Nonprofit Leader: Rich Melzer, CEO, YouthLink

Article by Becky Fillinger

Rich MelzerSix thousand young people are currently experiencing homelessness in Minnesota. There is an organization in Minneapolis that has been serving this vulnerable population for over 45 years – YouthLink. We talked to newly installed CEO, Rich Melzer, about the challenges and dreams for this outstanding local nonprofit.

Q:  YouthLink has been in Minneapolis for over 45 years. Can you give our readers a short history of the organization and the mission? 

A:  You’re right – YouthLink has been serving tirelessly in this field of ending youth homelessness for almost half a century. During even the most challenging and difficult times for the organization, we continued to deliver at a very high clip and even more so during some of the brighter and more opportunistic phases. In recent years, YouthLink was led by Dr. Heather Huseby, whose work and experience continue to surface and we carry her legacy and life’s work forward.

Ultimately, we continue to serve young people experiencing homelessness and the accompanying challenges they face every day of the week. Whether it is basic needs like food, clothing, toddler support or simply refuge from the streets, we can provide that safe space and nourishment in a clean, visually appealing, and holistic environment every day at our drop-in center. Additionally, and perhaps even more importantly, we set young people up directly with realistic long-term housing opportunities to get them off the streets, into stable housing and have our organization and partners’ resources wrapped around each young person we serve. We’re literally feeding, protecting, nurturing, serving, and housing the most vulnerable youth in the Twin Cities every day.  Our mission and work will continue until our goal of ending youth homelessness is met.

CEO Rich Melzer and clients

Q:  You’ve been CEO for about four months now. As you’ve settled into your new role, what priorities and opportunities are on your to-do list? 

A:  The priority or to-do that has blossomed since my arrival is more of a question, “How are we dreaming for young people?” Are our dreams big enough, are they realistic and if they are not realistic, how do we accept the challenge and responsibility to make these larger dreams more so? I would say we’re among another one or two organizations in the Twin Cities recognized as a centralized location for youth homelessness. Is that enough for us as an organization? Particularly one like ours with a high-quality brick and mortar location in the center of the metro, with a downtown view (our youth housing building) connected directly next to our drop-in center and Nicollet Square (another youth housing building supported by YouthLink) just minutes from our home-base? If we are not the “mecca” for youth homelessness in the Twin Cities right now, we certainly will continue to aspire to be because we have the resources, the developing team and the partnerships in place to do so. We also know that to be successful we must tandem these efforts with other like-minded organizations like The Bridge for Youth, Avenues for Youth, Hope Street Shelter, and others like us that dream of ending this phenomenon of youth homelessness.

Q:  When your appointment was announced, I heard people comment that your outstanding reputation in the nonprofit and sports world would gather positive attention from the business community and other organizations. Are you forging new relationships, or reenergizing existing relationships, for YouthLink?   

A:  Advancing existing and new relationships will be a lifelong commitment of mine because I believe that in this work, we’re irrefutably stronger in numbers. With that said, YouthLink has been so committed to this work for so many years that fortunately for me and this team we don’t have to reinvent the wheel entirely either. As it relates to right now, we’re loving our supporters and identifying a who’s who to match their personal passions and heart-string passions with the resources we need most. We know who supports us philanthropically, who advocates for us to the community and who we need to partner with now more than ever. We’re evaluating what is going to lead that larger dream of ours to be impactful around anything involving youth homelessness. We are also building greater capacity and bandwidth around our individual supporter base by tying the mission and the evolving work of YouthLink to the people who care about young people and service most. Simply put, we’re continually connecting and reorganizing the dots (relationships and partners) that bind us to make a difference together.

YouthLink's Drop-in Center is a safe, non-judgmental place for youth 16-21 years old from all backgrounds, races and genders.

Q:  What is the biggest challenge YouthLink is facing and how are you and your team addressing it? 

A:  We’ve had three full revolutions of organizational turnover in the three years prior to my arrival. As meaningful as the work we’ve been doing is, it seems we may have missed the calling to really nurture and provide for our staff and service providers. While we obviously have an obligation to the young people experiencing homelessness, we’re pouring a ton of time and energy into our team members to ensure they feel loved, appreciated and supported by YouthLink, as not only an organization but as a place of employment they’re proud to be at and feel supported by. Our goal is to provide our team members and staff with as many resources as possible. We’ve implemented unique performance reviews and processes that probably don’t sound attractive to most but for an organization that hasn’t had a simple application like this, it’s a leap in the right direction. We’ve worked with the YMCA of the North to give our team members greatly reduced memberships so they can decompress, exercise and bring a healthy balance with them to work in hopes of continuing to promote a healthy work environment. We’ve learned that a large percentage of our team members are renting homes and apartments and by having this information we’re proud to partner with long-time supporters of ours at Old National Bank who will educate our staff with first-time homebuyers’ programs, financial literacy and educational tools, down payment assistance programs and more. Our wages at YouthLink are very fair and competitive given our industry and we want the team members to feel empowered by YouthLink to reach the goals and dreams they’ve aspired to as professionals and individuals. 

One of the first questions I asked when I got to YouthLink was, “Where does one go for therapy?” and “What other resources are there for the ones on the front lines to really decompress holistically and positively in a healthy way?” Sadly, there’s been very little historically other than what’s likely been available to our young people we serve. This is an area we incorporate into our benefits packages, YMCA memberships and resources through AVIVO, to ultimately say, “We love you…we want you well when you’re at work…we want you to feel supported and cared for.” The end goal of course is to create a culture of people who hope to be here and value being here, while also growing personally and professionally while they’re with us.  

Q:  Do you have a need for volunteers? How may we as individuals help YouthLink? 

A:  Volunteerism is at an all-time high, and we love new faces! However, our work requires confidentiality to protect the integrity of our young peoples’ information and private stories. If someone has a real passion for volunteering, contact Carley Kleinhans, our Volunteer Leader at kleinhans@youthlinkmn.org and she and I will get you squared away based on the interests and passions that drive you to give back. If you want to make a charitable donation, please reach out to Heather Haynes, our valued Director of Development at haynes@youthlinkmn.org. With all the challenges the young people we see face, we depend on philanthropy and in-kind monetary gifts. The drug epidemic, the heat, human trafficking, mental health, housing instability, broken homes, sexually exploited youth – we see and support every case we can involving young people experiencing homeless and worse. While we have partners we value immensely and remain endlessly loyal to, we as an organization and service could not offset this phenomenon without dollars and passionate supporters to assist us financially. We have some unique studies to support how we’ve helped and what the cost to love a homeless young person looks like, and we’re proud to report that this particular longitudinal study by the University of Minnesota states that every young person who enters our doors benefits unequivocally and irrefutably after coming to YouthLink. 

Q:  How may we follow your news? 

A:  We have our website and Facebook pages online. We’re also regularly featured on WCCO radio with Mike Max and other industry media outlets quite regularly. Tell your friends about the work we do. If anyone would like, they can contact our Communications Director, Sarah Johnson sjohnson@youthlinkmn.org, to get placed on an email list.

Mill City Farmers Market Welcomes New Vendors Dragonfly Bay Garlic Co and Tera Forge Knives at the June 25

Our shopping basket from the June 25th Mill City Farmers Market included garlic scapes and garlic scape powder from Dragonfly Bay Garlic Company. I used them in a pesto with hazelnuts, hazelnut oil, baby kale, cilantro, Friesago cheese, Maazah Aioli, honey and an Indian spice blend.  

Dragonfly Bay Garlic Company debuted at the June 25th Market with fresh garlic scapes and garlic scape powder, along with recipes and other items. We look forward to their garlic bulbs when they return to the Market in August. Per their very informative website, "Our garlic varieties vary in flavor from mild and nutty, to hot and spicy, to sweet and creamy." Learn about their varieties here.

Stephen Aysta of Tera Forge Knives offers “while you shop” knife sharpening during Market hours. His next MCFM date is July 9th, so if you have some dull knives in your kitchen, plan to bring them with you on that date!

First squash of the season!

Amy Britt, MCFM Development Manager (far left), and Martha Archer, MCFM Executive Director (grey t-shirt) engage with visitors.

The June 25th Community Booth was Friends of the Hennepin County Library. The beautiful and inviting Central Library at 300 Nicollet Mall offers an incredible array of services and events.

I load up on Pure Ginger For You juices every week.

Kiss My Cabbage displayed some Pride.

Op-Ed: Reflections on My Life as a Black Prosecutor

Submitted by Martha Holton Dimick. Martha Holton Dimick is a retired judge and candidate for Hennepin County Attorney. 

Martha Holton Dimick

When I was 13 years old in the late 60s there were race riots near my house in Milwaukee. Black people in my hometown and around the country were rising up against the housing discrimination and police brutality that we had been living with since we moved into cities in the early 20th Century. My family lived in fear of Milwaukee Police Chief Harold Breier. With my hair in an afro in imitation of Angela Davis, I told my father I would be going to a protest instead of going to school one day in early 1967. My dad was a stern man, a lawyer who represented poor Black people in the inner city. He took me aside and said “go to school, get an education, become part of the system, and make a difference from within. That’s how you change things.” The Holtons were some of the only Black kids in school that day.

Thirty years later in 1999, I was the only Black female attorney in the criminal division at Hennepin County. During my first few years of trials, judges and jurors frequently assumed I was the public defender. I was called a “sellout”, an “oreo” and every other synonym for race traitor that you can imagine. How can you work with police and against your own people? One time, I got a booking photo of a defendant who was being prosecuted for battery against a police officer. The officer had a scratch on his arm, the defendant was severely battered. I called the police officer into my office and told him I wouldn’t be charging his case. In retrospect, I should’ve gone further, but I was worried for my standing and job security as a young prosecutor. I weighed my father’s words against those of Thurgood Marshall: “You do what you think is right and let the law catch up.” Not charging the case was my compromise, and that was fairly progressive for the time.

In my 13 years as a prosecutor from 1999 to 2012, the paradigm shifted. The law, and especially the office, did catch up. As the crime wave of the 1990s faded out of memory, compassionate prosecution of lower-level offenses became the norm. The “public health approach” to prosecution that is so trendy now across the country has been in practice in Minnesota for quite some time. In Hennepin and Ramsey counties, we are even more progressive than the state at-large. And after George Floyd’s murder, we went further on bail reform, closed a juvenile detention facility, and further scrutinized pretextual traffic stops.

Since then, the paradigm has shifted again. In the last two years, after a sharp rise in shootings and homicides in my neighborhood in North Minneapolis, something interesting is happening. Some of the most passionate activists who I’ve known for years and used to see me as the enemy now thank me for my work as a judge and a prosecutor. Mothers who have children that have gone through the juvenile justice system tell me that there should be more consequences, not less. And less than a year and a half removed from a clear and indefensible police murder of a Black man, most of my Black neighbors voted to keep the police department. These shifts are not the result of hypnotism or campaigning, but a reaction to the real changes in the system and in our community. People who come in contact with the system know what’s happening in the real world.

I still do get called a “sellout” from time to time, though it generally comes out of the mouths of White millennials who haven’t been through the system. And I am more comfortable with my line of work than ever before. I realize that the conflict is not something to shy away from - it is my greatest gift to the profession and the community. I carry Thurgood Marshall’s words alongside those of my father. Do what you think is right, and make sure you keep your seat at the table if you intend on making real change.

Martha Holton Dimick is a retired judge and candidate for Hennepin County Attorney. 

Northeast Parade Returns After Two-Year Absence

Submitted by Michael Rainville, Sr.

If you’ve never been to the annual Celebrate Northeast Parade, it’s a great way to kick off summer with your neighbors. And it was so great to have it back this year after the COVID cancellations of the past two years.

I’ve been enjoying this parade since I was a one-year-old, looking down from my parent's apartment window overlooking Central Avenue. For 19 years, I had the privilege of doing color commentary on the cable TV broadcasts of this parade.

This year, it was a great honor to ride in the parade as a Minneapolis city council member representing Ward 3.

We put together a little highlight video for you. Many thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who make this parade possible.

Video produced by Mike Binkley

Positions Open at the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board

The MPRB Crew Needs You! The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is now hiring for a wide range of summer jobs. Whether you want to gain experience at your first job, or grow your skill set for a future career, they have something for you! Information and applications are online at www.minneapolisparks.org/jobs.

Recreation, coaching, events Assistant Childcare Specialist Event Attendant & Lead Attendant Outdoor Playground/Supervision Recreation Facility Supervision Recreation Program Leader Recreation Specialist - Pop-Up Park Seasonal Event Technician Referee youth and adult sports Sports Official Work outdoors Park Patrol Agent, Part-Time Seasonal Equipment Operator Seasonal Park Maintenance Worker Work at headquarters Customer Service Assistant More jobs with Minneapolis parks To view a full list of job postings and to apply for any opening at MPRB, visit www.minneapolisparks.org/jobs.

4th Street Reconstruction Project Update - June 24

4th Street Reconstruction Project Overview

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 by the end of 2022.

What's Happening Next Week?

Roadway reconstruction continues on 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Fourth St. is currently closed to vehicle traffic between 1st Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Local access is being maintained between 2nd Ave. N and 1st Ave. N.

• Crews continue sidewalk and planter bed work between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave.
• At the 1st Ave. N intersection, crews continue roadway work and paving.

*Please note that the construction schedules are subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

What to expect during construction?

• During roadway construction, 4th St. will be closed to through traffic between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Local access will be maintained from 2nd Ave. N to 1st Ave. N. 
• Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout construction. Be aware of your surroundings when walking or biking near the construction zone. 
• Expect additional noise, dust, and vibration as crews complete work.

Upcoming Events

4th Street Weekly Stakeholder Meeting

Weekly project newsletters are sent out weekly and virtual stakeholder meetings occur bi-weekly. Join us at the next stakeholder meeting to get project updates, talk with project staff and get your questions/concerns answered.

Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings:

July 1, 9-9:30 a.m. - CANCELLED

July 15, 9-9:30 a.m.

Teams Meeting: Click here to join the meeting

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: 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

Hennepin Avenue Downtown Reconstruction Project - June 23 Update

Hennepin Avenue Downtown Reconstruction Project

Hennepin Ave. will be reconstructed between 12th Street and Washington Avenue. The City will reconstruct the pavement from building face to building face, including improvements to public and private utility infrastructure, and improved space for pedestrians, bicycles, transit, and vehicles.

Latest Project News

Progress continues in the 6th Street intersection, which is the last remaining intersection to do on the project. 2 of the 3 lanes are paved through the intersection.

Bus station foundations were poured on the last two stations this week and more sidewalk was completed. 

What's Coming Up

6th will remain at a single lane next week but will shift to the south side of 6th and work begins on the north half.

Vehicle access to parking between 5th and 6th will change to the 5th Street end.  This will be two way access.

The 7th St intersection will be fully open for this weekend and moving forward.

See attached update for more details.  Hennepin_Update_Vol97 (002).pdf

Contact Info

For more information on this project contact: 

Project email: hennepinCM@minneapolismn.gov

Phone: 612-255-4049

Website: www.hennepindowntown.com 

City of Minneapolis Earns Gold-level ‘Walk Friendly’ Designation

The City of Minneapolis has once again earned a gold-level designation from Walk Friendly Communities – a national recognition program developed to encourage cities across the country to support safer walking environments.

Minneapolis is one of four cities in the country to earn the gold designation this cycle, an honor it also received in 2017. Overall, 23 cities and towns were recognized by the Chapel Hill, North Carolina-based organization with a Walk Friendly designation on June 21. Since 2010, 82 communities have received designations, including 15 gold-level honors. 

The Walk Friendly Communities program cited Minneapolis as a gold-level community for several initiatives, including the Transportation Action Plan, Complete Streets Policy and Vision Zero Action Plan, among many others. The plans create safer, more equitable, walkable, bikeable and transit-friendly communities, the organization noted.

The Walk Friendly Communities program is the first national program to highlight walkability initiatives and programs. At the core of the program is a comprehensive web-based assessment tool that evaluates community walkability and pedestrian safety related to engineering, education, encouragement, evaluation, and planning.

Learn more about the City’s walk-friendly policies.

Minneapolis Parks Foundation Announces Sunrise on the Mississippi 2022

Save the Date!

 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2022
7:30am - 9:00am
Under the Big Tent at Boom Island
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The Minneapolis Parks Foundation has announced Sunrise on the Mississippi 2022 will return as an in-person celebration on Boom Island Park. This year’s featured speaker is Al Bangoura, Superintendent of the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, now serving in his 4th year in this role. Superintendent Bangoura will speak about the future of Minneapolis parks and how innovative, diverse programming and partnerships will continue to make Minneapolis a city of world class parks and public space.

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Click here for more information and scenes from past events.

June 18 at the Mill City Farmers Market

The first peas and carrots of the season rounded out our June 18 shopping basket from the Mill City Farmers Market.

Tim Page of Holistic Health Farms had fresh turmeric - packed with health benefits!

Friendly staff from the downtown YMCA manned one of the community tables. If you missed them at the Market, you can learn about their classes, services, amenities, etc., via this interview with Executive Director, Andrew Hoffman by our own Becky Fillinger. It's quite an impressive facility!

Be sure to check out the new bone broth vendor, Superior Provisions. The broth is sold frozen, but they provide hot samples - I tried the Ham & Sage at the June 18th Market...YUM! I have a container of the chicken broth in the freezer, and as soon as the current hot spell passes I'll be making a batch of soup.

Shopper tip: I bring plastic bags and other containers to the market as a favor to the vendors, as their cost for containers has gone up exponentially. Please also return jars to vendors who provide honey, jams, pickles, etc., as well as egg cartons. A little effort by all of us will make a positive impact on our valued vendors who operate on very low margins. Thanks! :)

There's a lot of love to go around at the Market!

I'm embarrassed to admit I consumed an entire bag of Bliss granola over the course of the weekend. It just kind of happened...

Keeping James I. Rice Park Healthy is a Labor of Love for Neighbors, With Help from Friends of the Mississippi River

Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from Laura Domyancich-Lee's June 14 article on the Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) website. I thought it was important to call out, as it shows why we should feel vested in our downtown neighborhoods, and how we can make a positive impact.

A community-driven restoration at James I. Rice Park provides a new stewardship model for beloved parks. Friends of the Mississippi River provides technical guidance, and neighbors take the lead.

Local love for a park turns into dedication

At 16 acres, James I. Rice Park in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis is among the smaller parks in the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board system. But its size doesn't diminish how special it is to the community of people who spend time in this stretch of woodland along the Mississippi River, or how important it is for providing habitat and water quality benefits.

From early morning until dark, people move through the park trails, finding peace and calm along the banks of the river in an often-busy part of the city. Wildlife abounds just a stone's throw from downtown Minneapolis.

However, over time, a beloved place can start to show wear. Heavy use, trash and yard waste were beginning to degrade the park's beauty and ecological function. Foot traffic across the sandy slopes had created bare areas in the park increasing erosion. Invasive plants dominated the shrub and ground layers, reducing native plant diversity and limiting the site's habitat value for birds, pollinators and other wildlife. Some areas were so shaded by invasive shrubs that the woodland ground was bare, contributing to erosion and soil movement into the river.

A few years ago, a group of neighbors and frequent park users saw these issues and jumped into action. With a modest amount of funding from their North Loop Neighborhood Association and support from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, these community volunteers organized work days to collect trash, pull weeds, cut back invasive shrubs and return ecological health to a place that was important to them. Many properties in the neighborhood don't have outdoor space — these neighbors came to see the park as their shared backyard and dedicated themselves to its restoration.

A "volunteer-centric" management plan for James I. Rice Park

James I. Rice Park is managed by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, and park board staff identified a need for the community volunteers to be guided by a thoughtful planning process and technical knowledge. Through a long-standing partnership between the park board and FMR, park board staff engaged FMR ecologists to assist the neighborhood association with restoration efforts.

We saw an opportunity for a connection deeper than a one-off volunteer training and immediately sought funding to write a management plan that would engage and guide the community in their restoration efforts.

In 2021, the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization awarded a planning grant to FMR, which covered FMR staff costs to document the park's historical and current conditions, hold engagement events to understand the community's goals for the park and develop a comprehensive management plan.

Typically, FMR implements management plans by hiring subcontractors who employ crews to carry out restoration tasks over several years. But because James I. Rice Park has a committed crew of volunteers with growing ecological knowledge, we wrote the park's management plan specifically for the community to implement.

The plan, completed this spring, outlines straightforward tasks that small groups of people can complete in a few hours. We also organized tasks by time of year and work units within the park.

As with other management plans, the goal is that the ecological conditions will improve over time, and the park will become more self-sustaining, needing only a small amount of yearly tending for a healthy, balanced landscape.

Final Editor's Note: There's a lot more to the article - please continue reading here!

Maintaining A Historic Structure in Water Works Park

Submitted by Doug Verdier

Earlier this month (June 9) West River Parkway was temporarily closed to vehicular traffic between 4th Avenue N and Portland Avenue for a couple of hours. The closure was necessary to allow a repair along the foundation of the former Columbia Flour Mill structure near General Mills Plaza fire pits in Water Works Park.

Built in 1882, the Columbia Flour Mill was originally six stories high with a basement. It was located between the Bassett Sawmill buildings (now the site of the Owamni restaurant and park pavilion) and the Occidental Feed Mill. The Columbia Flour Mill was destroyed by a fire and collapsed in 1941, and the area was used as a dump for many years. In more recent times, the area was filled and used as a parking lot for several years until the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) together with the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, began work to create a new Downtown park, now known as Water Works Park.

During excavation in preparation for work on the new park, a 55-foot-long rail car scale was among the artifacts uncovered in the vicinity of the Columbia Mill ruins. Other artifacts and machinery from the milling era were also found in the basement of the Columbia site after the fill material was removed from inside the remaining outer walls of the mill building. These were examined by archeologists before the structure was reinforced and filled again to its current level. This area is now an outdoor terrace and lawn used for events and outdoor seating for Owamni patrons.

The repairs that were made recently were likely the result of some settling of the fill material that was placed inside the reinforced walls of the former Columbia Mill structure. Some shifting of fill likely occurred around machinery and other items that were covered with a geotextile cell fabric material that is commonly used for soil stabilization in construction projects.

Two blue Cemstone trucks delivered and pumped the fill material to the repair site.

Workers inserted a hose from a Cemstone cement truck along the foundation of the former Columbia Flour Mill building to pump “flowable fill” beneath the structure. Workers closely monitored the fill while it was being pumped.

According to Jon Duesman, Construction Project Manager for the MPRB, the repairs involved pumping what is called flowable fill beneath the corner of the structure to fill the gap caused by the settling. Flowable fill consists of water, fly ash, sand and cement, and was delivered to the site by Cemstone. The liquid mixture will find any gap and fill it and it is self-leveling. The process took less than an hour to complete and used only a few cubic yards of the flowable fill material.

There will be some finishing along the top surface of the area where the fill was inserted, but that is not a major project, according to Mr. Duesman. MPRB employees will complete the job.

4th Street Reconstruction Project Update - June 17

4th Street Reconstruction Project Overview

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 by the end of 2022.

What's Happening Next Week?

Roadway reconstruction continues on 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Fourth St. is currently closed to vehicle traffic between 1st Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Local access is being maintained between 2nd Ave. N and 1st Ave. N.

• Crews continue roadway repaving and sidewalk work between 2nd Ave. N and 1st Ave. N.
• Next week, crews will begin excavation for planter beds between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave.

*Please note that the construction schedules are subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

What to expect during construction?

• During roadway construction, 4th St. will be closed to through traffic between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Local access will be maintained from 2nd Ave. N to 1st Ave. N. 
• Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout construction. Be aware of your surroundings when walking or biking near the construction zone. 
• Expect additional noise, dust, and vibration as crews complete work.

Upcoming Events

4th Street Weekly Stakeholder Meeting

Weekly project newsletters are sent out weekly and virtual stakeholder meetings occur bi-weekly. Join us at the next stakeholder meeting to get project updates, talk with project staff and get your questions/concerns answered.

Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings:

July 1, 9-9:30 a.m. - CANCELLED

July 15, 9-9:30 a.m.

Teams Meeting: Click here to join the meeting

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: 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

MacPhail at Water Works presents Sounds of Summer, July 9th

MacPhail at Water Works presents Sounds of Summer with performances by MacPhail faculty and students. All are welcome at this free event taking place on Saturday, July 9 from 3 to 7 pm at Water Works at Mill Ruins Park. A variety of ages, styles, and instruments will make this an afternoon to remember. Moving into evening, the event culminates with a special concert by Nachito Herrera and his trio.

The schedule of performances is as follows:

3:00-3:30 pm Student Performances

3:45-4:30 pm MacPhail Percussion Ensembles featuring Rimshots! and Triptych

4:45-5:05 pm MacPhail Community Youth Choir (MCYC) led by J.D. Steele

5:15-6:00 pm Michael Cain Trio, with Kevin Washington and Anthony Cox

6:15-7:00 pm Featured Guest Artist: Ignacio “Nachito” Herrera

Nachito HerreraIgnacio “Nachito” Herrera’s talent was recognized early on; he performed Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Havana Symphony Orchestra at age 12. Well known to North American jazz audiences, he’s toured America with the Afro-Cuban All Stars and was lead pianist and musical director of ¡Cubanismo!

This is the second of five MacPhail Center for Music events at Water Works this summer. Still to come: August 2, “Summer Sing” Choir Concert at noon; August 3, Dementia Friendly Sing-a-long, 6:30 pm; and a Broadway Sing-a long, 6:30 pm.

Small Business Spotlight: Guacaya Bistreaux, Chef and Owner Pedro Wolcott, and General Manager, Louis Tufte

Article by Becky Fillinger

Chef Pedro Wolcott   Photo credit: Dan Collison

Interested in Latin Caribbean cuisine, with a decided New Orleans influence? Head to Guacaya Bistreaux at 337 Washington Avenue N in the North Loop. We talked to Chef and Owner Pedro Wolcott and General Manager Louis Tufte about the inventive dishes, beautiful ambiance and inspiration for our new dining choice.

Photo credit: Dan CollisonQ:  I've read that your new restaurant Guacaya Bistreaux pays tribute to the “El Mercado Victoriano Lorenzo'' neighborhood in Penonome, Panama. Please tell us more about the neighborhood and how it is reflected in the menu and ambiance at Guacaya Bistreaux.

Chef Pedro: Every town in Panama has two things: a mercado (market) and a plaza. Both are gathering places for the community at large. The Mercado highlights the specific foods and traditions for each community. I wanted to take the idea of the food I grew up with and show how it evolved based on all the places I lived on my way to Minnesota – including New Orleans. Food from the communities that have welcomed me, in a space that is inviting, casual and most importantly bright and full of life. 

Q:  Why did you choose the North Loop as the location for your restaurant?

Chef Pedro: My wife Alex and I live in the North Loop, it's where we decided to raise our kids. If I was going to open a restaurant, it was going to be in the neighborhood I live in. Much like the mercado reflects all aspects of the community that lives there, I wanted the North Loop restaurant to reflect the diversity of its residents. I also wanted to bring a new style of dining to the North Loop, making sure it was accessible to all. The patio overlooks the historic Washington bridge – we hope our customers will enjoy the experience and location as much as we do.

Crawfish pies

Pescado Frito

La Loba Rosada Q:  What's a must try dish on the menu that many people might over look?

A: This is such a hard choice because I would hate for anything to be overlooked. I think two dishes that represent my journey through cooking are the crawfish pies and the Pescado Frito. Crawfish pies are a staple of New Orleans, which is where I spent a large part of my career, it's also where I met my wife. The Pescado Frito is a whole fried fish, and is very much a reflection of my childhood. Growing up surrounded by the ocean, whole fish was a staple. 

Q:  How are you marketing Guacaya Bistreaux to stand out among the many choices a restaurant customer has in Minneapolis?

Louis: Our greatest marketing tool is our customers. We are focusing on making sure every dish, cocktail and experience is something people have not experienced dining out in Minneapolis. We also wanted to make sure that our space was bright and inviting. From our full wall mirrors and paintings from a local Panamanian artist, Alfonso Guareia, to a specialty piece made for us by Doctor John, straight from New Orleans – we aim to delight our customers.

Chillin' out on the patio   Photo credit: Dan Collison

Q:  Please tell us about the recent Grand Opening. How may we follow your news? 

Louis: Our opening was more than we could have hoped for. We were excited to finally reveal our patio, for all those warm summer nights and to meet our North Loop neighbors. The best way to follow us is our social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook), that's where we debut our latest dishes, or our bar manager Stef Tupy’s Sunday special cocktails. Our website also shows all of our upcoming events. 

Hennepin Avenue Downtown Reconstruction Project - June 16 Update

Hennepin Avenue Downtown Reconstruction Project

Hennepin Ave. will be reconstructed between 12th Street and Washington Avenue. The City will reconstruct the pavement from building face to building face, including improvements to public and private utility infrastructure, and improved space for pedestrians, bicycles, transit, and vehicles.

Latest Project News

The Mainline concrete pavement was completed this week.  All that remains is the pavement lanes in the 6th street intersection.

Sidewalk areas, ped ramps, and bike lanes have been the focus this past week.

What's Coming Up

The 6th Street intersection will be reduced to 1-lane starting Monday.  Expect traffic delays on 6th Street for morning rush hour.  Removals will begin for preparation and paving of that next lane of traffic across the intersection.

The last quadrant of sidewalk in the 7th Street intersection will be completed next week, and the intersection will be back open to 3 lanes late in the week.

Planter rails will continued to be installed north of 5th Street.

For more information please see attached update. Hennepin_Update_Vol96.pdf  

Contact Info

For more information on this project contact: 

Project email: hennepinCM@minneapolismn.gov

Phone: 612-255-4049

Website: www.hennepindowntown.com 

Nicollet Market Returns as Part of Downtown Thursday Lineup, June 16

Market, music and festivities along Nicollet

Thursday, June 16 beginning at 10 am

Nicollet between 5th and 9th Streets

The mpls downtown council would like you to know that Thursdays are full of activities downtown this summer, and this week Downtown Thursdays kicks off with a full lineup. The Nicollet Market returns weekly on Thursdays from 10 am – 2:30 pm and will feature flowers, baked goods, coffee, chocolates, and a variety of products and merchandise from local small businesses. On the third Thursday of each Month, Downtown Thursdays will feature additional markets and entertainment.

This month’s Downtown Thursday will feature an incredible lineup, including a live performance by international pianist Nachito Herrera as part of the weekly Pianos on Parade presented by PNC Bank performance lineup. 

• Nicollet Market – 10 am – 2:30 pm
• The Black Market – 10 am – 2:30 pm
• The Departments at Dayton’s Market – 10 am – 2:30 pm
• 50th Anniversary of Pride Promotion – 11:30 – 1:30 pm
• Bougie Waffles free giveaways, Nicollet – while supplies last
• Lawn games + activities, Hennepin County South Plaza – 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
• Twin Cities Pride booth, Nicollet – 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
• Drag Queen appearances, Nicollet – 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
• One Voice performance – U.S. Bancorp Center – 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
• Xibabba piano performance – IDS Center – 11:30 am – 12:15 pm
• Nachito Herrera piano performance – IDS Center – 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
• Market Bikes, Nicollet between 5th and 6th Streets – 11 am – 1 pm
• Cindy Lawson, Music in the Park, The Commons – 5 pm – 6 pm
• Outdoor Movie: “In The Heights”, Target Field Station – 7 pm

View the full schedule of events at www.mplsdowntown.com. Follow along on social media @mplsdowntown and share your downtown experiences using the hashtag #mymplsdt.

June 14 Minneapolis Central City Tunnel Project Update

Via a June 14 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.

Project Map

Latest Project News

  2nd Ave

• Crews continue tunneling the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave from the new tunnel access shaft in the southbound lanes of 2nd Ave S, just north of the Washington Ave intersection. Crews are working under Washington Ave towards the existing access shaft near Hennepin Ave.
  • The sidewalks 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 Ave 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.

 Portland Ave

• Tunneling the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave continues from the existing tunnel access shaft at the northeast corner of the Washington Ave and Portland Ave intersection. Crews are tunneling under Washington Ave towards Chicago Ave.
  • Pedestrian access is being maintained during this work. Please follow any posted detour routes.
  • There may be short, periodic delays while crews move equipment and materials around.

Long-term closures/restrictions

• The north westbound lane, bike lane, and parking lane remains closed on Washington Ave between Portland Ave and Park Ave. These closures will remain in place until the project is completed. This is necessary for the contractor to utilize the existing shaft to connect the existing tunnel to the new tunnel.
  • During this closure, pedestrians can still use the sidewalks along Washington Ave.
  • Crosswalks across Washington Ave and Portland Ave will remain open.
  • Bicyclists will share the traffic lane.
  • The existing left turn lane on Washington Ave at the Portland Ave intersection will temporarily become a left turn and through lane.

• The north sidewalk along Washington Ave remains restricted between Hennepin Ave and Nicollet Mall. The contractor will resume tunneling from the existing tunnel to the new tunnel in fall 2022.
  • During these restrictions, pedestrians share the bike lane on Washington Ave.
  • The crosswalks at the Washington Ave intersections of Nicollet Mall and Hennepin Ave remains open.

• The sidewalk on the east side of 4th Ave S remains restricted through the end of the project. The dewatering well and pumps are installed in this area.
  • 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 remains open.

• The eastern sidewalk along Nicollet Mall between Washington Ave and 3rd St N remains restricted. Access is open to the Marquette Plaza building. The dewatering well and pumps are installed in this area.
  • Pedestrians are still able to use the sidewalk on the west side of Nicollet Mall.
  • The crosswalk at the Washington Ave intersection remains open.
  • Possible short-term sidewalk closures to remove equipment in the area through the end of the month.

• The west sidewalk of Portland Ave south of Washington Ave will remain restricted to pedestrians around the dewatering well and pumps until the project is completed.

Suspended sites through summer 2022

Hennepin Ave

• Tunneling the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave will resume fall 2022 at this site.

Mississippi River Portal

• Minor activities will periodically occur at the Mississippi River portal site through Summer 2022. Work will resume fall 2022.

Stay connected

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

Pride Community Icon: Dot Belstler, Executive Director, Twin Cities Pride

Article by Becky Fillinger

Dot Belstler Photo: David ShermanDot Belstler was hired as the Executive Director of Twin Cities Pride in 2009. She recently chose to retire, after a career where she specialized in community outreach, sponsorships, and volunteerism. 

Quorum honored Belstler with a Lifetime Achievement Award this week and she is also the first ever recipient of the Dot Belstler Ally of the Year Award. We talked to Dot about her tenure at Twin Cities Pride and this year’s 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations in Minnesota.  

Q:  Congratulations on your Lifetime Achievement Award and also for having an award named in your honor! Please tell us the accomplishments you're most proud of during your tenure at Twin Cities Pride.

A:  I love that the LGBTQ+ community is more visible than even ten years ago. Of course, it’s not due to me or Twin Cities Pride, but we have strived to create space for people to come together to be who they are. Pride is like a family reunion, welcoming all the relatives - those who have been around for many years and those who are new to the community. I love that we are able to light the bridges in rainbow colors to let queer community members know that they are seen, they are included, and they are loved.

Q:  Twin Cities Pride is celebrating a 50-year anniversary in 2022.  Please tell our readers a brief history of how it started and how it's going?

A:  The first Pride march in the Twin Cities was in 1972 as a commemoration of the Stonewall riots in New York three years prior. It was planned by Jean-Nickolaus Tretter and two other people who have since passed. About 25 people marched down Nicollet Avenue and another 25 or so remained in Loring Park with money to bail them out of jail if they were arrested. No one was arrested and they all had a picnic in Loring Park afterwards. In 1980 the Pride committee applied for a block party and was denied by the City Council and Mayor. The local ACLU sued the city and there was a one-hour block party in 1981. Over the years the Pride Festival and March have grown to become one of the largest Pride events in the country. Visitors can see some of the history of Pride at the History Pavilion (Loring Community Center) during the Pride Festival. 

Q:  Does the 2022 Festival have a theme?  

A:  The theme for our 2022 Pride Celebration is Past, Present, Future, and we have three Grand Marshals each representing an era: Past: Jean-Nickolaus Tretter, Present: Nic Zapko, and Future: Hildie Edwards.

Q:  Are there multiple events?

A:  Yes! We’ve had several events already, but the Pride Family Fun Day is coming up on June 19. It’s a free family picnic at Como Park East Pavilions and includes several family-fun activities. The Festival is June 25-26 from 10a-6p in Loring Park. We’ve added a dedicated disability services area and Twin Cities Sober Pride space with a barbeque. It’s also the 20th Anniversary of the Power to the People of Color Stage at Pride. We are so proud to support this space and the BIPOC and other artists who perform on this and all of our stages.

   
Saturday night’s Pride in Concert is moving to The Armory this year and our headliner is Carly Rae Jepson! Tickets are available at The Armory’s box office and Ticketmaster. Visit tcpride.org and our Facebook page for a chance to win tickets in the White Bear Mitsubishi VIP Lounge!

Ashley Rukes is the former director of the Twin City Pride Festival, and the namesake of the annual Twin Cities Pride Parade. Photo: MNHSFinally, on Sunday at 11 am, the Twin Cities LGBTQ+ Pride March honoring Ashley Rukes will be back on Hennepin Avenue. We have over 100 contingents in the march this year, even though it is shortened by three blocks due to construction. Bleacher seating is available in front of Rock Bottom Brewery. Tickets

Check out our Events page for a complete listing of all events.

Q:  Do you need volunteers for this year's Pride events?

A:  Volunteers are welcome! Everyone who volunteers for a four-hour shift gets a t-shirt, a free meal, and a gift bag of Pride goodies. PLUS, the Minnesota Twins have provided four tickets to a Twins game for every volunteer. Apply here.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A: The most up-to-date news will be found on our social media, specifically Facebook. You can also sign up for our email updates on tcpride.org at the bottom of the page.

Progress on the Father Hennepin Bluff Park Improvements Project

Submitted by Doug Verdier

Visitors to Father Hennepin Bluff Park are able to observe the construction underway to build a new performance stage and attached seasonal restroom facility near the South end of the Stone Arch Bridge. Other improvements are also underway throughout the remainder of the park. These include: upgraded lighting, path connections, way finding signage and trail markings, as well as landscape and stormwater management improvements. Construction began in mid-April and is expected to be completed in Fall 2022. The park remains open to visitors with some restrictions in areas under construction. Project Info

Foundation for the new performance stage building is well underway, while landscaping work continues throughout the park.