Hennepin Avenue Reconstruction Project

Fresh off completion of the Nicollet Mall reconstruction project, Hennepin Avenue in Downtown Minneapolis starts it's rebirth today, Monday, April 15, 2019.

Hennepin Avenue is both a street and a destination. On average, people make over 48,000 trips per day along Hennepin Avenue including 8,100 transit trips, 7,600 pedestrian trips, and 1,300 bicycle trips. Hennepin Avenue is also recognized by the City as a cultural district with multiple theaters, arts institutions, and entertainment venues. The existing right-of-way along the corridor varies between 88-100 feet with a typical street width of 59 feet.

The street was last rebuilt in 1986. After more than 30 years, the pavement is worn out and needs to be replaced. The current corridor also does not reflect current demand for a more balanced roadway that makes the corridor safer and more inviting for pedestrians, bicyclists, buses and cars.

The City is moving ahead with redesign and reconstruction of Hennepin Avenue between Washington Avenue and 12th Street. The reconstructed Hennepin Avenue will continue to accommodate all modes within the existing right-of-way:

- Sidewalk area able to support pedestrian activities with space for planting and furnishing zones

- One-way bikeways behind the curb

- Space for enhanced transit stops compatible with future Arterial Bus Rapid Transit service

- Generally four vehicle lanes, with Hennepin Avenue remaining a two-way street

The city is also preparing a public realm design concept that will cover the Hennepin Avenue corridor from the Sculpture Garden at the Walker Arts Center to the Mississippi River. The primary purpose of this exercise will be to gather public input that will influence the detailed urban planning and design for the 10- block reconstruction project. However, its findings will be applicable to future projects and improvements within the larger Hennepin Avenue Corridor area.

The reconstruction project, estimated to cost $20 million, is currently funded in the City’s five-year Capital Improvement Program. It will be funded with City, state and federal transportation dollars. Outreach began in 2016, and detailed engineering will be completed in 2019. Construction will begin in 2019 and continue through 2022.

Download: Detailed project layout map...

Download: Frequently asked questions...

Download: Get the initial update...

3rd Season of Paddle Share Kicks Off on Memorial Day Weekend

Mississippi River Paddle Share, Minnesota's one-of-a-kind kayak-sharing program, plans to open its third season of operation on Memorial Day weekend.

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) hosts one of several Paddle Share stations, where visitors can check out kayaks and paddle them down the river. Full list of stations.

Availability is dependent on weather, so check paddleshare.org for updates or follow Paddle Share on Twitter or Facebook.

First Quarter 2019 by the Numbers from Cynthia Froid Group

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:

The Mill Yard at Stonebridge Lofts Art Exhibit Announces New Exhibit “Infinite Abyss In Motion”

Opening Reception April 28, 2:00 to 5:00PM

Exhibition dates April 28 – June 30, 2019

Stonebridge Lofts, 1120 S 2nd Street

Infinite Abyss in Motion is at the intersection of Art and Science. While science seeks to understand the natural world in which we live and beyond into the furthest infinity of space or the tiniest unseen particles in front of us, what it cannot with certainty tell us is what the particles look like.  This is where artists step in to imagine, and then visually create, what many of our world’s mysteries might look like.  Infinite Abyss in Motion imagines the “out there” question from the perspective of two artists – for Mary Simon-Casati, the infinite physical abyss, and for Jenna Murphy, the digital abyss in the infinite possibilities. Mary paints what she imagines particles might look like and how they might move and sweep across a canvas, visibly playing with the idea of an abyss that goes on and on into infinity. She strives to make the unseen not only visible, but also felt through its movement. Jenna’s digital compositions feature organic shapes that appear to dance, allowing a snapshot, and one of an infinite number of iterations, of the motion within the infinite abyss; an unseen world discovered.

Artists featured at the new show:

Mary Simon-Casati - Jenna Murphy - Opening Reception only: Brett Freund

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

Mary Simon-Casati earned a BS degree in Art Ed from the U of MN and a Master of Arts in Human Development from St. Mary’s College.  After a successful career teaching art, she resumed making art as a painter/installation artist.  Simon-Casati is a recipient of an Artist Initiative Grant from the State of Minnesota.  Her current body of work is about energy, specifically particle physics.   Her mixed-media installations play with light and shadow and include 3-dimensional objects, paintings and drawings as components of an immersive experience.  

“I want to explore what science tells us about how the universe works.  How is it that the universe is made of particles I can’t see?  Working within the tradition of abstract painting and using black/white colors, I create paintings that are experiments-imaginings of how particles move and what they might look like.  I visually play with the idea of infinity-making the unseen visible through my art.”

Spiral

Email: mscasati@comcast.net, Facebook,  Instagram: @mscasati

                                                .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 

Sketch9Jenna Murphy, a Minneapolis based artist, has been exploring what a contemporary drawing can be in today’s digital age. With a background in Intaglio printmaking and drawing, Jenna’s recent work aims to discover similar tactile qualities through computer code generated images. Following a degree in Studio Arts at Hamline University, Jenna went on to study Interactive Design at MCAD. It was during this time that Jenna was first introduced to p5.js, a client-side JavaScript library. P5.js helped facilitate an experimental interaction with the computer, allowing Jenna the freedom to move away from traditional subject matter and explore abstract shapes and concepts. Through iteration, the shapes multiply, shift and move across the piece. Continued experimentation reveals a balanced composition; one of an infinite number just waiting to be found in the digital abyss.

“My final compositions feature organic shapes that appear to dance across the pieces,allowing the viewer a glimpse of the motion within the infinite abyss; an unseen world, discovered.”

 .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 

Gem VaseBrett Freund

“When working I think about my own definitions of preciousness and value. How does an object qualify itself as being important? Is what I’m after rare like a diamond, does it take time to grow like a crystal or is it a symbol that references a status or identity? Most importantly, how can I scrutinize hierarchies without undermining the possibility of growing in my craft? My work starts with prototypes designed from hand building, wheel throwing, and 3D printed clay. These components are a library of forms I pull from, making new combinations and discoveries as I piece slip cast parts together intuitively. I’m attracted to techniques associated with the industrial process and mass repetition but each piece I make is arranged so that no piece is ever exactly the same as another. This process puts a filter between the material and myself.”

The Mill Yard at Stonebridge Lofts thanks Luke Kleckner, Condo Development and Sales, for his generous sponsorship.

April 12 Newsletter from 7th Ward Council Member Goodman

Open Doors Minneapolis

Doors Open Minneapolis is a new civic celebration that is a collaboration between the City of Minneapolis, the American Institute of Architects (AIA-MPLS) and sponsored by the Minneapolis Foundation and a variety of corporations and businesses.

The event is an opportunity for the public to enjoy free access to over 110 venues throughout the City of Minneapolis that tell the story of the city through the venues, businesses and individuals that make our city a great one.  It will be held from 10 AM – 5 PM Saturday/Sunday May 18-19.  If you go to www.doorsopenminneapolis.com you can see the participating venues and volunteer!!  We need 900 volunteer greeters please consider!! 

Join in the Earth Day cleanup and 5K run/walk

The 2019 Earth Day cleanup and 5K run/walk are Saturday, April 20. Neighbors, businesses and volunteer organizations come together for a common purpose: stewardship of our City’s parks, neighborhoods and watersheds. Volunteers pick up trash and help clean up at several sites around Minneapolis.

5K Bee Run at Boom Island Park 7:30 a.m. Registration opens 8:30 a.m. Kids run 9 a.m. Fun run/walk

Cleanup at sites around the city Individuals can arrive at any site between 9:30 a.m. and noon. No pre-registration required.

The cleanup is a collaborative effort held each April by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling, and several neighborhood organizations.

To learn more about the cleanup events or join in, call 612-230-6479 or visit the MPRB's website and click on “Get Involved.”

City Council approves vision, mission and values as part of City’s Strategic and Racial Equity Action Plan 

The City Council has approved the City’s vision, mission and values as part of the Strategic and Racial Equity Action planning process — a framework that will set the direction for the future of the City and ensure the implementation of racial equity goals.

The Strategic and Racial Equity Action Plan is a four-year plan that will embed racial equity principles into all aspects of the City’s work, aligning work from City leadership to departments and defining goals at all planning levels that can be objectively measured and inform resource decisions. The council is expected to vote on a final version of the plan in June.

The City’s vision adopted by the City Council reads as follows: “Minneapolis is an intentionally compassionate city where each of us can reach our full potential while caring for one another, eliminating racial disparities, improving our environment and promoting social well-being. We lead in innovative and creative ways, focused not only on our present needs, but also the success of future generations.”

The adoption of the vision, mission and values follows the approval of eight City goals earlier this year. The goals were informed by community engagement from the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Minneapolis 2040’s first goal is to eliminate disparities and a targeted number of policy areas from the plan have been identified as policy priorities for the Strategic and Racial Equity Action Plan.

Mayor Frey and the City Council have also directed City staff to focus on strategies in 2019 for three top priorities: reduce evictions among communities of color, increase the number of businesses owned by people of color and eliminate the disproportionate impact of violence in communities of color, immigrant and indigenous communities.

Additionally, the City Council adopted City enterprise goals in December 2018 that call for increasing the retention of racially and ethnically diverse employees, diversifying the City’s vendor base, improving the use of racially disaggregated data in policymaking, and improving the capacity of the City’s boards and commissions to advance racial equity work.

Responding to the urgent need to prioritize and address historic racial disparities in Minneapolis, this is the first time the City has merged its strategic planning with a racial equity framework. To learn more about the plan, visit the plan’s website or contact RaceEquity@minneapolismn.gov.

Minneapolis Public Health Week to honor public health heroes, resource fair April 17

As part of National Public Health Week, the City of Minneapolis will honor local public health heroes whose work supports the goals of the Health Department and helps to raise awareness of the critical roles that public health and prevention play in making Minneapolis healthier.

Public Health Hero award ceremony and resource fair 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday, April 17 City Hall Rotunda, 350 S. Fifth St.

The Local Public Health Hero Awards will honor the accomplishments of community partners whose service to public health activities transforms and strengthens the lives of our residents and visitors.

The resource fair will include interactive booths staffed by Health Department employees who will:

• Show you how to test mugs, toys, cookware and other products for lead.
• Offer you a chance to spin the wheel of worksite wellness, answer trivia questions and register for a prize.
• Provide a hand-washing station that helps you see if you are washing your hands correctly and demonstrates proper hand washing.

Is your child missing school because of asthma?

Is your child missing school because of asthma? The Minneapolis Asthma Program can help. Families with a child with asthma can get a home visit by a healthy homes specialist who can identify sources of asthma triggers in a home. Many homes have asthma triggers that can be reduced by using a HEPA air cleaner to remove pollen, mold spores and pet dander.

The healthy homes program offers the HEPA air cleaner, allergenic pillow and mattress covers and more products free to families.

Help your children to stay in school and reduce their asthma triggers. Request a visit by calling or texting Eliza Schell at 612-685-8512 or emailing her at eliza.schell@minneapolismn.gov. This program is run by the Minneapolis Health Department and is brand new in 2019.

Get ready for spring street sweeping, avoid a ticket and tow

Public Works crews are gearing up to start the City’s comprehensive street sweeping program to clear away what had accumulated in the streets over the winter. The City has scheduled Tuesday, April 16, for the first day of sweeping. Beginning Monday, April 15, drivers should watch for temporary “No Parking” signs to avoid a ticket and tow.

Starting April 16 for approximately four weeks, sweeping crews will take care of more than 1,000 miles of city streets in addition to sweeping alleys. To make sure the crews can do the most complete job possible, temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance to make sure streets are clear of parked vehicles. Drivers need to follow street sweeping parking rules or they may have their cars ticketed and towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot.

Residents, workers and visitors have several ways to find out more about street sweeping:

• “No Parking” signs – Crews will post “No Parking” signs at least 24 hours before sweeping any streets. Parking will be banned from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the day a street is swept. The “No Parking” signs will be removed as soon as possible after a street has been completely swept to allow people to resume parking. Drivers should not park along these streets until these temporary “No Parking” signs are removed.
• Phone calls to residents – In addition to the “No Parking” signs that will be posted the day before sweepers come through, the City will make about 3,500 automated phone calls each evening to let residents know their streets will be swept the next day.
• Interactive web tool – To find out which week your street is scheduled to be swept, go to www.minneapolismn.gov/publicworks/streetsweeping and click on “street sweeping schedule lookup.” Then the weekend before your week, you can revisit the website to find out which day of the week the street is scheduled to be swept.
• Video – Street sweeping is explained in short video at www.YouTube.com/cityofminneapolis and on City cable channels.

Clean streets mean a healthier environment

Minneapolis is known for its sparkling lakes and waterways, and we want to keep it that way. That’s why protecting and enhancing our environment is one of the City’s top priorities. Street sweeping is one way we work to protect our environment because it keeps leaves, trash and other pollutants from clogging our storm drains and polluting our lakes and rivers.

Minneapolis streets are swept completely curb to curb once in the spring and once in the fall. 

Residents should not push leaves, grass clippings or anything else into City streets. It’s bad for our lakes and waterways, and it’s against the law. Anything that goes down a storm drain flows directly into our lakes, creeks and river, and decomposing plant material in the water encourages the growth of harmful aquatic plants and algae.

City gears up for 2019 construction season

The City’s 2019 construction season kicks off this month with projects planned throughout Minneapolis to improve the transportation network and underground utilities, making travel safer and more efficient for all travel modes.

The increased investment in the City’s street network is a result of a landmark agreement passed by the Minneapolis City Council in 2016 that provides $800 million over the next 20 years to help maintain streets and neighborhood parks. Improvements to pedestrian, bicycling, water and sewer infrastructure are also planned.

2019 construction projects at a glance:

• Hennepin Downtown: Hennepin Avenue between Washington Avenue South and 12th Street will be reconstructed to make the street more functional for all travel modes. The reconstruction will also update the aging infrastructure, such as the 1880s-era sanitary sewer system, and coordinate private utility work to support a growing city. Utility work begins Monday, April 15, on Hennepin between Seventh and 12th streets. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on that five-block stretch of Hennepin. (Note: Hennepin bus routes will move to Nicollet Mall beginning Monday, April 15.)

• Eighth Street reconstruction project: Eighth Street between Hennepin and Chicago avenues will be reconstructed. Utility work is underway and heavier construction is scheduled to start in late April.
• Fourth Street reconstruction project: Fourth Street will be reconstructed from Second Avenue North to Fourth Avenue South. Utility work 80 feet below the road surface is underway, and roadway construction is expected to start in 2020.
• 10th Avenue Bridge rehab and water main project: The 1929-era bridge over the Mississippi River will be rehabilitated. The existing water main suspended from the 10th Avenue Bridge will be replaced with a new water main under the river. The water main relocation is scheduled to start in late April, and the bridge work will begin later this fall.
•  
  • 34th Avenue South reconstruction: The City is reconstructing 34th Avenue South between East Minnehaha Parkway and 58th Street East. Construction on the avenue between 50th and 58th streets is scheduled to start in mid-April.
  • 28th Avenue Bridge: A new bridge will replace the existing 1904-era bridge over Minnehaha Creek. Construction is expected to start in mid-June.
  • North Commons Park sidewalk gap: The project will focus on filling sidewalk gaps around North Commons Park in north Minneapolis.
  • Penn Avenue North lighting project: New lighting will be installed on Penn Avenue North between Glenwood and 44th Avenue during the two-year project. Work this year will focus on installing lights on Penn between Glenwood and 23rd Avenue North.
  • Hoyer Heights residential reconstruction project: The project in the Waite Park neighborhood of northeast Minneapolis involves residential street improvements along with the replacement of 1930s-era sanitary sewer infrastructure on multiple streets. Utility work starts in mid-April.
  • North Loop paving and pedestrian improvements: The paving project will reconstruct five streets, restore historic street material in some areas, widen sidewalks and add greening, among other improvements. A bikeway connection will also be made along Fifth Avenue North to Target Field Station. Pedestrian safety measures will be installed at 16 intersections throughout the North Loop. Construction will begin in May 2019 and is expected to be completed in spring 2020.

• Safe Routes to School-Roosevelt High School: The project will focus on pedestrian improvements on 28th Avenue South between 40th and 41st streets.

For more information about all of the City’s 2019 construction projects, visit minneapolismn.gov/cip. The City is working to minimize construction impacts as much as possible. Visit minneapolismn.gov/traffic to sign up for citywide traffic alerts and for traveling tips.

Work begins for Hennepin Downtown reconstruction project

Beginning Monday, April 15, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on Hennepin Avenue between Seventh and 12th streets downtown as utility work starts for the Hennepin Downtown reconstruction project. Hennepin Avenue will be reconstructed from Washington Avenue South to 12th Street. The redesign will make the street more functional for all travel modes.

The downtown section of Hennepin Avenue was last rebuilt in 1986. After more than 30 years, the pavement is worn out and needs to be replaced. The reconstruction will also update the aging infrastructure, such as the 1880s-era sanitary sewer system, and coordinate private utility work to support a growing city.

Hennepin bus routes will move to Nicollet Mall beginning Monday, April 15, for the duration of the reconstruction project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2022.

Hennepin Avenue — one of the city’s most celebrated cultural corridors with several theaters and entertainment venues — attracts thousands of people every day. Once complete, the reconstructed Hennepin will remain a two-way street with wider sidewalks, one-way protected bikeways in both directions, enhanced transit stops and four vehicle lanes. Hennepin will remain a busy and thriving destination during construction with public art projects planned in coordination with the reconstruction project.

Animal Care and Control low-cost pet vaccinations April 28 and May 19

Minneapolis residents can bring in their pets for low-cost vaccinations April 28 and May 19. The City will offer rabies vaccine, feline distemper vaccine, canine distemper vaccine, and microchipping for $10 each or $25 for all three. You can use cash, check or a credit card.

Low-cost pet vaccinations

2-5 p.m. Sunday, Sunday, April 28 Minneapolis Animal Care and Control Shelter, 212 17th Ave. N.

2-5 p.m. Sunday, Sunday, May 19 Minneapolis Animal Care and Control Shelter, 212 17th Ave. N.

All dogs must be on a leash, and all cats must be in a carrier. Must have a valid ID and/or proof of Minneapolis residency to participate.

www.minneapolismn.gov/animals

35W@94 reconstruction update from MnDOT

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has announced the latest short-term and long-term road closuresthat will affect driving on I-35W. Remember to plan ahead and consider alternative ways to get downtown as work continues on MnDOT’s 35W@94: Downtown to Crosstown project. Make sure to check the website before your trip, and sign up for email updates to stay current. Metro Transit bus routes and Minnesota Valley Transit Authority routes will be affected by construction.

About the 35W@94 project 

• MnDOT, Metro Transit, the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County are partners in the four-year reconstruction of I-35W between 43rd Street and downtown Minneapolis that will improve accessibility, safety and mobility in the corridor. The work started in September 2017 and is scheduled to be complete in fall 2021.
• The work includes reconstructing 2.5 miles of freeway, reconstructing 11 bridges and repairing four bridges, adding new access ramps from I-35W north to 28th Street and from I-35W south to Lake Street, and replacing ramps from I-35W north to I-94 west and I-94 east to I-35W south. Bus riders will experience a new two-story transit station at Lake Street and walkers and bicyclists will have new pedestrian bridges at 24th and 40th streets and improvements near the Midtown Greenway.
• To learn more about this project, current traffic impacts and detour routes, and to sign up for email updates, visit www.mndot.gov/35w94.
• Plan ahead, know your route and check 511 and the project website for updates: www.511mn.org.

Jobs with the City 

Ever considered working for the City of Minneapolis? Opportunity is knocking. The City of Minneapolis has more than 900 different job types. Find your dream job today.

http://www.minneapolismn.gov/jobs. 

Orpheum, State and Pantages Theatres, plus 900 Hennepin, to Remain Open During the Hennepin Avenue Reconstruction Project

Via an April 12 e-letter from Mark Nerenhausen of Hennepin Theatre Trust:

Hello friend,

I am writing to you as someone who is interested in shows and events in the Hennepin Theatre District to share information about a major improvement project beginning next week along Hennepin Avenue. The City of Minneapolis will break ground Monday, April 15, on a long overdue project to replace century-old utility pipes and other infrastructure between 12th Street and Washington Avenue.

We at Hennepin Theatre Trust are excited about what this project means for the Theatre District, including upgraded utilities and a newly designed streetscape that will contribute to an even more vibrant and welcoming experience for downtown visitors. However, we also recognize that a project of this magnitude will create some disruption and delays when attending shows or events in our spaces.

The most important thing you need to know is that the Orpheum, State, Pantages Theatres, as well as 900 Hennepin, will remain open and accessible throughout this multi-year project.

We are working closely with the Minneapolis Department of Public Works to minimize the disruption to patrons who visit our theatres and nearby restaurants, hotels or other businesses. We are even planning additional public art projects — including a major initiative to be unveiled in June — that will make your trip to Theatre District as enjoyable as ever.

To learn more about this project, please visit HennepinDowntown.com. Rest assured, we will make sure that you are aware of updates that may affect your visit to our theatres.

Thank you for your continued patronage. I look forward to seeing you at one of our shows soon.

Sincerely,

Mark Nerenhausen

President and CEO 

Road Closures for April 13 Hot Chocolate 5K/15K

The Hot Chocolate 15K/5K Minneapolis takes place Saturday, April 13, at Boom Island Park, with start times of 8:10am for the 5K and 8:55am for the 15K.

The following roads will be closed from approximately 7:30am-12pm:

SE Main Street

Stone Arch Bridge

West River Parkway - from Plymouth Avenue to E 27th Street

Let the Games Continue: Sports Minneapolis has Plenty in Store for the Region in Q2

Via an e-announcement from Meet Minneapolis:

The biggest championship series in college basketball lit up Minneapolis this past weekend, and Sports Minneapolis still has ‘plenty of game’ to come for the region. From volleyball to Taekwondo, events in the coming months will bring an estimated 32,000* people into the greater Minneapolis region, more than 26,000 of them from out of town. Those visitors are expected to fill more than 32,000 hotel room nights throughout the second quarter of 2019, all of which adds to the economic vitality of the community.

The Minneapolis Convention Center will be the headquarters for these amateur sports events, and the economic impact will spread far beyond, to people providing transportation, food and beverage, technical expertise, event planners, and other businesses that are part of the thriving tourism and hospitality industry in Minneapolis that employs 36,000 people.

“Part of the mission of Sports Minneapolis is to successfully bid on and help execute sporting events in the region for the benefit of our community,” explained Sports Minneapolis Executive Director Melvin Tennant, “And while we work hard to bring in national events like this summer’s X Games or the just-concluded NCAA Final Four, smaller events are also part of the backbone of what we do. In addition, the flexibility of space in the Minneapolis Convention Center allows us to attract a wide variety of sports events.”

The largest of the upcoming sports events at the convention center is the 2019 USA Taekwondo National Championships that run from June 28 through July 4.

“We expect more than 10,000 out of town visitors to be in the Minneapolis region for that event,” said Sports Minneapolis Director Matt Meunier. “That’s thousands of people who will be spending money on hotel rooms, dining, shopping and entertainment during weekends and holidays when business travelers and convention attendees are typically scarce.”

Upcoming sporting events at the Minneapolis Convention Center include:

• 2019 Northern Lights Qualifier – April 19-28. Estimated attendance: 17,000*
• 2019 Region IV Xcel Regional Gymnastics Championships – April 26-28. Estimated attendance: 2,000*
• Stars and Stripes Classic 2019 Volleyball – May 24-26. Estimated attendance: 2,000*
• 2019 USA Taekwondo National Championships – June 28-July 4. Estimated attendance: 10,875*

The successful work of Sports Minneapolis to bring both amateur and professional sports to the community is reflected in the growth of sports tourism hotel room nights. In 2018, nearly 29% of the hotel room nights actualized through the booking of conventions, meetings and events were attributed to the work of Sports Minneapolis – in 2015 it was 14%.

*Attendance numbers are provided by partner organizations and are subject to adjustment based on meeting planner and event rights holders’ projections.

ABOUT SPORTS MINNEAPOLIS

Sports Minneapolis leads the region in bidding, winning and executing major professional and amateur sporting events that impact the city of Minneapolis and beyond. Sports Minneapolis, a division within Meet Minneapolis, has played a major role in securing events such as the Super Bowl, NCAA Men’s Final Four, Major League Baseball All-Star Game, USA Girls’ Jr. Volleyball, CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer, X Games and more. Amateur and professional sports events increase visitor spending and tax revenue that benefits the local community.

In addition to securing upcoming NCAA championships and major events, such as the 2020 Division I Wrestling Championships, 2021 Division I Men’s Gymnastics Championships, and the 2021 Division I Men’s Basketball Regional, Sports Minneapolis and its partners will be the local organizing committee for the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Final Four. For more information on Sports Minneapolis, visit www.sportsminneapolis.org.

POW! BAM! Out Of The Box Presents The Amazing Adventures of Acis and Galatea, the Wonder Nymph

From the company that brought sopranos to a boxing ring for its Diva Cage Match comes a whole new theatrical experience. Out of the Box Opera presents The Amazing Adventures of Acis and Galatea, the Wonder Nymph with three performances only (5pm, 7pm and 9pm) on Saturday, May 11 at the A-Mill Artist Lofts, 315 Main Street SE.

Members of the audience won’t just be watching the show; they’ll be in it. Immersed in the action of this passionate, roaming opera, they’ll move to four locations inside the historic 1881 Pillsbury A Mill – from the crypt-like hydro power tunnels that predate the Civil War to the Mill’s dramatic rooftop overlooking the Mississippi River and downtown skyline. The last act performed on the rooftop will segue into an after-party for the audience.

Out of the Box Artistic Director David Lefkowich describes the show as “an intimate retelling of an epic story.” He explains, “It is our biggest production to date with more performers, musicians and theatrical elements than any previous show we have created. But due to the intimacy of the spaces in the A-Mill (each show is limited to 60 people), the audience will be participating in the drama as the story unfolds.” 

Lefkowich drew some of the inspiration for the show from comic books. He sees the story of Acis, the mortal, and Galatea, the nymph, as a kind of superhero adventure: “Girl meets boy; boy meets cyclops; cyclops kills boy and the girl brings him back to life. What could be more comic book than that?” The show also drew some of its inspiration from the New York underground sensation Sleep No More, where audience members explore an abandoned hotel interacting as they go with scenes based loosely on MacBeth. Lefkowich wants to work the same kind of theatrical magic: “We’ll create an environment where all five senses come alive and the audience experiences opera in a completely new way.”

Out of the Box is proud to be showcasing local Minnesota talent: Galatea is played by Siena Forest, a soaring soprano who won over the crowd at the first-ever Diva Cage Match by jumping on the ropes in stiletto heels. Tenor David Walton sings the role of Acis. He earned rave reviews for his recent performance in Glimmerglass Festival’s The Barber of Seville. And Andrew Witzkowski plays the role of the Cyclops, Polyphemus. He is no stranger to taking opera “out of the box,” having created his own show, Guns N' Rosenkavalier, as a mash up of art song and rock concert. The cast is rounded out by a “Greek chorus” of five ensemble singers. Lara Bolton serves as the music director.

The 1718 opera with music by George Handel, and a libretto by John Gay, with Alexander Pope and John Hughes, is based on Ovid's Metamorphoses. It was Handel's most performed opera during his lifetime.

Tickets are $60 for the 5pm and 7pm performances and $50 for the 9pm show. VIP tickets, which include two drinks of your choice from the full bar can be purchased for an additional $15 ($75 for the 5pm and 7pm shows and $65 for the 9pm show). Tickets

Mill City Singers Return to Orchestra Hall

Article by Claudia Kittock

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to perform at Orchestra Hall? The Mill City Singers have been incredibly blessed to have done it twice, and it's better than you can imagine. The latest performance was on Thursday, April 4.

Mill City Singers at Orchestra Hall, April 2019. Photo credit: Ann Eilbracht

Singing with J.D. Steele is a unique experience. We set up and get ready to sing by talking with each other, laughing, and hugging. When it is time to sing, we gather and warm up...onstage. As J.D. warms us up, he warms up the audience. They sing along, and soon, everyone is smiling and singing. His warm-ups are silly and get everyone laughing and vocally warm!

After singing a few songs, J.D. decides it's time to get the audience involved again, so he sets to work teaching them the song he wants all of us to sing. J.D. teaches in a unique way. First, he recites the lyrics, and has everyone repeat them. After going through the lyrics several times, he moves on to each part, singing the part and having each section repeat what he sang. It only takes about 5-6 minutes to have the whole group singing a new song in four-part harmony. At Orchestra Hall, that includes the audience. If that isn’t lively enough, J.D. will start dancing with someone in the audience, urging all of the Singers to do the same...and we do.

J.D. chooses songs of hope and songs about community. We sing and are filled with joy. The songs range from Gospel to Motown to folk, but each and every song reminds us there is hope. We leave every rehearsal feeling better than when we walked in.

The Singers have a roster of 297 people, all of whom love to sing. None of us are professional singers and some struggle to sing at all, but everyone loves to sing. J.D. has that magical ability to take all of our very ordinary voices and put them together into something that sounds quite special.

As Friedrich Nietzsche said, “Without music, life would be a mistake.” We come together to remember what community is, what joy there is in the simple act of singing, and to find hope, leaving every rehearsal buoyed to go out and face the world for one more week.

The only thing better than reading about this is doing it. Join us! No auditions, no fees. Just contact Claudia Kittock at cjkittock@gmail.com. We rehearse on Saturdays from 2:00-3:30p on the 8th floor of the Guthrie.  Come!

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About Claudia Kittock

Claudia is a resident of the Mill District. In addition to writing for Mill City Times, she is a founding Board Member of Friends of the Mill District. Claudia is the author of Health Through Chaos, mentors young adults at YouthLink, and has served on the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA).

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Contact: claudia@millcitymedia.org

ACES 24th All-Star Evening To Honor Mark Rosen

ACES TO HOST 24TH ANNUAL ALL-STAR EVENING WITH VIKINGS COO KEVIN WARREN AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Professional Athletes and Community Come Together to Celebrate Student Success and Honor Mark Rosen

Athletes Committed to Educating Students (ACES), a local non-profit offering after-school learning programs, will host its 24th Annual All-Star Evening Thursday, May 9 at the Hyundai Club in US Bank Stadium with Minnesota Viking Chief Operating Officer Kevin Warren as the keynote speaker.

The evening will bring together professional athletes, media personalities and community stakeholders for silent and live auctions and an opportunity to learn more about ACES commitment to caring for Twin Cities youth. ACES will also honor the career of media personality and ACES supporter Mark Rosen, who has been involved with the organization for over a decade. Rosen served on ACES Advisory Board of Directors, where he was instrumental to the organization's success over the years.

The annual All-Star Evening has continued to grow, providing valuable resources. In 2017, the event raised $203,000, while in 2018, the event raised $240,000. That funding increase allowed ACES to shift the program’s model and more than doubled the amount of time youth spent in ACES throughout 2018. ACES hopes to continue this trend, raising $310,000 in 2019 to sustain and grow after-school programs.

Founded in 1994, ACES has provided after-school programming to over 6,000 youth throughout the Twin Cities by preparing students for school and their future careers through an innovative, sports-themed curriculum. In 2017-2018, ACES provided 300 hours of programming per student and conducted 20 experiential learning field trips. In 2019, ACES will serve an estimated total of 500 students. ACES also has an e-mentoring program, connecting athletes and sports staff with mentees in the ACES program, building relationships and talking about life beyond middle school.

The achievement gap is especially prevalent in the Twin Cities area, and carries major implications for the future economic and social health of Minnesota. Research shows the transition from middle school to high school exacerbates this gap, so ACES is working to change this trajectory, preparing students with the skills needed to successfully navigate the transition. Data from the 2018 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments shows math proficiency still remains a challenge in Minnesota, especially for youth of color.

During the 2017-2018 program year, ACES saw significant growth in students' academic and social-emotional skills, thanks in part to new initiatives — including dramatically increasing the amount of time students spent in academic programming, increasing the opportunities for "a-ha" moments. “Our frequent attendees had 20 percent higher math scores than those who came less frequently,” said ACES Executive Director Christina Saunders. “This proves what we already know: consistent and quality instruction is key.”

A large component of ACES’ success has been its valued partnerships with professional athletes who have a passion for student education. The Minnesota Wild’s Matt Dumba has played a large role, visiting multiple sites in 2018 and speaking at the 2018 All-Star Evening, where he was awarded the ACES Locke’d In award for his outstanding volunteerism and commitment to after-school programming. Dumba and former teammate Nino Niederreiter also bought out luxury suites at 11 Minnesota Wild home games to provide ACES students with an NHL experience. ACES staff have seen an immense impact on student learning at after-school programs since putting an emphasis on athlete integration.

For more information on ACES 24th Annual All-Star Evening, visit www.aces4kids.org/all-star-evening and to donate to ACES, visit https://aces4kids.org/donate.

ABOUT ACES

Athletes Committed to Educating Students (ACES) is an academic after-school program that engages urban youth in learning and provides opportunities to build the skills necessary to succeed academically, develop personally, and become responsible, contributing members of the community. ACES was founded in 1994 by Dr. Rajiv Shah and has served over 6,000 youth across the Twin Cities. Follow ACES on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Hennepin County Will Activate Outdoor Warning Sirens During Severe Weather Awareness Week

4/10/19 UPDATE:

The National Weather Service is cancelling the tornado drill watch/warnings for Minnesota for Thursday, April 11.  The NWS will not be issuing any test tornado watches/warnings for anywhere in Minnesota on Thursday, April 11.  The cancellation is due to the very strong snow storm set to arrive later Wednesday. Blizzard warnings are already in effect for part of the state.  It is also cancelled for Friday, April 12, as some areas of Minnesota will still be experiencing heavy snow and/or strong wind.  We will *not* be issuing any test tornado watches/warnings for Minnesota on Friday.  This decision has been made through many discussions with many of our public safety partners. We wish this decision didn't have to be made, but feel it is especially wise based on the expectations and timing of the incoming storm. (If local governments, businesses, schools, etc wish to continue with their own drill on Thursday, April 11, that is a local decision.)

Via an e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

As part of a statewide drill, the county will activate outdoor warning sirens on Thursday, April 11, at 1:45pm and 6:45pm.

The drills are part of Minnesota Severe Weather Awareness Week, April 8-12. In Minnesota, more than half of federally declared-disasters are due to severe weather. This week serves as a reminder to create, update and practice emergency plans.

Sirens alert people who are outdoors of severe weather warnings and other situations when they should take shelter. People who are indoors may not hear them and should use another means to monitor the weather, such as an NOAA weather radio.

Outdoor warning sirens sound for weather when the National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning and/or if there are reports of sustained straight-line winds in excess of 70 miles per hour. While the county activates sirens, the cities within Hennepin County purchase and maintain the equipment.

Siren safety tips

• Obey the sirens. Sirens mean people should seek shelter and tune to local weather information on radio, television or an NOAA Weather Radio. Unless it’s a first Wednesday of the month drill, the warning is real.
• Be weather aware. Know the weather forecast when you start the day, and check the weather throughout the day.
• Be alert and know where to shelter. If conditions change quickly or you see violent/threatening conditions, seek shelter and tune to local media. Take time today to learn and practice the emergency procedures at your workplace or school.
• Get a personal warning. Sirens alert people who are outdoors. Inside your home, you may not hear them. Use an NOAA weather radio or a severe weather smartphone app and stay tuned to local media.

Real-time weather monitoring

View interactive weather forecasts, maps and more at hennepinwestmesonet.org. Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at hennepin.us/news. Discover how we're making a difference in our communities at hennepin.us/stories.

Human On a Stick Segway Tours of the Twin Cities

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

The snow has melted, the birds are chirping, the mighty Mississippi is roaring. Spring is here, fingers crossed. The Minneapolis riverfront is alive and well, and I cannot think of a better way to enjoy it than going on a Segway tour. If you frequent the riverfront, you’ve seen us cruising around, but have you ever thought about being a tourist in your own backyard? Mobile Entertainment LLC offers not only Segway tours of the Minneapolis riverfront, but also of the Sculpture Garden and downtown, Summit Avenue and Capitol Hill in St. Paul, walking tours of the Minneapolis riverfront, and ghost tours of one of the oldest buildings in the heart of the old milling district along St. Anthony Main.

Michael (left, yellow shirt) provides local history during one of his tours while stopped on the Stone Arch Bridge with the Pillsbury A-Mill in the background.

Around the turn of the century Segways were supposed to be the next big thing, a way to commute short distances and just make life easier in general. However, like a lot of ambitious ideas, Segways were not selling like hotcakes as expected, but Bill Neuenschwander, a technology entrepreneur from Bloomington, saw an opportunity to bring Segways into the mainstream. In 2003 he bought 21 Segways and his new company, Mobile Entertainment LLC, got its first taste of success at the Minnesota State Fair where they had a booth. If you’re wondering how he came up with the “Human On a Stick” name, now you know. Everything is on a stick at the State Fair! Families and organizations were calling to see if they could have Segways at their events, and soon after Bill realized giving tours on Segways was going to create a fun and exciting experience for his customers. Once he found a storefront along St. Anthony Main, he became the first person to give Segway tours in the United States, and second in the world. It’s not ridiculous to think that he jumpstarted the Segway tour business that can now be found in every major city across the globe.

While it's not recommended to go hands free on a Segway, as a seasoned guide Micheal can fearlessly flex his muscles.130+ Segways and over 100,000 riders later, Mobile Entertainment LLC has the largest fleet of Segways outside of Segway itself, and is a staple of the Minneapolis riverfront and beyond. From the collapse of the 35W Bridge and the closure of the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, to the successful growth of the riverfront that has seen the Mill City Museum, Guthrie Theater, and DeLaSalle’s athletic field become fixtures of the area, Segway tours have seen and helped the area transform into one of the most popular and beautiful places to visit in the state.

As for myself, this will be my 7th year with the company, and I too have been fortunate enough to witness the growth of the riverfront. Starting as a shy and quiet helper guide on Segway tours, Bill, the managers, and my many colleagues have helped me open up more and become very enthusiastic about the place I will always call home. Good luck getting me to shut up now! There’s no way I’d be where I am today, in graduate school, writing for the Mill City Times, if it wasn’t for Bill and Mobile Entertainment LLC. I absolutely love introducing tourists from around the country and world to Minneapolis and its history. Even locals who, like me, think they know everything about the riverfront learn something new on our tours.

The tours last roughly 3 hours, which includes extensive training, a snack and refreshment at our halfway stop at the Mill City Museum, a free pass to that museum, discounts for restaurants along the riverfront, and your very own Segway drivers license. Once customers feel confident on the Segway, we take them to the Pillsbury A-Mill, Stone Arch Bridge, Mill City Museum and Guthrie Theater, Hennepin Avenue Bridge, Boom Island, and Nicollet Island. Each stop lasts about 10-15 minutes, and the lead guides provide the history of the immediate area. However, fair warning, we love corny jokes.

So, if you ever find yourself with nothing to do on a beautiful day in the cities, come on down and experience the Mill City on a Segway. Tell them Michael sent you. 

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About Michael Rainville, Jr.

A 6th generation Minneapolitan, Michael Rainville Jr. received his B.A. in History from the University of St. Thomas, and is currently enrolled in their M.A. in Art History and Certificate in Museum Studies programs.

Michael is also a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment LLC, giving Segway tours of the Minneapolis riverfront for 6+ years.

He can be reached at mrainvillejr@comcast.net.

The Southern Theater Launches Good Night Series

New Programing Starts Monday April 15, 2019

The Southern Theater is launching a new program series on Monday April 15 at 7:30 that highlights new ideas, works in progress and previews. Good Night at the Southern is an opportunity for artists and companies to share their upcoming work, and for audiences to get a first glance into what’s coming up in the Twin Cities arts scene.

3-5 companies or artists are selected for a different Monday night each month with performance genres ranging from theater, dance, music, spoken word, comedy and more. Each performer will have up to 20 minutes to showcase their work, followed by a post-show gathering where audiences can learn more about the company, hear more about upcoming shows, purchase tickets, buy merchandise, or mingle with the artists.

The April 15th inaugural show features performances by MixTape, urban and street dance that focuses on accountability to community, challenging tradition and artistic collaboration, Ballet Co. Laboratory, a company of professional artists presenting original and collaborative productions, and Corey Adam, Twin Cities comedian.

Future Monday nights are scheduled for May 13, June 10, July 22 and August 19. Tickets for the 7:30 performances are Pay What You Can and will be available at the door the evening of the performance (no advance purchases). 

Twin Cities Sightseeing Tours Announces Minneapolis Riverboat and Bus Combined Tour

See our exciting and historic city by land and water

Twin Cities Sightseeing Tours recently announced a new offering for 2019: Two great experiences, one low price. They've combined the relaxing Sightseeing Tour with a spectacular river cruise to create a summer midday treat. It begins with a 90-minute city tour, incorporating the best of Minneapolis' past and present, before concluding with a thrilling 90-minute cruise down the mighty Mississippi River. This tour is excellent for visitors, locals and families alike!

TOUR OPERATES:
Fridays 10:45am-1:45pm (May-Oct)

SIGHTS:
Mississippi Riverfront - Sculpture Garden - Walker Art Museum - Stone Arch Bridge - St. Anthony Falls - 
Basilica of St. Mary - Mary Tyler Moore Statue - Nicollet Island - Iconic buildings - IDS and Foshay - Guthrie Theater - Mill City Museum - Prince landmarks - Bob Dylan Mural - Sports Stadiums - US Bank, Target Field and Target Center

PRICING:
$55 per person

PICK UP:
Minneapolis Visitors Information Center, 505 Nicollet Mall 

More info

Employee Art on Display in Hennepin Gallery Through June 20

From caring for patients at NorthPoint Health & Wellness to reducing barriers for new employees in Human Resources, from managing key information technology initiatives to keeping at-risk children safe, Hennepin County employees perform a myriad of tasks.

For people who often work behind the scenes, the biennial Employee Art Show offers a spotlight to show talents that aren’t part of their daily work routines – painting, sculpture, photography, drawing, textiles and more. 

The Hennepin Gallery at the Government Center will provide a venue for county employees’ artwork through June 20. 

The Hennepin Gallery is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 6pm, at the Hennepin County Government Center, A-level, 300 S 6th Street.

The exhibit is sponsored by and is a project of Hennepin County Communications.

Road Closures for April 7 for Goldy's Run

The following roads will be closed Sunday, April 7 from 7:30am-12pm for Goldy's Run 10 Mile:

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West River Parkway from 13th Avenue S to E 38th Street

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East River Parkway

DOWNTOWN RIVERFRONT LIVING: LA RIVE CONDOS

Absolutely drop dead views from windows facing four exposures. Beautiful renovation by MSR Architects, RoehrSchmitt Architects and Streeter featuring modern open floor plan, exposed concrete ceiling, feature walls of frosted glass and concrete, custom kitchen, discreet storage solutions throughout and thoughtful window seats capturing panoramic views of downtown Minneapolis skyline, Mississippi River and Nicollet Island. Two bedroom suites, office nook and beautiful touches throughout. Sophisticated, modern and very efficient, a must see.

2 bed | 2 bath | 2 parking | 1,740 sf | $800,000

View listing details online...

March by the Numbers

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:

Downtown Living: Tower Lofts

Wonderful industrial loft in the heart of the North Loop. Concrete floors throughout, high ceilings, and large windows to bring in lots of natural light. The updated bathroom, bedroom, and light fixtures make this one not to be missed. Two indoor parking stalls are a unique bonus. Enjoy the community rooftop deck with over 5000 square feet with amazing downtown views. Open House: Saturday 4/13 from 11am-1pm

1 bed | 1 bath | 2 parking | $1,360 sf | $435,000

View listing details online...