Mill City Times

June 4, 2011 shortly before sunset. The Stone Arch Bridge is located in the Historic Mill Diistrict of Minneapolis.

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Wednesday

Jun082011

Bad Behavior: Bikers, Motorists, Pedestrians from @bslotterback

Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 8:30AM |

Great video of an intersection in New York City. This could have been taken almost anywhere I think. Maybe we could all do better in sharing our roadways and sidewalks.

Found by @bslotterback on Twitter.

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Wednesday

Jun082011

Tonight - A SIP OF SCIENCE: Agricultural Crossroads: Food, Fuel and the Future at Aster Cafe

Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 5:16AM |

Time: 5:30pm

Location: The Aster Cafe, 125 SE Main Street, St. Anthony Main

The rhetoric surrounding agriculture in the state of Minnesota almost invariably invokes a future of sacrifice. Some fear that maintaining the status quo will damage our ecosystems, while others are concerned that alternative approaches to agriculture will lead to economic woe and inadequate food supplies.

Nick Jordan, professor of agronomy and plant genetics at the University of Minnesota, wants to change the terms of the dialog from sacrifice to shared opportunity. Jordan wants to facilitate the adoption of land-use practices that take local agriculture in a new, multifunctional direction. Join Jordan, local farmer Tony Thompson, Warren Formo from the Minnesota Agricultural Water Resources Coalition, and Jim Kleinschmit and Anna Clausen from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy for a discussion of a new vision for local farmland use, and how we might get there from here.

It will be an evening of science, policy, music, and art. Nick Jordan, featuring images by Anna Clausen and music from Mother Banjo

A SIP OF SCIENCE bridges the gap between science and culture in a setting that bridges the gap between brain and belly. Food, beer, and learning are on the menu in a happy hour forum that offers the opportunity to talk with researchers about their current work, its implications, and its fascinations.

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Monday

Jun062011

Sanctuary Freshens Up Patio for Outdoor Dining @SanctuaryRest

Monday, June 6, 2011 at 2:24PM |

http://www.sanctuaryminneapolis.com/

Just in time for the summer season, the Sanctuary patio, the coziest outdoor hangout in the Mill District, is getting a fresh coat of paint for it's fence.

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Monday

Jun062011

Tonight - Music in the Park: Folk Singer Bob Frey at Nicollet Island Park

Monday, June 6, 2011 at 7:56AM |

Come watch Bob Frey, a regular in Twin Cities folk scene at Nicollet Island Park.

Time: 7:00 PM

Visit his website...

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Friday

Jun032011

This Weekend in Mill City / June 3 - June 5

Friday, June 3, 2011 at 6:41AM |

Writers with Disabilities Reading at The Loft

Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District of Minneapolis and across the Stone Arch Bridge in Old St. Anthony.

Friday, June 3

Live Music at the Aster Cafe

Saturday, June 4

Mill City Farmers Market

Northern Sparks Festival

All Night Square Dance and Book Making Marathon at MCBA

Ard Godfrey House Opens for the 2011 Season

Lucia Watson, 'Eating Local' At Mill City Museum

Author Talk: Kevin Kling at Central Library

Live Music at the Aster Cafe

Sunday, June 5

Minneapolis Marathon

Accordo at Southern Theater (2 nights)

Literary Death Match at Aster Cafe

Live Music at the Aster Cafe

Weekend Brunch

Saturday & Sunday

Brunch at Spoonriver
750 South 2nd St (at Chicago Ave S)
Minneapolis, MN 55401
612-436-2236

Reservations recommended

10:00am - 2:00pm

See the menu...

Saturday & Sunday

Brunch at the Aster Cafe
St. Anthony Main
125 SE Main Street
Minneapolis, MN 55414
612-379-3138

Until 2pm.

See the menu...

Sunday

Brunch at Spill the Wine
1101 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55415
612-339-3388

brunch buffet 10am- 2pm Sunday
$12/person (kids 3 and under eat free, 4-12 years are 1/2 price!)

includes: eggs, bacon, french toast, hash browns, fresh salad and fruit, pastries, build your own omlette bar and more...

featuring absolut bloody bar for $5.

also offering fair trade coffee and full bar.

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Thursday

Jun022011

Tonight - The Pillsburys of Minnesota at Mill City Museum

Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 9:30AM |

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Mill City Museum, 704 2nd Street South

Fee: Free

Mill City Museum will host a conversation between authors Lori Sturdevant and George Pillsbury to celebrate the publication of their new book, “The Pillsburys of Minnesota,” which chronicles the family’s role as local pioneers in the milling and lumbering industries, and the part they played in Minnesota politics, the growth of the University of Minnesota, and other civic developments in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Sturdivant recounts how succeeding generations of Pillsburys blended private enterprise with public service, and probes the enduring effect the family has had on the civic culture of a state.

After the discussion Sturdevant and Pillsbury will sign copies of the book, which will be for sale in the museum store.

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Tuesday

May312011

FERC Begins Process of Terminating Crown Hydro License

Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 7:44AM |

Download the letter...

With a letter dated May 25, 2011, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has begun the proccess of termintating the license of Crown Hydro to build a hydroelectric powerplant at Mill Ruins Park in the Mill District of Minneapolis.

Other comments from the web:

FROM MINNEAPOLIS PARKWATCH -

FERC PULLS THE PLUG ON CROWN HYDRO

Park Watch has learned that in a letter dated May 25, 2011, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) informed Crown Mill Hydro President Tom Griffin that FERC staff consider the "Crown Mill Hydro Project to be abandoned."

In a discussion of the project, which was described as "unconstructed," it was pointed out that there has been no progress moving the Crown Mill Hydro Project forward and Crown's mandatory reporting on plans, activities and filings "are long overdue."

Crown Hydro has 30 days "to show cause why the Commission should not initiate proceedings for terminating the license."

It is interesting to note that FERC refers to the Crown Hydro Project by its proper name--the Crown Mill Hydro Project. That's because the FERC license that Crown holds is not for the Mill Ruins Park location. The license that Crown holds was issued on March 19, 1999, and it was for the basement of the Crown Roller Mill Building--not for Mill Ruins Park. So, while Crown was attempting to pressure the Park Board to gain control of the Mill Ruins Park location for its proposed facility, Crown never held a license to construct its hydro facility on MPRB property. In order to build on Mill Ruins Park, it would have had to get an amendment of the license it had for the obsolete Crown Roller Mill site.

FROM SHAWNE FITZGERALD on e-Democracy

In a letter dated May 25th, FERC notified CH that it has 30 days "to show cause why the Commission would not initiate proceedings for terminating the license...." FERC notes the project is unconstructed and lists four required plans never submitted:

-Schedule for submission of design documents and plans and specs for the project (Art. 301)

-Memorandum of Agreement with the Corps (Art. 303)

-Pedestrian Walkway and Bridge construction (Art. 402)

-Operation and Management Plan (Art. 406) These plans were due 90-365 days after CH received a FERC license on March 19, 1999.

FERC also enclosed information on surrendering a license. The letter is posted at the FERC Online e-library.

Search for docket number P-11175. http://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/search/fercgensearch.asp

FYI, Shawne FitzGerald

Update on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 9:55AM by

David Tinjum

Nick Halter from The Journal just tweeted - "Crown Hydro attny Todd Guerrero says the project will continue and plans to respond to FERC letter within 30-day requirement"

Update on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 6:15PM by

David Tinjum

The Journal published an update here -

http://www.downtownjournal.com/index.php?&story=16957&page=65

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Wednesday

May252011

Tonight - Minneapolis Riverfront Development Initiative Public Meeting

Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 7:01AM |

Location: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, 2117 West River Road

Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board wants your “two cents” on RiverFIRST.

The Minneapolis Riverfront Development Initiative launched with an intensive four-day, seven-meeting spree, April 27-30, featuring the MR|DI design team TLS/KVA presenting their RiverFIRST proposal. These meetings were the first in a series of three multi-day information exchange sessions, running April - July, during which the public and Steering, Technical and Advisory committee members are invited to participate in the MR|DI's "iterative design process." (And what is that, exactly? See this blog post.)

The public is invited to meet with the designers – Sheila Kennedy and Frano Violich of Kennedy & Violich Architecture and Tom Leader of Tom Leader Studio. Also presenting will be Mary deLaittre, Project Manager of the MR|DI.

“These meetings, which began in April and will wind up in July, are the second of three wonderful opportunities for the public to have an in-person dialog with the designers as they work toward preparing their recommendation for Upper Riverfront Parks development,” says deLaittre, who is working closely with TLS/KVA and multiple local constituencies to identify and define the functional parameters for the RiverFIRST proposal. “You can expect to see new and more detailed images of the RiverFIRST proposed sites and systems, maps and analysis of current or forthcoming Upper Riverfront projects being overseen by many different agencies, and preliminary timelines and resource identification.”

The third opportunity for in-person comment on RiverFIRST will be in late June or early July, with details announced as soon as they are finalized.

More opportunities to connect:

Community members unable to attend the public meetings will find minutes and video/audio from MR|DI meetings online.

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Wednesday

May182011

Park Board Meeting Tonight - Crown Hydro on the Agenda

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 2:22PM |

Show your opposition to this project, show up at the Minneapolis Park Board meeting tonight to find out what will happen to St. Anthony Falls and Mill Ruins Park. Show the Park Board you're paying attention.

5:00 PM

2117 W. Broadway, Minneapolis

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Wednesday

May182011

Strong Arguments Against the Crown Hydro Project

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 12:10PM |

From: THOMAS R DIMOND <tdimond@q.com>
Date: May 18, 2011 11:43:32 AM CDT
To: ednab <ednab@mac.com>
Subject: Comments to the Minneapolis Parks Board

Tom Dimond

2119 Skyway Drive

Saint Paul, MN 55119

May 16, 2011

RE: Crown Hydro

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input on the proposed letter of intent. It is difficult to comment with specificity, detail or accuracy because the proposal has changed in design and nature so many times it is not entirely clear what the current proposal includes. This limits the ability of the public to provide informed input. It limits the ability of Commissioners to analyze and discuss this project with your colleagues and constituents before embarking on a course of action that could negatively impact the river and tie the hands of future Commissioners for 99 years. Within the context of these limits I would like to offer these comments about the latest proposal.

The water supply for Saint Anthony Falls should not be sold.

The Mississippi River is known as the Father of Waters or as Annie refers to it as Grandfather Mississippi. It is the most important river and flyway in North America. This area would not be a National Park if it were not for the river. After all, it is the Mississippi National River and Recreational Area. It is also the State designated Mississippi River Critical Area.

Along the full length of this majestic river there is only one waterfall. Minnesota and Minneapolis are fortunate to be home to this valuable asset. Protecting the source of water for the falls is of paramount importance.

The public water supply for the falls should not be sold for private gain. Protecting the public water supply for the water fall is a public trust. It is hard to imagine any public official would even consider selling the water supply of the falls. The Parks Board is entrusted with protecting Grandfather Mississippi.

There is no alternative to the waterfall.

There is no alternative source of water for Saint Anthony Falls. There is no alternative waterfall on the Mississippi River. There are many alternatives to generate 3.2 MW of energy. If Crown Hydro is not constructed the grant money will be awarded to an alternative renewable energy project. Why would the Parks Board reduce or eliminate the flow of water over Saint Anthony Falls to generate 3.2 MW of electricity?

Crown Hydro proposes to generate 3.2 MW. The Nobles wind farm generates 201 MW and Grand Meadow 100 MW. Excel has 1,491 MW of wind power. Biomass generates 193 MW.

Conversion from coal to natural gas provides cleaner energy. Riverside generates 511 MW and High Bridge 570 MW. At Black Dog the 253 MW coal facility, is being replaced with a 688 MW natural gas facility. The increase in capacity is 453 MW.

Conservation is the best alternative to increased production. If there is going to be an increase in production, it would take 62 Crown Hydro projects to produce what one wind farm generates. It would take 178 Crown Hydro projects to generate what the High Bridge plant can generate.

There are many alternatives to produce this small amount of energy but there is no alternative to water for the waterfall. It is the only waterfall in the National Park and the only waterfall on the Mississippi River.

The waterfall is not an amusement park attraction that you turn on and off.

The Parks Board should be commended for requiring a minimum of 2,000 cubic feet per second of water for the falls. Many would rightly make the case that no water should be diverted from the falls. Reducing the flow of water diminishes the majesty of the falls. The sound, turbulence and spray from the falls directly relates to the flow of water over the falls. Any dewatering or diminishing of the falls is ill advised.

Past decision have had a cumulative effect of dewatering the falls. The Parks Board should not abandon the minimum requirement of water over the falls. The letter of intent only requires the minimum flow during prime viewing periods. The stated reason for this change is the project is not economically viable if 2,000 cfs of water goes over the falls. The Parks Board is responsible for protecting the river.

The Parks Board should not bailout troubled investments.

The public spoke loud and clear that they did not appreciate the government bailout of bad investments on Wall Street. The public is unlikely to appreciate the Parks Board creating a troubled asset relief program. The falls should not be allowed to dry up because a proposed project is not financially viable. If the project is not financially viable then it should not be built.

Conflict of interest

The Parks Board creates a real potential for conflict of interest if it takes a financial stake in an investment that is financially unviable due to Board policy. The report from the Superintendent states that Crown has indicated that with a Park Board minimum requirement of 2,000 cfs over the falls at all times the project loses viability. The minimum requirement of water flowing over the falls should not be based on whether the Board gets a financial ownership interest in the business. In particular, the size of the ownership interest the Parks Board receives should not be based on the Parks Board decision of minimum water flow over the falls. Webster’s Dictionary defines bribe as something that serves to induce or influence. The Parks Board should not take an ownership stake in an investment it regulates. The Parks Board should continue to support a minimum 2,000 CFS of water over the falls.

If Crown Hydro is allowed to take 1,000 cfs the falls will run dry 135 days of the year.

The current water demand is 3,700 cfs. Allowing Crown Hydro to remove an additional 1,000 cfs will leave the falls dry 37% of the days or 135 days a year. The Wenk report shows that existing demand already drops flow over the falls to 1,000 cfs or less on 37% of the days (1931-2003). If you remove another 1,000 cfs there is no water left for the falls.

Cumulative potential effects

The environmental review must take into account cumulative potential effects or cumulative impacts. The reduction of flow over the falls must also consider the cumulative impacts of other diversions of water. The impacts of other Hydro projects at Saint Anthony Falls must be considered. In 2006, the Minnesota Supreme Court elevated the obligation of RGU’s to address in the environmental review cumulative potential effects. Cumulative potential effects also must be considered in the decision on the need for an EIS.

The Parks Board should require an EIS.

An EIS is a likely outcome and agreeing to an EIS can expedite the process and better inform the Board and public. The EIS is a thorough study of the project’s environmental impacts and a comprehensive analysis of its economic and sociological effects. It considers reasonable alternatives, including the “no build alternative”. When completed, the review gives the government and general public information to determine whether the project is environmentally acceptable and what mitigation measures are needed. The EAW is a procedure that uses a worksheet with a standardized list of questions to screen projects that may have the potential for significant environmental effects. We should all be able to agree that dewatering the only falls on the Mississippi River and excavation and construction in a National Registered Historic District located in a National Park may have the potential for significant environmental effects.

Limit any proposed lease or agreement to 2049.

The FERC license is set to expire in 2049. Any proposed agreements should expire in 38 years not 99 years. This allows future Commissioners to evaluate if a new lease or agreement is still appropriate in 2049.

The Parks Board should remove itself from any negotiations until the sale is complete and there is a new owner.

The Parks Board risks making statements that a potential buyer of Crown Hydro might rely on. It is also difficult for the Board and public to evaluate the viability of the owner to implement an agreement when you do not know who the buyer is.

The Parks Board should not be intimidated by bad legislation.

This session the DNR was told if they want money for State Parks and Forests they should cut down and sell the Walnut trees. To the DNR’s credit they pointed out that cutting the trees in the parks was less profitable than many think, and that loss of the trees diminishes the values of the parks they are entrusted to protect. The Parks Board was told by some in the Legislature that you should sell the water that flows over the falls. The response should be the same as the DNR. The Parks Board is entrusted to protect the flow over the falls and any potential financial gains are short sighted when you consider the loss to our National Park.

Any agreements must be conditioned on a new programmatic agreement.

The previous agreement is 13 years old and based on a different site. All parties, including the public, should have an opportunity to evaluate and provide input on any new impacts and what should be included in the programmatic agreement.

The 1998 agreement raised questions if the project can be done without loss of the historic resource.

SHPO states that if the historic races can be reused by repairing the in-place historic materials and following the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, Crown Hydro’s proposal may be acceptable. It goes on to say that if in order to use the races, all the historic material needs to be removed and new races built with new material in the approximate same locations, the historic resource would be lost. There has been discussion of building a new concrete and steel race to replace one of the races, and reconstructing another race with new material in order to widen and deepen it. The current packet of information does not provide information on what actual construction impacts are proposed in 2011. The 1998 agreement must be replaced with a new 2011 agreement signed by all the parties.

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Tuesday

May172011

Stone Arch Bridge to Be Shut Down? - 49 Steps to Madness PT 1 - The Crown Hydro Project

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 2:00PM |

Download our flyer to for info on how you can help stop this ill-conceived project…

This is installament 1 of a 5 part series looking at the proposed Crown Hydro project. The State of Minnesota is attempting to force the Minneapolis Park Board to not only approve this project, but also provide Nationally Historic Parkland to a private developer.

It Could Be Just a Few Steps Away. Literally, and figuratively. It could happen as soon as this fall if the Minneapolis Park Board approves the controversial Crown Hydro project proposed to be built at the foot of the Stone Arch Bridge in the Minneapolis Riverfront.

Literally. The site of the proposed hydroelectric power plant is only steps away from the entrance to the Stone Arch Bridge.

Photo taken from the entrance to the Stone Arch Bridge

49 steps away to be exact. I counted. On Saturday, May 8, 2011 when Kim and I were taking photos at Mill Ruins Park. I’m not that tall, and my legs are kind of short, so it’s really close by.

Crown Hydro wants the Minneapolis Park Board to give them this Nationally Historic Parkland to build a hydroelectric power generation facility. It will be an underground facility. Which means:

They are going to have to dig a great big hole. A really, really big hole.
They will need lots of heavy equipment to dig that giant hole in the ground. That equipment needs room to operate. Outside of the hole.
They will needs tons of materials to build the power plant in that great big hole. It will need to be stored outside of the hole.
They will need a construction trailer, port-a-potty’s, space for workers to have their morning coffee, park their trucks, store more big equipment…you get the idea. All OUTSIDE the hole.

Hmm…Where will it all go? Will they allow bike riders and joggers and walkers and tourists to traverse through the middle of the construction site?

Crown Hydro has not made an specific commitment to keep the Stone Arch Bridge open during construction. They refuse to discuss details until they Park Board gives them the Parkland. Hmmm…

Figuratively. The Minneapolis Park Board is scheduled to vote on this project on Wednesday, May 18. If it passes, Crown Hydro, and the closing of the Stone Arch Bridge, could be just a few steps, and a few days away.

About This Series
Kim and I walked down to check out the location of the Crown Hydro project located in Mill Ruins Park at St. Anthony Falls. The proximity to the Stone Arch Bridge and other important historical treasures surprised us, so I thought I'd take a rough measure - I'd "step it off". It was 49 steps from the center of the proposed Hydroelectric facility to the foot of the Stone Arch Bridge. I decided to dig a little deeper. This 5 part series is the result of that effort.

49 Steps to Madness - The Crown Hydro Project

Pt 2 - St. Anthony Falls to Be Shut Off 9 Months Per Year?

Pt 3 - Mill Ruins Park to Become and Underwater Attraction?

Pt 5 - State Planning a Hostile Takeover of Minneapolis

Update on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 7:40AM by

David Tinjum

Please attend the Minneapolis Park Board meeting May 18 at 5:00 PM to show your support for stopping this ill-conceived project.

Contact your elected officials and ask them to drop their support...

Connect with Mill City Times on: Facebook / Twitter

Monday

May162011

St. Anthony Falls to Be Shut Off 9 Months Per Year? 49 Steps to Madness PT 2 - The Crown Hydro Project

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 3:04AM |

Download our flyer to for info on how you can help stop this ill-conceived project…

This is installament 2 of a 5 part series looking at the proposed Crown Hydro project. The State of Minnesota is attempting to force the Minneapolis Park Board to not only approve this project, but also provide Nationally Historic Parkland to a private developer.

The Crown Hydro project at St. Anthony Falls and Mill Ruins Park, if approved, will give the developer the right to shut off St. Anthony Falls from September 22 through June 20 each year.

From Section 5 of the Letter of Intent being considered by the Minneapolis Park Board

stating the intent to keep St. Anthony Falls flowing at the rate of “2,000 cfs during the prime viewing periods, such best viewing periods, considered for purposes of this Letter of Intent as June 21 – September 21.”

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) License Article 404

“During low flows in July and August, the project will operate with up to 500 cfs during the daylight hours even if it dries up the falls . . . “

Will “St. Anthony Wet Cement” be the new name of this iconic symbol of Minneapolis?

Rather than being a year round attraction for walkers, runners, bikers (yes bikers) and tourists, seems we could have an amusement park type of attraction for the 3 months each year. Who’ll get to flip the switch to turn on the Falls each year on June 21? Maybe the developer can hold a lottery to increase his profits? Better yet, why not just move the whole attraction to Valley Fair, which happens to be in the district of Representative Michael Beard (R) District: 35A, sponsor of the Legislation that started this fiasco?

In all seriousness, St. Anthony Falls is the Historic Birthplace of Minneapolis, an iconic symbol of our City, and an important part of the daily lives of thousands of people both local and from all parts of the world. How did this absurd proposal even make it to this point? Will a dry falls be the legacy of MPRB Superintendant Miller, Board President John Erwin and the current Board?

Bottom line: The Minneapolis Park Board is scheduled to vote on this project on Wednesday, May 18. If it passes, Crown Hydro, and "St. Anthony Wet Cement", could be just a few steps, and a few days away.

49 Steps to Madness - The Crown Hydro Project

Pt 2 - St. Anthony Falls to Be Shut Off 9 Months Per Year?

Pt 3 - Mill Ruins Park to Become and Underwater Attraction?

Pt 5 - State Planning a Hostile Takeover of Minneapolis

Update on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 7:39AM by

David Tinjum

Please attend the Minneapolis Park Board meeting May 18 at 5:00 PM to show your support for stopping this ill-conceived project.

Contact your elected officials and ask them to drop their support...

Connect with Mill City Times on: Facebook / Twitter

Monday

May162011

Mill Ruins Park to Become an Underwater Attraction? 49 Steps to Madness PT 3 - The Crown Hydro Project

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 3:03AM |

Download our flyer to for info on how you can help stop this ill-conceived project…

This is installament 3 of a 5 part series looking at the proposed Crown Hydro project. The State of Minnesota is attempting to force the Minneapolis Park Board to not only approve this project, but also provide Nationally Historic Parkland to a private developer.

The Crown Hydro project at St. Anthony Falls and Mill Ruins Park, if approved, will result in a huge increase in the volume of water flowing into Mill Ruins Park through the historic tailrace.

Anyone who has spent time in this area of the park knows what this could mean. Would this area of the park be underwater? Will it have to be shut down for public safety?

The current Crown Hydro project to be voted on at the May 18 meeting of the Minneapolis Park Board makes no mention of this risk to Mill Ruins Park. Has anyone taken a step back to identify the potential risks of this project? We have no way of knowing how real this risk is until a thorough evaluation of this project is undertaken. At this point, sadly, none exists.

Bottom line: The Minneapolis Park Board is scheduled to vote on this project on Wednesday, May 18. If it passes, Crown Hydro, and a new underwater amusement attraction, could be just a few steps, and a few days away.

49 Steps to Madness - The Crown Hydro Project

Pt 2 - St. Anthony Falls to Be Shut Off 9 Months Per Year?

Pt 3 - Mill Ruins Park to Become and Underwater Attraction?

Pt 5 - State Planning a Hostile Takeover of Minneapolis

Update on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 7:41AM by

David Tinjum

Please attend the Minneapolis Park Board meeting May 18 at 5:00 PM to show your support for stopping this ill-conceived project.

Contact your elected officials and ask them to drop their support...

Connect with Mill City Times on: Facebook / Twitter

Monday

May162011

Shake, Rattle & Ruins - 49 Steps to Madness PT 4 - The Crown Hydro Project

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 3:02AM |

Download our flyer to for info on how you can help stop this ill-conceived project…

This is installament 4 of a 5 part series looking at the proposed Crown Hydro project. The State of Minnesota is attempting to force the Minneapolis Park Board to not only approve this project, but also provide Nationally Historic Parkland to a private developer.

The aftermath of the last ill-conceived effort to harness St. Anthony Falls

The risks to many Nationally Historic Ruins and public assets are real. Crown Hydro has refused to provide assurances that their project will not damage or destroy them. Don’t take my word on it, here’s some opinions from those much more knowledgeable than I:

The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers:

“The St. Anthony Falls District and the individual sites within it are among the primary reasons Congress established the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. The proposed project would likely have significant adverse impacts on the nationally significant historic resources within the MISS corridor.”

United States Department of the Interior

“. . . is very concerned about potential project impacts on the historical resources of the St. Anthony Falls Historic District and with the flow of water over St Anthony Falls,, the only falls on the entire Mississippi River. . . may seriously impact the recreational use and visual integrity of this area.”

And...

“The proposed project would likely have significant adverse impacts on the nationally significant historic resources. . . “

Minnesota State Archeologist Scott Anfinson

"...the exit tunnel for this facility will adversely impact a significant historic structure, namely the historic tailrace tunnel system. The construction of the turbines could also prevent the restoration of the historic waterpower canal entrance should that be proposed in the future.”

Crown Hydro, LLC

“CHC acknowledges that its project may endanger MPRB owned historic facilities..."

There is nothing inherently bad about building a Hydro Plant in this area. If done after a thorough assessment and mitigation of the risks, and as part of the long term plan for the area, and for the public good, a Hydro facility could add to, rather than subtract from, the huge investment made in revitalizing this part of the Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront.

Bottom line: The Minneapolis Park Board is scheduled to vote on this project on Wednesday, May 18. If it passes, Crown Hydro, and the potential destruction of the Birthplace of Minneapolis, could be just a few steps, and a few days away.

49 Steps to Madness - The Crown Hydro Project

Pt 2 - St. Anthony Falls to Be Shut Off 9 Months Per Year?

Pt 3 - Mill Ruins Park to Become and Underwater Attraction?

Pt 5 - State Planning a Hostile Takeover of Minneapolis

Update on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 7:42AM by

David Tinjum

Please attend the Minneapolis Park Board meeting May 18 at 5:00 PM to show your support for stopping this ill-conceived project.

Contact your elected officials and ask them to drop their support...

Connect with Mill City Times on: Facebook / Twitter

Monday

May162011

State Planning a Hostile Takeover of Minneapolis, Retains Gordon Gekko - 49 Steps to Madness PT 5 - The Crown Hydro Project

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 3:01AM |

Download our flyer to for info on how you can help stop this ill-conceived project…

This is final installament of a 5 part series looking at the proposed Crown Hydro project. The State of Minnesota is attempting to force the Minneapolis Park Board to not only approve this project, but also provide Nationally Historic Parkland to a private developer.

"You got ninety percent of the American public out there with little or no net worth. I create nothing. I own. We make the rules, pal. The news, war, peace, famine, upheaval, the price per paper clip. We pick that rabbit out of the hat while everybody sits out there wondering how the hell we did it. Now you're not naive enough to think we're living in a democracy, are you buddy? It's the free market."

"The point is, ladies and gentleman, that greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right, greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit."

- Gordon Gekko

Given the multitude of unaswered questions, the unanimous opposition of Federal, State and local experts and the obvious unconstitutionality of the State Legislation driving this project, what motive could there be at the State level? Greed, power, trading favors or some other personal gain? Partisian politics? I can only speculate as to the possible motivation of State Legislators supporting HF1440 and SF1191.

More quotes, but from real people...

From Minneapolis City Council Member Lisa Goodman -

“It is simply outrageous that the Legislature would even attempt to override the decisions of local government, in this case the Park Board, and compel both the sale of public land and the planning approvals required for a private developer for their private development”

What’s next, the Legislature passing a bill ordering the city to sell the Minneapolis Farmers Market land for a Vikings Stadium or sell Gold Medal Park for a new high-rise?”

One of four representatives to take his name off the Crown Hydro bill, Rep. Michael Nelson, DFL-Brooklyn Park, said he supports the Crown Hydro project as a clean source of renewable energy but opposes taking away local control.

“The way that this one was written was basically clubbing the city of Minneapolis over the head,” Nelson said.

John S. Gulliver, P.E., Ph. D, Engineering Consultant

How will construction equipment be brought into this crowded area, without disrupting other traffic and activities? What will happen to the public parkways, walkways, etc. during the approximately two years of construction?

Educational value of the Crown Hydroelectric Plant: The Crown Hydroelectric project seems to be developed in isolation from other projects of the district. The interpretive character of the facility is pre-eminent in 2001 support letters from Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sales Belton, Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, State Senator Lawrence Pogemiller, and State Representative Phyllis Kahn. New letters from representative individuals should be required by MRPB, since the obtained letters of support were based, in part or in whole, on the interpretive character of the Crown Hydroelectric project.

Nobody, But Nobody, Thinks This Is a Good Idea

Don’t take my word on it, here’s some opinions from those much more knowledgeable than I:

Walter F. Mondale

"I write today to urge that you, as a matter of public policy, conclude that the land you own in the most historically sacred area of our great City be simply off-limits to commercial development. Two projects have threatened to desecrate the most sensitive of land you own—namely the condominium project on the old Fuji Ya site, and the again-pending attempt to locate a hydro electric generation plant steps from the Mill Ruins. The latter proposal, no matter what the view of paid consultants, is inherently a taking of the public’s most historic property in this most historic area—the force of the falls over the St. Anthony apron."

"The historical area, of course, is called the St Anthony Falls Historic District. It is not called the Stone Arch Bridge Historic District, nor the Lock and Dam Historic District, nor the River Parkway Historic District, nor even the Mill Ruins Historic District. That which makes it historic, of course, is the Falls itself—the flow of water and its force."

The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers:

“The St. Anthony Falls District and the individual sites within it are among the primary reasons Congress established the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. The proposed project would likely have significant adverse impacts on the nationally significant historic resources within the MISS corridor.”

Jessica Overmohle, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

"The Draft Plan does not address aesthetic flows over the spillway. The MDNR believes it is imperative that an adequate flow over the spill way be maintained. [It] is one of the only aspects of the St. Anthony Falls area that portrays the significance of the largest falls on the entire Mississippi River. The location in downtown Minneapolis creates a demand for viewing the falls 24 hours a day throughout the year."

United States Department of the Interior

“. . . is very concerned about potential project impacts on the historical resources of the St. Anthony Falls Historic District and with the flow of water over St Anthony Falls,, the only falls on the entire Mississippi River. . . may seriously impact the recreational use and visual integrity of this area.”

And...

“The proposed project would likely have significant adverse impacts on the nationally significant historic resources. . . “

Minnesota State Archeologist Scott Anfinson

"...the exit tunnel for this facility will adversely impact a significant historic structure, namely the historic tailrace tunnel system. The construction of the turbines could also prevent the restoration of the historic waterpower canal entrance should that be proposed in the future.”

Minneapolis City Attorney

“[Crown could] consume water to the point of elimination of flow of St Anthony Falls without Park Board consent, regardless of any contrary requirement in Park Board resolutions.”

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) License Article 404

“During low flows in July and August, the project will operate with up to 500 cfs during the daylight hours even if it dries up the falls . . . “

Crown Hydro, LLC

“CHC acknowledges that its project may endanger MPRB owned historic facilities..."

National Trust for Historic Preservation (May 2011)

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is deeply concerned to learn about the proposal of S.F. 1191, which requires the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) to approve a lease agreement for a hydroelectric facility on their property no later than May 31, 2011. It is our opinion that this legislation will only harm Minnesota’s natural resources, and it could have unintended and very negative consequences on effective local government regulatory processes.



The Crown Hydro hydroelectric project is obviously the intended beneficiary of this legislation, since this project’s request for use of Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (“Park Board”) property in the St. Anthony Falls Historic District was denied. Repeated challenges to this decision have only reinforced the appropriateness of the Park Board’s decisions to deny a permit for a new hydroelectric facility on Park Board land in a highly-visible and sensitive area of the riverfront that contains many natural and historic resources.



While we strongly support renewable energy production through alternative sources such as wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric power, we do not support the destruction of our state’s limited and nonrenewable cultural resources for the creation of renewable energy. Although this project has been many years in development, we have yet to see the full plans for the Crown Hydro project or comprehensive evaluation of the impact it will have on the Mill Ruins area. It is clear that this project requires significant environmental review before it can move forward, so as not to destroy one nonrenewable resource for the benefit of renewable energy generation, which could feasibly be located elsewhere.



We also feel strongly that Minnesota’s natural resources should be utilized in ways that are effective and sustainable. Based upon an analysis of the project by engineer John Gulliver (attached), the proposed location for the Crown Hydro project is very problematic. His assessment concludes that “energy generation projections of Crown Hydro LLC are optimistic and the risks are ignored.” In addition, the flow of water over the St. Anthony Falls will be significantly reduced by the operation of the Crown Hydro project. This will eliminate the defining feature of the St. Anthony Falls Historic District and compromise one of Minneapolis’ most prominent viewsheds.



Most importantly, the proposed legislation will deliberately subvert the regulatory review processes established to ensure a thorough and transparent public process based on established criteria. Approving S.F. 1191 would greatly diminish the ability of local government and state agencies to assess the appropriateness of proposed projects on property that has been set aside for public use and benefit.

For all of these reasons, we respectfully request that you do not support S.F. 1191.

Christina Morris

Minnesota Program Officer

National Trust for Historic Preservation

How Can This NOT Be Unconstitutional?

Could it be anymore unambigous?

From Article XII of the Constitution of the State of Minnesota:

"The legislature shall pass no local or special law...granting to any private corporation, association, or individual any special or exclusive privilege, immunity or franchise whatever..."

Link to Article XII...

From the Minnesota State Senate:

"Short Description: Hydroelectric facility (Crown Hydro) municipal approval requirement exemption, federal regulation compliance, and Minneapolis park and recreation board approval"

This legislation is intended for the sole benefit of Crown Hydro, LLC in direct conflict with the Constitution of the State of Minnesota.

About This Series
Kim and I walked down to check out the location of the Crown Hydro project located in Mill Ruins Park at St. Anthony Falls. The proximity to the Stone Arch Bridge and other important historical treasures surprised us, so I thought I'd take a rough measure - I'd "step it off". It was 49 steps from the center of the proposed Hydroelectric facility to the foot of the Stone Arch Bridge. I decided to dig a little deeper. This 5 part series is the result of that effort.

49 Steps to Madness - The Crown Hydro Project

Pt 2 - St. Anthony Falls to Be Shut Off 9 Months Per Year?

Pt 3 - Mill Ruins Park to Become and Underwater Attraction?