Mayor Frey Delivers His 2024 State of the City Address

Note - If you'd like to forward directly to when Mayor Frey takes the stage, it's at the 13:16 minute mark. The transcript is available here.

Two Paddles Races Return June 7-9

Two Paddles races returns for its third year the weekend of June 7-9. Over 200 paddlers participated in 2022 and 2023, respectively, from 17 different states and 4 Canadian provinces.

Per co-founder Scott Miller, "The new finish line at Mississippi Point Park in Champlin offers a scenic and challenging route, eliminating stagnant stretches, motorboats, and a dam. Merging with the Father Hennepin Festival promises a fresh and vibrant atmosphere for all."

Races include: Family 5-mile Challenge, 25 Race, Tour & Relay, 10 Race and Tour, 150 Race, Relay and Tour, 48 Race & Tour and High School Paddle Challenge.

Two Paddles is supported by the following organizations: 1 Mississippi, Northstar Canoes, Mississippi Park Connection, Minnesota Outdoor Industry Partnership, and Paddle Bridge Guide Collective. 

May 2024 Minneapolis Central City Tunnel Project Update

Via a May 6 e-announcement from the City of Minneapolis:

Project Overview

The City of Minneapolis Public Works Department is constructing a new parallel storm tunnel, enlarging a portion of the existing storm tunnel, and constructing a new tunnel access in Downtown Minneapolis.

The new tunnel is being constructed parallel to the existing tunnel located under Washington Ave S between Nicollet Mall and Chicago Ave. The existing tunnel under Chicago Ave between Washington Ave S and the Mississippi River is being expanded to handle the increased stormwater capacity. The purpose of this project is to reduce pressure in the existing tunnel, provide more room for future growth, and to reduce the need for future repairs and tunnel failures.

Project Map

Latest Project News

Mississippi River Portal

• Crews continue reconstruction of the storm tunnel outlet at the Mississippi River.

2nd Ave

• Crews continue construction of a concrete liner for the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave from the new tunnel access shaft in the southbound lanes of 2nd Ave S, just north of the Washington Ave intersection.

Portland Ave

• Crews continue construction of a concrete liner for the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave from the existing tunnel access shaft at the northeast corner of the Washington Ave and Portland Ave intersection.

* * * Barring any unforeseen issues, major work will be completed at the 2nd Ave and Portland Ave access shafts by mid-June. Traffic will be restored to its preconstruction condition. * * *

Schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

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Lining progress

Crews continue to work on the concrete tunnel lining, pouring about 300 cubic yards of concrete in the last month. To date 14,600 cubic yards of concrete have been poured. As noted in the infographic above, this is approximately 1700 truckloads of concrete. This process is about 98% complete.

Stay Connected

Visit the project website for more information and to sign up for project updates: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/central-city-tunnel/

Email the project team: info@mplscentralcitytunnel.com

Contact the project hotline: 612-888-9418

Shopping Basket from the May 4 Mill City Farmers Market

I hope you didn't let the morning rain keep you from attending opening day at the Mill City Farmers Market 2024 outdoor season on May 4. We met four of this year's new vendors, and I must say they are a fantastic addition to the Market! From Mom’s Garden I picked up bok choy, and an incredibly delicious sourdough olive bread and brown butter chocolate chip cookie from Zeytoon Bread & Co. Chocolate San Jose had a beautiful array of chocolate items made from Ecuadorian cacao. My first purchase was Inkakaw Brewing Cacao, which can be prepared as a cold or hot brew. I also tried the Kunafa and Basbousa Middle Eastern desserts from Menoush Bakery - both equally lovely, and not too sweet.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Announces “Meet at Mia” Summer Series

Experience the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) like never before with the Meet at Mia summer event series, occurring most Thursday evenings beginning May 16 through September 19 in Mia’s Target Park. The series is free to the public. Community members can enjoy live music, unique food and drinks available for purchase, gallery tours and the chance to make art while participating in bike nights, movies in the park and courtyard concert events.

“Meet at Mia provides an opportunity for the community to join us and connect, create and kick back as we celebrate summer in the Twin Cities. With thoughtful and varied programming taking place nearly every week, there is a Meet at Mia event suited for everyone. We can’t wait to welcome both new and returning guests to Mia to experience the museum in a whole new way.”                                                                      Lynn Farmer, chief audience and engagement officer at Mia

Meet at Mia kicks off on May 16 with Bike Night, including art activities with Wóokiye Wín, a poetry reading with Gwen Westerman, a screening and panel discussion of the film Blackwaters, and food and libations from Pizza Karma, Trickster Tacos and more.

Highlights of this year’s Meet at Mia events include:

Bike Night (May 16, June 6, July 11, August 1, September 5) – Pedal to the party right through Mia’s doors from 5-9 p.m.! Learn more about the Twin Cities biking community and make experience art while enjoying music from DJ TaliaKnight. Show off your best bike pose in Mia’s photo booth and indulge in tasty food truck offerings.

Movie in the Park (May 23, June 13, July 18, August 8, September 12) – Enjoy movies on the big (inflatable) screen in Mia’s Target Park while encountering art and imbibing in local food trucks. Festivities will run from 5-10 p.m. with movies starting at 8 p.m.

Courtyard Concerts (May 30, June 20, June 27, July 25, August 15, September 19) – Join Mia in Target Park for a sampling of Twin Cities talent while engaging with local music expert Diane Miller as she spins tunes before and after each live performance. Local food trucks, gallery tours and experiential art will be available throughout each event, running from 5-9 p.m.

For more information on Meet at Mia, as well as other featured events, visit ArtsMia.org. 

Sing Play Learn with MacPhail® presents Kidsfest at Water Works, June 8

Attention everyone with kids in your life!

Mark your calendar for Sing, Play, Learn with MacPhail®'s Kidsfest at Water Works Park happening Saturday, June 8 from 10am–12pm.

This fun-filled morning includes two concerts at 10:15am and 11:15am. Before, during, and after performances, kids can decorate a ribbon wand to dance along with, explore instruments, and have a snack!

This event is free and open to the public.

Free Personal Safety Workshop June 22 at Target Field Station Plaza

The Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA) and North Loop Neighborhood Association are hosting a Personal Safety Workshop on Saturday, June 22, at 10am, at the Target Field Station Plaza, located at the corner of 5th Street N and 5th Avenue N.

Guest presenters include MPD 1st Precinct Crime Prevention Specialist Renee Allen, who will talk about personal safety awareness; and Gail Boxrud and Dante Pastrano from Krav Maga, who will conduct the self-defense training.

This is a FREE event, but please RSVP via Eventbrite so the organizers know how many people to expect.

Please wear appropriate fitness clothing and bring a water bottle.

Minneapolis Water Meets New Federal Standards for PFAS

Excerpt from the May 2 City of Minneapolis e-newsletter

The City of Minneapolis is proud to provide city residents and businesses with safe, high-quality drinking water. You can look at monthly water quality reports on the City’s website or watch a video about how the City’s water is brought from the river to the tap.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the federal agency responsible for regulating drinking water, issued new standards for several per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, are a large group of human-made chemicals.

PFAS are used in many products, including:

• Nonstick cookware
• Food packaging
• Stain-resistant carpets
• Fire-suppressing foam

Unfortunately, research suggests that exposure to PFAS may result in adverse health impacts. The good news for Minneapolis residents is these regulated compounds have not been detected in the Mississippi River, which is our water source, or in the finished water that we send out to your tap.

The City of Minneapolis has been monitoring for PFAS for nearly 10 years. Minneapolis tap water has always met and continues to meet the new federal standards.

For continued information about Minneapolis drinking water, watch for our annual Consumer Confidence Report. This report has data and information about various water quality metrics we provide to customers and state and federal regulators. The new Consumer Confidence Report will be posted by the end of May on the City website.

Mill City Farmers Market Opens May 4, Welcomes 10 New Vendors for the 2024 Season

A treat in May - the scent of lilacs and lilies of the valley wafting from Goldfinch Flowers

Mill City Farmers Market (MCFM) returns to the Chicago Mall and historic Train Shed with fresh local produce, sustainable groceries and handmade goods on Saturday, May 4 from 8am to 1pm. 

This year, an additional 10 new vendors joined the MCFM roster for a total of 115 vendors. MCFM is a primary storefront for many of the farms and local businesses showcased each Saturday. Customers can find a wide variety of local businesses including fruit and vegetable farmers, food makers with staple pantry items, textile and ceramic artists, jewelers, bakers, skin and body care, ready-to-eat food and more.

What you can expect this season:

Thanks to the Market’s Charitable Fund (MCFM-CF), educational programming will be back at the Market, including live cooking lessons with Market Chefs, veggie sampling for kids, Storytime and more.

Alongside food education, the Market and its Charitable Fund will continue their mission to give everyone in our community access to fresh, nutritious food through their food access programming. SNAP and EBT users can get their purchase tripled up to $10 each Market day (spend $10, get $30). In addition, beginning in July, MCFM’s Greens for Good food rescue program will return in partnership with Augsburg University’s Campus Kitchen, purchasing excess produce from farmers and distributing it weekly to low-income seniors in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood.

MCFM welcomes 10 new vendors for the 2024 season, with initial appearances scheduled as following:

May 4:

• Mom’s Garden Hmong woman-owned farm using organic practices to grow fresh produce.
• Zeytoon Bread & Co. Woman-owned bakery crafting sourdough with Mediterranean flavors.
• Chocolate San Jose Latino woman-owned business providing ethically sourced chocolate.
• Menoush Bakery Family owned company making and selling home baked Middle Eastern desserts.

May 11:

• Feather Thief Fly Fishing Custom curated, one of a kind hand-tied flies for fly fishing.
• Janna’s Gluten Free Bakery Woman-owned bakery offering gluten-free baked goods.

May 25:

• Suki's Chateau Gems and bracelets (formerly with Mhonpaj's Garden).
• Dervish Mazza Middle Eastern flavors showcased in a variety of spreads and dips.

June 15:

• Stone Fruit Creative Handmade crochet granny-square totes and produce bags.

July 13:

• Mi Sota Essence Latino Woman-owned cannabis company (formerly part of Primitiva Collective).

MCFM runs every Saturday, May through October, from 8am to 1pm (October markets open at 9am).

MCFM has long been a champion for the local food movement and has put farmers first since its founding in 2006 by farm-to-table pioneer and James Beard nominated restauranteur Brenda Langton. All vendors meet a high standard for local sourcing and are committed to market’s sustainability statement, which ensures the use of farming practices aligned with building healthy soils, sustainable water use, humane treatment of livestock, honorable workplace practices, and rejects synthetic inputs, pesticides and GMO seed. MCFM vendors are not required to be USDA Certified Organic, as the time and costs associated with certification are a barrier to many BIPOC, immigrant and emerging farmers. Customers at the Mill City Farmers Market can feel confident they will find high-quality, naturally grown and made products no matter which vendor they support.

New for the 2024 Art-A-Whirl: Art Passports on Parade, a Chance to Win $500 Worth of Art

Collecte 10 or more stamps to be entered into a drawing for $500 worth of art from a participating Art Passports on Parade artist of your choice.

Every year Art-A-Whirl draws over 40K visitors to the NE Arts District, which has ranked as the best, or one of the 10 best, art districts for a number of years by the US Today Readers Choice Awards. For 2024, non-profit Art to Change the World (ACW) is introducing Art Passports on Parade - an opportunity to visit artists who belong to ACW in their studios during Art-A-Whirl, May 17-19.

How Art Passports on Parade works:

Pick up a free Art Passport at the new ACW office and meeting space at 699 Lowry Ave NE (follow the ACW signs to the upper level), or from one of the participating artists. There will only be 100 Art Passports so be sure to get yours early!

Next, you will visit at least 10 of the participating ACW artists in Solar Arts, The Casket Building, The Carriage House, The California Building, The Northrup King Building and Flux Arts to see their work, interact with the artist, scope out what work you might choose if you win and have them stamp your Art Passport. Most artists will also host activities in their studios.

Participating Artists: Anna Karena, Frances Bates, Josh Blanc, Madeline (Lin) Boemer, Barbara Bridges, Rose Cooper, Rebecca David, Marko Fields, Kelly Frankenberg, Sara Hanson, Paul Kellett, Candy Kuehn, Layl McDill, Natalie McGuire, Catherine A. Palmer, Debra Ripp, Lucienne "Lucy" Schroepfer, and Sadie Ward.

Finally, Passports must be dropped off at the Flux Arts/ACW World Headquarters to be entered in the drawing. The winner will be notified by May 26, 2024.

Getting Around:

If you're driving, find parking on Monroe Street. Be aware that construction will be happening in the area. 

Not driving? A free shuttle driven by Eric Boyum of Boyum Enlightening Art Services will loop around from Lowry/Monroe to Solar Arts and the Carriage House at Casket Arts Building all three days. Once you are at Casket Arts, it will plug you into the Art-A-Whirl trolly route. Click here for map. 

2024 Art-A-Whirl Schedule:

May 17, Friday: 5pm – 10pm

May 18, Saturday: Noon – 8pm

May 19, Sunday: Noon – 5pm

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2024 Art Passports on Parade sponsors include East Side Food Coop, Central Ave Liquor and MPLSART.

Full Moon With A River View by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Ric Rosow

Full Moon With A River View

On April 23rd the moonrise in the East was around 8:15pm coming over the natural horizon. It was 8:27pm when it rose over a tall building. Even though it was past sunset, the sky was not too dark so I was able to capture the entire scene with one image. At other times of the year, from the location where this image was taken, the moon rises in locations now blocked by structures in the foreground. A different place from which to have shot this image is the Stone Arch Bridge, but of course half of that bridge is now closed for repairs.

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Art-A-Whirl, A NEMAA sponsored event, is only weeks away! Visit us at Price Krishnan Gallery in Studio 171-173 of the Northrup King Building. The Gallery is open Fridays 12-4pm and Saturdays 12-5pm.

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During Art-A-Whirl, the hours are:
Friday, May 19, 5 - 10 pm
Saturday, May 20, Noon - 8pm
Sunday, May 21, Noon - 5pm 

Theatre in the Round Players' 72nd Season Continues with Men on Boats by Jacklyn Backhaus May 10 - June 2

An audience discussion with the cast and director will be held immediately after the performance on Sunday, May 26.

Theatre in the Round Players (TRP) continues their 72nd Season with Men on Boats by Jaclyn Backhaus, the true(ish) story of John Wesley Powell’s 1869 expedition down the Colorado River, running weekends May 10 to June 2 with a Monday Pay-What-You-Can performance on May 20. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2pm. 

This rollicking adventure offers a fresh perspective on the American West and the nature of adventure itself, telling the story of the all-male explorers with a cast women and gender-expansive performers. With humor, heart, and a thrilling narrative, Men on Boats uses unconventional storytelling to create a thrilling theatrical experience.

Sophie Peyton directs the ten-member cast with movement direction by Kelly Nelson, sets designed by MJ Leffler, costumes by Claire Looker, lighting by Bill Larsen, props by Vicky Erikson, and sound design by Christy Johnson.

Sign Up for City of Minneapolis Emergency Text Alerts via Smart911

Excerpt from the April 25 City of Minneapolis e-news

Sign up for the City of Minneapolis’ new alert system. You can get text alerts, create a full profile if you’d like alerts on specific subjects, and even download the mobile app to your phone.

Alert topics

The City of Minneapolis will use the new system, Smart911, to send alerts on many topics including:

• Snow emergencies
• Severe weather
• Public safety incidents
• Major infrastructure issues
• Major special event impacts

Smart911 replaces the City’s former alert system, Swiftreach. If you were subscribed to Swiftreach, you'll get alerts in the new system. You are encouraged to create a Smart911 profile for more precise alerts.

Sign up for alerts

To subscribe, text MPLSAlerts to 77295 or create a full Smart911 profile online.

Read more about the new alert system on the City website.

Lidia Bastianich to Feature Sean Sherman in an Upcoming Episode of Lidia Celebrates American: Changemakers

Lidia and Sean by Water Works Pavilion with the 3rd Avenue Bridge in the background. Photo credit Owamni

Italian-American cooking icon Lidia Bastianich was recently in town interviewing Sean Sherman for her special Lidia Celebrates America: Changemakers. Sean talked to Lidia about indigenous food knowledge, how his nonprofit, North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NĀTIFS), is uncovering, collecting, and disseminating that knowledge, and how understanding these very different ways of gathering food and eating can benefit everyone in our society.

Mark you calendar with a reminder to look for the episode this December on Twin Cities PBS!

Lidia samples dishes, ingredients and drinks with Sean at Owamni. Photo credit Owamni

Eagle Watches Over the Stone Arch Bridge Project

Submitted by Ric Rosow

The tug boats are doing yeoman work on the Stone Arch Bridge repair project. Above, a tug boat is pushing and guiding a new barge, the third, into place. Note the eagle perched atop a tree branch in the bottom center of the second image watching over the project. Below, a tug boat returns from one of the barges.

Clay Squared Gallery Announces Grand Opening, May 10

Image: ReUse On the Range, mixed media sculpture by Layl McDill, 55"x100"x9", 2023

Grand Opening May 10, 6:00 - 8:00pm

Mixed media sculptor Layl McDill is expanding her gallery and studio. The newly renovated storefront space at Lowry and Monroe will showcase Layl’s sculptures of all sizes and shapes. The Grand Opening is May 10 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. There will be door prizes and snacks, and an opportunity to play with some clay, too! 

Check out her latest teapots that have transformed into birds and whimsical worlds. Take your time searching the bead collection to find just the perfect grouping for a personalized bracelet. You'll also find a life-size bison made of found objects and polymer clay! 

The new gallery space (above) will be open Monday-Saturday from 12:00 to 5:00p, or by appointment or chance. Direct entrance is located at Monroe and Lowry, or enter at the main entrance of the Flux Arts Building, 2505 Howard Street NE (below).

Also open in the Flux Arts Building will be: Clay Squared to Infinity tile showroom and studio, Art to Change the World and Potek Glass.

Clay Squared Gallery will also be offering classes, parties and workshops in this new space. With several newly trained instructors, classes will be offered regularly. You will learn amazing magical techniques and then create a finished project such as a vase, frame or switchplate cover. Take it home and bake it in your own oven or let Clay Squared bake it for you. 

Public is Invited to the Annual MPD 1st Precinct Open House, May 14

Inspector Billy Peterson and the entire MPD 1st Precinct staff cordially invite you to the 1st Precinct Open House, taking place Tuesday, May 14, 11a-2p at 19 N 4th Street.

The Classical Music Project Returns to Westminster on June 2nd

June 2, 3pm Westminster Presbyterian Church

Sponsored by The Dakota

The Classical Music Project, launched in 2023, seeks to offer audiences intimate and thought-provoking musical experiences that highlight the beauty and complexity of classical music of the 17th-19th centuries. As a member of the Incubator Program at Springboard for the Arts, the project is committed to exploring new and creative approaches to presenting older music in a modern context.

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The first concert of the 2024 season promises to be a captivating exploration of love, revenge, and the beauty of Italy through the music of three influential composers. Get your tickets now and immerse yourself in an afternoon of musical mastery and storytelling.

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The program includes:

• Sinfonia Avanti II Barcheggio - Alessandro Stradella (Marissa Benedict, Trumpet Solo)
• Suite from the Ballet Pulcinella - Igor Stravinsky
• Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian) - Felix Mendelssohn

Marissa Benedict will be featured as a solo performer. Her impressive resume includes being the first woman trumpet player to record on prestigious scoring stages and being featured on numerous blockbuster film and television soundtracks.

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Jere Lantz, Conductor, has been recognized with many awards for his contributions to the world of classical music, and his dedication to the arts has left a lasting impact on the communities he has served. His passion for sharing the joy of music with audiences of all ages and backgrounds has made him a beloved figure in the world of classical music. 

Tickets Now Available for Puccini’s Suor Angelica at The Basilica of Saint Mary, June 26-29

Puccini’s Suor Angelica will be the first-ever opera to be performed at The Basilica of Saint Mary - June 26-29

TICKETS

Out of the Box Opera, which designs productions that get to the heart of what makes opera exciting, is a pioneer of popup opera. Past production venues include Uppercut Boxing Gym, Weisman Art Museum, A-Mill Artist Lofts and Canopy Hotel. For this historic first, The Basilica of Saint Mary is acting as co-producer.

Few places in the Twin Cities can rival the Basilica’s power to stun. The iconic building is a place of beauty, mystery, and drama - the perfect complement to Suor Angelica, an intense one-act work set in a convent and sung by an all-female cast. As the tragic story of Sister Angelica unfolds, audiences will visit three separate locations within the Basilica: the Teresa of Calcutta room, the Chapel, and the majestic Nave. As if swept along by the music itself, at times actually mixing with the performers, the audience will have a uniquely immersive opera-going experience that will be unforgettable to first-time opera goers and veterans alike.

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Side note  - Learn more about this production when Mill City Times publishes a Becky Fillinger interview with Out of the Box Opera President, Noah Eisenberg, in May!

Sherman Associates Completes Ladder 260 Apartments in the Mill District

Ladder 260 is a six-story, 82,225-square-foot low-rise apartment building, featuring 90 affordable housing units. 

Now pre-leasing - learn more at Ladder260.com

Sherman Associates has completed Ladder 260, a new $34 million affordable housing development located at 260 Portland Avenue in the Mill District neighborhood.

Kraus-Anderson (KA) is the general contractor for the multi-phase project for Sherman, which is redeveloping most of an under-utilized city block at Washington Avenue and Portland Avenue. The first phase of the overall $161 million development project was a new $12 million fire station for the City of Minneapolis, which was completed in 2022. The final phase, called O2, is a 22-story, 240-unit market-rate apartment tower at 250 Portland Avenue, expected to be completed in early fall of 2024.

Designed by ESG Architects, Ladder 260 is a six-story, 82,225-square-foot low-rise apartment building, featuring 90 affordable housing units.  Amenities include a hotel-like lobby and leasing center, fitness room, 2nd floor lounge and a rooftop deck, bike storage/parking and pet spa.  Walk-up units on the street level provide a unique unit type to the market and will enhance the vibrancy along 3^rd Street.  The location has proximity to light rail and bus routes and is highly walkable and bike-friendly.

KA and Sherman have worked together on several projects that have enhanced the downtown Minneapolis community. Most recently, the 10-story Moment Apartments opened its doors in January 2023. The mixed-use, 222-unit development also includes the Transitional Healing Center for Firefighters For Healing. The center located on the 2nd floor includes 12 fully furnished suites for families of burn survivors, firefighters and first responders traveling to the Twin Cities for care at nearby Hennepin Healthcare.