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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.

Monday
Feb012016

Historic Grain Belt Beer Sign Acquired by August Schell Brewing Company

Brewery and preservationists working together to gain historic designation for the landmark

August Schell Brewing Company, Minnesota-based brewers of Grain Belt beer, has finalized its purchase of an iconic Minneapolis landmark — the Grain Belt Beer sign on Nicollet Island.

The sale marks the culmination of longtime efforts on the part of the brewery to acquire the sign and the land on which it stands. Since purchasing the Grain Belt brand in 2002, August Schell had been in ongoing discussions with the property owners, the Eastman Family Trust, about the sign’s stewardship and restoration.

To help preserve and protect the sign in perpetuity, August Schell has partnered with local historical consultants Hess, Roise and Company to have the sign named to the National Register of Historic Places. Hess Roise worked previously on the rehabilitation of the old Grain Belt brewery in Northeast Minneapolis and was involved with the renovation of the North Star Blankets sign in downtown Minneapolis.

“Everyone at Hess Roise is delighted to be involved,” said Charlene Roise, president of Hess, Roise and Company. “It’s a gem, a bodacious Minneapolis landmark — and a rare survivor among the once common supersized signs that advertised products and attractions across the United States. It deserves to join the iconic Las Vegas sign in Nevada on the National Register of Historic Places.”

The sign was last lit in 1975, and plans are already underway to restore and relight it. The brewery is working with local architects, engineers and preservationists and hopes to have the sign relit by the summer of 2017.

 “The Grain Belt Beer sign both reflects and contributes to the downtown Minneapolis character as a historic industrial and commercial city,” said Ted Marti, president and fifth-generation descendant of brewery founder, August Schell. “As a historic Minnesota brewery, we’re committed to preserving our history and the history of our state.”

In celebration of the purchase, Grain Belt is releasing a new brew — Lock & Dam, named for another nearby landmark on the Mississippi River — in April.

ABOUT THE GRAIN BELT BEER SIGN

The Grain Belt Beer sign is one of Minneapolis’ best-loved landmarks.  It is a reflection of the industrial and commercial history of the St. Anthony Falls area of the city, and it has remained important to the community because of it’s iconic and enduring presence.

• The porcelain-faced sign, which contains more than 800 feet of neon tubing and 1,100 incandescent lamps, is approximately 50 feet wide and 40 feet tall.

• Constructed for $5,000 in 1941, the sign originally stood atop the Marigold Ballroom, (now demolished), at 1330 Nicollet Avenue.

• It is the last remaining of four signs placed around downtown Minneapolis by the Minneapolis Brewing Company, original brewers of Grain Belt Beer.

• The sign was relocated to Nicollet Island, across from the Great Northern Depot, in 1950.

• The lighted portions of the sign include the spelling out GRAIN BELT BEER and displaying one of the GRAIN BELT BEER logos.

DESIGN SIGNIFICANCE

The sign has been noted as a unique and singular example of mid-century design.

• It is one of 100 items included in the Walker Art Center’s Minnesota by Design, a web-based initiative documenting “the rich landscape of design across the state.”

• The Walker Art Center refers to the Grain Belt Beer sign as “a local landmark and an excellent example of the great-lighted signs of the twentieth-century city.”

• The sign’s porcelain facing, use of neon and incandescent lighting were all new technologies for their time and represent the first stages of outdoor advertising as it related to the automobile.

• To help preserve and protect the sign in perpetuity, August Schell has partnered with local historical consultants Hess, Roise and Company to have the sign named to the National Register of Historic Places.

• Hess Roise worked previously on the rehabilitation of the old Grain Belt brewery in Northeast Minneapolis and was involved with the renovation of the North Star Blankets sign in downtown Minneapolis.

• If accepted, the Grain Belt Beer sign will be one of only a handful of iconic freestanding signs on the National Register, including the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign and the Shell Oil “Spectacular” sign in Cambridge, MA.

THE PURCHASE OF THE SIGN

After many years of discussion and planning, the August Schell Brewing Company purchased the Grain Belt Beer sign and the land upon which the sign is located from the Eastman Family Trust in January 2016.

The Eastman family had continuously owned the property since Minneapolis was incorporated in 1867.

It is the last remaining parcel of property in downtown Minneapolis to be sold by the Eastman family, who once owned the greater part of Nicollet Island.

Since purchasing the Grain Belt brand in 2002, August Schell had been in ongoing discussions with the Eastman Family Trust about the sign’s stewardship and restoration.

PRESERVATION PLANS

• Plans will begin immediately to restore and relight this piece of illuminated art that has been dark for nearly 20 years, turning it back into the best-known lit sign in Minneapolis.

• The brewery is working in consultation with local architects, engineers, sign experts, preservationists and members of the community on the project.

• August Schell hopes to have the sign relit by the summer of 2017.

ABOUT GRAIN BELT

Grain Belt, “The Friendly Beer®,” has a rich history that traces a 123-year legacy of midwestern brewing. Owned by the Minnesota-based August Schell Brewing Company, Grain Belt produces three American Lagers: Premium, Premium Light, and Nordeast®.  Grain Belt’s longevity, dedication to quality, and approachable nature are what make its Minnesota brews iconic. For more information, visit www.grainbelt.com.

ABOUT AUGUST SCHELL BREWING COMPANY

August Schell Brewing Company specializes in brewing quality craft beer and boasts a proud heritage of 156 years of continuous family ownership. Founded in 1860 in New Ulm, MN, Schell’s is the oldest brewery in Minnesota and second oldest family-owned brewery in the United States. It became the largest brewery in Minnesota when the company acquired Grain Belt Beer in 2002. From innovative German brews to award-winning American lagers, the Schell’s brewing process begins and ends with quality-crafted beer.  For more information, go to www.schellsbrewery.com.

Thursday
Jan282016

Izzy's 3rd Annual 13 Days of Giving Starts February 1

Izzy's 13 Days of Giving 2016 kicks off Monday, February 1. $2 from every single cup or cone purchase will go towards the non-profit of the day.  Sounds like a good excuse to try 13 new flavors!  :D

Wednesday
Jan272016

Community Keg House!

Received an e-newsletter from Community Keg House today.

Their official hours are:

Monday: 4-10
Tuesday: 4-10
Wednesday: 4-11
Thursday: 4-12
Friday: 4-12
Saturday: 1-12
Sunday: 1-10

Location: 34 13 Avenue NE (in the Grain Belt building complex)

They showcase only Minnesota craft beers, plus two ciders at all times, and support local artists.  Learn about the beers from the tap tender, sample, and pour yourself a pint. They have food, too. Yum!  :D

Wednesday
Jan272016

General Mills commemorates 150th anniversary with $3M “birthday gift to Minneapolis”

Lead gift made to the RiverFirst Campaign at the site of General Mills’ early beginnings as a company

The Minneapolis Parks Foundation today accepted a $3 million “birthday gift to Minneapolis” from the General Mills Foundation in the form of a three-year lead corporate contribution to the RiverFirst Campaign. Ken Powell, Chairman of the Board and CEO of General Mills, presented the gift at an event in the Mill District on the Minneapolis Central Riverfront, the birthplace of General Mills 150 years ago.

RiverFirst is a Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board-led vision for regional riverfront parks and trails that will transform the Upper Mississippi into a world-class cultural and recreational destination for residents and visitors, as well as a regional economic engine for the 21st century. The Minneapolis Parks Foundation is the Park Board’s primary philanthropic partner in the public-private RiverFirst Initiative.

“We are truly honored to be playing a key role in an initiative that is so intertwined with General Mills past, present and future,” said Kim Nelson, Senior Vice President of External Relations and President of the General Mills Foundation. “Our investment, along with other funding from the private and public sectors, will enable RiverFirst projects to transform disjointed and formerly industrial stretches of the Minneapolis riverfront into a vibrant destination and community asset that can be enjoyed for the next 150 years.”

General Mills Foundation is making the RiverFirst grant in honor of the company’s 150th birthday and to commemorate the company’s community roots.

“150 years is cause for celebration and what better way to celebrate this milestone than to give a birthday gift to the very birth place of our company,” Powell said in his remarks at the event. “All that General Mills is today ties back to this very place [the river front] and is intrinsically woven into the foundation of this city. Our history is the city’s history.”

The multi-year grant will go toward three RiverFirst signature projects on both sides of the Minneapolis Central and Upper Riverfronts, including a critical trail link and pier at 26th Ave N, a future riverfront park and beach at Hall’s Island (Scherer site), and Water works, an iconic destination on the Central Riverfront.

The Water Works project is on the Central Riverfront, where General Mills was born. The area is already home to popular landmarks such as the Stone Arch Bridge, St. Anthony Falls, the Pillsbury “A” Mill and original Washburn Mill. An expansion of Mill Ruins Park, the Water Works project will result in an iconic destination for residents and visitors – including a park pavilion, historic ruins, a natural classroom and play and picnic spaces.

General Mills’ $3 million commitment to RiverFirst brings fundraising to $9 million in the first six months of the Minneapolis Park Foundation’s $15 million philanthropic fundraising campaign, with other funding coming from private individual donors. The Minneapolis Park Board is providing public sector support to RiverFirst primarily through grants from local, state and Federal sources.

RiverFirst: Unlocking the Potential of the Upper Riverfront

When the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board was founded in 1883, community leaders envisioned protecting the city’s lakes and riverfront for the public good. Already developed and heavily industrial, the 5.5 miles Upper Riverfront was the only stretch of the Mississippi River unavailable to early parks leaders, leaving North and Northeast Minneapolis scarce access to regional natural resources.

“Now we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to complete our legacy and connect North and Northeast Minneapolis with the larger Grand Rounds and all that this chain of excellence has to offer,” said Liz Wielinski, President of the Minneapolis Park Board of Commissioners. “Visionary philanthropic investment from General Mills echoes the dedication of early leaders and carries forward a tradition of true public-private partnership.”

“Through RiverFirst, the city will provide access for under-served neighborhoods, support ecological systems, and establish new parks and trails in iconic locations, including where General Mills, and Minneapolis, were born,” said Tom Evers, Executive Director of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation. “We are grateful that a legacy company like General Mills is reaffirming its commitment to our community by investing in our parks for this generation and generations to follow.”

The Minneapolis Park Board, with philanthropic support from the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, will break ground on Water Works and Hall’s Island in late 2016.

To learn more about RiverFirst, visit www.mplsparksfoundation.org/riverfirst. For more information on General Mills’ 150-year history, visit www.generalmills.com.

About the General Mills Foundation

General Mills and its Foundation contributed more than $150 million to charitable causes in fiscal year 2015. The General Mills Foundation partners with remarkable nonprofits across the globe to strengthen communities and nourish lives through grantmaking and employee volunteerism focused on our hometown communities. To learn more about our philanthropy and community engagement, join us on Facebook at Facebook.com/GeneralMillsGives or visit us at http://www.generalmills.com/en/Responsibility/general-mills-foundation.

About the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is an independent, semi-autonomous body responsible for the Minneapolis park system. With 179 park properties totaling 6,801 acres of land and water, the Park Board provides places and recreation opportunities for all people to gather and engage in activities that promote health, wellbeing, community and the environment. More than 21 million annual visits are made to the nationally acclaimed park system. Its Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, neighborhood parks, recreation centers and diversified programming have made the park system an important component of what makes Minneapolis a great place to live, play and work. Visit www.minneapolisparks.org for details.

About the Minneapolis Parks Foundation

The Minneapolis Parks Foundation is an independent, donor-supported nonprofit that brings visionary leadership, philanthropic investment and private sector expertise to support innovation and equity throughout the Minneapolis park system. It co-leads the RiverFirst Initiative with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and is responsible for private fundraising and implementation of the Water Works and 26th Ave N to Ole Olson projects. It also supports innovative projects for Minneapolis parks through equity funding and champions world-class design through its Next Generation of Parks™ Lecture Series. Get involved at MplsParksFoundation.org.

Tuesday
Jan262016

MPRB Agrees to Purchase Key Connection Along North Minneapolis Riverfront

 

Land sits in between North Mississippi Regional Park and Upper Harbor Terminal

At its Jan. 20, 2016 meeting, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) of Commissioners authorized a purchase agreement for the acquisition of 4022 ½ Washington Ave. N and 4050 ½ Washington Ave. N.

The 4022 ½ Washington Ave. N property covers approximately 3.88 acres of land containing more than 500 linear feet of shoreline. Someday that land will become part of the continuous network of parks and trails along Minneapolis’ Upper Riverfront envisioned the Above the Falls Master Plan and RiverFirst Initiative.

“This purchase is a big step forward as we work with our partners to accomplish the exciting vision laid out for the Upper Riverfront,” said MPRB Assistant Superintendent for Planning Michael Schroeder. “In the short-term we can use the land for our own operational needs and help pay down the acquisition cost by renting it to existing private businesses, while working toward the long-term plan of creating dynamic park land and river connections in North Minneapolis. It’s win now, win later.”

Acquiring this piece of North Minneapolis riverfront real estate is vital to developing Above the Falls Regional Park, which covers both sides of Minneapolis’ Upper Riverfront from the Plymouth Avenue Bridge to the Camden Bridge [MAP].

It’s important to distinguish Minneapolis’ regional parks from its network of 160 neighborhood parks. Regional parks like Above the Falls, Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, Minnehaha and Theodore Wirth serve many people from outside Minneapolis and rely on funds from the state, Met Council and other public agencies with broad constituencies to develop and maintain park amenities. Neighborhood parks are smaller, primarily funded by local tax dollars and predominantly serve nearby residents.

The 4022 ½ Washington Ave. N property is a key link in redeveloping the Minneapolis’ Upper Riverfront. The Upper Harbor Terminal site – 48 acres of city-owned land the MPRB and City of Minneapolis are jointly redeveloping – sits one block south, and the southern boundary of North Mississippi Regional Park sits directly north.

The 4050 ½ Washington Ave. N property is not within the Above the Falls Regional Park boundary, but the seller refuses to separate it from the sale of the riverfront parcel. MPRB staff recommends reselling the approximately half-acre parcel of land.

Tuesday
Jan262016

Remembering David Bowie with the Minneapolis St. Paul Film Society (Jan 27 - 28)

Remembering David Bowie

Join the Minneapolis St. Paul Film Society January 27 and 28 as they celebrate one of the most influential artists of our time: David Bowie. For two nights the Film Society will screen Bowie’s striking first leading role in a film, The Man Who Fell to Earth, and the cult-classic fantasy adventure Labyrinth, back-to-back.

The Man Who Fell to Earth
Wednesday, January 27, 7:00pm | Thursday, January 28, 9:30pm
Visiting from a distant planet that’s slowly dying from drought, Thomas Jerome Newton (David Bowie) has left his wife and two children in the hope of finding a solution on Earth.
Tickets

Labyrinth
Wednesday, January 27, 9:45pm | Thursday, January 28, 7:00pm
Frustrated by her little brother’s crying, Sarah secretly imagines the Goblins from her favorite book, LABYRINTH, carrying Toby away. When her fantasy comes true, a distraught Sarah must enter a maze of illusion to bring Toby back from a kingdom inhabited by mystical creatures and governed by the wicked Goblin King (Bowie).
Tickets

Sunday
Jan242016

Alchemy Northeast January 30 Grand Opening Celebration 

Andrea Jones, Alchemy Chief Marketing Officer, invites you to the Grand Opening of their new Northeast location from 9:00am-1:00pm Saturday, January 30.  Try a free class to see (and feel) what all the buzz is about!  :)

  

 
Sunday
Jan242016

A-Mill Artist Lofts Video

This short film was produced for Dominium Corporation by Jennifer Kramer.  Nice!  :)

Friday
Jan222016

New online resource: Open Rivers Journal

We learned about a new digital journal, Open Rivers, via a recent edition of the River Current. Open Rivers is produced by the staff at the University of Minnesota’s RiverLife program, and brings community and academic knowledge together to examine issues associated with water, sense of place and urban community and identity.

                         

Open Rivers will gather multiple voices in one place, focusing on issues, ideas and trends that inform how we might collectively think about the future of the Mississippi River, its watershed and the communities that depend on it. It will feature a variety of academic perspectives, as well as insights from scientists, planners and agency staff. It will be a priority to include a diverse range of voices, particularly from native people. You will also see perspectives and reporting on people and places outside the Mississippi watershed; we can and must learn from voices and practices everywhere.

Wednesday
Jan202016

Upper Harbor Terminal Planning Process Begins

Via a January 19 Minneapolis Park and Rec Board e-newsletter: 

Stay informed on the Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment process by subscribing to email updates

At its Jan. 20 meeting, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) of Commissioners will discuss a collaborative process with the City of Minneapolis to jointly plan park development on the Upper Harbor Terminal property in North Minneapolis. At the Jan. 20 meeting -- held at MPRB headquarters, 2117 West River Road -- MPRB staff will present an overview of the planning process to MPRB commissioners.

The easiest way to stay informed on the Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment process is to subscribe to email updates. To subscribe, go to minneapolisparks.org/subscribe and add “Upper Harbor Terminal” to your list of subscriptions, or visit the Upper Harbor Terminal Site project page and enter an email address into the box below “Subscribe to Email Updates.”

Wednesday
Jan202016

Day Block Brewing Company to Celebrate 2 Years in Business

Congratulations to Day Block Brewing on thier 2 year anniversary at 1105 Washington Avenue South! They are holding a week long Anniversary celebration from Monday, January 25 - Saturday, January 30.

Day Block Brewing Company to Celebrate 2 Years in Business

Minneapolis, MN, January 19th, 2015—Day Block Brewing will be hosting a Two Year Anniversary party at their property located off Washington Avenue and 11th Avenue in the Downtown Minneapolis Mill District, starting Monday, January 25th. The brewery will host a variety of different events throughout the week, including a Bacon Raffle, Beer Bingo, and live music from Michael Warren Jazz and Trench Size Trio. On Wednesday, January 27th they will host their popular Bands That Brew event, an event which invites local bands to brew local beer. This month will feature local band, Gentlemen’s Anti Temperance League and their special release Double IPA.

Limited free parking will also be available.

About Day Block Brewing

Day Block Brewing opened its doors in January of 2014.  A year and a half later, it is a go-to Mill District neighborhood hangout for those who value quality craft beer, a menu with a focus on local ingredients and cutting edge live music several nights a week.

To learn more and see a detailed schedule of events, please visit the Day Block Brewing website or call them at 612.617.7793.

Sunday
Jan172016

Winter Cycling Congress 2016 Minneapolis Saint Paul

Winter Cycling Congress 2016 Minneapolis Saint Paul

The fourth annual Winter Cycling Congress, Winter Cycling Congress 2016 Minneapolis Saint Paul, is taking place February 2 - 5, 2016, with events in both Minneapolis and St. Paul. It's a three-day professional development event uniting a diverse and international group of people with a shared vision of increasing mass bicycling and walking among people of all ages and abilities through the winter.  This will be the first time a US city hosts the event.

Saturday
Jan162016

Home Tour Needs Nominations Soon 

The Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour, April 30-May 1, 2016, is accepting nominations at www.MSPHomeTour.com, click on “submit a home” for the option to apply online. Or, request an application by calling Margo Ashmore at 612-867-4874. 

For 11 hours, homeowners and contractors open their doors to share ideas with other home enthusiasts, based on their remodeling experience.

Visitors are particularly interested in period-accurate restoration and expansions sensitive to the surroundings. Being on the tour gives homeowners great feedback as well as the incentive to finish those last few projects. If you or someone you know needs more information, contact coordinator Margo Ashmore at mfashmore@aol.com. Organizers want to have visited nominated homes by early February, so inquire “today.” Later nominations will be considered if they help reach tour goals.

Margo Ashmore, CoordinatorMinneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour April 30-May 1, 2016 www.MSPHomeTour.com 612-788-9003 (o) 612-867-4874 (c)  612-788-3299 (f) 

http://www.facebook.com/#!/MSPHomeTour

Wednesday
Jan132016

The State of Minnesota is Strong

The State of Minnesota is Strong

(Via a January 13 e-newsletter from the Office of Governor Mark Dayton & Lt. Governor Tina Smith.) 

Yesterday, ahead of President Obama’s final State of the Union Address, Politico released its third annual analysis on “The States of our Union.” For the third straight year, Politico ranked Minnesota one of the two strongest states in the nation.

Politico’s annual analysis is based on 15 separate categories that demonstrate the educational attainment, quality of life, and economic health of each of the 50 states. Ranking overall as the 2nd-strongest state in the nation, here is how Minnesota scored in each category, according to Politico. 

Annual Per Capita Income – At $31,642, Minnesota’s per capita income is the 10th-highest in the nation. Median household income in Minnesota is $61,481, which is also the 10th-highest in the nation.

Percent Unemployed – At 3.5 percent, Minnesota’s statewide unemployment rate is the 7th-lowest in the nation. But communities of color and some other pockets of Minnesota’s workforce are still experiencing higher levels of unemployment.

Percent Below Poverty Level – Minnesota ranks 8th-lowest for the percent of those living below the poverty level. According to Politico’s analysis, 11.2 percent of Minnesotans are living below the poverty level – which is still far too many Minnesotans.

Homeownership Rate – With 71.7 percent of Minnesotans owning their own homes, Minnesota ranks 2nd in this category.

High School Graduation Rate – Minnesota ranks 2nd, only behind Alaska, for the percent of our students (92.6 percent) who graduate from high school.

Life Expectancy at Birth – Minnesotans live longer than almost anyone else in the country. With a life expectancy of 81.1 at birth, Minnesota ranks 2nd in the nation in this category. Hawaiians live just three months longer, on average, than Minnesotans. 

Infant Mortality – Minnesota ranked 15th-lowest in the number of infant deaths per 1,000 births. Read what the Minnesota Department of Health is doing to improve the health of mothers and babies, and reduce the incidence of infant mortality in our state. 

Obesity – Roughly 24.8 percent of Minnesotans are considered obese, ranking us the 9th-slimmest state in the nation. Read what the Minnesota Department of Health is doing to prevent and reduce obesity.

Wellbeing – Minnesota has a wellbeing score of 62.8, ranking us 9th in this category. 

Average Math Scores in 8th Grade – Minnesota 8th Graders have the 6th-highest math scores in the country.

Average Reading Scores in 8th Grade – Minnesota 8th Graders have the 6th-highest reading scores in the country. 

Income Inequality – According to the GINI Index, which measures the income distribution of a state’s residents, Minnesota ranks 13th in the country in income inequality. Given the economic disparities facing Minnesotans of color in particular, Governor Dayton and his administration are working hard to secure economic opportunity for all Minnesotans. 

Violent Crime Rate – Minnesotans are the 10th-safest from violent crime, according to Politico’s analysis, and records provided by the FBI. 

Jobs in Science, Engineering, and Math – Minnesota has the 7th-highest percentage of our workforce employed in jobs involving science, engineering, and math. 

H.L. Mencken’s 1931 Rankings – As a benchmark, Politico lists the rankings of each individual state from a 1931 study by H.L. Mencken and Charles Angoff. According to that study, Minnesota was the 6th-strongest state in the nation in 1931.

LEARN MORE

To learn more about Politico’s analysis, click here.

To read Lt. Governor Smith’s reaction to the State of the Union, click here.

To read AND watch President Obama’s State of the Union Address, click here.

Friday
Jan082016

New Job Opening: Preserve Minneapolis

We're looking for a Summer Waking Tours coordinator!

Preserve Minneapolis plans and executes a series of summer walking tours that explore some of the city’s most unique historic places. The Tour Coordinator will be responsible for developing and executing the 2016 program, consisting of 25-27 tours (typically a mix of returning tours and new ones).

For the job description and more details, please click here: 2016 PM Tour Coordinator posting [PDF]

Compensation: This is a contract position, with pay of $6,000

How to apply: Please send resume, letter of interest (maximum 400 words), and list three references to the email address listed below. Include one brief article (maximum 400 words) that you have written; this article shall best represent your written communication skills. Please list past projects that you have executed or supervised, and describe the scope of work and skill needed for these projects.

Send your application to: Peter Sussman, Preserve Minneapolis Tour Committee Chair psussman@preserveminneapolis.org

Open until January 29th, 2016.

The full list of last year's tours is on our website

Tuesday
Jan052016

United Properties Submits New Design for 30 Story (At Least) Nicollet Mall Tower

United Properties and partner Greystar submitted a new design yesterday for a mixed-use project on the city-owned site in downtown Minneapolis known as the Nicollet Hotel Block.

The project is on the agenda of the City Council's Community Development and Regulatory Services committee scheduled to meet Jan. 5:

- Purchase price: $10.4 million.

- A mixed use tower with at least 30 stories to include a hotel, residential, commercial and/or office uses with a façade, a portion of which includes a mullion pattern reflecting the topography of the Mississippi River.

- Active street-level retail space.

- All parking shall be underground.

- A design to accommodate a skyway crossing Third Street South to connect the Tower to the Hennepin County Central Library (the “Third Street Skyway Bridge”).

- A public plaza including a staircase connecting the plaza to the skyway level and lobby, interactive feature, sidewalk café seating, and an activated year round common space.

- Public artwork in the plaza area mutually acceptable to the City and Developer.

- LEED certification or equivalent for building shell and core and incorporation
of sustainable design features.

Monday
Jan042016

2015: Whew, what a year!

We've been looking through our 2015 website and Facebook posts and are overwhelmed with everything that happened in our downtown and riverfront neighborhoods.  Construction, new businesses, goodbyes, the river...

Grab a cup of coffee, and let's take a stroll down memory lane!

January

Commuters will lose 5th Street in downtown Minneapolis to Vikings stadium

[Video] Minneapolis After the Lock - Unlocking New Opportunities

Depot hotel owners plan to lose waterpark for more rooms

Check out 60 years of downtown changes in a matter of seconds.

Competition heats up for water power at St. Anthony Falls

Duval's 80-story tower proposal off the table

Spiff up unsightly lots in downtown Minneapolis

Should the Minnesota Vikings install bird safe glass at their new stadium? Mill City Times Reader Poll

George Henry Hotel Project - 300 Washington Avenue North / From January 6 HPC Meeting

Sanctuary Is Now Chef Co-Owned

Charter high school may open downtown

Letter to the Editor / Endorse the St. Anthony Falls Regional Park Master Plan

Minneapolis Parks Foundation Names R.T. Rybak and Liz Hawn to 20-member Board of Directors

Washington Avenue project paves the way for future roads

February

BREAKING: With Riverfront Bike & Ped Trails at Stake, Graco Must Live Up to Its Agreement

Why it's critical to resolve Park Board-Graco dispute

Heavy Hitter Joins Minneapolis Parks Foundation, Move Bodes Well for Riverfront Projects

[Video] Park Board Votes to Take Action Against Graco

Trader Joe's Gets Closer, Thresher Square Plans Unveiled

[Video] MPRB Approves Public "Woonerf" Connecting to the Downtown Riverfront

Mill City Quarter housing project leads the way to a 'woonerf'

The future of Nye's hangs in the balance between preservation and density

Opinion - Downtown East Commons Off to Good Start

VIDEO: Tour the transforming Pillsbury "A" Mill

Residents eye roads as Downtown East Commons takes shape

New Luxury Condo Development, The Portland Tower, now Taking Reservations

Exploring Northeast Minneapolis’ Central Avenue

[Photos] Gold Medal Park to Host Walker Sculptures

Minneapolis riverfront reveals relics of our subterranean history

[Video] Met Council, Feds Agree with Mill City Times Poll - MPRB Is Not Obstructing Southwest LRT

Symphony Hydro Permit for St. Anthony Falls Lock Denied

Streetcars: Are they worth it? Met Council wades in

[Photos] Nicollet Hotel Block to be Developed by United Properties

Developers propose 18-story downtown high-rise

Retracing Kate Noonan's path up and down Nicollet on a fateful day in 1877

Guthrie's new director is lauded as 'huge player on national scene'

Opinion - Defending Minneapolis Parks

March

22 Reasons You Should Never Visit Minneapolis

23 Years of Transformation - Watch the Mill District of Minneapolis transform between 1991 and 2014

New Development Coming to the Mill District at 800 South Washington Avenue

As riverfront booms, officials seek long view at historic mill complex

‘A’ Mill will soon be home to artist community

Graco Inc: Keep your word, don't stop the Minneapolis Riverfront trail

Dreaming of a food marketplace in downtown Minneapolis

Gold Medal Market & Deli is Now Open!

Nicollet Mall makeover must honor street's past and present

Donizetti Opera to be Mill City Summer Opera’s Fourth Season Production

Neighborhood concerns become obstacle to Nye's redevelopment

Goodbye to All That: “A Trip through Newspaperland” at 425 Portland Avenue

Downtown East betting on stadium momentum

Fortune’s been friendly to Shamrock’s Jim Stanton

Mill City Commons Gives Seniors A Reliable Community

Creative City Challenge Winner Announced

[Video] A New Cable TV Option for Downtown Minneapolis?

15-story complex with 400 condos planned for Mill District

Northeast Minneapolis Named Best Art District

Another Top 10 for Downtown Minneapolis!

Friday Declared Tony Hofstede Day

[Download] More Details on Ritz Block Proposal

April

Insider's Guide to North Loop

Poll - Downtown Soccer Stadium: What Should the Minneapolis City Council Do?

Dreams and hopes for the Guthrie as it enters its next stage

[Video] Water Works: A Gateway Park to the Mississippi River

Kudos to Izzy's Ice Cream on being named Best Ice Cream Mpls 2015

MPRB Receives $500,000 Grant for Sheridan Memorial Park

On the east side of downtown Minneapolis, a new wave of development begins

[Video] Major Changes Planned for Pedestrians, Bikes in Downtown East

Think of the Mississippi River as a national park, too

[Video] Why the Lock at St. Anthony Falls is Closing - Rowers Attacked By Flying Asian Carp

Hennepin County Board Adopts Updated Bicycle Plan

David Frank Named New Director of City of Minneapolis Economic Policy and Development

May

May 9, 2015 Mill City Farmers Market

City of Minneapolis Receives Three Proposals for 800 South Washington Avenue

Guthrie's Joe Dowling takes a final curtain call at theater he reinvented

Opening Day at the 2015 Mill City Farmers Market

Detailed plans for new downtown park unveiled

In Search of Lost Time

Mortenson eyes key parcel next to Surdyk's in northeast Minneapolis for mixed-use project

Downtown Commons: An Extraordinary Opportunity

There’s a pirate ship on the Mississippi River heading for the Twin Cities

Pillsbury Sign Restoration Complete, to be Re-installed this Summer

Developer Ryan Cos. considers condos and vertical, automated parking system next to Vikings stadium ramp

Northern Spark 2015 Partner Projects Spotlight: Mill City Museum

Ground Is Broken and Construction Begins on Ecumen’s Abiitan Mill City in Downtown Minneapolis

Between Whole Foods and the Fed, a plan for homes on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis

Minneapolis and Saint Paul Tie for First Place on The Trust for Public Land’s 2015 ParkScore® Index

Streetscapes: Ghost signs reveal past almost imperceptibly

8 Geniuses We Can Be Proud To Call Minnesotan

Greening Downtown Minneapolis names director to raise money for The Commons park near Vikings Stadium

Vertical villages are changing the concept of neighborhood

Ryan Companies propose Radisson Red hotel near Vikings stadium

Evolving plans for the 'Commons' park in Minneapolis aren't commonplace

137 years ago - Washburn A Mill Explosion

June

Before the Mill District / Native American History on the Riverfront

Downtown East's new park has a design; still needs money

American Academy of Neurology Bike Helmet Giveaway at the Mill City Farmers Market

You can say this for ‘The Commons’ downtown park: It has a lot going on

Design unveiled for Downtown East Commons park; $22 million must be raised

No martinis here: An alligator lunch with Minneapolis Council Member Jacob Frey

The unlocking of Upper St. Anthony Falls. Will a view restaurant or whitewater park come next?

Judge grants condemnation for Graco easement

Minneapolis park board approves Graco easement for trail access

Northern Spark 2015 Celebrates Creativity with All-Night Art Party [Video]

Video: Backyard on the Mississippi

Under the Franklin Ave Bridge - Our History to Be Demolished Yet Again?

June: Someone sneaked into new Vikings stadium at night for photos

Lennar Multifamily plans 20-story tower on Superior Plating site

How about a wilder river? Imagine this Mississippi

Mill District real-estate agent Cynthia Froid is rolling on the river

Mpls. 'tied houses' fought for local beer long before taprooms

Woonerfs: rethinking a public realm for bicyclists, pedestrians and cars

Artists chosen for Nicollet Mall public art commissions

Sale of downtown Mpls. condo fetches a record $1,200 per square foot

[Video] Upper St. Anthony lock closing after half a century; blame the carp

Buyer emerges for Hubert's, the sports bar neighbor of the Metrodome

[Photos] Ground breaking ceremony for the Encore Apartments in the Mill District across from Gold Medal Park

Mortenson closes on Hennepin site for AC Hotel by Marriott

Under the Franklin Ave Bridge - Our History to Be Demolished Yet Again?

July

Funny Money! Theater of Public Policy to Enlighten-up the Conversation About Funding for Parks

"Tony Oliva: The Life and Times of a Minnesota Twins Legend" Book Reading and Signing at Barnes & Noble Downtown August 1

Cynthia Froid Group Treats the Neighborhood to an Izzy's Ice Cream Social

Iconic North Star Blankets Signs Taken Down July 8

Valspar Foundation Provides $65,000 to Support Minneapolis Mill District

Chapter Two of the Crown Roller Mill Story

Update on the A-Mill Artist Lofts Hydroelectric Project

West River Parkway Mudslide and Franklin Avenue Bridge Repair Update

Latitude 45 restaurant will open Sept. 22

National Park Service explores canoe-sharing service along Mississippi

American Public Media Cancels Wits

Neon no more: Minneapolis looks at redo for City Hall clocks

North Loop's historic Jackson Building to become Hewing Hotel

Minneapolis ordinance change clears way for boutique hotel over Restaurant Alma

[Video] North Star signs get facelifts

A river’s story, in sixty seconds or less

Nicollet Mall Project begins today

Slave earned her freedom in a fledgling Minnesota

August

A Champion of the Mill District

[Video] Huge crowd for 2015 Mill District National Night Out Party

Giant Bob Dylan mural takes shape in Minneapolis

Minneapolis' emerging Bob Dylan mural: the back story

Pay-by-phone parking comes to Mpls. downtown, North Loop

Congratulations to the 6th Annual MDID Greening & Public Realm Awards Winners

Proposal for turbines at St. Anthony Falls is already generating plenty of opposition

Latitude 45 restaurant will open Sept. 22

Zen Box Izakaya Ramen Attack! Returns September 27

Minneapolis city staff recommends selling highly visible Mill District site to Mortenson

[Photo] Mill District 1907

Minneapolis Parks Leads Way in Regional Park Visits

Start the Weekend With a DMNA-sponsored Yoga Classes at Gold Medal Park

Opening Saturday: Askov Finlayson's flagship North Loop store (Photos)

Mortenson releases images of 28-story high-rise in Northeast

Minneapolis is taking welcome steps toward greener downtown streets

Be Heard: Weigh In on Downtown Parks & Public Spaces

City, companies pledge $7 million to make Commons more than a plot of grass

Action Alert / Save the Falls - Stop Crown Hydro

Activists bare their chests for annual 'Go Topless' event in Minneapolis park

[Photo] 1857 - Minneapolis from the Corner of 2nd Avenue S & Washington Avenue

Developer plans 'brewtel,' headquarters in Elliot Park

'Iconic' tower proposed for northeast Minneapolis

Streetscapes: Great design part of the Minneapolis landscape

September

[Video] Lisa Goodman - City Council Sept 11 2015 - Downtown East Commons

Go-To cards can now be used for both transit and car sharing

Built in 1941 for $5,000, the Grain Belt Beer bottle cap sign is one of the largest freestanding neon signs in the region.

Movie Night at Gold Medal Park

1st Look - First sculpture installed at Gold Medal Park

Arctic Cat relocating corporate headquarters to Minneapolis' North Loop

Gold Medal Park to Host Walker Sculptures

1st Sculpture installed at Gold Medal Park "Prophecy of the Ancients" by Brower Hatcher

New plan emerges for Nye's Polonaise site, with a smaller apartment complex

The Drive: Safety is behind Washington Avenue redo

[Photo] 1936 - Luce Line Railroad Depot

After 130 years, Gardner Hardware closes

[Video] Frey Calls for Action on Downtown Violence

[Photo] 1920-1930 the Stone Arch Bridge Seen From Water Level on the Upstream Side

Crown Hydro seeks new site for Minneapolis hydro project

Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Adopts Water Works Concept Design

[Photo] 1880-90 St. Anthony Falls and Mississippi River with Exposition Building in Background

3rd Avenue Bridge: Built (in 1918) not to be seen but to showcase the Falls of St. Anthony

Mill City High charter school in Minneapolis shuts down due to low enrollment

October

Our West Bank Human Landmark Has Left Us

[Video] The Jewel of Minneapolis - Mississippi River Gorge

[Photo] 1886 - Artist rendering of the Minneapolis Riverfront

East Downtown Council Has Concerns re: Working Families Proposal

Opinion | Working Families Agenda: Dumb Proposal, Good Decision

[Photo] 1970 – Kids on the Stone Arch Bridge

[Photo] 1874 - Artist rendering. Minneapolis Riverfront, looking toward West Bank, Downtown, and Nicollet Island

[Photo] Pillsbury A Mill Clouds at Sunset

New Photography Exhibit, ‘Downtown: Minneapolis in the 1970s,’ Opens at Mill City Museum

Breaking: Pillsbury Sign Installation to Begin Next Monday

[Photo] Pillsbury Sign Installation from Reader Tom Carrier

Photos from the Mississippi Minute Film Festival

New FMR Film About Our Local National Park — Watch the Trailer and Sign Up for the Premiere!

J. D. Steele to Lead New Downtown Choir

Signs of the time: Why we spend big bucks to save old ads

Alatus offers glimpse of 40-story tower

"Living Room Station - Your Home Before You Get Home" a new kind of bus stop at 6th St. and Nicollet Mall

Restaurant, retailer planned for revamped Sex World building

It's Official - Trader Joe's coming to Downtown! First reported by Mill City Times

Minneapolis shifts downtown plan from Avenue of Arts to green corridor

Hewing Hotel in historic Jackson Building gets financed by U.S. Bank

[Photo] 1958 - Minnesota Centennial Train

November

Pillsbury Sign Re-Lit for 1st Time

Soap Factory to go on hiatus at end of December

Ryan unveils plans for new corporate office building in Downtown East

Park commissioners take step to demolish Fuji-Ya building

Mississippi East Bank Trail Update from MPRB

New Hotel Will Help Reverse "Urban Renewal" on Washington Ave.

Downtown Minneapolis neighborhood has hot, new hangout at Eastside

GQ Names North Loop Clothier One Of America's Best Independent Stores

In parks, photogs need license to click

Poll - Taking Photos on the Stone Arch Bridge

[Photo] Pillsbury Sign Re-Lit for 1st Time

[Photo] 1857 Minneapolis from 2nd Avenue S Looking Toward Bridge Square

Group of North Loop residents opposes new 10-story building

Holidazzle Unveils Schedule, New Look for Upcoming Season, And More

[Photo] 1854 – Rare Photo, Hennepin Island from Main Street St Anthony

10-level hotel planned near U.S. Bank Stadium

Poll - What do you think of the Vikings "Legacy Ship"

3 Reasons to Love the Mill District

Shag Sushi is out, Rojo is in

Food Building Tours

[Photo] 1908 | Minneapolis Post Office

[Photo] 1860's | East Channel, St. Anthony Falls

Let there be light! The Pillsbury sign lights up the Minneapolis Riverfront again.

A quick 15 second video | Let there be light! The Pillsbury sign lights up the Minneapolis Riverfront again

December

Ryan to Build New HQ Building in the Mill District/Downtown East Neighborhood

Minneapolis Can Call Itself the Mill City Again

Rustica founder proofs mill, bakery concept for Food Building

Vikings will help pay for park near new stadium

West River Parkway Will Remain Closed Until Fall 2016

North Loop's Origami will close after 26 years

Water Works Update: Architectural Firm Hired to Help Guide Selective Demolition of Fuji-Ya building

Nye’s site developer ponders next step after HPC attaches strings

United Properties announces new apartment development partner for Nicollet Hotel block

The 278 Story Parking Ramp Downtown Minneapolis Would Need Without Transit

Consultant issues recommendations to improve vibrancy, safety of Warehouse District

Rebuilding an island in Minneapolis proves expensive, complex

Minneapolis again asks state to help repair bridge

3rd Avenue Redesign Project

After a century, Gardner Hardware building could get facelift

Streetscapes: A new year's wish list for downtown Minneapolis

Wilde Roast Café to offer livable wage, paid safe and sick time

North Loop loft brings the farm to the city

The Draft Horse opens this weekend in Northeast

The Sheridan Room opens in former Modern Cafe space

Misfit Coffee Co. is moving in with Izzy's this winter

Near the new Vikings stadium, another hotel is being planned

Is Minneapolis doing enough to make the city pedestrian friendly?

United Properties taps big partner for Nicollet Hotel Block project

[Photos] Historic North Star Signs Re-Lit

North Star Sign Re-Lit

 

Sunday
Jan032016

Fast Eddie's - The Place for Shoe Repair

I'm sure a lot of people can relate to this - you buy a spendy pair of shoes or boots that quickly become a favorite, only to have the heels wear down quickly (or some other issue that makes you put them on the shelf). 

That recently happened to me, so I did a Google search for "shoe repair Minneapolis" and found Fast Eddie's, 1316 SE 4th Street in Dinkytown.

The owner is Jim, who apprenticed under Fast Eddie for 15 years prior to Eddie's retirement at age 85.  Jim is a genuinely sweet guy who does excellent work. 

If you have footwear collecting dust because they've lost their luster, but you don't want to part with them, I highly recommend taking them to Fast Eddie's.   :)

Monday
Dec282015

Snowplowing on Hennepin County Roads

Via a December 28 Hennepin County e-newsletter:

During winter storms, you may have see one of our big orange trucks with the blue H on the door. Hennepin County plow drivers responsible for more than 2,200 lane miles we are responsible for maintaining. Keeping Hennepin County roads safe during the winter is our priority.

Here's a little more background on our snow and ice removal work:

Plowing and de-icing

Crews head out from five stations across the county -- in Medina, Bloomington, Minnetonka, Orono and Osseo. There are 66 routes.

•The first shift may start as early as 2 a.m. This allows the drivers to plow and treat with de-icing materials before traffic gets heavy.

•The primary goal is to make all travel lanes passable.
•Routes take approximately five hours to complete. Drivers continue their work until their shift is complete.

Keep in mind that traffic volume affects snow plowing operations. When traffic congestion exists, plowing takes longer. When traffic volume is high, melting/removal may take longer.

Post storm clean up

Post storm clean up begins on the first regularly scheduled shift after a storm.

Clean up includes:

•Deicing and removing compacted snow and ice from the pavement.
•"Winging” on roadsides to create additional space for snow storage.
•Removing snow from bridge sidewalks and approaches, as well as from obstacles (e.g. guardrails and bollards).

Be safe

You have a role to play, too.
•Plan ahead for snow days – give yourself extra time.
•Know the road.
•Be patient – slow down and give plows room to work.
•Never use cruise control.

Remember, just because a road is plowed, doesn’t mean it’s okay to speed up. The de-icing materials crews on the road need time to work.

This information and additional detail can be found at www.hennepin.us/plowing.

 

Monday
Dec282015

Minneapolis Park and Rec Board Snow Removal Procedures

From a December 28 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board e-newsletter:

MPRB’s snow removal procedures

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) crews have been working to remove the snow that fell throughout the park system this weekend.
 
After each accumulating snowfall of at least two inches, MPRB maintenance crews work to safely remove snow from parkway trails, parking lots and countless sidewalks.
 
The MPRB will clear snow in the following order of priority:
1. Parking lots
2. Perimeter sidewalks
3. Interior pathways (51 miles of Grand Rounds bike trails are cleared for shared use by cyclists and pedestrians)
4. Ice rinks (when open – visit www.minneapolisparks.org/rinks for rink statuses)
Parkways will be cleared of snow by the City of Minneapolis. For information about snow emergency parking rules and routes for city streets and parkways, visit www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/snow.
 
Every effort is made to have snow removed throughout the Minneapolis Park System within 24 hours after the end of a snowfall. Please note that in the event of blizzard conditions, snow removal timelines may be delayed. Patience and understanding in these circumstances is appreciated.
 
To report an area within the Minneapolis Park System that needs snow removal attention, please email maintenance@minneapolisparks.org or call Customer Service at 612-230-6400 between 8 am¬–4:30 pm, Monday–Friday.