Paddle Bridge Kayak Tours Announces 2023 Events

Paddle Bridge Kayak Tours is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year. Book a tour to learn about the Mississippi River and its ecosystems, regional history and its impact on our lives, and how Paddle Bridge sees its role as river stewards and is working to improve access to this beautiful and natural resource for all. There are multiple tours to chose from, ranging from 1.5 to 3 hours in duration:

City of Birds Tour - Meet at Boom Island and shuttle up to Anoka County Riverfront Regional Park. After a paddle skill introduction on land, you’ll wind downriver past islands and under bridges, toward the old Port of Minneapolis. You’ll pause to gawk at the squawking residents of two special islands that make up the great blue heron rookery - or as they like to call it, the City of Birds - also home to great egrets and cormorants and turtles.

Mississippi River Gorge Adventure - This trip starts with a shuttle pickup outside Sea Salt Eatery at Minnehaha Falls Regional Park. After a short drive up to Bohemian Flats Park, experienced guides will give a short safety and paddling demo before setting off with you on a 6.5-mile journey through the beautiful Mississippi River Gorge.

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Heart of Minneapolis Tour - Find out what puts “Minne” in Minneapolis. After a paddle skill introduction on Boom Island, you’ll head upriver toward the old industrial Port of Minneapolis on the Northside. On the way back down, enjoy the river’s current and a close-up skyline view.

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Full Moon Floatilla - This monthly special tour will start in the golden hours of the day. Working your way from Thomas Beach on the south shore of Bde Maka Ska, you'll navigate the channel to Lake of the Isles as the moon takes over the sky and nocturnal wildlife emerges.

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Happy Hour Sunset Tour - A lite version of the Heart of Minneapolis tour, this paddle begins in the magic hour and ends as darkness falls, in and out of the Boom Island marina. Catch long shadows and soft orange glows on the downtown skyline and learn some of the history that makes this spot special.

Additionally, custom tours can be arranged.

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Additionally, you can Paddle Bridge can customize private outings to meet the needs of your group. Drop them an email at info@paddlebridge.com with your needs.

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Monthly Tour Spotlight 

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All of our adventures have unique elements that make each a special experience. That said, there are seasons when specific tours are particularly impressive and worth planning for. As part of celebrating our 5th anniversary in 2023, we’re featuring one of our tours every month and offering discounts on select dates to help you experience what makes each of our paddles special.

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May: Custom Outings and Lessons

June: City of Birds (discounted dates: 6/14, 6/23, 6/30) 

July: Heart of Minneapolis (discounted dates TBD)

August: Happy Hour Sunset (discounted dates TBD) 

September: Mississippi River Gorge Adventure (discounted dates TBD)

October: Special Tours: Full Moon Floatilla and Saint Paul

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Special Events for Avid Paddlers!

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Mississippi River Paddle Weekend, June 9-11, organized by Two Paddles, offers competitive and recreational divisions for races, tours and relays of any paddling style (canoe, kayak, SUP) on the Mississippi River. Lengths vary from 5- to 150-mile sections between Brainerd and Minneapolis. Entering its second year, the event will welcome over 200 participants from the U.S., Canada and beyond, and provide paddlers of all levels a chance to experience the river's natural beauty and promote an accessible and diverse paddling community. Community-accessible equipment rental and registration discounts are available.

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About the races:

• The MR 150 is a multi-day ultra endurance race that begins at 3:00 pm, Friday, June 9, in Brainerd. Individuals, tandems and teams—in their choice of racing or recreational divisions—have 50 hours to paddle the 150-mile length of the Mississippi River in self-powered watercraft.

• All other events—the MR 48, MR 25 (with relay option), MR 10 and MR 7.5 (in partnership with Paddle Bridge Guide Collective)—take place on Sunday, June 11. The races and tours launch in the north Metro from a variety of starting points along the Mississippi River. These events are open to solo, tandem and team paddlers in both racing and recreational divisions.

Also on June 11, the MR Family Challenge and MR High School Challenge (sponsored by the Minnesota Canoe Association) are 5-mile racing and recreational events for families and teens of all skill levels that start at Peninsula Point Park in Anoka.

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Paddle Bridge disclaimer:

The route and duration of all our tours are subject to flexibility depending on weather conditions, water level, flow-rate, and group dynamics. Our guides take all of these elements into account in order to make everyone’s experience enjoyable and safe.

Thank You to All Who Participated in the Great River Coalition 2023 Earth Day Bee Run/Walk/River Clean Up Event

Great River Coalition extends a huge Thank You to all who helped make the 2023 Earth Day Bee Run/Walk/River Clean Up event at Boom Island Park and BF Nelson Park a success!

Rory, the official mascot of Minnesota Aurora FC, was on hand to cheer on participants.

Honey (a.k.a. Great River Coalition President Diane Hofstede) with mascot Buzz and Mayor Frey. 

Buzz and Honey (Diane Hofstede) with former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Phyllis Kahn. Among her many achievements, Representative Kahn was the chief author of the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act (controlling smoking in public places) and authored laws to require gender equity in athletics (the state law strengthened the federal Title IX regulations). A former Minneapolis City Council Member, Hofstede was instrumental in the legalization of beekeeping in Minneapolis.

Kids had the opportunity to build bird houses as part of the festivities.

Founded in 2014, Great River Coalition is a 501(c)(3) committed to a healthy, sustainable environment and our pollinators. The first annual Earth Day Run/Walk/River Cleanup event was held in 2016.

2023 event photos will be posted on Facebook in the near future.

Time to Speak Up for a Strong Plan and Great Idea: Protect Our City’s Riverfront Vision for Healthy Growth, and Reject the 600 Main Street SE Development

By Cordelia Pierson

Bad ideas can be like bad dreams: even after you calmly address and dismiss them, surprise – they come back.  The City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board thoughtfully plan so that good ideas provide clear guidelines, encouraging proposals that create a better city for us all.  This clarity ensures that we are not distracted by ideas that conflict with our vision for healthy growth.  And when bad ideas do come forward, our city leaders should act quickly to stop them.

For our nationally significant Mississippi riverfront, the City and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board approved clear plans for growth, encouraging residential development adjacent to riverfront parks while identifying specific properties to protect as parkland to support those new residents.  The Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park Master Plan was built with extensive community engagement and approved by the Metropolitan Council, and the 2040 Plan for Minneapolis honored that riverfront development pattern as well. 

One of the few properties selected for regional park protection and guided for park is 600 Main Street SE. A triangular one-acre parcel, it lies between Main Street SE and the riverfront, with Sixth Avenue SE bordering one side, and on the other, the Stone Arch Bridge’s former rail alignment, which connected Minneapolis with St. Paul.   People walking on the Stone Arch Bridge from the Mill District to the East Bank see this property – now used as a parking lot – before even glimpsing Father Hennepin Bluffs Park on the left. 

And so – here we go again, with a new development proposal in the works for 600 Main Street Southeast, after city leaders denied a similar project in 2009.  This time, the developer is asking to amend the 2040 Comp Plan to change the future land use from park to urban neighborhood, and amend the built form guidance from park to Corridor 6.  There is absolutely no question now that leaders have a clear plan to follow: defend the long-term vision of protecting this land, and deny this bad idea, once again.  

We can remind our leaders:

Honor official plans for growth and quality of life: The City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan encouraged growth that protects our environment and health, including the Mississippi River and parks, and was approved by many jurisdictions following substantial public engagement. This plan clearly identified areas to increase development and the parkland needed to serve that development, referencing Metropolitan Council-approved regional parks such as the Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park Plan.  This parcel - 600 Main Street SE – is one of the precious few sites that was clearly selected for future park use in MPRB and regional plans.  It would be an addition to the Regional Park System, within the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area and Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service. The developer’s proposed 2040 Plan amendments and land use are inconsistent with the city's Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area ordinance and the regional park plan.

Find no grounds for amending the comprehensive plan for one parcel: Since the 2040 Comprehensive Plan was approved, nothing about this site has changed to warrant the extensive reviews by Minneapolis, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Metropolitan Council Parks and Open Space Commission and other affected jurisdictions that are required for comprehensive plan amendment.  This proposed amendment would impede protection of the regional park, and would not conform, or be consistent or compatible with the 2040 Plan.

Honor the long-standing, well-recognized boundary of Main Street SE between residential development and protected riverfront: Protection of 600 Main Street SE respects long-standing city design of protecting land next to our river and lakes with a clear boundary: a parkway or street, like SE Main Street, West River Parkway, and the Grand Rounds.  That city design in the Central Riverfront was reflected in city, park, and neighborhood plans before the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.  Since 1999, MHNA’s policy has been that any land south of Main Street along the river should be reserved only for river-related recreation.  

Respect consistent opposition: Opposition to development in 2009 was fierce, and is not likely to have changed.  Many organizations quickly acted to renew their opposition - Friends of the Mississippi River, the Sierra Club – and other reactions are pending.  Opposition in 2009:

·         The University of Minnesota: The U of M does not want incompatible residential expansion next to its industrial steam plant, potentially exacerbating conflicting uses. 

·         The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board: MPRB urged denial of rezoning because the land is within the regional park and would contribute to the regional park if acquired.

·         The National Park Service: Development conflicts with recognized parks and trails goals of creating a gateway to the nationally significant Stone Arch Bridge and completing a continuous trail and open space corridor along both sides of the Mississippi River through the 72-mile length of the national park. 

·         Department of Natural Resources: The DNR opposed it as inconsistent with the Mississippi River Critical Area standards.

·         The Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Organization: MHNA opposes private development in the public realm along the Mississippi River, particularly in this environmentally sensitive, historic area.  

Join me in encouraging our city officials to follow these approved plans, deny this project, and protect our vision for a healthy future for our Mississippi riverfront city.

Cordelia Pierson, former Citizen Advisory Committee member, Central Mississippi Regional Park Master Plan; former Regional Commissioner, Mississippi River Parkway Commission; volunteer leader, Father Hennepin Bluff Stewards, Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association

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Editors Note: Council Member Rainville's office has asked for community feeback on this project, please email him at ward3@minneapolismn.gov 

Dine, Drink and Discover with Minnesota Les Dames d'Escoffier's First Online Culinary Silent Auction

Minnesota Les Dames d'Escoffier's popular culinary silent auction, which promises unique dining and drink experiences you won’t find anywhere but here, is going online May 1-13. Funds raised by the auction support local women in the culinary fields through academic scholarships and professional grants, as well as high school youth through Urban Roots, a Mill City Farmers Market vendor.

Past Dame It! events have included an in-person sampling of gourmet food and drinks, along with a silent auction, but as the dine-out world has shifted, Dame It! has adapted to provide this robust online experience everyone can participate in.

What’s compelling about this auction is that the majority of items focus on personal experiences provided by Les Dames members, as opposed to items you can find elsewhere in stores or the Internet.

The auction will go live at 8am on May 1 and can be accessed here. The last bid will be taken prior to 6pm on May 13, and winners will be notified how to receive their items.

Among the items to bid on are:

- Dine out with a member of the Star Tribune’s Taste staff at one of its review features;

- A private cooking class for 12 by award-winning cookbook author Amalia Moreno-Damgaard based on her recent travels to Oaxaca, Mexico, and the Guatemalan Mayan highlands;

- Chowgirls Catering founders Heidi Andermack and Amy Brown will guide guests in the Art of the Board, including both the ingredients and the architecture of an artisan grazing board;

- A 4-hour baking class for two by Kim Ode, a baking instructor who led the Star Tribune’s Baking Central feature for many years, at Kim’s home in Edina;

- A private, customizable wine tasting for 6 led by wine expert Allison Sheardy at Quincy Street Kitchens in Northeast Minneapolis.

In addition, there are numerous wine experiences with sommeliers, meals prepared in your home by professional chefs, a takeaway lifestyle box from Paris Dining Club, as well as picnic ingredients and cooking accouterments - all in time for Mother’s Day gifts or the start of summer entertaining.

Minneapolis’ Mounted Police Unit

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

A discussion with MPD Mounted Police Executive Director, Sgt. Adrian Infante

Have you seen the mounted police officers in downtown Minneapolis or at community events? The horses are striking and unflappable. We were curious about the history of the mounted unit and talked to Executive Director Sgt. Adrian Infante to learn more.

Sgt. Adrian InfanteQ:  How many years has Minneapolis had a police equestrian unit?

A:  Before modern times, Minneapolis obviously used mounted patrols. In early 1992, the Minneapolis Police Department started to discuss having a unit for special events. In 1994, we assembled the first unit, and 1995 was our first riding season. 

Q:  When are the mounted patrols utilized?

A:  Policing on horseback continues to be one of the most effective crime fighting tools. The Mounted Patrol Unit helps with large crowd control, crime control (on horseback, an officer is at least 10 feet tall which helps deter crime over a large area). Horses can go quickly where a squad car cannot, we help with search and rescue and can last longer than officers on foot in search and rescue situations.

However, our unit is used for much more than crime control. People are drawn to the horses and we know that they definitely break down barriers between the police department and the community. Kids love seeing the mounted patrols. You’ll see us at the Aquatennial, we’re downtown in Spring, Summer and Fall – we’re at large concerts, sporting events, parades, senior homes and at National Night Out.

MPD Detective Maurice Salmon, 1930Q:  How many horses are in the MPD equestrian unit? Are there minimal standards for the horses? Where are the horses stabled?

A:  We have 12 horses in the program now. We stable them in the West Metro in the Maple Plain area. There are standards for our horses – they must be at least 15.3 hands in height and they must have a calm demeanor. Maintaining composure is vitally important for these horses. The horses must also have a great deal of stamina.

Q:  How many officers are assigned to the mounted patrol? Do they serve full time as mounted officers?

A:  We have two full time police officers assigned to the mounted unit. They train and take care of the horses and help train new mounted officers. The MPD has another 15 part time riders that are available for specific events. Seven new part time officers were just trained in for the mounted unit.

Q:  Could you tell us about the training for newly appointed mounted riders?

A:  Yes – it is intensive! Some officers tell us that it is much more strenuous than SWAT school. Officers interview for the patrol and take a practical assessment. Then, if accepted, there is a 6-week mounted class - 80-90% of the training is done in the saddle. No prior horse or riding experience is needed. Our trainers work with the officers to learn elements of confidence, dressage and etiquette. I never thought that I would be a "horse cop" – but I joined the unit in 2017 and I absolutely love my assignment.

Q:  How do your officers in the equestrian units stay current on strategies and best practices for mounted police?

A:  This is one of my primary concerns. We are members of professional associations, which provide extraordinary initial and refresher courses for our officers and horses. We also have ongoing good conversations between units with larger mounted units – such as New Orleans or New York City – we learn from their experiences and we share ours with them. 

Q:  How may we support your department?

A:  The Minneapolis Police Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was founded to provide ongoing financial support to the Mounted Police Unit. Follow us on Facebook and check here for other ways to donate and be involved. 

In the community:

 

Chloe by Vincent is Now Serving Sunday Brunch

Savory buckwheat crepe

Delicious news! Chloe by Vincent, 700 Third Street S, is now serving Sunday brunch, 10a-2:30pm. Make your reservation here. We very much enjoy the food, drinks, service and all-around vibe at Chloe - they are a valued addition to the neighborhood!

Minneapolis Convention Center Recognized for Achievement of Sustainability

MCC Earns Gold Certification for Events Industry Council Sustainable Event Standards

The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) recently announced it has achieved Gold Level certification for the Events Industry Council (EIC) Sustainable Event Standards. 

The EIC Sustainable Event Standards are specific standards for environmental and social responsibility within the events industry. Created by the EIC Sustainability Committee in partnership with industry professionals and leading sustainability practitioners, the requirements provide event planners and suppliers with prescriptive actions for producing and delivering sustainable events. 

“This is great news for the Minneapolis Convention Center and all of us working to make Minneapolis the sustainable destination choice for meeting and event planners,” said Jeff Johnson, MCC Executive Director. “Achieving this not only recognizes our industry-leading sustainability efforts, but also provides a roadmap for measuring and improving our sustainable event programs on an ongoing basis.”  

In addition to its EIC certification, previous sustainability recognition for the MCC includes:

• Leader in Sustainability by the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC)
• LEED v4 Certification for Existing Building Operations and Maintenance
• Silver certification under the Sustainable SITES Initiative rating system for achievement in landscape sustainability for the redesigned MCC Plaza – the nation’s first SITES certified project to be located at a convention center and the first ever SITES certified project in the Upper Midwest  

The MCC is a proud and proven industry leader in sustainability. Highlights include:

• A stormwater catchment system that annually prevents up to 5 million gallons of rainwater runoff from entering the Mississippi River by redirecting it to an underground storage system used for the facility’s irrigation
• More than 2,600 solar panels on the MCC’s rooftop which supply 5% of the 100% renewable energy used – the other remaining 95% comes from Xcel Energy’s locally sourced wind and solar energy
• The 2.5-acre MCC Plaza, downtown Minneapolis’ most sustainable public green space, built on top of an underground parking deck and features an urban meadow planted with native tree, wildflower and prairie grass species to create downtown’s largest pollinator refuge

"We are delighted to see a major facility such as Minneapolis Convention Center continue its commitment to sustainability,” said Amy Calvert, EIC CEO. “This certification demonstrates a strong commitment to the environmentally and socially responsible practices that are needed to support long-term sustainability in our industry." 

The EIC Sustainable Event Standards specify performance criteria in the areas of organizational management, marketing, communications and engagement, climate action, water management, materials and circularity, supply chain management, diversity, equity and inclusion, accessibility and social impact. 

BPA iCompli Sustainability, a division of BPA Worldwide, a nonprofit international auditing organization headquartered in Shelton, Conn., developed the certification protocols for EIC Sustainable Event Standards and performed the independent third-party certification of the MCC’s compliance with the Venue standard. 

"Our certification to the event sustainability standards created by EIC, and now adopted by the Minneapolis Convention Center, continues our long-standing commitment to promote transparency in the events industry,” noted Richard Murphy, President and CEO of BPA Worldwide. 

For more information on the MCC’s sustainability initiatives, visit www.minneapolis.org/minneapolis-convention-center/about/sustainability/.

MPRB Seasonal Maintenance Update: New Online Map Shows Real-time Drinking Fountain Status

After a heatwave and snow all in a few days, more traditional spring weather seems to be taking hold. Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) staff have been monitoring the forecast all along and working to open park restrooms, turn on drinking fountains and bottle-filler stations and start up other seasonal plumbing.

New: Online map shows drinking fountain status

The map shows where and when drinking fountains are operating in parks, along trails, at golf courses and other places in the park system. Click on the dot for each fountain to see its features and when it was turned on or off or closed for repairs. 

The map can help park users when planning activities, especially in spring and fall when seasonal preparations are underway. It's available at minneapolisparks.org/fountains or minneapolisparks.org/drinking-fountains.

Priorities for plumbing start-up

In general, staff turn on water at park facilities in the following order. Priorities are based on site type and water functions, with exceptions for special needs, such as garden irrigation.  

• High-use buildings and rental sites (picnics, weddings, events)
  
  
• Exterior restrooms and drinking fountains 
  
  
• Irrigation and decorative fountains

Coming in May: Updates on openings for wading pools and splash pads, Webber Natural Swimming Pool, and Lupient and North Commons water parks. (Note: Webber and some other pools are filled before they officially open.)

Thanks for your patience and support during spring maintenance season in the parks.

Find out more about maintenance in the Minneapolis park system.

April 2023 Minneapolis Central City Tunnel Project Update

Via an April 21 e-announcement from the City of Minneapolis:

Project Overview

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

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

Project Map

Latest Project News

Mississippi River Portal

• Crews have completed excavation of the existing storm tunnel at the Mississippi River for the season and will resume later this fall when they can access the storm flow again. Until then, crews will continue to work on lining the tunnel with concrete and will be on site through May.

2nd Ave

• Crews have completed mining the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave from the new tunnel access shaft in the southbound lanes of 2nd Ave S, just north of the Washington Ave intersection for the season. Crews will continue to work on lining the tunnel with concrete through the summer.

Portland Ave

• Crews have completed mining the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave from the existing tunnel access shaft at the northeast corner of the Washington Ave and Portland Ave intersection for the season. Crews will continue to work on lining the tunnel with concrete through the summer.

Tunneling Progress

In April, the project reached 97% completion with excavation. Crews have removed approximately 67,800 tons of material to date. As noted in the infographic above, this is equal to the weight of 6.7 Eiffel Towers. The final excavation will occur next winter.

Lining progress

In April, crews continued to work on the concrete tunnel lining. To date, 2,150 cubic yards of concrete have been poured. As noted in the infographic above, this is about 65% of the volume of an Olympic swimming pool. This process is approximately 13.5% complete.

Long-term closures/restrictions

The north westbound lane, bike lane, and parking lane remains closed on Washington Ave between Portland Ave and Park Ave. These closures will remain in place until the project is completed.

• During this closure, pedestrians can still use the sidewalks along Washington Ave.
• Crosswalks across Washington Ave and Portland Ave will remain open.
• Bicyclists will share the traffic lane.
• The existing left turn lane on Washington Ave at the Portland Ave intersection will temporarily become a left turn and through lane.

The north sidewalk along Washington Ave remains restricted between Hennepin Ave and Nicollet Mall.

• During these restrictions, pedestrians share the bike lane on Washington Ave.
• The crosswalks at the Washington Ave intersections of Nicollet Mall and Hennepin Ave remains open.

The sidewalk on the east side of 4th Ave S remains restricted through the end of the project. The dewatering well and pumps are installed in this area.

• Pedestrians can use the sidewalk on the west side of 4th Ave S.
• The crosswalk at the Washington Ave and 4th Ave intersection remains open.
• Access to driveways off 4th Ave S remains open.

The west sidewalk of Portland Ave south of Washington Ave will remain restricted to pedestrians around the dewatering well and pumps until the project is completed.

The parking lot and trail near Mill Runs Park will open May 1.

• During May, the trail will have flaggers to allow concrete trucks to pull into and out of the work site.

2nd Ave S remains a single lane in each direction using the northbound lanes between Washington Ave and 1st St S. Access will be restricted until the project is completed.

• Access to driveways off 2nd Ave S remain open. There may be short-term access delays while crews move equipment and materials around.

NEW: Project timing update:

When is the project going to be done?

• The anticipated project completion date is June of 2024.

I thought that you were supposed to be done this year?

• When initially awarded the contract for the Central City Parallel Tunnel (CCPT) project, the anticipated completion was summer of 2023. Due to multiple construction obstacles the project schedule has been adjusted to a later date.

What were some of the obstacles?

• While performing work in the storm tunnel outlet located in the Mill Ruins Park near the Stone Arch bridge, crews uncovered historically significant underground structures.
• Crews had to excavate more soil and debris material from over the tunnel than initially anticipated, some of which was contaminated.
• Because work in portions of the tunnel is in an active stormwater flow, some work can only occur during a five-month window of time due to safety issues.

A note from the project team

We know that a later completion date will not be great news for many residents, businesses, or visitors that live and work in the areas of aboveground work sites, but we wanted to convey this information to you in order to set a realistic expectation for the revised project timeline. We also realize that the noise and activity associated with construction projects is an inconvenience and undesirable to those residents and businesses who are in close proximity to the job sites. It is the goal of Public Works to minimize our construction timeline and disturbance to the public. The CCPT project is crucial to the City, as it services most of our downtown area. The new storm tunnel will be able to convey stormwater much more effectively from the downtown district to the river during high-intensity rain events.

The project has worked to address all concerns and issues brought to our attention to date, and we will continue to do so moving forward.  As always, you can communicate with us via the project website and communications number with any concerns or issues you might have. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Stay Connected

There are multiple ways to get information including email updates and ongoing stakeholder meetings. Visit the project website for more information and to sign up for project updates: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/central-city-tunnel/

Email the project team: info@mplscentralcitytunnel.com

Contact the project hotline: 612-888-9418

What You Need to Know About the June 10 Community Connections Conference

Minneapolis residents can sign up now for the free 2023 Community Connections Conference on June 10. This year's theme, "Minneapolis in motion," welcomes all communities to explore how Minneapolis is growing, moving and changing, including through the City’s 2023-2024 priorities. The conference will run together with the 2023 Green Zone Summit for environmental justice.

The Community Connections Conference is a free annual event for residents, community groups, neighborhood organizations and local government to build relationships, learn together and create a better Minneapolis.

The 2023 conference will feature:

• Workshops and other breakout sessions in multiple languages. The subjects include renters’ rights, responsible development and worker well-being, creative expression and emotional release for incarcerated people through the community-based organization FreeWriters, building relationships with youths in challenging environments, recycling and organics, climate action, and creating a plan for saving energy at home.
• An exhibit hall showcasing more than 100 organizations with fun, interactive activities for both kids and adults.
• Opportunities to learn about City policies, programs and services.
• Lunch provided by local food vendors.
• Performances by local artists.

Community Connections Conference and Green Zone Summit
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, June 10
(Check-in starts and exhibit hall opens at 8 a.m.)
Minneapolis Convention Center, Hall A, Lower Level
Pre-registration is on the City website.

Call for breakout sessions, exhibits and volunteers

Community members can sign up by April 30 to lead a workshop, roundtable, panel or presentation.

Nonprofits and public institutions can apply for free exhibit space by April 30.

Volunteers can help spread the word about the conference, welcome guests, guide people to breakout sessions and keep lunch services running smoothly. Bilingual volunteers are especially helpful. The volunteer signup button is in the conference pre-registration form on the City website.

Register to attend the conference

Everyone is welcome to read more and register for the free Community Connections Conference on the City website.

Register for the April 22 Earth Day Bee Run/Walk/River Cleanup by Tomorrow, April 21!

Please help save our bees! Join Great River Coalition’s Earth Day Bee Run, Walk & River Clean Up at Boom Island Park, 729 Sibley Street NE.

- Designed T shirts with each paid entry, prizes, coffee, water, food, nuts, bananas

- Chance to win 4 MInnesota Vikings tickets,  US Bank Stadium, premium seats, Flat Screen TV,

- Booths, DJ, professional photographer, kids race, dog friendly, gorgeous run, walk 

Register!

Steve Cramer Announces Retirement From mpls downtown council and Mpls DID

Via an April 19 e-announcement

The mpls downtown council (mdc) and Mpls Downtown Improvement District (DID) announced today that Steve Cramer, president and CEO, will be retiring from the organization in December.

Steve CramerSteve Cramer has been a long-time champion and advocate for our city and community. He joined the organization in 2013 and has since led many important initiatives for downtown. He will wrap up his work later this year, but until then continues to remain focused on downtown’s next season.

Cramer has been a steady force behind many development and public realm projects, expanded community partnership to improve downtown conditions, advocated for common sense business regulations, and provided visible leadership over the challenging past few years.

“I have enjoyed working with Steve during my time on the mdc-DID board of directors. He has brought clear direction and focus to our collective work for downtown during an unprecedented season. Prior to that he helped our downtown reach new heights and levels of momentum,” said Karin Lucas, board chair of the mpls downtown council and Downtown Improvement District. “Steve has grown and positioned the organization for the future. We will certainly miss his leadership and wish him well in retirement.”

 “My bet is on downtown Minneapolis!” - Steve Cramer

During Cramer’s tenure, the organization along with roughly 450 members, hundreds of stakeholders, and ratepayers, have played a key role in advocating for downtown, ensuring downtown continues to thrive and maintain its trajectory of attracting new businesses, employees, residents, and investment. There are now 56,748 downtown residents within downtown’s five neighborhoods. More than 8.5 million patrons attended events last year downtown. All while providing a consistent presence within the 120-block district to keep downtown greener, cleaner, and safer.

“It’s been a privilege and pleasure to lead the mdc-DID, working with a talented and dedicated staff, hundreds of committed board members, and community leaders. This organization has charted the course forward for downtown over many decades, and that work will continue for the duration of my tenure and long into the future. I’m confident the path we are on will lead to renewed vibrancy after the historic disruptions of the last three years,” said Steve Cramer, president and ceo. “My bet is on downtown Minneapolis!”

Cramer’s impact on the downtown community will be marked by many contributions. Namely his work and dedication to improving downtown for business and community alike.

Cramer participated in the development of major public realm and infrastructure projects to enhance our downtown:

• The Commons Park
• A re-designed Nicollet
• Peavey Plaza renovation
• Hennepin Avenue reconstruction 

Cramer expanded community partnerships to improve social and security conditions downtown:

• Expanded privately supported outreach programs
• Added two embedded social workers focusing on downtown
• Launched the community storage program

Cramer advocated for common sense strategies to support our downtown:

• Business regulations
• Transportation infrastructure and funding
• Developments from affordable and luxury housing to new office buildings
• Public safety policies focused on a both/and approach

Cramer provided visible leadership for downtown stakeholders throughout the Covid pandemic and civil unrest.

Mississippi Rising

Submitted by Doug Verdier (photos taken April 17, 2023)

The recent warm weather earlier this month resulted in significant snow melt, which has caused the Mississippi River water level to rise significantly as other rivers and creeks feed water into the river upstream. These images show some of the local impact of all that melted snow as it races through the City. Numerous low-lying communities along the rivers path are bracing and preparing for localized flooding.

The doors of the Upper St Anthony Falls Lock were opened to allow the surge of water resulting from snow melt upriver to flow downstream. Normally, the lock doors are closed and all the water coming downstream would go over the St. Anthony Falls on the right in this photo. That’s foam on top of the water, not snow. It’s moving very fast!

Looking toward the Third Avenue Bridge from South First Street gives a good sense of how fast the river is moving and how much deeper than normal it is as a result of upriver snow melt. The white foam on top of the water is a good indicator of how fast the water is moving.

The three yellow concrete structures bordering the canal show how much deeper the water level in the canal is due to the amount of water entering the river from upstream snow melt. The increased river level can also be seen beneath the plastic sheet-covered walkways surrounding the base of the pier during work on the Third Avenue Bridge. In more normal times the distance from the base of the walkways to the river is a couple of feet. 

St. Anthony Falls as seen from the Stone Arch Bridge. Foam, spray and amazing sound are something to experience.

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Editors Note:

When I drove home from work last night I was astounded at how much the Mississippi rose yesterday alone. In several spots between the 94 and Washington bridges, water had flowed over the cement barrier and covered both lanes of West River Parkway. (To be on the safe side, I opted for the Riverside route to Franklin Avenue this morning!)

Summit Academy's Northside STEM District to Host Minneapolis Students and Families May 6 at Target Plaza for Free Family Event

More than 1,000 K-8th grade students are expected to converge on Target Plaza Saturday, May 6, to explore the world of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Volunteers from more than 20 Twin Cities STEM companies will guide students with hands-on activities and experiments as they uncover the wonders of STEM. Participants will:

• Code robots!
• Launch rockets!
• Fly drones!

A free shuttle will pick up participants at Summit Academy at 935 Olson Memorial Highway in Minneapolis and drop them off at the event, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Target Plaza Commons, 1001 Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis.

It is the vision of Northside STEM District to build a strong, diverse pipeline of STEM leaders and innovators within the North Minneapolis ecosystem where every student has an equitable opportunity to participate and thrive as contributing citizens within their communities.

Summit Academy OIC is an accredited, nonprofit Career and Technical Education (CTE) Institute located in North Minneapolis. Summit offers specializations and industry certifications for in-demand careers in Information Technology (IT), Construction, and Medical Administrative Assistant, delivering academic rigor alongside marketable skills and connections to employers. Our mission is to empower individuals to develop their ability to earn and become contributing citizens in their communities and economic drivers of the State of Minnesota. 

Get to Know Ben Shardlow, Director of Urban Design at minneapolis downtown council & Downtown Improvement District

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Ben ShardlowBen Shardlow has a lot to teach us about Minneapolis’ plans for innovative urban design, placemaking (keep reading to learn what that is) and community engagement around all of it. And, he welcomes the opportunity to meet downtown residents. Many of our readers have ideas to improve our downtown – set up a coffee meeting with Ben.  

Q:  What’s a typical day like for you as Director of Urban Design for the Downtown Improvement District (DID)?

A:  Every day is unique! The projects I work on and my role in them vary quite a bit. Sometimes I’m leading one of our projects, sometimes I’m advocating for our goals to be met in another organization’s effort. Either way, it’s collaborative. Almost everything we do is through partnerships, whether it’s working with the City on transportation, Park Board on trees, or arts and cultural partners on placemaking. That makes relationship building very important, which means lots of meetings. Heaps. Fortunately, I’m one of those oddballs who prefers meetings to just sitting at my desk.

Q:  You presented recently at the Minnesota Design Team's Annual Retreat, on the topic of community engagement through the lens of art and placemaking. Please tell us all about this notion.

A:  My presentation focused on the form of community engagement I enjoy the most: learning together by doing.

Traditional community engagement is necessary but challenging. You need a process that brings together technical experts and stakeholders who know the local context to agree to a shared definition of a problem, a potential solution, and the expected result. It’s possible for community members to disagree with any of the three, and for the process to devolve into speculation and mistrust. Please be nice to urban planners, it’s not as easy as it looks!

Placemaking offers alternative strategies. If you’re curious about the term, I’d encourage looking up Project for Public Spaces – they do a better job describing placemaking than I will here. The gist of it is that people and how they experience places should be at the center of how we design and run our cities. That might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised! Another key premise of placemaking is that successful places tend to have a recipe of features and activities that you can follow to make your own place(s) better.

The Living Bus Shelter project

Using placemaking strategies, you can try small experiments in public space to test a theory in a local context, see what happens, and get feedback from the community on actual experiences versus hypotheticals. It’s prototyping, essentially. We’ve used this technique throughout downtown. As one example, there was a bus stop on 7th Street that had high ridership and no bus shelter. The dialogue around a permanent shelter wasn’t very productive, so we got permission to place a temporary, artist-designed shelter and gather feedback. People liked it, and it opened the door for the really high-quality Bus Rapid Transit shelter at that site today.

Q:  You designed the Tactical Urbanism Initiative (TUI) for Minneapolis. How was it implemented? Can you bring us up to date with the Initiative? Is the City still collaborating with the partners?

A:  That initiative was the genesis of a lot of the placemaking projects we did from roughly 2013 - 2017. We used placemaking tactics to address sites of special concern for real or perceived safety – looking for underlying reasons why those sites weren’t successful and tried experiments to improve the experience people had in those places. We assembled an advisory committee – mainly with representatives from government agencies whose approval we needed to do the experiments, but also from social service and neighborhood groups.

The Alley Project in the 900 block of Hennepin

It was a lot of fun. We did a lot of experiments and learned a lot about ways we can positively improve the physical environment downtown and address localized concerns. The bus stop above is one example of a “TUI” project, but there were many more. We eventually stopped using that framework to do these kinds of projects because we had learned enough about how to work this way, and now we just engage adjacent stakeholders around individual projects. For example, we’re leading The Alley Project, a beautification and activation of the alley behind The Chambers Hotel, FAIR School for the Arts, and the University of St Thomas. We’re doing that project in partnership with Modern Day Me, Helping Hand Companies, Hennepin Theatre Trust, TENxTEN, and many others. The DNA of that project is very much aligned with how we approached TUI, but it’s a new context with new partners, and it’s informed by the years of work that preceded it.

Q:  What is the downtown council’s Intersections 2025 Plan?   

A:  The minneapolis downtown council has produced a visionary plan for the future of downtown every 10-15 years, with the 2025 Plan being the most recent. It was published in 2010 and includes ten major initiatives for downtown. I was in grad school at the time, and I remember being really inspired by the plan. I took it as a clarion call for downtown to grow and become a more livable, beautiful, connected, and humane place. Honestly, it became a major reason why I sought out work at mdc/DID, and I’ve been fortunate enough to work on implementing many of the initiatives in the plan. The plan has held up surprisingly well and is still a useful reference point for evaluating proposed changes to downtown. You can see how the green corridors idea has come to life on streets like Hennepin and the goal of leading the nation in transportation options has led to building out a network of protected bikeways for people biking of all ages and abilities – including a spot that I love at 4th and Hennepin where two such bikeways intersect. Really exciting.

With that said, it’s almost 2025 - that date no longer sounds futuristic! There will be announcements about a new planning effort before too long, and I’m excited for that.

Q:  How may citizens participate in your group’s initiatives?

A:  One, if you haven’t stopped into the DID’s Nicollet Office at 651 Nicollet Mall, Suite 105 - please do! We run a community space on the ground floor of Gaviidae, and it’s a great resource for getting information about what’s going on downtown. A number of us office there, so it’s normally pretty easy to get connected with the person working on the topic you’re interested in.

Second, we’re partnering with downtown residents on monthly Service Saturdays and other programs through the warmer months of the year so that neighbors can get acquainted and we can all contribute to a greener and cleaner downtown. We’re working on some fun incentives, too. If you’re interested in that, please check our volunteering calendar as the season ramps up or just reach out to me.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  I’d suggest following Minneapolis DID on Facebook and Instagram, signing up for our newsletter, or just reaching out to me personally at bshardlow@mplsdid.com. I regularly have coffee meetings with downtown residents and love to make new connections.

Father Hennepin Bluff Park Improvements Project Nears Completion

New restrooms open in May, fencing scheduled to come down in June, concerts return in July

A major renovation of Father Hennepin Bluff Park is nearly complete. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board would like to thank everyone for their patience while park access and use were limited since construction started last April.

The new restroom building next to the Stone Arch Bridge is expected to open in May. The construction fence around the park will remain in place throughout spring to allow areas that were seeded last fall to establish. Turf condition will be a major factor in determining when the park can fully reopen, hopefully by June. Please stay off these areas and respect signage and fencing!

Free concerts offered through Minneapolis Music in the Parks are scheduled to debut at the new stage in July. Stay tuned for more details.

Project Details

This Father Hennepin Bluff Park Improvements project includes:

• A new performance stage with seasonal restrooms
• New park entry plaza spaces
• Upgraded lights, path connections, wayfinding signage and trail markings
• Landscape and stormwater management improvements

The improvements are focused on the upper part of the park, not the lower paths closer to the Mississippi River.

Severe Weather Awareness Week is Coming; Expect Sirens April 20

April 17-21 is Severe Weather Awareness Week, when households and businesses are encouraged to practice what they’d do to stay safe if a tornado or severe weather strikes.

Expect sirens April 20

Thursday, April 20, is Tornado Drill Day. Sirens throughout the state will sound at 1:45 p.m. and at 6:45 p.m., giving people time to practice taking shelter in severe weather both at home and in the workplace. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota experiences an average of nearly 30 tornadoes per year.

Alerts

An electronic weather alert service can make you aware of any imminent weather danger with email or text notices. Check the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website for options for wireless emergency alerts and smartphone apps.

There is specific information for people with disabilities or access or functional needs about how to prepare for storm season and other emergencies.

If severe weather is approaching:

• Turn to local TV or radio or the weather channel, or make sure you have alerts enabled on a smart device or a weather radio programmed to pick up alerts inside. Weather sirens aren’t intended to be heard inside. If a warning is issued, go to the basement or an inner stairwell.
• If you’re outside and hear the weather sirens, go inside immediately and take shelter in an inner space away from windows. Don’t use elevators.
• Stay sheltered until the all-clear signal has been issued.

More about staying safe during severe weather

• Alerts and warnings
• Storms, hail and lightning
• Floods
• Tornadoes
• Extreme heat

Find emergency preparedness information on the City website.

Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look at HERC During Doors Open Minneapolis

Saturday, May 13 from 10a to 5p (open Saturday only)

The Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) is one of the locations participating in the 2023 Doors Open Minneapolis event. It operates 24/7 to convert Minneapolis’ trash into energy, which provides electricity to 25,000 homes and heat to Target Field and downtown buildings.

Learn how HERC works and discover actions you can take to reduce waste. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the facility and the waste-to-energy process. Closed-toe shoes are required (no sandals) to participate in the portion of the tour to see the waste pit and claw that feeds trash into the furnace.

More information about Doors Open.

Small Business Spotlight: Twin Ignition Startup Garage

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Left to right - Scott Aubitz, Ben Rasmussen and Seth Peter

Sometimes an entrepreneur needs some advice in areas outside of his or her product or concept design – areas like management, finance, strategy, and marketing among others. That’s where Twin Ignition Startup Garage in Northeast Minneapolis can step in and provide the expertise necessary to bring the dream to life. We talked to co-founder Scott Aubitz about the genesis of Twin Ignition, their portfolio of success stories and one very fun reason (you’ll be surprised) to visit their business.

Q:  Please tell us a brief history of Twin Ignition Startup Garage. 

A:  Seth Peter, Ben Rasmussen, and Scott Aubitz came together in 2018 with a shared vision to support a thriving startup ecosystem in the Twin Cities through a tailored approach to startup incubation. We all saw the need to help bridge the gap between a community of innovative founders and access to the resources, support and capital they needed to succeed.

While Seth had acquired the building that is now known as Twin Ignition Startup Garage at 1317 Marshall Street NE in 2017, we weren’t able to move in until late in 2019, so we started meeting with companies every Wednesday at Sip Coffee Bar in Northeast. What we quickly learned is we all agree you just need to start “doing” to make things happen, and that our different experiences and approaches to startups worked well together.

With the opening of the garage in 2019, we confirmed that the Twin Cities has a growing community of first-time founders that need various components of the pillars of our offering - the space to work, capital to invest and advice to grow. Since those beginnings we have invested in over 20 start-ups in the Twin Cities area, with an average of 8-10 new and follow-on investments a year. We have also partnered with several funds, angel organizations and other startup investors to expand our reach and impact to create a thriving startup community in the Twin Cities.  

As we have seen our startup companies grow and expand, we realized the need to provide additional office options as they become too big for our founders’ space in the Startup Garage. As a result, in 2022 Twin Ignition purchased the Keg House building at 34 13th Avenue NE on the former campus of the Grain Belt Brewery. This 45,000 square foot building gives us more options to provide space to grow as businesses gain traction in their markets.

Twin Ignition common area

Twin Ignition garage area

Twin Ignition kitchen area

Q:  What’s a typical day for Peter, Ben and you, the founders of Twin Ignition? 

A:  We typically meet with 1-3 companies a week to hear investment pitches. We also meet with 2-3 advisory clients typically on a biweekly basis. There is a standing weekly "internal" meeting on Monday where we discuss pitches we've heard the week before, any follow-on investment opportunities we have, as well as operations of our buildings. As a result, we are meeting as a team most mornings each week, with afternoons dedicated to various other aspects of the business.

Individually, Seth focuses much of his time on ensuring the buildings are operating smoothly. He also is actively meeting with prospective businesses and others in the start-up community. Ben devotes most of his time to networking within the community to identify new opportunities both for investment as well as for candidates to office out of the Garage and Keghouse buildings. I focus more time on the financials of our investment portfolio and the building operations.  

Q:  Twin Ignition Startup Garage is a technology incubator AND it also houses a woodworking studio - that must keep the environment interesting and full of beautiful art.  

A:  Being located inside the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District was an important factor in determining our location. We believe the process of creating a work of art is similar to creating a technology offering. It’s about putting your creative energy into something entirely new, bringing an abstract idea to reality, and presenting that concept to an audience. We also believe that being surrounded by beautiful physical creation is inspiring to those working on their virtual technical creations. We have found that entrepreneurs in our space often have an artistic side to them.

Q:  In September of 2021, Twin Ignition told the Star Tribune that the goal was to “invest and mentor companies that would collectively create 100,000 jobs across the Twin Cities in the next 20 years.” We’re just two years into that timeframe, but have you seen your portfolio companies start to hire?

A:  Our portfolio companies have definitely been in expansion mode over the last several years. Every one of our portfolio companies has hired additional staff to varying degrees. We have companies anywhere from 2-4 employees up to 30+ employees, depending on their stage of growth and their cadence with capital raising.

With our mission to support a thriving tech startup community in the Twin cities we think Minnesota has a great opportunity to create 100k+ jobs in new growth over the coming decades. Our hope is to be one catalyst to ensure that happens.   

Q:  May a client just purchase access to your collaborative workspace – perhaps as a way to get started with Twin Ignition’s services?  

A:  The Startup Garage is a collective workspace for founders to utilize and collaborate with each other. Per our goal of creating a thriving tech startup community, we want to create a place where founders can plug into a broader community of like-minded people, experiencing similar issues and help support each in their growth. We're hoping to reduce some of the isolation of starting a business while providing support as they grow.

The space is designed to grow with businesses from "soloprenuers" up to businesses of 8-10 people. If a founder has started a business and is looking for office space on a part-time or full-time basis, they should definitely reach out to info@twinignition.com to arrange a time to come try out the space.

Q:  Can you share some of your success stories with us?

A:  We've been investing in very early stage companies for over 4 years now, but have seen some great traction with our portfolio companies. A great indicator of the success of our businesses and our strategy is we've had 3 different businesses gain enough traction that they needed to move out of the Startup Garage because they had become too big for the space - two of those have been moved into our Keghouse building. We've had a business exit within 2 years of our initial investment. Several of our portfolio companies have been listed as "startups to watch" in the Twin Cities in 2023 by the Business Journal (Turnsignl, ProsperStack, Omnia Fishing). Two of our businesses were MN Cup Divisional Winners (Turnsignl & Carbon Origins) with Carbon Origins being runner up for the grand prize. One of our businesses, Big Wheelbarrow, won a $500k investment in the 43 North startup competition in Buffalo, NY. Many of these businesses have benefited not just from our investment and advice, but from the community we were able to plug them into within our ecosystem.  

Q:  Great results – congratulations! Have you considered expanding your business to other cities with rich startup cultures?

A:  Our commitment is really to the Twin Cities and Minnesota more broadly. This is an area that has provided so much for each of us individually, we really see our work as a way to give back and make Minnesota a destination for startup activity. We think there is plenty of opportunity to keep doing what we are doing and grow this ecosystem into something really special.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Please feel free to follow Twin Ignition on LinkedIn. We tend to repost news about our portfolio companies as well as post for any upcoming events with which we may be associated. We also post more social events on our Facebook page as well. For example, make sure to come join us for Art-A-Whirl in May!

29th Annual Minneapolis Earth Day Cleanup Will be Hosted at 40+ Park Locations on April 22

Join the Minneapolis Earth Day Cleanup on Saturday, April 22! Drop in anytime between 9:30am and 12pm at any of 40+ park locations throughout Minneapolis and help clean up our beautiful city.

The Earth Day Cleanup has become the largest community service project in Minneapolis over the last 29 years. Since 2008, more than 23,000 people have removed more than 165,000 pounds of garbage.

It’s free to participate, no registration needed, just choose a site from our list and show up. We will provide bags and gloves, you help pick up junk that accumulated over the winter, and our partner City of Minneapolis Solid Waste and Recycling will process the collected bags. 

You can also get into the spirit by participating in the annual Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk at Boom Island Park! The event features a family- and dog-friendly fun run/walk (bee costumes encouraged!), river cleanup and Earth Day festivities.

Find a detailed list of clean-up sites and more information at minneapolisearthday.com, or view the flyer below: