Scenes from the October 29 Mill City Farmers Market - Happy Halloween!

October 29 was the final outdoor Market for the 2016 season, and Halloween was the theme!

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The Cost of Homelessness

Article by Claudia Kittock, photos by Rick Kittock

Every week I talk with people experiencing homelessness. Often these people are teenagers, and I hear the stories of life without a place to live.  Imagine spending part of every night wedged into a space underneath an overpass.  Imagine spending part of every night hoping no one will assault you, no police officer will come to roust you out of that space underneath an overpass, and then imagine doing that with no hope of a better future.  That is the daily reality for too many of our neighbors in this city.

 

 

The people who have experienced homelessness in our neighborhood are real.  They are people from every walk of life and over 80% have jobs, with 40% of those working two or more jobs. There is Phillip who worked for Wells Fargo, Randy who worked for Fox TV for 15 years before being laid off, Jennifer who ran the housekeeping department for the downtown Hilton Hotel, Jeremiah who owned three farms until a farming accident made that impossible. All of them, like you and I, want a place to sleep at night, good food to eat, and a place for their families to grow and flourish.

 

If the impact of that type of existence is not enough to engage you in this conversation, let’s consider the economic facts of homelessness. Shaun Donovan, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development explained, "The thing we finally figured out is that it’s actually, not only better for people, but cheaper to solve homelessness than it is to put a band-aid on it. Because, at the end of the day, between shelters and emergency rooms and jails, it costs about $40,000 a year for a homeless person to be on the streets."

 

"We learned that you could either sustain people in homelessness for $35,000 to $150,000 a year, or you could literally end their homelessness for $13,000 to $25,000 a year."

 

A study done at the University of Pennsylvania analyzed the costs of 4,679 mentally ill homeless people in New York City who were placed in supportive housing that also provided social services. Those costs were compared to data on people who relied on public shelters, public and private hospitals and correctional facilities. The study found that "persons placed in supportive housing experience marked reductions in shelter use, hospitalizations, length of stay per hospitalization and time incarcerated. Before placement, homeless people with severe mental illness used about $40,451 per person per year in services (1999 dollars). Placement was associated with a reduction in services use of $16,281 per housing unit per year.”

 

Philip Mangano, former homelessness policy czar under President George W. Bush, compiled data from 65 cities of all different sizes and demographics and found that the cost of keeping people on the street added up to between $35,000 and $150,000 per person per year.

 

Conversely, after the housing-first programs had been established, Mangano said, he looked at the cost of keeping formerly homeless people housed. That range: $13,000 to $25,000 per person per year.

 

"We learned that you could either sustain people in homelessness for $35,000 to $150,000 a year, or you could literally end their homelessness for $13,000 to $25,000 a year," he said.

 

Housing First is an assistance approach for people experiencing homelessness.  It prioritizes providing people with permanent housing as quickly as possible.  Once housed, providing supportive services becomes easier, less expensive, and more efficient. The vast majority of people experiencing homelessness fall into homelessness after a housing or personal crisis. For these households, the Housing First approach provides them with short-term assistance to find permanent housing quickly and without conditions. In turn, such households often require only brief, if any, support or assistance to achieve housing stability and individual well-being.

 

Heading Home Hennepin is the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County community’s 10-year plan to end homelessness by 2016. The plan was developed over the course of 100 days in 2006 by a commission of representatives from federal, state, and local governments; business, nonprofit, faith and philanthropic communities; and homeless and formerly homeless citizens.  Information about this program and the progress that has been made in Minneapolis can be found at http://www.hennepin.us/headinghomehennepin.

 

Who are the people experiencing homelessness in Minneapolis? In 2013, Hennepin County observed that 25% of families in emergency shelter had been there before, double the rate of 5 years earlier. These families that returned to shelter were younger, with less education and work experience. They were disproportionately African American or Native American. Preventing these families’ return to shelter could have saved the community $1.5 million in shelter costs per year, in addition to the trauma that homelessness causes.

 

The Wilder Foundation conducts one night statewide surveys of homeless people in Minnesota, with the most recent one being October 22, 2015.  On the night of that survey, 9,312 homeless adults, youth, and children were counted, down 9% from 2012. The 9% decrease between 2012 and 2015 follows a jump of 32% between 2006 and 2012.

 

A look at the numbers:
• The number of homeless children decreased 7% between 2012 and 2015. However, children still represent 35% of the overall homeless population, and young people age 24 or younger are the most likely to be homeless.
• There was an 8% decrease in the Twin Cities metro, and a 13% decrease in greater Minnesota.
• 77% of homeless adults age 18 or older have been in Minnesota for longer than 2 years.
• Youth on their own age 24 and younger make up 16% of the homeless population.
• Homeless adults age 22-54 decreased 13% since 2012 to 4,108 people in 2015.
• The number of homeless adults age 55 or older increased 8% since 2012 to 843 in 2015. The percentage increase is similar to the overall population growth for this age group. Older adults remain a small proportion of the overall homeless population, and the group least likely to be homeless.
• The number of people in emergency shelters dropped 8 percent and the number of people in transitional shelters dropped 5 percent, while the number of people in domestic violence shelters increased 15 percent.

 

The numbers reflect homeless people counted on the night of the study. The count should be considered a minimum, since many homeless people outside the shelter system are not found on the night of the study, especially people in rural areas and youth. Estimates of the total homeless population will be released when additional analyses are completed.

 

Please consider not only the personal side of homelessness, but the economic.  Making sure people have a place to sleep is good business for a city.  The economic payback is huge. This problem can and needs to be fixed, for the sheer humanity of making sure every person can go to sleep in their own bed every night.

 

Claudia can be reached at claudia@millcitymedia.org

Holidazzle Returns to Loring Park on November 25

Visit www.holidazzle.com for information on this year's event. 

Zero in on the schedule and vendors here: www.holidazzle.com/schedule and www.holidazzle.com/vendors.

Washington Avenue Reconstruction Project Update

Via an October 28 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Paving continues on Washington Avenue

Crews are continuing to pave initial layers of westbound sections of Washington Avenue (County Road 152) today – a sign that work is nearing completion for the season.

As part of today's work, the 5th Avenue intersection will be paved and is expected to reopen by 3 p.m.

Work remains on schedule to have the first phase of work complete and westbound lanes paved and open to traffic before winter weather arrives.

Other work on Washington Avenue

Elsewhere on the project, crews have been busy this week:

•Digging tree pits between 2nd and 3rd Avenues
•Installing curbs and gutters around the 5th Avenue intersection
•Wrapping up work in the northwest quadrant of the 3rd Avenue intersection

Next week, crews expect to begin installing new pavers that will separate the bike path from the sidewalk. They also plan to pour the next section of cycle track between 2nd and 3rd avenues.

3rd Avenue traffic switch – expect delays

Starting Monday, crews will flip over to the northeast quadrant of the 3rd Avenue intersection. Because of the arrangement of below ground utilities in this location, a large work area is required.

One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction. Motorists should expect delays and may consider choosing an alternate route such as Hennepin or Portland avenues. This work is expected to last three to four weeks.
 
Contact us

Website: www.hennepin.us/washingtonavenue
Email: washingtonave@hennepin.us
Phone: 612-543-3722

Project engineer:
 Stanley Lim, P.E.
 612-596-0292
 stanley.lim@hennepin.us

What's on Tap from The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul

A little something for everyone! Here's what the The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul has in store for you...

October 30 at 7pm - NTL: FRANKENSTEIN - (program: Stage on Screen, National Theatre Live’s The Encore Series) Benedict Cumberbatch as The Creature opposite Jonny Lee Miller as Dr. Frankenstein. Screening at the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at St. Anthony Main Theatre

November 3 at 7pm** - HALF PAST AUTUMN: THE LIFE AND WORKS OF GORDON PARKS - (program: First Thursday Films @ the Capri, Black Cinema: Under the Skin) Filmmaker attending for post-screening discussion. Screening at the Capri Theater - 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis 55411.

November 4-10 - LONG WAY NORTH - (program: New Releases) Screening at the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at St. Anthony Main Theatre

November 5 - 13th- (program: Special Screenings, Black Cinema: Under the Skin ) U.S. District Judge Michael J. Davis, Fourth Judicial District Judge Pamela G. Alexander attending for post screening discussion,. Screening at the Capri Theater - 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis 55411

November 6 at 1:15pm - LOOK AT US NOW, MOTHER! - (program: Partnerships) Filmmaker attending for Q&A. Screening at the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at St. Anthony Main Theatre

November 11-17 - CINE LATINO - The 4th edition of one of the nation’s largest Spanish & Portugues language film festivals returns November 11-17. Screening at the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at St. Anthony Main Theatre, Metropolitan State University Film Space, Parkway Theater

November 18-24 - MOONLIGHT - (program: New Releases) Screening at the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at St. Anthony Main Theatre

November 21 at 7pm + November 26 at 1pm - NTL: HAMLET - (program: Stage on Screen, National Theatre Live’s The Encore Series) Screening at the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at St. Anthony Main Theatre

December 1 at 7pm** - DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST - (program: First Thursday Films @ the Capri, Black Cinema: Under the Skin) With post-screening discussion. Screening at the Capri Theater - 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis 55411

December 2-8 - DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST - (program: New Releases, Black Cinema: Under the Skin) Screening at the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at St. Anthony Main Theatre

December 5 at 7pm + December 10 at 1pm - STAGE RUSSIA: THE CHERRY ORCHARD - (program: Stage on Screen, Stage Russia HD) Screening at the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at St. Anthony Main Theatre

December 12 at 7pm + December 17 at 1pm - NTL: WAR HORSE - (program: Stage on Screen, National Theatre Live’s The Encore Series) Screening at the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul at St. Anthony Main Theatre

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT: mspfilm.org or at the box office before each show.

Vote Early November 1-7

Via an October 27 Hennepin County e-newsletter:

Hennepin County eligible voters will directly place their ballots into a ballot counter when voting in person November 1-7.

Voting machines will record votes as they are turned in, but will not report results until after polls close on Election Day, November 8.

In-person absentee voting is available at most city halls across Hennepin County and at several locations in Minneapolis now until November 7. Each city location can accommodate voters who live in that particular city. Check available locations.

Voters who live anywhere in Hennepin County also may vote in-person at the Hennepin County Government Center -- 300 S. Sixth Street, Minneapolis – skyway level.
Hours are:
• Tuesday, Nov. 1, through Friday, Nov. 4 – 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 5 – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 7, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

This is possible after the Minnesota State Legislature passed a new law in 2016. Previously, in-person absentee voters placed their ballots into a series of envelopes.
This new system provides many benefits to voters:
• Vote at a convenient time 
• Have confidence that a ballot is immediately counted 
• Verify ballot was properly filled out and accepted by the counting machine
• Avoid hassle of placing absentee ballots in series of envelopes 

This change also helps election officials by providing:
• Faster results reporting on election night
• Increased savings in time and materials to administer the election

For information about voting and elections in Hennepin County, visit www.hennepin.us/elections.

The Taste of Minneapolis International Festival Scheduled for November 12

Via an October 24 e-newsletter from Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

Join community members from across the City to learn about all the many amazing cultures that make Minneapolis such a wonderful place to live.

The Taste of the Minneapolis International Festival will be celebrating the many different cultures in the City of Minneapolis and surrounding communities with music, dance, cultural learning booths, exhibits, demonstrations, food and more!

The Taste of the Minneapolis International Festival is FREE and open to the public.  The event will take place on Saturday, November 12 from 1 - 4 pm at Phillips Recreation Center, 2323 – 11th Avenue S.

 To learn more visit www.minneapolisparks.org or by calling 612-230-6400. 

The Taste of the Minneapolis International Festival is presented by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board.

Library Inreach - Central Library and St. Stephen’s Join Forces to Assist Patrons With a Wide Range of Needs

Article by Claudia Kittock, photos by Rick Kittock

Roxanna is a woman in her mid-sixties and experiencing homelessness. She has a traumatic brain injury and was having a number of issues because of it. As with so many people in her circumstances, she was vulnerable. People who live in homes often imagine the lives of homeless people and how hard it is, but they can't always envision the exact types of scenarios that homeless people experience. A homeless person is more vulnerable to violence and a whole range of other issues.

Roxanna had made contact with a number of organizations and she qualified for assistance, but no one could find her, literally. When she did make contact, her feelings of distrust overcame her ability to successfully advocate for help, and she would disappear again. Her brain injury added to her vulnerability, and it led the courts to decide to commit her involuntarily as it seemed the best choice to keep her safe. Roxanna was against the commitment, but didn’t know how to keep it from happening.

Enter the Library Inreach, a new project launched at the Minneapolis Central Library on Nicollet Mall almost a year ago. Kathryn Coleman of St. Stephen’s Human Services took the job of running the Inreach at the library. The project came about because of the staff at the library. Staffed by people whose job it is to provide answers, they recognized a need for responses outside the scope of traditional library services. Recognizing that need led to the request for an Inreach worker. Hennepin County and St. Stephen’s joined together to create Kate’s position. Kate has worked at St. Stephen’s for 6 years, and part of that time was as an outreach worker, so the library job was intriguing to her. What exactly does Kate do there?

The position is one of connections, cooperation, and relationship building. Kate works with library staff and security officers. One of the goals of the library is to be an open, welcoming, and safe place for all patrons.  When a patron needs help and the staff being asked doesn’t have an answer, they feel compelled to find the answer. Library staff and security officer can now ask Kate. When asked, Kate will often meet with the patron in a small meeting room, and attempt to assess what is needed and the resources of the particular patron. She helps navigate options based on the answers to her questions. They can include housing, mental health care, eligibility for assistance, employment, chemical dependency assistance, etc. Kate calls it doing a ‘warm hand off’.

Kate serves as the intermediary for patrons and for organizations. She meets with between 60 and 80 patrons a month, about half of which are people already known by Kate and the staff, and the other half are new to the city and some are new to the staff. Imagine being new to a city like Minneapolis and having no idea how to access housing, employment, or any type of help. As an example of these connections, Goodwill-Easter Seals has been coming to the library twice a week for quite some time. They help patrons with resume building, interview prep, and have a list of employers and jobs that are available. On the days they are in the library, Kate can do that ‘warm hand off’ for patrons needing help with employment.

What happened to Roxanna? Kate was able to build a relationship with her and to connect her with resources, case management, and a path to housing. After a referral to another worker, housing was set up for Roxanna, and she now lives in an apartment, is eating regularly, taking her medication, and getting help with her traumatic brain injury. This came about because of an incredible group of people that do this work, a team effort that worked for Roxanna. An amazing conclusion to what had been a tragic set of circumstances.

My last question to everyone I interview is, "How can we all help with the work you are doing?" Kate’s suggestion is to participate in St. Stephen’s program, A Day in the Life. For information, call 612-874-0311 or go online: https://ststephensmpls.org/programs/human-rights/day-in-life. Components of this program include a walking education, led by educators who have experienced homelessness, the shelters, drop-in centers, etc., and will take you on a tour of a typical day. The walking education comes with the opportunity to learn from the trained educators and not only see what a day is like, but ask questions during the walk as well.

I am consistently amazed and awed by the people I meet. People who have a life’s journey that has been so difficult, and yet they persevere. People who have devoted their life to providing assistance and to guiding people to places where there is help, and genuine hope. Connections, kindnesses, humanity, and an open heart! Take that walk with a trained educator. It will change the way you see our beloved city and the people who live here.

Claudia can be reached at claudia@millcitymedia.org

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Editor's Note - The Minneapolis Central Library is celebrating its 10 Year Anniversary on November 5.  Click here for event details.

Scenes from the October 22 Mill City Farmers Market

October 22 was Bone Broth Day at the Market.  Andrew Ikeda of Abrothecary joined Beth Dooley for a Mill City Cooks segment on making homemade soup the easy way - start with one of Andrew's premium broths and add fresh market ingredients.  I've thoroughly enjoyed using this broth all season. He relies on quality ingredients to provide the flavor, and leaves it up to the user to add salt to taste. October 22 was Abrothecary's last 2016 MCFM date, but off season you can find their broth at Lowry Hill Meats.

Click to read more ...

Washington Avenue Reconstruction Project Update

Via an October 21 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

First section of new cycle track paved
Crews began paving the first section of a new cycle track, or curb-protected bike lane, this week on Washington Avenue (County Road 152) between Hennepin and 2nd avenues. This is a key milestone in fulfilling one of the main design goals of the Washington Avenue project: to improve safety and overall experience for pedestrians and bicyclists.
 
Crews paving the new cycle track between Hennepin and 2nd avenues

Once complete, Washington Avenue will have new one-way cycle tracks on both sides of the roadway from Hennepin Avenue to 5th Avenue.
 
These new cycles tracks will be the middle segment of a safe and continuous route for bicyclists from I-35W to Plymouth Avenue. Last year, a restriping project created new bicycle lanes from Hennepin Avenue to Plymouth Avenue. In 2017, a planned restriping project will create new in-street bicycle lanes from 5th Avenue to I-35W.

Other work on Washington Avenue

Elsewhere on the project, crews will also be busy this week:
• Laying curbs and gutters between 4th and 5th avenues
• Replacing sanitary and storm sewer pipes between 3rd and 5th avenues
• Beginning underground utility work at the 3rd Avenue intersection
• Digging tree pits and trenches for new enhanced landscaping

Next week, crews expect to begin paving between 2nd and 3rd avenues and between 4th and 5th avenues.

Traffic changes and considerations

As work continues to progress, there are a few ongoing and upcoming traffic changes at intersections to consider when traveling in the area.

5th Avenue
Crews opened a northbound through lane at the 5th avenue intersection last Friday. All below ground utility work is now complete and crews are continuing with work on curbs and gutters. The intersection is expected to fully reopen early next month.

3rd Avenue
Work began this week in the northwest part of the 3rd Avenue intersection. Two lanes of traffic in each direction will be maintained for the next couple weeks while this work occurs. Crews will then flip to the other side of the intersection. Pedestrians should cross on the side opposite the active work area.

2nd Avenue
Work is complete at the 2nd Avenue intersection and all lanes are now back open to traffic.

Contact us

Website: www.hennepin.us/washingtonavenue
Email: washingtonave@hennepin.us
Phone: 612-543-3722
 
Project engineer:
Stanley Lim, P.E.
612-596-0292
stanley.lim@hennepin.us

StarTribune Nov 15 Event: Behind the Lens: Photos of the Year

The StarTribune invites you to an exclusive presentation of their 2016 Photos of the Year along with an in-depth conversation Behind the Lens with Star Tribune photojournalists Brian Peterson, who shot this year’s Olympics, and Renée Jones Schneider, who was named 2016 Journalist of the Year by the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists.

Date: Tuesday, November 15

Time: 6-8:30pm
•6pm: Hors d’Oeuvres and Cash Bar
•7:15pm: Presentation Begins
•8pm: Audience Q&A

Location: Walker Art Center, Bazinet Lobby and Walker Cinema

Each guest will receive complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a 5×7 photo reprint of one of the 2016 Photos of the Year. A cash bar will also be available.

Advance ticket purchase for Behind the Lens is required, a limited number of tickets are available. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate walk-ups on the day of the event.

Brian Peterson: Photographer Brian Peterson was born in Duluth, Minnesota, and has enjoyed a career that allows him to pursue stories he cares most about in his home state and around the world. He’s best known for his work since 1987 for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, but his photographs have also been seen in National Geographic and Sports Illustrated magazines, the New York Times.

Brian has been recognized nationally and internationally for his documentary photojournalism, and has been honored nine times as Minnesota Press Photographer of the Year. He has photographed the Winter and Summer Olympic Games five times and his sports photography has been honored by the national baseball and football Halls of Fame and the National Press Photographers Association.

Peterson has published two books “Voices for the Land and “Minnesota – State of Wonders” and has won three Minnesota Book Awards.

Renée Jones Schneider: Renée Jones Schneider has been a Star Tribune photographer for 13 years and covered some of the company’s biggest assignments, including when a Hmong hunter opened fire, killing six other hunters in Rice Lake, Wis. Her recent long-term projects, shooting both multimedia and stills, include a series on deradicalization of extremist groups locally and nationally, an investigation of farm safety and an in-depth report on the decline of the honey bee. This year, Renee was named Journalist of the Year by Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists.

Before joining the Star Tribune, Renee worked for the Owatonna People’s Press and the Faribault Daily News. In 2004, Renee placed in the prestigious World Press Awards for a photo of a pouty fourth-place wrestler on an awards podium.

Renée was born in Dublin, Ireland and moved to Minnesota with her parents as a child. She attended St. Olaf College majoring in studio art. Halfway through that major that she discovered photography, during two overnights on a documentary project at St. Paul’s famous Mickey’s Diner. It was her first taste of how a camera and observation can introduce you to the most interesting people you would otherwise never meet.

More details, purchase tickets...

New Mill City Museum Exhibit Chronicles the History of the Minneapolis Music Scene

Via an October 19 Press Release from the Mill City Museum:

The new exhibit “Heyday: 35 Years of Music in Minneapolis” explores the local music scene from the early 1980s to today through the lens of longtime First Avenue photographer Daniel Corrigan. Throughout his career, Corrigan has captured concerts, promo photos and album covers for iconic artists like Prince, The Replacements, Michael Jackson, Iggy Pop and many more.

Visitors can view nearly 50 framed Corrigan photos as well as a slideshow with thousands of additional unpublished photographs. The exhibit is a companion to the MNHS Press book of the same name, featuring Corrigan’s photos with text by local music writer Danny Sigelman, available November 1.

Mill City Museum will celebrate the exhibit’s opening with a public reception on November 16 from 6-8:30 p.m. hosted by Andrea Swensson of 89.3 The Current. Corrigan and Sigelman will speak about their work and will be available to sign copies of the book. A cash bar and food from D’Amico & Sons Cafe will be available for purchase.

“Heyday: 35 Years of Music in Minneapolis” is located in the museum’s Mill Commons, and is free and open to the public during regular museum hours. It will be on view Nov. 16, 2016 to April 30, 2017.

City of Minneapolis and MPRB Receive One Submission for Master Developer of Upper Harbor Terminal Phase 1 Redevelopment

Via an October 17 joint News Release from the City of Minneapolis, CPED and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Receive One Submission for Master Developer Upper Harbor Terminal Phase 1 Redevelopment

Five Submissions for Development Partners Were Also Received

On Friday, October 14, 2016, the City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) closed their request for qualifications (RFQ) period seeking submissions for the Upper Harbor Terminal (UHT) Phase 1 redevelopment. The UHT site is located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, from 33rd Ave. N. to about 40th Ave. N.

One submission was received from a team comprised of United Properties, Thor Development and First Avenue Productions.

The City’s and MPRB’s goal for the property is to redevelop this key riverfront site from its previous use as a barge shipping terminal to a mixture of riverfront parkland and inland private development. Additional information about the site, the redevelopment goals and the RFQ process may be found at http://www.upperharbormpls.com/.

Following an initial staff review, the submission will be revealed at a community input meeting to be held:

Thursday, November 3
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Folwell Park Recreation Center
1615 Dowling Ave. N, Minneapolis

Additional information about the submission will be posted on the http://www.upperharbormpls.com/ website, along with more details about the community input meeting and other ways available for the public to provide input on the submission.

A City/MPRB Recommendation Committee then will complete its review and make a recommendation to the City Council and Park Board as to whether this development team should be selected to enter into a collaborative planning process with the City and MPRB, with community input. This process will be guided by a three-party exclusive rights agreement that will be authorized at the same time as the developer selection. It is hoped that developer selection can be completed and the exclusive rights agreement executed so that the planning process can begin in March of 2017.

Submissions also were received from five teams interested in being considered as “potential development partners.” These submissions will not be reviewed by the City or MPRB, but will instead be passed along to the selected master developer for consideration as part of the development concept and team.

REMINDER! Voter Pre-registration Deadline is October 18

Via an October 17 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Hennepin County announces weekly voting stats

Hennepin County has more than 747,000 pre-registered voters, the highest in recorded history.

Eligible voters can save time on Election Day and pre-register to vote before October 18 online. All eligible voters may also register to vote at their polling place on Election Day, November 8.

As of Monday, October 17, in Hennepin County: 

• Ballots issued (mail and in-person absentee voting) – 74,000
• Ballots issued since Monday, October 10 – 16,000

• Ballots received and accepted (mail and in-person absentee voting) – 31,000
• Ballots received and accepted since Monday, October 10 – 17,000 

Since the primary election on August 9, 2016, the number of pre-registered voters in Hennepin County has grown by 31,000.

For the 2012 presidential election, Hennepin County had 678,074 pre-registered voters and 131,000 Election Day registrants. About 683,000 Hennepin County residents voted in the 2012 presidential election. 

Each week, Hennepin County will provide the latest stats on voter registration and early voting progress. 

Hennepin County Elections Manager Ginny Gelms is available for interviews and comments. Click here for more information about elections and voting in Hennepin County.

Friends of the Mill District Update

By Claudia Kittock

The Friends of the Mill District Singers had the last rehearsal of the first 6 week section of this year. We were all amazed at the improvement in our sound.  The joy we get from singing together is wonderful, and we laugh with each other, sing with great enthusiasm, and are united in our feelings of community.

At the end of rehearsal we met for a social at the home of Rick and Claudia Kittock . . . and singing, laughing, and dancing broke out!  Who knew?

If you missed singing with us, please remedy the situation with our next block of rehearsals.  We will begin again on November 12, 2:00pm-3:30pm, at the Guthrie, and will practice every Saturday through December 17.  The plans are for several performances with other groups and some with just our group.

This group is sponsored by Friends of the Mill District and is free for all singers.  Ability is not a prerequisite, but a willingness to sing with great joy is!  If you have any questions, please contact Claudia Kittock at cjkittock@gmail.com.

Adult Shelter Connect - A ‘One Stop Shop’ for People in Need of Shelter

Article by Claudia Kittock, photo by Rick Kittock

“I walk all night.”

“All night?”

“Yup!  It’s the best way to stay safe. I know the parts of the city to stay away from, and I just walk.”

“What about a shelter?”

“Last night I walked to 3 shelters and none of them had a bed.”      

Jason told me this while having coffee.  He is 20 years old and experiencing homelessness.  I am his GED tutor and we work together on the skills he will need to get his high school diploma and continue with his life’s journey.  Jason wants to go to college, but for now, he walks all night, and sleeps when he gets to YouthLink in the mornings.  After a quick catnap, we work on his studies. His strength fills me with awe.  I can’t imagine walking all night to then start studying for a difficult test so that my life could be better. He is one of many young people I meet every week.

How can this be happening in our city?  How can we live in a country where 20 year olds walk all night because they can’t find a shelter or afford a place to sleep?  It happens every night in Minneapolis.

On Monday, October 17, at 9 a.m., the process of finding a bed will get easier for the Jasons of our city who walk all night, sleep under an overpass, or in a camp along the river.  A program called Adult Shelter Connect will open at St. Olaf Catholic Church, 215 South 8^th Street in Minneapolis. This system is the first of its kind in Minneapolis and it could dramatically change the life of someone experiencing homelessness.

St. Olaf will be open seven days a week, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sunday from 1 p.m. through 5:30 p.m. When someone walks in looking for shelter, they will be matched with a worker who will do a short intake interview to assess vulnerability and need. Each person will get a picture ID card, based on the interview, and that will be used to match them to the best available bed.  Once they get a bed, they will keep that bed while being assisted to find more permanent housing, jobs, education, health care, whatever is needed.  If someone is in need during times other than those listed, they will be able to call 211 and receive the same type of help.

This system will be a ‘one stop shop’ for people needing shelter. As the season changes to colder and colder nights, the need becomes even more immediate, and not knowing where to go or how to access help will be less problematic and less onerous for someone who is already coping with enormous life stresses. It will no longer be necessary to stand in line every night, hoping the shelter has a bed. Once you talk with someone at St. Olafs and are given a bed, no more lines. When you show up that night at the assigned shelter, you will be given the bed assigned to you earlier in the day.

There will be an increase in affordable units built in Minneapolis in 2016 with about 1000 new rentals due to hit the market this year.  However, that is far short of the 4200 new units needed every year to keep up with demand, according to an analysis by Thomas O'Neil, a Vice President at Dougherty Mortgage in Minneapolis.

Affordable housing is defined as what can be paid by households earning 50 to 60 percent of median income in the Twin Cities. Median income in Minneapolis in 2015 was $71,008, which means that to qualify for affordable housing, income needs to be $35,504-$42,605.

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We know that there has been an unprecedented apartment building boom, but the vast majority of those new units have been luxury apartments in downtown Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs. Rents far exceed the affordable market.

If this works as well as it is planned, the Jasons of our city will no longer have to walk all night looking for shelter.  Jason will not need to try to figure out a difficult system on his own.  He can go to St. Olaf and find all the help he will need to sleep in a warm bed.  Doesn’t every human being deserve the dignity of a safe place to sleep?

Claudia can be reached at claudia@millcitymedia.org

Holiday Dinner to recognize 2nd Precinct First Responders

The 2nd Precinct Advisory Committee (2PAC) announced last week that on December 24, 2916 it will sponsor the 33rd Annual Dinner to recognize the service of First Responders in the precinct.   See the Calendar for details.

The event will be held at the MPD 2nd Precinct Station House, 1911 Central Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418.

2PAC volunteers begin bringing in merchant donated food, and getting the kitchen and serving area ready at 7:00 A.M. on 12/24/16.  They begin serving all on-duty Police Officers and First Responders at 12 noon.  Serving continues until between 10:30 P.M. & 12 Midnight, depending on when people stop arriving.

Left-overs and fresh breakfast items are set out for on-duty Police working on 12/25/16.  2PAC volunteers arrive at 8:00 A.M. on the 25th to clean the premises, and put things away.

For more information about the event, contact Emile Quast (e-quas@umn.edu) or contact the NIEBNA Board using the Contact Form.

For more information about 2PAC and how you can participate see the 2PAC web site here.

Wednesday Night: Loring Park Livability Forum

Scenes from the October 15 Mill City Farmers Market

Thank you to MCFM Sponsor Cynthia Froid and her team for the October 15 Ames Farm apple give away.

Cute boots, Holly Holt! :)

That bee looks familiar...

This little cutie was sure proud of her carrot from Stones Throw Urban Farm.

Music!

Homegrown Minneapolis was the October 15 Community Booth. It is a citywide initiative that brings together key partners from local government, area businesses, community organizations, non-profits and residents to build a healthy, local food system.

It's official - Dumpling & Strand (Noodlers at Large) is a Market hit! Definitely worth waiting in line for.

This week's Mill City Cooks Chef was Beth Jones.  She always invites guests to come up for a close look at the recipe in progress.

I always feel like I'm getting a "high five" from the glass hand at the Barn Swallow Garden booth. :)

Milly the goat!

Civic Group Proposes Visitor and Interpretive Center for Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam

Via an October 14 Press Release from Friends of the Lock and Dam (FL&D):

MINNEAPOLIS—October 14, 2016—St. Anthony Falls created Minneapolis. Today, the falls are the center of a revitalized riverfront and a chain of riverfront parks and trails that attract over 2 million visitors a year across the Stone Arch Bridge.

A new civic organization, Friends of the Lock and Dam (FL&D) is proposing that the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, which was closed to navigation last year, be developed into a world-class visitor and interpretive center. However, this vision is threatened by a proposal to put a hydroelectric plant at the site, preempting other uses.

On Tuesday, FL&D filed a motion before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reject a current proposal from Crown Hydro, LLC to build a hydroelectric plant at the Lock and Dam or at least order an environmental impact statement (EIS). The FERC environmental review of the Crown Hydro proposal is open to public comment until November 2.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a riverfront that is a destination landmark. It’s a site we hope to protect and preserve as a centerpiece for our community, for generations to come,” said Tom Fisher, the director of the Metropolitan Design Center at the University of Minnesota and an FL&D board member.

“If construction of the hydroelectric plant is allowed to proceed as proposed, it will negate the four decades of planning and redevelopment efforts by the City of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the National Park Service,” Fisher added.

The Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam is at the center of the Minneapolis riverfront area, adjacent to the iconic Stone Arch Bridge, and in the middle of an 800-acre stretch of the Mississippi designated as a National Register Historic District. In 1988, it became part of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service. Over the past 20 years, the surrounding area has seen over $2 billion in public and private development.

Since the mid-1990s, Crown Hydro has made multiple proposals to construct a power plant on or near the site. In 2005, after a failed attempt to obtain a license, Crown Hydro unsuccessfully sought FERC’s help to take the parkland by eminent domain. These proposals have been strongly opposed by the City of Minneapolis, the National Park Service and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, as well as hundreds of neighborhood residents. Concerns have focused on loss of historic and cultural values, preclusion of public recreation and river access, and noise and vibration impacts from the plant’s industrial operations. 

Friends of the Lock and Dam was formed to create a community-focused initiative to explore public uses of the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, and to ensure that the proposed hydroelectric plant does not preempt future uses for the site.  

“Crown made their proposal without communicating with the City, Park Board, National Park Service or the community,” said Paul Reyelts, a leader of the RiverFirst effort and president of FL&D. “It is at odds with the Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park Master Plan, adopted last year, which calls for use of the Lock and Dam as a focal point for visitors. It is simply the wrong use of this critical place.” 

FL&D is asking FERC to order a full environmental impact statement (EIS) before further consideration of the Crown Hydro proposal, or to deny it outright as inconsistent with the broader environmental and public benefit requirements for a FERC license.

The FL&D plan, called “The Falls,” is a sweeping vision for the massive 400-foot-long lock and dam structure, designed to integrate with and complement the nearby Water Works Park and the Stone Arch Bridge. Construction of Water Works Park is scheduled to begin in 2018. FL&D has presented a preliminary concept design for The Falls that preserves the character-defining elements of the Upper Lock and adds the following amenities:

• A new 7,500-square-foot visitor center in collaboration with the National Park Service, the City and Park Board
• A 50,000-square-foot interpretive center
• A new one-acre park for events with public access to the Lock and Dam
• Below-grade parking for visitors
• Restaurant and event space
• Observation decks for 360-degree public viewing of the Falls, Stone Arch Bridge and skyline
• Canoe/kayak landing and portage and bike facilities

The estimated $45 million project would be funded through a new public-private partnership. Revenues from concessions, parking and events would be used for ongoing operation and programming. FL&D has already received a pledge of $5 million from a private donor for project planning and development costs. If approved, construction is estimated to begin in the 2021-2023 timeframe in sync with the riverside phase of Water Works Park.

About Friends of the Lock and Dam

Friends of the Lock and Dam is a nonprofit organization of Twin Cities’ citizens interested in Minneapolis’ riverfront preservation and development of riverfront public amenities. Its mission is to generate broad-based public discussion around the development of the Mississippi riverfront and to share a vision for repurposing the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam as a public facility.