Covering life, work, and play in the Historic Mill District and Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront neighborhoods. Have an opinion, local news or events to share? Contact us.
Time: Noon – 5 pm
Location: Portland Avenue between Washington Avenue South and Second Street South
To celebrate their second anniversary, Zen Box Izakaya will host a block party featuring three chefs; Surly taps, Asahi tap and sake; Mu Performance Arts Taiko Performance and a special guest appearance. Admission $2; 16 and under free.
(click here for full size image)
When: Tuesday, September 24, 2013, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Where: Mill City Museum ground-floor lobby, 704 South 2nd Street, 55401
Staff contact: Andrew Caddock, Project Manager acaddock@minneapolisparks.org
The Water Works Design Team Will Be Featured Presenters
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will host the first in a series of public meetings to gather input on a master plan for Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park. The agenda for this meeting will include the “Water Works” area bounded by 3rd Ave. S., Portland Ave. S., 1st Street S. and the Mississippi River.
Subsequent public meetings will be held through early 2014 and will address other focus areas, so there will be plenty of opportunities to weigh in! Please go to the MPRB project page to learn more about the plan and to sign up for email updates: http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=1396
The public comment segment of the September 11 hearing at which the measure was approved. A look at the research calls some of the rhetoric into question:
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/224151211.html
Email reservations to megan@mcfarlandcomm.net, using “Nicollet Mall RSVP” in the subject line.
Day Block Brewing Co., a "pizza based" brewpub is preparing to open this fall. They are currently renovating the former Spill the Wine space at 1105 11th Ave S next door to Grumpy's in the historic Day Block building and hope to open in 2013. They will be brewing craft beers in the refurbished basement of their new digs.
We're eager to welcome our new neighbors, so we'll be tracking this one closely.
Visit them on the web at http://www.dayblockbrewing.com/
Mill City Museum's 10th Birthday Party runs Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. This video describes how it came to be:
Sponsored by the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District, the first debate of the general election featuring all Minneapolis Third Ward City Council candidates was held last night at the Ritz Theater.
Participating were: Jacob Frey (DFL Endorsed Candidate), Kristina Gronquist (Green Party Endorsed Candidate), Diane Hofstede (DFL Incumbent Councilwoman), Michael Katch (Libertarian Endorsed Candidate).
Peter Zenner and Josh Fazeli, a BFA graduate from the Guthrie Theater are working on an exciting event to bring a new twist on Shakespeare to the Mill District. Here's a preview of the presentation Peter and Josh will give at the next meeting of the Mill District Neighborhood Association:
WHEN - Monday, September 16, 2013 / 6:30 – 8:00 PM
WHERE - Mill City Museum
6th Floor ADM Conference Room
Enter at 710 2nd Street South - Arrive early to assure a seat
View the full agenda - http://milldistrict.org/meetings/
Light up St. Anthony Falls? Open the Pillsbury A Mill tunnels to the public? Bring a restaurant to Boom Island? A park in the North Loop? Should Gold Medal Park be preserved? A music festival on the Central Riverfront?
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board President John Irwin will share his ideas for the riverfront at the next meeting of the Mill District Neighborhood Association on Monday, September 16 at the Mill City Museum.
WHEN - Monday, September 16, 2013 / 6:30 – 8:00 PM
WHERE - Mill City Museum
6th Floor ADM Conference Room
Enter at 710 2nd Street South - Arrive early to assure a seat
View the full agenda - http://milldistrict.org/meetings/
Based on a concept from Laurie Jones, a Central Riverfront resident, the Minneapolis Riverfront HOA Collaboration started out as a committee of the Mill District Neighborhood Association. After enlisting 14 Central Riverfront condos from both sides of the river, they're taking this fledgling collaborative to the next level.
Currently, membership is comprised of representatives from:
607 Washington - Bridgewater - Carlyle - Cobalt - Humboldt - LaRive - Metropolitan Lofts - Park Ave - Phoenix - River West - Stone Arch - Washburn - Whitney - Zenith.
The general boundaries of the collaborative, for now is defined as Condominiums bounded by Hennepin Avenue to the north, University Avenue to the east, 35W to the south, and Washington Avenue to the west.
Their newly minted Mission Statement:
To enable collaboration and facilitate communication between HOAs.
To enhance both individual and collective HOA interests.
To share best practices of:
Find out more on Monday, September 16 at the next meeting of the Mill District Neighborhood Association.
WHEN - Monday, September 16, 2013 / 6:30 – 8:00 PM
WHERE - Mill City Museum
6th Floor ADM Conference Room
Enter at 710 2nd Street South - Arrive early to assure a seat
View the full agenda - http://milldistrict.org/meetings/
Join us at the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District candidate forum. This will be the first debate of the general election featuring all Minneapolis Third Ward City Council candidates.
WHEN: Tuesday, September 10 | The doors open at 6:00pm and the program starts at 7:00pm
WHERE: The Ritz Theatre | 345 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis
There will be a social hour after the program.
Invited guests: Jacob Frey (DFL Endorsed Candidate), Kristina Gronquist (Green Party Endorsed Candidate), Diane Hofstede (DFL Incumbent Councilwoman), Michael Katch (Libertarian Endorsed Candidate).
The parcel pictured above at 800 Washington Ave S was once slated to become the new Headquarters for Artspace, but the financing never fully materialized.
The City of Minneapolis is preparing to put up a For Sale sign again. Be among the first to learn about this key parcel in the Mill District from Ann Calvert, Principal Project Coodinator for City of Minneapolis CPED on Monday, September 16 at the next Meeting of the Mill District Neighborhood Association:
WHEN - Monday, September 16, 2013 / 6:30 – 8:00 PM
WHERE - Mill City Museum
6th Floor ADM Conference Room
Enter at 710 2nd Street South - Arrive early to assure a seat
View the full agenda - http://milldistrict.org/meetings/
I've been noticing more eagles over the Central Riverfront the last few weeks.
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: MPRB Headquarters Board Room, 2117 West River Road
Public input sought for trail improvements along west river bank - September 3 first meeting for West River and James I Rice Parkway trail project.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) seeks community input on plans to improve 3.5 miles of bicycle and pedestrian trails and related amenities along the west bank of the Mississippi River from Franklin Avenue to Plymouth Avenue in Minneapolis. A community survey and series of community meetings are planned, with the first meeting on Sept. 3.
Throughout the planning process, members of an appointed Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will work with MPRB staff and consultants to engage the community to develop a preferred plan for trail improvements, including new surfacing, lighting, signs, and amenities such as drinking fountains. Trail improvements will meet federal and MPRB design and safety standards. The final recommendations of the CAC will be forwarded to the MPRB Board of Commissioners for review and approval.
Mark your calendar and plan to participate:
CAC Meetings Sept. 3, Sept. 24 and Oct. 15 -- 6:30-8:30 pm, MPRB Headquarters Board Room, 2117 West River Road. The 21-person appointed CAC will meet. All meetings are open to the public and will include an opportunity for public participation and/or comment.
Community Open House Oct. 1 -- 6:30-8:30 pm, MPRB Headquarters Board Room, 2117 West River Rd. An opportunity to review planning efforts to date.
Take a survey before Sept. 16! The survey is at http://www.minneapolisparks.org/ (see survey link in lower left column of home page) or by calling the MPRB’s customer service center weekdays at 612-230-6400 for a paper copy. Completed paper surveys can be mailed to, or dropped off at, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Attn: W River Trail Survey, 2117 West River Road N, Minneapolis, MN 55411.
The existing bicycle and pedestrian trails in the project area are part of the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway. “The trails are among the most heavily used in the state, with over 1.6 million visits to the area annually,” says MPRB President John Erwin. “They provide vital recreational and commuting connections within our community and region. The rehabilitation of these trails will use federal funds that we applied for and received. This is part of the Park Board's recent efforts to increase non-property tax based support through increased grant writing.”
The trails run parallel to the West River Parkway and James I Rice Parkway along the Mississippi River through the Mill District, one of the most historic in Minneapolis. They link three regional parks: the Mississippi River Gorge, the Central Riverfront, and Above the Falls. The trails are part of a regional system with direct connections to the Cedar Lake Regional Trail and the new U of M Trail.
Members of the CAC for the West River Parkway/James I Rice Trail Improvement Project have been appointed by Park Board Commissioners, other elected officials, neighborhoods, and trail user groups.
The MPRB has received $1.7 million in federal funds to improve the trails. Regional Park Operation and Maintenance funds will provide the required local construction match as well as project planning costs.
For more information about the project, to sign up for emails about project updates, or to take the user survey, visit the project webpage at www.minneapolisparks.org/currentprojects (project name: West River / James I Rice Parkways Trail Improvements) or contact the Project Manager, Deborah Bartels at dbartels@minneapolisparks.org.
A walk through the Pillsbury A Mill complex prior to the now completed Mill & Main apartment development. These scenes are now largely relegated to memories.
Candidates open forum and debate. Invited guests: Jacob Frey (DFL Endorsed Candidate), Kristina Gronquist (Green Party Endorsed Candidate), Diane Hofstede (DFL Incumbent Councilwoman), Michael Katch (Libertarian Endorsed Candidate).
Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood School Survey
Calling all families living in Downtown Minneapolis with young children: we want your input! Several downtown neighborhood organizations want to know what you think about a downtown neighborhood elementary school.
Between now and October 15th, we invite you to complete a short 10-question Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood School survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CVC5HSQ.
The number of children living in downtown Minneapolis is growing. As of the 2010 U.S. Census there were 914 children under the age of 5 and 444 children between 5 and 9 years old calling downtown Minneapolis home. Families are beginning to speak out about their desire to raise children in downtown Minneapolis and send their kids to school here, as featured in the December 17, 2012 Downtown Journal article “Parents Push for Downtown School” and the July 17, 2011 Star Tribune article “In Downtown, New Kids on the Block.”
However it has become all too common for families to leave downtown once their children are of school age, citing several reasons including the lack of a good neighborhood school. This is quite understandable as National Association of Realtor’s Preferences studies have shown one of the most important influencing factors in neighborhood choice is proximity to a school and school district quality.
Downtown neighborhoods took notice and in early 2013, the North Loop Neighborhood Association, Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association and Elliot Park Neighborhood, Inc. all passed motions and resolutions to join together and pursue the issue. As active participants in downtown, our organizations desire a robust, balanced and sustainable downtown community that includes children and families. We believe we will not be able to substantially attract or retain families with children to downtown Minneapolis without a community elementary school for all downtown children, but we need to know what you think.
Please take a moment to complete our short 10-question survey. We will present our results to the downtown neighborhoods at the end of the year. If you have any questions, please email downtownmplsschool@gmail.com.
Respectfully,
The Downtown Minneapolis School Initiative
A trip to Izzy's Ice Cream and a stroll through the park last Wednesday:
Mill City Times | 35W Bridge Memorial | Mill District Block Party | Mill City Media
Monday, September 23, 2013 at 8:55AM