Minneapolis Riverfront News
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.
Entries from April 1, 2018 - April 30, 2018
Monday, April 9, 2018 at 8:39AM
Request for April 27 Garage Sale Donations to benefit Cedar Riverside Community Traveling Basketball Program
Article by Claudia Kittock
A year ago, I realized that the Cedar Riverside community is our next door neighbor, and yet there seem to be very few things we do together as neighbors. In trying to figure out how to begin to reach out to extend invitations, I was advised to talk to Coach Jennifer Weber from the Cedar Riverside Community School. I am honored to say that I now count Coach Jennifer as a neighbor and a friend, who has brought untold connections and richness to my life.
Coach Jennifer runs an amazing Cedar Riverside Community Traveling Basketball program, and the first event I attended in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood was a basketball tournament. As a former ‘Basketball Mom’ I felt instantly at home and loved watching the ferocious basketball players engaged in wonderful competitions. Coach Jennifer embodies all of the best qualities of the coach you would want for your child or grandchild. Working hard, playing fairly, and being a good person are the most important parts of her program.
The program is holding a Garage Sale Fundraiser event on April 27-29 that will benefit student athletes from this program by assisting with tournament fees, uniforms, coaches training, referee training, travel expenses, etc. These young people deserve our assistance by helping them with donations. I KNOW you all have things you no longer need that could be put up for sale.
Donations are being accepted and can be dropped off at Cedar Riverside Community School, or pickups can be arranged by contacting Coach Weber at j.weber.mn@gmail.com or 763-464-2790. Please look through your home and donate from the heart. These basketball players are our neighbors and deserve our support!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
About Claudia Kittock
April District 4 E-Newsletter
New Hennepin Healthcare building opens downtown
On March 17, the new Hennepin Healthcare Clinic was unveiled in the Downtown East neighborhood. With more than 25 primary and specialty clinics and five same day surgery suits, the new look gives the Healthcare clinic a much needed upgrade. The $225 million clinic has six floors for patient care and two levels of underground parking.Hennepin County wants the upgraded facilities to attract more residents to the area as it is projected to see over 500,000 patients by the end of the year.
Youth sports hits $20 million mark
 |
Proceeds from the Target Field sales tax have been funding Hennepin County youth sports since the ballpark opened in 2010. Just recently those proceeds have eclipsed the $20 million mark. "For several years, it's been an honor to see new and improved facilities open in neighborhoods throughout the county. Beyond the excitement of the grand opening events, these facilities will make an impact on children and families for years to come", Commissioner McLaughlin said. In total, youth sports have been awarded $21.7 million for 136 facility projects, 260 small equipment projects, 10 playground projects, and water safety lessons throughout the county from the sales tax.
110 affordable units being built in downtown Minneapolis
Local affordable housing developer AEON is planning to build a 110 unit building near U.S. Bank stadium. The 25,000-square-foot property was recently purchased by AEON from Hennepin County for $2.45 million. The Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority authorized the purchase agreement of surplus land to AEON back in October. Hennepin County had originally purchased the land back in 1991 for $1 to protect the land for the future alignment of the Blue Line LRT, which became operational back in 2004.
Hennepin County celebrates drug court commencment
On February 23, Hennepin County held a drug court graduation ceremony for 25 individuals who overcame addiction The voluntary program works with nonviolent adult offenders who are wanting an opportunity to change their lives for the better. Drug court aims to break the cycle of chemical dependency and crime by providing assisted services such as education, job training, and family counseling. A study conducted in 2017 for 2011-2013 participants found that 59 percent of participants do not reoffend within two years and 63 percent have no incarceration within two years.
Autonomous shuttle to be showcased on the Midtown Greenway
A demonstration of an electric-powered shuttle will occur over Earth Day weekend, April 20-22. Elsewhere in the country, the shuttle is operated safely in mixed traffic with pedestrians and bicyclists. The shuttle will only travel at 12 mph or less and there will be a human operator on board to take over if needed. This is a great opportunity for the community to get to see a new and innovative technology being shown. Hennepin County is studying how the technology of electric powered automobiles can complement other multimodal forms of transportation.
Library hours and sports fund boosted by debt payments
Hennepin County invested $350 million in the construction of Target Field and in 2017 the board approved actions that have put the county on track to pay off the debt a decade earlier than anticipated. To date, the county has paid $79.2 million of the bonds early. Early payments have saved $154.7 million which have funded other projects, like increased library hours and the youth sports fund mentioned above.
Mental health housing gets increased funding
This past December, the Hennepin county board approved the increase of 2018 budget to $2.4 billion. It is a $285.7 million increase from 2017. The increase includes a provision to set aside funds for the Mental Health Housing Support project. The Mental Health Housing initiative is a strategy to prevent hospitalizations and over representation of persons with mental illness in the criminal justice system.
About District 4
This 4th district serves parts of east and downtown Minneapolis, and Fort Snelling. |
Contact us
Peter McLaughlin
Commissioner, 4th District
612-348-7884
Brian Shekleton
Principal Aide
612-348-5204
Dorothy Rucker
Scheduling
612-348-3204
Road Closures for April 8 Goldy's Run
Road closures for Sunday, April 8 - Goldy's Run 10 Mile
7:30am-12pm
West River Parkway from 13th Avenue S to E 38th Street
East River Parkway
10 Mile & Relay Course:
5K Course:
The Shops of the North Loop present The North Loop Spring Crawl, April 21
Volunteer for the 2018 Earth Day Cleanup!
Show up at any of 37 Earth Day Cleanup sites on April 21, 9:30 am-noon to help beautify Minneapolis
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), along with the City of Minneapolis, are proud to host the 24th annual Minneapolis Earth Day Cleanup event on Saturday, April 21, 2018, 9:30 am – noon.
The Earth Day Cleanup takes place at 37 sites throughout the city, making it the largest community service project in Minneapolis and. Since 2008, more than 19,000 residents have removed more than 158,000 pounds of garbage. A special thank you goes out to 2018 Earth Day Cleanup sponsors Minnesota Lottery, Budget Dumpster and Continental Cement for supporting this important community event.
Volunteers are needed to help pick up trash polluting our parks, neighborhoods and watersheds! It’s free to participate and no registration is required, just choose a site and show up. Bring gloves if you can, otherwise a site coordinator will provide a pair.
Find a detailed list of cleanup sites and more information at www.minneapolisearthday.com or call 612-230-6479.
April 4 E-Newsletter from 3rd Ward Council Member Steve Fletcher
Touring Our Storm Sewer System
 |
Last week, I got the unique opportunity to visit one our City's storm sewers with our Public Works Department. It was an eye-opening and impressive experience to see a critical piece of our City infrastructure that is almost entirely invisible to us, 80 feet below ground, on a day-to-day basis.
Our City sewers were originally built over 100 years ago, and there was one combined system for wastewater and storm water. In recent decades, the City made the necessary investment to fully separate our storm water sewers from our wastewater sewers in order to keep the Mississippi River clean. I'm very glad to report that that investment has paid off: Minneapolis is now one of the few cities in the entire country to have a fully separated system, and to have done so without federal intervention.
As the City grows, however, we continue to put greater pressure on our storm sewers, and the work continues to maintain and upgrade some of our tunnels.
City Releases Draft Comprehensive Plan for Public Comment
 |
Last week, the city released a first draft of the City's 2040 Comprehensive Plan. A whole lot of impressive work and planning - particularly by Council President Lisa Bender and Council Member Kevin Reich, as well as by city staff from across the city enterprise - has gone into incorporating three years of community feedback, policy best practices, and a clear vision for equity and sustainability into this document. It includes a set of guiding goals and specific policy ideas that, if we can move them into action, would mean great things for Minneapolis.
This document is very, very good, but it's not perfect. In fact, that's the point of releasing it now. By getting this first attempt at distilling community feedback into a written document, we can move the conversation forward by giving people something clearer to which we can all respond. This will (and should) improve quite a bit in response to public comment in the coming months. With the addition of your ideas and feedback, we can really make this the guiding vision our city deserves.
As you read, try to think of the whole, big picture before getting too focused on a specific policy proposal. Some of these ideas are things we ought to do anyway, and some are things that are only feasible in the context of the entire vision - that's why we call it "comprehensive."
Over the coming months, the City will do extensive outreach to residents to hear their concerns and ideas to improve the quality of life in the City. Comments will be collected at public meetings as well as online through July 22, 2018. That feedback will be taken into consideration as City staff revise the plan for City Council consideration.
The Minneapolis 2040 website is designed to gather feedback, and be an interactive way for us to continue the conversation about our city's values and vision. Please do give your feedback on the website, by email to 2040@minneapolismn.gov, or on Twitter: #Mpls2040 @Mpls2040.
Springtime for Public Works: Potholes, Street Sweeping, and Yard Waste Collection!
Street Sweeping: Public Works crews will begin posting spring street sweeping signage on April 16, with the city-wide sweep starting on April 17 and lasting approximately four weeks.
This thorough cleaning of all 1,100 miles of city streets and parkways is done every spring and fall with the goal of keeping our city clean and our neighborhoods livable. Removing the sand put down for winter maintenance, along with trash and decomposing leaves helps to prevent flooding in our streets and keeps our water ways healthy. Our sweepers are already out on the roads, weather permitting, as part of our general spring clean-up, but this dedicated curb-to-curb sweeping ensures that we can get access to all of our city’s streets in the most efficient way possible.
Potholes: We know this is the time of year when potholes become more apparent and we have crews dedicated to this work. Pothole locations can be reported through 311 or on the pothole reporting page of the City’s website. We are currently using a cold patch to improve the drivability of our streets until the asphalt plant is up and running for the season and more permanent patches are installed by our crews.
Yard Waste: Our Solid Waste & Recycling crews will begin collecting yard waste for the 2018 season the week of April 9. This service will be offered weekly, as part of resident’s regular garbage day collection and will continue through the fall.
First Clean Energy Partnership Board Meeting of 2018
In addition to several City Council committees, I am privileged to serve on a number of external boards and commissions. One such board that I am particularly excited to have a role on is the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP). The Partnership is a first-in-the-country agreement between the City of Minneapolis and our utility providers, Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy, to work collaboratively on efforts to move forward the City’s Climate Action Plan and 2040 Energy Vision. The Board had its first meeting of the year with the new board members on Thursday, March 15th. At that meeting, we voted on the following priorities:
- Lower energy consumption and maximize energy efficiency in all building sectors (commercial, industrial, and residential).
- Make more clean energy (renewable energy and energy efficiency) accessible and available through new inclusive financing tools.
- Make the city more sustainable/resilient through increase local renewable energy.
I see enormous opportunity as we move forward with the specific activities under each of these priority areas to do some groundbreaking work to fight climate change and improve access to and equity in the renewable energy sector. You can learn more about the Clean Energy Partnership here: https://mplscleanenergypartnership.org/
Green Business Cost-Sharing Program for Energy Efficiency and Solar
Part of the work that has been developed within the Clean Energy Partnership is the City of Minneapolis’s green business cost-sharing programs designed to help the city support a thriving business community and foster a clean, healthy environment.
2018 brought some exciting new updates to the program by adding in a solar program and setting priority on businesses in environmental justice priority areas known as Green Zones.
Businesses can apply now for 2018 programs. Businesses and multi-family residential buildings with four or more units that are willing to invest in cleaner, greener, or more efficient technologies should apply. There are opportunities in energy efficiency, solar, automotive repair, or even manufacturing/industrial projects that produce win-win solutions. There are many solutions already in the marketplace that can reduce environmental impacts.
The funds for the program come from pollution control fees that businesses pay to the City.
Application deadlines are March 1, April 1, May 1, and June 1, 2018.
Find more information about the City’s green business cost-sharing programs here: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/environment/WCMS1P-105418
 |
Following a technical review of the corridor and feedback from stakeholders, the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, and MnDOT are recommending the installation of a pair of one-way protected bike lanes on University Avenue SE (eastbound) and 4th Street SE (westbound) between Central Avenue SE and Oak Street SE.
These lanes will have a buffer and physical separation. This recommendation is based on a number of considerations, including:
- Minimizing tradeoffs with other uses along the corridor, including impacts to transit operations, motor vehicle traffic flow, and on-street parking;
- Flexibility in its design over time: this one-way pair can be implemented through signing, striping, delineators, and some traffic signal modifications, which allows for greater flexibility to modify the design after installation.
- Opportunities for traffic calming on both University and 4th Street, with shorter crossing distances for pedestrians and fewer travel lanes on 4th Street SE.
- Opportunity to add a full time parking lane on 4th Street SE.
While the recommended design is for a one-way bikeway on University Avenue SE, the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County will continue to monitor bicycle traffic to consider future accommodations or improvements for westbound bicycle traffic.
The three agencies are sharing the concept with stakeholders in spring of 2018, and will seek Council Approval for the project later in 2018. The project is proposed to be installed in the summer of 2019 in coordination with the Hennepin County resurfacing project on University Ave SE between I-35W and Oak St SE.
Open Streets 2018 Calendar is Set
 |
The Open Streets calendar is set for 2018 with seven events scheduled around the city! Mark your calendar for one or all seven to explore neighborhoods in a safe, fun, family-friendly environment.
Open Streets Minneapolis is a free event and it's so much fun -- we close major streets to car traffic for the day, opening them up for walking, biking, rolling and playing, and for community groups and local businesses, too.
Find more information at www.openstreetsmpls.org.
Are you or someone you know interested in shaping city policy on a wide array of issues?
There are many openings on 15 boards, commissions, and committees that provide valuable insights, help shape key policy decisions, and provide community-based input into the City's administration of services.
Stay up to date on vacancies, position descriptions, and timelines here. And spread the word to folks you think would be a good fit. Potential applicants can find more information at 612-673-2216 or OpenAppointments@minneapolismn.gov.
The City of Minneapolis is working to redesign our entire public website, www.minneapolismn.gov. As part of the project, Minneapolis residents’ and business owners’ input is needed.
A new website will:
- Focus on your needs, improving the browsing experience for residents, businesses and City staff.
- Foster improved two-way communication with consistent, high-quality content.
- Be ADA-compliant and accessible to users with disabilities.
- Better reflect the diversity and identity of Minneapolis.
Please take this survey to share your thoughts and ideas with us!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Public Safety Community Forums
 |
I serve as Vice Chair of the Public Safety and Emergency Management Committee, and we are hosting two community forums to engage with residents on the work of our committee.
The first was Wednesday, March 28 and the second will be Tuesday, April 10 from 5-7p.m. at Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th St.
These forums are interactive and serve as opportunities for neighbors and City policymakers to work together toward improved community safety in Minneapolis - please join us as we shape this vision together!
5-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 10 at Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th St.
Good Morning Ward 3 at Kramarczuk's
 |
We held our second Good Morning Ward 3 on March 28 with Long Range Planning Director Heather Worthington and had a great discussion about the City's draft 2040 comprehensive plan.
Join us for our next Good Morning Ward 3 on April 18 with special guests Tom Evers, Executive Director of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, and Chris Meyer, Minneapolis Park Board Commissioner, to discuss the community's vision for public parks along the riverfront.
Good Morning Ward 3
Wednesday, April 18 from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Kramarczuk's Sausage Company, 215 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Coffee With Your Council Member
Council Member Fletcher will hold regular open community office hours at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays at a rotating neighborhood coffee shop in Ward 3 for constituents to drop by, get to know him, ask questions, and raise any issues you see in the community.
All are welcome! RSVP on Facebook or just show up. If you want to discuss a specific issue or project, email laura.dorle@minneapolismn. gov and we'll add you to the agenda.
- April 11 – Corner Coffee, 514 N 3rd St Ste. 102, 55401
- April 18 – Mojo Coffee Gallery, 2205 California St NE Ste. 102, 55418
- April 25 – Purple Onion Café, 1301 University Ave SE #1, 55414
Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for all the details on future scheduled events, or contact our office at 612-673-2203.
Build Healthy Habits During the May 1-28 Step to it Challenge
Via an April 4 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:
Registration is now open for Hennepin County’s Step to it challenge, a physical activity program that encourages people of all ages and abilities to become more active.
The challenge is free and runs May 1 - 28. Participants log their activity on the Step to it website. Almost any activity counts, and everyone who registers is eligible to win prizes.
While the challenge is about getting active, having fun and connecting with others, it also includes some friendly competition between communities.
This year, 23 communities will compete to win trophies for most active community, most active residents and most actively engaged community. The top steppers from each community will receive free Minnesota Twins tickets and recognition on the field at a Twins game.
Elementary schools with the most registered participants will win a visit from a Twins player, conditioning coach and TC Bear. Prizes are also available for workplaces and organizations providing services for adults with disabilities.
Residents can learn more and register for the challenge at steptoit.org.
Overnight Closure on I-35W Begins April 4
Overnight closure details
As crews continue to make progress on the Franklin Ave. bridge, we need another overnight closure on Wed, April 4.
Beginning 10 p.m. Wed, April 4, the access to southbound I-35W out of downtown from 12th St/4th Ave. to southbound I-35W, and the ramp from eastbound I-94 to southbound I-35W will be closed. Northbound I-35W and all other areas of southbound I-35W will remain open.
The access and ramp will reopen by 5 a.m. Thu, April 5.
Upcoming ramp closure at 11th St. begins April 16
In order for us to complete work in the 11th St/Grant St/5th Ave. S area in downtown Minneapolis, and prepare for upcoming construction activities, we need to close the ramp from westbound I-94 to 11th Street for two months.
The 11th Street ramp is scheduled to close on Mon, April 16, weather permitting, and will remain closed through approximately mid-June 2018.
The detour route for the ramp closure is to continue on westbound I-94 to the Lyndale Ave/Hennepin Ave. exit and follow northbound Hennepin Ave to 12th St.
Motorists who use the ramp to access Grant St. and 5th Ave. S will also need to find alternate routes.
Note: Access to 11th St, Grant St. and 5th Ave. S from northbound I-35W will remain open.
More about this project
To learn more, including all current traffic impacts and detour routes, visit the project website at: www.mndot.gov/35w94.
Metro Transit bus routes will be impacted as a result of construction. For updated route information, and to sign up for Rider Alerts, visit: www.metrotransit.org/35W.
Stay connected:
- Visit the project website: www.mndot.gov/35w94
- Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/mndot and Twitter: @mndotnews
- Email the project team at: info@35w94.com
- Call the project hotline at: 612-284-6125
For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota visit: http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbXNpZD0mYXVpZD0mbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTgwNDAyLjg3ODI2NzIxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE4MDQwMi44NzgyNjcyMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE4Mjc4Njk0JmVtYWlsaWQ9a2ltQG1pbGxjaXR5bWVkaWEub3JnJnVzZXJpZD1raW1AbWlsbGNpdHltZWRpYS5vcmcmdGFyZ2V0aWQ9JmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0mJiY=&&&107&&&http://www.511mn.org/?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term= or dial 5-1-1
“The Americans in Tours: 1917-1919” on Display at the Hennepin Gallery, April 3 - May 30
Via an April 2 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:
“The Americans in Tours: 1917-1919” on display in Hennepin Gallery April 3 through May 30
Minneapolis and representatives from Tours, France, a Minneapolis Sister City, are proud to present “The Americans in Tours (les américains à tours): 1917-1919,” an exhibit commemorating the 100th anniversary of World War I that will be on display in the Hennepin Gallery at the Hennepin County Government Center. Thousands of Americans, including Minnesotans, were stationed in Tours, France, and the exhibit features historical photographs and documents marking the arrival of the Americans in Tours, as well as their lives and work.
This special exhibit recalls a unique time in history when U.S. service members served in the Services of Supply (SOS) and the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). Tours, France, served as headquarters for the SOS. The efforts of Americans in Tours were critical for the success of U.S. soldiers on the battlefield and also laid the groundwork for a lasting connection between the U.S. and France – one that lives today through the Sister City relationship.
Minneapolis and Tours have been connected through the Sister Cities program since 1991. Tours is one of 12 Minneapolis Sister Cities. The Minneapolis program started in 1961 with the signing of the first Sister Cities agreement with Santiago, Chile, with the intent of fostering people-to-people citizen diplomacy. The program, managed by Meet Minneapolis, also includes Cuernavaca, Mexico; Eldoret, Kenya; Harbin, China; Ibaraki City, Japan; Kuopio, Finland; Novosibirsk, Russia; Winnipeg, Canada; Uppsala, Sweden; Najaf, Iraq; and Bosaso, Somalia. For more information about the Meet Minneapolis Sister Cities program, see their Sister Cities website and the Minneapolis/Tours site.
The Hennepin Gallery is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Hennepin County Government Center, A-level, 300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis.
The exhibit is sponsored by and the gallery is a project of Hennepin County Communications.
Mill City Singers Perform with the MacPhail Community Youth Choir at Orchestra Hall
Article by Claudia Kittock, photos by Ryan Ojard
On March 9th and 10th, the Mill City Singers performed a 45 minute concert in the Atrium at Orchestra Hall. Asked to be part of the Community Partnership program with Minnesota Orchestra, the singers were led by J.D. Steele and Fred Steele. The MacPhail Community Youth Choir joined the Singers at the performance.
Each of the performances were standing room only, and were enthusiastically received. J.D.’s magic includes involving the audience, and there were a number of songs with members of the audience singing, clapping, and moving along with the Singers.
Community Partners also receive tickets to an Orchestra performance. Each of the Singers was able to attend and enjoy the Pink Martini concert.
It was two nights of magic for the Mill City Singers. Does this sound like fun? It is! The Singers are open to all, free of charge, and require only a love of singing and a heart ready to sing about hope and community. If interested, please contact Claudia Kittock at cjkittock@gmail.com.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
About Claudia Kittock
