sauces
• Beeswax candles, dried floral wreaths
• Handmade wooden utensils, tea towels and soaps

Don't forget to check out the Mill City Museum's gift shop while you're there! 

Small Business Spotlight(s): The Dayton’s Project

Article and photos by Becky Fillinger

The media was treated to a preview of The Dayton’s Project on Monday, November 15. Oh, how fabulous it was to once again step foot inside the cultural heart of downtown Minneapolis! Brian Whiting, President and Founder of the Telos Group, addressed the crowd and acknowledged that we Minnesotans love our state and are proud of and loyal to our landmarks – Dayton’s being a prime example. “For over five generations, Dayton’s was the heart of culture, shopping, and entertainment. At Telos Group we understood its historical and cultural significance to the city of Minneapolis, and we kept those ideas in mind for every step of the renovation.”

There were gasps of delight at the renovations – there are design surprises throughout the building - but also much reminiscing.

R.T. Rybak

Former Mayor R.T. Rybak offered his memories. “I met my wife when I was a reporter covering commercial real estate and she was doing PR at Dayton’s. Over the years, coming to have breakfast with Santa and then bringing our children to have breakfast with Santa – so many different memories in this building. I work across the street, and I’ve looked over and seen it empty for a long time. I can’t describe how exciting it is to see life in this building again. To be standing on this incredible outdoor plaza looking at the IDS and the skyline, I can see wonderful things for this building. I have to hand it to the developers and investors who persevered, and to the entrepreneurs and makers – they are going to give us such needed vibrancy.”

The merchandise available by the 35 Minnesota makers is diverse and delightful. That’s because Dayton’s has the services of the wonderful Mich Berthiaume. As curator of the project, Mich meticulously hand selects every brand. “It was a long process. I went to pow wows, I went to church basements, bazaars, the Cannon River art festival, the Hudson art festival, and many other events. I want Mill City Times readers to know that we are open for business with these local makers and entrepreneurs. These brands are all made here in the Twin Cities. There were no applications – I hand selected the brands you’ll see here.”

From left to right - Wendy Pilot, Robert Pilot, Nolan Berglund, Latessa Two Bulls of Native Roots Trading Post

Robert Pilot is the curator of Native products at his Native Roots Trading Post. “I have goods from Minnesota but also all of Turtle Island (North America). We're a busy conduit for the Native community. We give them the opportunity to accentuate and amplify their goods and reach. For example, a White Earth maker of a beautifully beaded $200 piece may not have an avenue to sell her product. She may reluctantly sell it locally for $15 to buy diapers. I open up a much wider market for the Native makers to reach the mainstream market. Our Native Roots Radio AM 750 reaches 200,000 people every day. I can bring Native artists and leaders together from all over the country.

Olivia Kor

Olivia Kor of LiveForLivArtwork offers beautiful mixed media pieces focusing on resin, pigments and crystals.  She focused on her pieces during quarantine and the social media interest exploded. Olivia says, “Photos do not do my artwork justice. Instagram is beautiful but when you see the artwork in person, you can really appreciate the glossy shine of the resin and the beauty of the geodes.” Olivia’s artwork is priced from $25 coasters to wall minis ($140) to full wall masterpieces. There’s something of beauty for everyone here. My words do not do justice to her designs either – just go to Dayton’s for a look. Follow her designs on Facebook and Instagram.   

I could expound on every vendor, but you’d soon get tired of reading. Just get yourself over to The Dayton’s Project at 700 Nicollet! Their holiday windows unveiling takes place at 10:30a on Thursday, November 18. Hours going forward are 10a-6p, Monday through Saturday, and Noon to 5p Sundays.

The Mill Yard at Stonebridge Lofts Art Exhibit Announces Winter Show

 Forms of Engagement

Opening Reception Sunday, December 5, 4:00 - 6:00PM

Stonebridge Lofts, 1120 S 2nd Street

Join us at The Mill Yard opening reception to meet the featured artists and engage with beautiful art. Wine, beverages, and snacks are served.

The new show runs from December 5, 2021 – March 10, 2022

COVID Safety: Masks are not required for those fully vaccinated. Please mask up if you are not fully vaccinated.

Artists featured at this show:

             Deb Lee Carson, photography

             Joseph Gallup, painting

             Brad Menninga, pottery

             Amy Sabatier, jewelry

             Sue Wipf, painting

Deb Lee Carson Her passion for the world behind the lens began decades ago while working in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. A native of Minnesota, she was instilled with a love of the wilderness, respect for the land, a fierce independence, and an attachment to horses. “My work explores the vastness of that natural landscape, capturing the poetic, raw intensity the horse offers and investigating their elements of beauty, strength and social structure. On a formal level these images are about light, space, form, movement and scale. On an informal level my work is about seeing the everyday beauty in their natural surroundings, about exploring time, place, memory and change”. Conact: deb@debleecarson.com

Winter Rumble

Joseph Gallup Joseph Gallup has “A passion for romantic expression told through bold color and brush strokes combined with unique inspirations drawn from cinema, rock and roll and my daily personal surroundings, including the people and animals I love.” His body of work in oil includes still life images, landscapes, portraits and abstracts always with fearless use of color and application. A native of Minnesota, Joseph studied art at Mankato State University and the University of Minnesota. His paintings “invite you to deconstruct the familiar, while maintaining relatability and inclusion.” Conact: Joseph.gallup@gmail.com

Mary

Brad Menninga Brad Menninga received his MFA from the California College of the Arts in San Francisco. He is originally from the Pacific Northwest where he worked as a studio potter and facilitated giant puppet making workshops through the Portland, Oregon chapters of Jobs with Justice and Art & Revolution. His unique, decorative and detailed imagery on surfaces aligns with the long history in ceramics to document and communicate current events, hopes and concerns.  Menninga has created solo installations at the Mall of America and at the 2019 NCECA Conference (St. Paul, MN). He is the recipient of a 2020 Minnesota Artist Initiative Grant and the 2020 McKnight Artist Fellowship for Ceramic Artists. Contact: bradmenningaart@gmail.com

Bicycle bowl

Amy Sabatier Excelsior based artist and metalsmith, Amy Sabatier, has always enjoyed working with her hands in various mediums. She is inspired by nature and the outdoors, and from experiences and travel. The tools, supplies and high quality, unique stones she uses are mindfully chosen with effort to support other artists. Amy practices traditional metalsmithing using her hands, a torch and limited tools. Her pieces are meant to reflect these handmade intentions and are therefore one of a kind treasures. Contact: amysabatier@gmail.com

Waiwai Medicine Necklace

Sue Wipf Sue Wipf’s experience growing up on her family’s Minnesota farm profoundly influenced her perspective of the world around her and her love of nature. Both are apparent in her plein air and studio paintings. Though her paintings are executed in a realistic technique, “I look for the wondrous abstract patterns in nature and still life and strive for the ‘less is more’ philosophy.  Painting outdoors brings excitement in capturing the emotion of that moment through color and light”. Sue has studied at the Schroeder Studio and is a member of Outdoor Painters of Minnesota, Women Artists of the West, Oil Painters of America, Plein Air Artists Colorado and the American Impressionist Society. Contact: sbjwipf@hotmail.com

Temperance River in Winter

The Mill Yard at Stonebridge Lofts

Residents celebrate our area’s industrial heritage of the mighty Mississippi River and the mills. Today, what we see are the most recognizable Minneapolis landmarks. However, this is only part of the story. Rail lines were key to Minneapolis’ growth, and were particularly integral to the Mill District, bringing in wheat and timber and shipping out flour and lumber. We also honor the history of the mills, the reason for the rail yard’s existence. The Mill Yard aims to be both a gathering place for art and artists and a conduit by which art can be shared with and disseminated into the wider community.  Contact TheMillYard.Stonebridge@gmail.com, Facebook

1850's Holiday Party at the Ard Godfrey House, Dec. 5

Longing for a simpler time? Slow down for a few hours and enjoy the 1850's Holiday Party at the Ard Godfrey House on December 5th. Thank you to The Woman's Club of Minneapolis for continueing this tradition.

Third Avenue Bridge Renovation Pictures from Week Ending November 12

Submitted by Mill District resident Doug Verdier

The Third Avenue Bridge project continues with interesting activity everywhere. A major event was the erection of a fourth tower crane above one of the piers near the mid point of the bridge span. Other sections saw continuation of concrete replacement on both piers and bridge deck. Work continues into evening hours most nights under the lights. Some highlights of the past week are shown.

Forms are in place awaiting pouring of new concrete on the side of the pier near West River Parkway. Above the forms you can see where the old roadbed of the bridge has been removed from atop the steel girders.

Removal of bridge deck sections exposes the spandrels that provide support for the deck. Spandrels are also being replaced as part of the reconstruction.

The base section of the fourth tower crane that was put in place on the bridge this week can be seen in the center of the photo above. Sections of the new tower were hoisted into place by the yellow crane to the left of the red tower base section.

With all sections of the new tower in place, workers on top of the tower await the yellow crane to lift the control section into place. Sections of the crane’s horizontal components can be seen to the left of the crane as they are being unloaded from a truck.

The control module of the crane is being lifted to workers atop the tower where it will be installed. The horizontal arm of the crane will then be lifted into place. That portion of the assembly operation took place the following morning.

Ta-da! The fourth crane assembled and being checked out before going into full service.

And then there were four. The newest addition is third from left (West side of the river). It was in full service by mid-week.

Share Your Feedback on Proposed 2022 City Budget at Upcoming Online Public Hearings

Three upcoming online public hearings are available for people to speak publicly to the City Council regarding Mayor Jacob Frey’s recommended 2022 City Budget. Comments can also be submitted online at the City’s website.

Online public hearings

• 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16
• 6:05 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1
• 6:05 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8

Comments submitted online will be entered into the public record and shared with the mayor and council members. The City Council is scheduled to vote on adopting the budget on Wednesday, Dec. 8. 

Learn how to participate in online public hearings.

The proposed 2022 $1.599 billion City budget includes a 5.45% levy increase. 

Visit the City’s website to learn more about the mayor’s recommended budget, key dates in the approval process, FAQs and more. You can also watch a series of videos on the City’s budget process.

10th Avenue Bridge Reopening Ceremony Scheduled for November 16

Join Minneapolis Public Works in celebrating the reopening of the 10th Avenue Bridge on Tuesday, November 16. A ribbon cutting event is scheduled from 11:30a to 12:15p on the downtown side of the bridge, including remarks from elected officials and project staff.

Project website: https://www.10thavebridge.com/

Nonprofit Spotlight: Catholic Eldercare

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Diane LucasNovember is a month for showing gratitude. I’m grateful for the wealth of nonprofit organizations that serve our community. I spoke to Diane Lucas, Director Marketing and Communications of Catholic Eldercare – an exemplary example of a local organization doing good works for decades. 

Q:  Please tell us the history and mission of Catholic Eldercare in NE Minneapolis.

A:  For nearly a century, the Little Sisters of the Poor provided loving care for the elderly of Minneapolis at St. Joseph’s Home, located at the corner of 2nd Street NE and Broadway.

In 1976 when the building was found to be inadequate for nursing home care, the Sisters chose to rebuild in St. Paul. About this same time, the closing of St. Anthony High School had left a school building at St. Anthony of Padua parish underutilized. This location, a mere two blocks from the old St. Joseph Home, suggested the possibility for its use as a replacement nursing home for Minneapolis.

At the request of then-Minneapolis Mayor Al Hofstede, Archbishop John Roach appealed to the religious communities serving the Archdiocese for help with this project. Sister Ruth Roland, O.P., responded with an offer to help with initial planning and began work with a small group of interested people in August of 1979 – those individuals are the founders of Catholic Eldercare – Albert J. Hofstede, Sister Ruth Roland, O.P., Minneapolis businessmen, Thomas F. Glodek, and Robert W. Hannah. Construction of the 150-bed skilled care center was officially begun on July 14, 1982, with the projected completion date set for one year later. The first residents moved in August 24, 1983.

Founder Portraits

Our mission – providing the care, housing and services needed by older adults to continue living fully with dignity in an intentionally created caring community – remains our focus today. Our full continuum of living choice offers independent living communities, assisted living and memory care communities, a skilled nursing facility, transitional care for rehabilitation services and an adult day program.

Albert J. Hofstede Campus

Q:  How many seniors have you served since the organization’s inception?

A:  My gosh, that is a good question, today we serve over 500; the number would be in the thousands upon thousands for sure. Perhaps the best way to get an understanding of how many we have served would be to look at the campuses themselves.

The Albert J. Hofstede Campus

This is our main campus at the corner of 2nd Street NE and 8th Avenue NE. It consists of a 150-bed skilled care building, a 24-bed transitional care building, MainStreet Lodge assisted living with 51 apartments and the operation of our Adult Day Program which is licensed to serve 36 participants daily. This is connected to the St. Anthony of Padua Chapel, and the property is adjacent to Wyndris, a beautiful amenity rich independent living apartment building on 2nd Street NE and Broadway. There are 69 apartments in that building.

Wyndris Apartments

RiverVillage East/North Campus

This campus is located off Randolph Street NE, just 2½ miles north of the main campus. It is comprised of RiverVillage East assisted living and memory care which is a 71-unit apartment complex attached to RiverVillage North, a subsidized independent living apartment building with 35 apartments.

Catholic Eldercare has evolved and grown through the years with MainStreet Lodge welcoming first tenants in 1995 and the RiverVillage East/North buildings in 2004. The Transitional Care and Wyndris buildings are the most recent additions to the Catholic Eldercare footprint in Northeast Minneapolis, opening in 2016 and 2018 respectively.

Q:  What’s on the horizon for 2022?

A:  We’re on the verge of celebrating our 40th anniversary in 2023. With that milestone in mind, our Board of Directors and leadership team began a strategic planning initiative focused on what our desired future will be. We know that healthcare regulations will continue to change, technology will improve, and the desires of future customers will be different. Integration of technology, new models for providing care, and workforce strategies are key considerations as we plan. However, we remain committed to our mission of providing care, housing, and services needed by older adults to continue living fully. This is an exciting new chapter in Catholic Eldercare’s rich history, one that we embrace and look forward to.

Q:  What volunteer opportunities are available?

A:  There are many volunteer positions available, such as program aides, visitors, meal hosts, escorts, clerical aides, gardeners, monthly shoppers and more. Catholic Eldercare’s volunteer program is quite flexible – striving to match the volunteer’s availability and interests as much as possible. A volunteer compliments and supports our staff, and by doing this we hope those we serve have the best possible experience. You can learn more by contacting me at dlucas@catholiceldercare.org.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  You can follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Or visit our website and blog to see latest news and events https://catholiceldercare.org/newsevents/.

The Dayton’s Project to Celebrate the Past and the Future in Grand Opening

Curated retail experiences will meet a favorite holiday tradition at Dayton’s

Today, The Dayton’s Project announced the final round of vendors in their inaugural maker’s market: The Departments at Dayton’s. The building will open to the public on November 18th with all 33 local makers installed at the project just in time for the holiday season.

“Dayton’s has always been emmeshed in the community,” said Mich Berthiaume, curator of The Departments at Dayton’s. “It was important to bring that focus back to the building and celebrate the remarkable diversity of the local makers across Minnesota. The phenomenal list of vendors we have at this project are reigniting the vibrancy of downtown Minneapolis.”

Native Roots Radio, local community radio merchandise; Teton Trade Cloth, beads, blankets, supplies, and other gear; Great Grandmother Mary Lyons, Minnesota-made ribbon skirts; Iron Cloud Art Designs, striking printed art from Arizona; Winona LaDuke, local CBD and hemp products; Eagle Thunder Family, Lakota beadwork, gear, and native language clocks; Nancy Beaulieu, Minnesota-made handicrafts; William Harjo, handmade wooden flutes from Oklahoma and Texas; Star Quilts, Northern Cheyenne-designed apparel; Marion Martinez, artisan rings and silver jewelry; Joseph Wrider, handmade silver jewelry; White Buffalo Prints, local wildlife photography; American Indian Movement, official AIM-branded merchandise.

In addition, The Dayton’s Project has announced two additional vendors who have joined the market:

Rocky Robinson – a self-care brand created to empower Black and Brown girls and tell them that they matter

Joel Kaplan – a watercolor artist and art instructor who was a former Divisional Director at the Dayton’s Department Store

The developers also announced the recreation of a beloved tradition at Dayton’s: the Holiday windows display. Beginning on opening day, November 18th, The Dayton’s Project will unveil its Christmas window decorations on both the skyway level and the first floor. The corner of 8th and Nicollet will feature a display of Santa Bears, another favorite Dayton’s tradition.

“It was important to us to bring the Holiday windows back,” said Don Kohlenberger, President of Hightower Initiatives and the owner’s representative for The Dayton’s Project. “This was a tradition we brought back in 2019 and had to pause in 2020 due to the pandemic. This year, we’re bringing it back to celebrate the holiday season and create new cherished memories for the shoppers who visit The Dayton’s Project.”

The Departments at Dayton’s is the newest addition to The Dayton’s Project, a landmark historic restoration development in downtown Minneapolis. At 1.2 million square feet, The Dayton’s Project redevelopment marks one of the largest historic renovations in the country. The building will eventually host 250,000 SF in retail space from the lower level up to the skyway and will host 750,000 SF of office space in the rest of the building. Office tenants will enjoy a private tenant lounge and rooftop deck, quiet heads down working space, and a 10,000 SF fitness center, in addition to their modern office space. Ernst & Young Global Limited is the project’s headlining office tenant and will also take occupancy on November 18th.

FINNEGANS Announces ‘Drink Like You Care’ Campaign

Via a November 8 e-announcement from FINNEGANS:

FINNEGANS has launched their annual ‘Drink Like You Care’ campaign, where beer distributor partners match donations for all beer sales from Nov-Dec and support feeding those in need in our community. They are asking friends and supporters to step up and help to make this campaign a huge success, and are offering fun ways to make a difference!

Sign-up to be a FINNEGANS Sampling Saint
In an effort to sell as much FINNEGANS as possible and to engage liquor store customers in helping to feed those in need, they are scheduling liquor store tastings at their top selling accounts (this is a paid position!).
Please Click here to sign-up. They have a bunch of open sampling opportunities now through December.

Throw a ‘Drink Like You Care’ Happy Hour with your friends, family, colleagues and everyone you know Don’t forget to share the joy! Post your photos and tag FINNEGANS, #DLYC. They can’t wait to see your barstool philanthropy in action.

• Click here to see a list of all of our supporting bars and restaurants carrying FINNEGANS. Some retailers are going above and beyond to support this campaign. Promotions are happening November-December:
  • The Craft and Crew restaurant group (Stanley’s, The Howe, The Bloch, Pub 819 and Dukes on 7th) is donating 50 cents per pint for every FINNEGANS.
  • The Local West End is running FINNEGANS on Happy hour every day all day.
  • The Gnome is doing a FINNEGANS 10 tap takeover, and FINNEGANS will be a part of their Battle of the Breweries on December 9. A portion of the ticket price will go to the ‘Drink Like You Care’ Campaign. More details coming soon on the Reverse Food Truck food drives too!

Entertain Like You Care
Invite your friends, neighbors, colleagues, family and everyone you know over to your home for a party – stock your fridge with FINNEGANS and you have a fundraiser rolling to feed those in need in your community. Invite everyone to a virtual gathering; share the link for all to find FINNEGANS near them. Look for FINNEGAN variety fan packs and make it an at-home beer tasting! Click here to find cans of FINNEGANS near you.

Unveiling the New DMNA Historic Signage Project

Via a November 8 Press Release from the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA):

During the first few weeks in November, residents and visitors to the Mill District will start noticing some new signage on 16 different properties, along 2nd Street, 3rd Avenue, and Washington Avenue.

The purpose of the DMNA Historic Signage Project is to create and install signage that highlights the history behind buildings, and potentially other architecture in the downtown community. We believe the signage will enhance the pedestrian experience for residents and visitors, increase the sense of community in our neighborhoods, honor our past, and create a legacy for the future.

The DMNA modeled its project after a similar project in the North Loop neighborhood. The DMNA Historic Signage Committee received guidance on our project from volunteers from the North Loop Neighborhood Association. We appreciate and want to recognize their help!

The DMNA is starting with 16 buildings in the Mill District but will expand to other areas in the Downtown East and Downtown West neighborhoods in the future. Each of the historic signs includes a QR code that when scanned will take you to a page on the DMNA website with more history about the building. (On or around November 8, after the historic signage has been installed on all of the buildings, we will activate the building history webpages on the DMNA website.)

A video created by Peter Zenner from ZenMation showcases each of the properties the DMNA Historic Signage Committee produced signage for this year.

(You can also view the video via this link: https://youtu.be/iUbIvZanJkw)

A BIG THANK YOU to committee members Dianne Walsh, Randy Manthey, Christine Anderson, Rana Geving, and Lisa Olson. They have been working very hard on this project over the last six months. For more information about the project and an interactive map with all of the buildings on it, please visit: https://www.thedmna.org/historic-signage.

A Tale of Too Many Bridges

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

Photo credit: Skyline ArtEveryday, thousands of people cross the Hennepin Avenue Bridge, from those who are commuting to work and students arriving for class at DeLaSalle High School, to locals walking their dogs or going for a jog. We take our many bridges for granted these days, but it wasn’t always a luxury the citizens of the Twin Cities had. An important piece of infrastructure, this bridge helped industry and commerce blossom in the Mill City.

Before bridges started to pop up across the Mississippi River, ferries were the only way to cross when the ice cleared the river. In order to connect the two villages of Minneapolis and St. Anthony, businessmen Franklin Steele and John Stevens began operating a rope ferry in 1847 from Nicollet Island to Minneapolis to help travelers cross safely. Shortly after, in 1851, a bridge was built from St. Anthony to Nicollet Island. Steele and Stevens noticed how important commuting back and forth between the two villages was for the local economy and began discussing the possibility of building a bridge at the spot where they run their ferry service.

On March 4th, 1852, Steele, Stevens, and other investors started the Mississippi Bridge Company when they received a charter from the Territorial Legislature to build a bridge. The $36,000 bridge, or over $1,015,000 after inflation, was completed in December of 1854, and officially opened to the public on January 23rd, 1855. When the Father Louis Hennepin Bridge first opened, it was dubbed as the “link between the Atlantic and Pacific,” because it became the first bridge to span the Mississippi anywhere on the river. It wasn’t New Orleans, it wasn’t Memphis, it wasn’t St. Louis; Minneapolis is the true Gateway to the West.

The original anchors for the suspension can still be seen in First Bridge Park underneath the current Hennepin Avenue Bridge. Since the wooden suspension bridge was built by a private company, it was initially a toll bridge. Pedestrians paid 3¢, or 5¢ for a round trip, horses and mules cost 15¢, cows and oxen cost 10¢, and pigs and sheep cost 2¢. Because the bridge was small, and rather close to the river, there was a strict rule that you had to cross the bridge at a walking pace or slower. If they did catch you going faster than a walking pace, they would fine you $10! That doesn’t seem like much now, but the average day wage for those who worked in the mills was 25¢.

Photo of the first and second bridges taken in 1876 during the construction of the second bridge.

When the bridge first opened, the population of Minneapolis was roughly 480 residents, and St. Anthony had over 1,000. Only five years later in 1860, the populations quickly rose to 2,500 and 3,200 respectively. There is no doubt that the Hennepin Avenue Bridge was a major factor in the growth of both villages. In 1869, the Minneapolis Bridge Company’s charter expired, and Hennepin County purchased the bridge to become its new owner. In February of 1872, St. Anthony agreed to merge with Minneapolis to become one city and the ownership of the bridge once again changed hands, this time to the city of Minneapolis. The rapidly rising population, quickly growing milling industry in the city, and almost constant repairs to the bridge meant that it was close to obsolete. New plans to make a larger wooden suspension bridge came to fruition in February of 1877. During construction of the second bridge, the original was left up because taking away that crossing would have been devastating for the city and its residents. Once that second bridge was open, they tore down the original, the very first bridge to span the Mississippi River.

A couple decades later, the city needed a much larger bridge, so in 1888 they started construction on a steel arched bridge, moving away from the previous suspension bridges. The third bridge on this site opened to the public in 1891 and lasted almost 100 years. By the 1980s, city and county officials knew the third bridge was in dire need of repairs, and once a study was complete, they were split on whether they should invest in the almost 100-year-old bridge or build a state-of-the-art new bridge. Led by John Derus, who was also key in securing the future of the Stone Arch Bridge and the Merriam Street Bridge, the city and county officials decided to build a new bridge that the city would be proud of.

Photo of the second and third bridges in 1891 before the second was torn down.

The new, and current Father Louis Hennepin Bridge is once again a true suspension bridge. Two 150-foot-tall towers support the suspension for two separate bridge decks, thus making it the shortest suspension bridge to carry highway traffic built in modern times when it opened in 1990.

Now one of the most recognizable sites in Minneapolis, the Hennepin Avenue Bridge is featured on everything from postcards to t-shirts, and I’m sure it helps that it’s located right next to another Minneapolis icon, the Grain Belt Beer sign. The next time you traverse the Hennepin Avenue Bridge on your commute to work or your next bike ride, take a second to imagine crossing the bridge in 1855 when it was a revolutionary feat of engineering; the first bridge to span the Mississippi River.

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About Michael Rainville, Jr.

A 6th generation Minneapolitan, Michael Rainville Jr. received his B.A. in History from the University of St. Thomas, and is currently enrolled in their M.A. in Art History and Certificate in Museum Studies programs. Michael is also a historic interpreter and guide at Historic Fort Snelling at Bdote and a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment LLC, giving Segway tours of the Minneapolis riverfront for 7+ years. Contact: mrainvillejr@comcast.net. Click here for an interactive map of Michael's past articles.

Minneapolis Restaurants Provide Delicious Options for Thanksgiving Feasts and Pies to Enjoy at Home

Try something new this Thanksgiving - whether it's dessert, or the entire feast!

Photo: The Restaurant ProjectHark! Cafe is serving up scrumptious, scratch-made Thanksgiving pies. These decadent holiday favorites are filled with real Minnesota apples, pumpkins and winter squash - and are 100% plant-based, gluten-free and celiac-safe. Hark! Cafe is located in the Warehouse District at 430 1st Avenue.

• Full-size pies (9”) serves 10-12 -Pecan: $50, Apple-Cranberry: $40,Pumpkin: $40- or all 3 pies for $120
• Preorder now through November 20 for pick up November 24 or 25.
•  https://www.harkcafe.com/order-thanksgiving-pies

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Ono Hawaiian Plates offers a ready-to-eat dinner for four for $149. Choose your pick up time on Thanksgiving Day: 3pm, 4pm or 5pm (not a take n’ bake, it comes hot!) Ono Hawaiian Plates is in the North Loop Galley, 729 Washington Avenue N. Online pre-orders only. Your feast includes:

•  Sea Salt Roasted Turkey Breast
•  Garlic Mashed Potatoes 
•  Turkey Gravy
•  Portuguese Sausage Stuffing
•  Coconut Creamed Spinach 
•  Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
•  Cranberry & Pineapple Compote 
•  Pineapple Upside Down Cake

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Photo: Union Hmong KitchenUnion Hmong Kitchen invites you to experience their Vinai Thanksgiving Feast. $220 per order, ready to reheat at home. This meal serves 3-4 people (if you’re feeding 6-8 people, you would place an order for two meals, etc.).

Meal package includes:

3 Mains:

• Whole Smoked Fish in banana leaf
• Turkey Leg + Thigh, confit with ginger + lemongrass marinade
• Hmong Sausages

Sides:

• Purple Sticky Rice
• Khao Sen Chilled Rice Noodles
• Roasted Seasonal Veggies - brussels sprouts, parsnips, and purple radish
• 4 Sauces
• Pickled Veggies
• Fermented Mustard Greens
• Chopped Herbs, Fried Onion + Garlic, and Colorful Doodads for Garnish

Plus: Vinai-branded reheating and serving instructions, banana leaves for tabletop setting, plus a link to fun table and meal assembly video by Yia Vang and a curated Thanksgiving Spotify Playlist.

Also available (on its own, not part of the above packaged): 10" Gochujang French Silk Pie $30, feeds 6-8. Made with real MN-raised lard, topped with whipped cream, dark chocolate curls; flavored with gochujang Korean chili.

Order by Friday November 19 at unionkitchenmn.com. Meals and pies available for pick up between 10am to 5pm at Vinai, 1717 NE 2nd Street, in NE Minneapolis on Wednesday, November 24. Home delivery available for $25.

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Patisserie 46 / Rose Street Patisserie is offering an 8” Classic Kentucky Derby Pecan Pie with Woodford Reserve Bourbon, 70% dark chocolate and Georgia pecans.  Topped with a rich chocolate Chantilly. Other seasonal/Thanksgiving items include savory breads, a pumpkin cheesecake, and stuffing mix. Order for either location at https://patisserie46.com.

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Here is a more expansive list from WCCO.

October 2021 by the Numbers from Cynthia Froid Group

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group: