Mark Your Calendar: The Last Pieces of the Mill District Development Puzzle

An additional DMNA April Land Use Committee Meeting is set for April 13th, to explore three proposed projects that would change the landscape and complete the housing picture for the historic Mill District neighborhood.

Date: Wednesday, April 13

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: Mill City Museum ADM Room (Floor 6, 710 2nd St. entrance)

RSVP: Help plan for seating, RSVP on Facebook…

MOXY HOTEL + APARTMENTS

Twin Towers: Upscale Apartments and a Boutique Hotel

Currently, there is nothing pedestrian-friendly about the intersection of Washington and Chicago, but three strategic and highly visible projects are set to change that. This key location serves as the gateway to the Mill District from Downtown with direct views of the riverfront, Chicago Avenue Mall and the Pillsbury “A” Mill. The proposed Moxy Hotel + Apartments, along with the Thresher Square and 800 Washington (Guthrie liner parcel) projects, will be part of the transformation of this corner.

The Marriott describes their Moxy brand as “a fun and spirited lifestyle hotel” concept. The Graves and Kharbandas have proposed a two tower, 150 room hotel + 150 luxury apartment structure with retail on the corner of Washington Ave. & Chicago Ave. This will be the first look at the developer's proposed design.

205 PARK AVE DEVELOPMENT

Restaurants, Retail and Owner-Occupied Residential for the Mill District’s “Main Street”?

When neighbors were surveyed about their ideas for this surface lot on the Mill District’s “Main Street”, more dining and retail scored high. There was a preference for condos as well from the roughly 300 survey respondents polled in December of last year. Located directly across the street from the Mill City Museum, survey respondents voiced concerned about design issues. Respecting the architectural integrity and historical distinctiveness of the Mill District was high on the list of priorities for concepts considered for the last surface parking on 2nd Street South. Survey comments included emphatic interest in maintaining a building height compatible with that of neighboring buildings, often with specific reference to the Park Avenue Lofts, a nod to sightlines of the historically significant Washburn Loft/Mill City Museum building.

205 Park Avenue South is currently a city-owned lot in the Mill District of Downtown Minneapolis and serves as a surface parking lot as well as provides some green space. In 2016, the City of Minneapolis will solicit development proposals for the site. Through a competitive review process, the City will sell the land and development rights to a developer based on the uses and merits of their proposed development. The City will present its development priorities for this site to the neighborhood at the meeting.

LEGACY CONDO DESIGN UPDATE

Stanton’s 11th Condo Project in Minneapolis Takes Shape

The most expansive condo project yet from Jim Stanton would create the East anchor for the Mill District neighborhood. When the Shamrock team first presented the project to the City Planning Commission there were concerns about the overall mass of the project. The revised design includes a mix of exterior materials, varying height levels and open space designs to address those concerns. The proposed project breaks up the building by stepping down the height of the building from 17 stories near South 2nd Street to eight-stories and then back up to 14 stories closest to the Mississippi River. This owner-occupied project has an outdoor children’s play area and a pet exercise area on the list of amenities.

Shamrock Development has proposed a 17-story, 374-unit condo building on the edge of the Mill District on 2nd St. & 12th Ave. Preliminary plans were presented to the DMNA Land Use Committee in February. Shamrock will now present revised designs based on the feedback from the DMNA and Planning Commission’s Committee of the Whole.

Julie Craven can be reached at julie@millcitymedia.org

In the News - News from Downtown & the Riverfront Neighborhoods

TOP STORIES LAST WEEK

See world in 2 weeks at Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival
Over 300 curated premiers to choose from.  A searchable site will help you sort, select and schedule!

Canadian investor buys Mill Place on edge of downtown Minneapolis
Originally the Hall and Dann Barrel Factory, the 1880 structure gets a full renovation. The project will bring the brick-and-timber buildings back to its roots for current tenants including University of Minnesota Press, Itasca Consulting and Dunn Bros. Coffee headquarters.

IDS Center, tallest building in the state, is up for sale again
Built in 1972 and the first building taller than the Foshay Tower - experts say the relatively short time the IDS Center was held by current owners is  a sign of the strength of the downtown Minneapolis real estate market.

Duffey Paper sold; future of North Loop buildings uncertain
What’s next for employees and the North Loop buildings as the 70-year-old, family-owned paper company is sold to New York-based paper company?

Grain Belt Lock & Dam lager goes on sale next week
Nearly 30 Northeast Minneapolis establishments will have Lock & Dam on tap next week, with the ceremonial first keg-tapping scheduled for Monday morning at Keegan's, where Grain Belt tapped its first Nordeast line six years ago.

Misfit Coffee plans to keep the Mill District cool this summer
State’s only mobile specialty coffee shop to add refillable growlers with cold brew coffee following move out of its winter location at Izzy’s Ice Cream.

Modist Brewing in the North Loop, Grand Opening April 15
Veterans of the local brewing community launch new concept and invite food trucks to partner on flavors.

Modist gets brewing in the North Loop
Style-defying beers are the goal for owners of new North Loop brewery on North Third Street. Combined tap room and patio to seat 220.

After Nye's closes, here are 3 classic Minneapolis restaurants to try
They’ve been serving up classic fare for decades at Jax Cafe, Market Bar-B-Que and Murray’s. Local legends, great specialties!

New Minneapolis rowing gym delivers 'one-and-done workout'
There’s a rowing revival - fueled by a higher caliber of equipment, group sessions and drills that allow you to set your own challenge level.

Vikings stadium's purple seats ready and waiting for first event in four months
The first event is just four months away and 66,200 seats are all in place.  Larger and more comfy  than airline seats!

Comparing The Vikings' New U.S. Bank Stadium to Metrodome
It’s larger. More premium seating. More elevators, escalators, restrooms and concessions. Bigger video boards and better wireless internet. It’s not 1982 anymore!

Counterpoint: Lively streetscapes draw more travelers
A visitor’s perspective on Minneapolis: Could technology be better used to roll out the welcome mat?

Park Board to mayor: Your proposal to repair parks isn't good enough
Mayor has vetoed both the Park Board’s referendum and the Johnson-Goodman plan - aims to bundle parks and streets funding discussion.

Addressing equity goals, Park Board’s state bonding request focuses on Upper River
The part of the riverfront with the least access to the river is the focus of four projects in this bonding request.

Julie Craven can be reached at julie@millcitymedia.org

Traffic Alert - Hennepin-Lyndale Reconstruction Update

Via an April 1 City of Minneapolis e-newsletter:

Traffic Alert - Hennepin-Lyndale Reconstruction Update

The repaving of one of Minneapolis’ busiest thoroughfares begins Monday, April 4. Crews are reconstructing the intersection of Hennepin Avenue and Lyndale Avenue, just west of Loring Park, between Franklin Avenue and Dunwoody Boulevard. Hennepin-Lyndale will have lane closings, but most of the construction area will remain open to traffic during this work.

Beginning Monday, April 4, the inside two lanes of Hennepin-Lyndale will close to traffic until later this summer, and drivers will use the outer lanes. Once the inside two lanes are reconstructed, traffic will move to those lanes and the outer lanes will close for reconstruction. All lanes are expected to open to traffic by December.

The one major street closing associated with this project is the section of northbound Hennepin Avenue from Franklin Avenue to its merger with Lyndale Avenue, which closes late Sunday night and will remain closed for approximately two months. However, the onramp to eastbound Interstate 94 from that closed section of northbound Hennepin Avenue will stay open throughout construction.

Also, the intersections of Oak Grove Street and Groveland Avenue will close periodically, with some of these closures lasting up to 30 days at a time. However, these two cross streets will never be closed at the same time, and detour routes will be posted.

Pedestrians and bikes will be allowed to cross Hennepin-Lyndale throughout construction, with detours posted. Bus routes will also be maintained, but changes may be made to accommodate construction. 

Once the work is complete, Hennepin-Lyndale will have improved traffic flow and a smooth driving surface. Other enhancements will be made as well, including better lane designations and improvements to bicycle and pedestrian crossings. To learn more about this project and to sign up for updates, go to www.hennepinlyndaleproject.com.

Cynthia Froid Group, The Film Society of MSP and Mill City Commons to Host 2 Private Screenings During the April 7-23 Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival

The Cynthia Froid Group, along with The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul and Mill City Commons, will host two special free private screenings during The Minneapolis St Paul International Film Festival, which runs April 7 - 23.

RSVP with attendee names and screening choice(s) by April 8th and April 15th, respectively, to the Cynthia Froid Group at admin@cynthiafroid.com or 612-279-8215.

Monday, April 11, 1:00pm at St. Anthony Main Theatre
“O Samba,”  North American Premiere
Director Georges Gachot attending
A reception will follow the film in the River Room at the Aster Cafe.
North American premier! This Brazilian film guides us into the world of samba, not only a dance, it is also word, language, text, lyrics or, simply said, a way of life.

Monday, April 18, 1:00pm at St. Anthony Main Theatre
“Minnesota 13: From Grain to Glass” World Premier
Local Filmmakers Norah Shapiro and Kelly Nathe attending
A reception will follow the film in the River Room at the Aster Cafe.
Explore the history of an elite moonshine produced in the heart of Minnesota during Prohibition, and the attempts of a new micro-distillery to resuscitate the brand as a premium whiskey.

Parking available at meters on Main Street and 2nd Street SE, or in the parking ramp behind the theater on 2nd Street SE.