Franklin Avenue Bridge Construction Update

Visit us at Open Streets this Sunday

The Franklin Avenue Bridge public information team will be at this Sunday's Open Streets Minneapolis event. This is your opportunity to learn more and ask any questions you might have about the project.

The event: Open Streets Minneapolis on Franklin Avenue
The day and time: From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 16
Where we will be: The Franklin Avenue Bridge project will be near 27th Avenue. Look for the big orange Hennepin County public works truck.

More information about the event is available on the Open Streets Minneapolis website.

Project information updates

Cofferdams sealed last weekend
Last Saturday a number of concrete trucks rolled into the construction area, allowing for crews to seal the first two cofferdams in the river. Crews will now temporarily drain the water within the structure and conduct concrete repairs to areas of the bridge piers normally below water level.

Continuing work and ongoing closures
•The contractor is working on a platform to restore concrete below the bridge deck.
•West River Parkway road and trail remain closed at Franklin Avenue Bridge through October 2015. View detour map.
•The Lower East River Parkway trail is closed between the East River Flats (University of Minnesota Boathouse) and Cecil Street while crews restore concrete below the bridge deck.
 
Being safe around the work zone 

Thank you for slowing down and paying attention in work zones. Staying alert and dedicating your full attention to driving keeps you and our crews safe.
 
Contact information
Hotline: 888-474-8929
Email: franklinbridge@hennepin.us
Project website

Sign Up for a Short Volunteer Shift to Help Open Streets Roll into Downtown and Get a Free 2015 Open Streets Mpls T-shirt

Via an August 13 e-newsletter from the City of Minneapolis:

For first time in Downtown, Minneapolis residents will have the opportunity to explore and enjoy their neighborhood streets without the presence of motorized traffic. Join us in bringing together local businesses, families and neighbors to bike, walk, socialize, play and shop in a car-free environment on Washington and 1st Avenue, August 23, 2015 11:00am - 5:00pm.

Sign up for a short volunteer shift to help Open Streets roll into Downtown and get a free 2015 Open Streets Mpls t-shirt! At least 80 volunteers are needed to power the inaugural Downtown Open Streets. Volunteers are a crucial part of keeping these events safe and fun. So come be a part of the magic and help transform downtown into a biking and walking oasis! Learn more and sign up for one of the many great volunteer opportunities that support Downtown Open Streets here.

Thanks to all our volunteers that make Open Streets Mpls possible. See you on the Street!

Open Streets is an initiative of the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition, presented by the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota and co-sponsored by the City of Minneapolis.

Open Streets events bring together local businesses, families, and neighbors to bike, walk, socialize, play and shop in their communities in a car-free environment.

Want to Volunteer?
http://www.openstreetsmpls.org/os_general_volunteer

A Successful 2015 Mill District National Night Out Party

Thanks to months of planning and the efforts of a hardworking group of volunteers led by Cynthia Kriha, last week's Mill District National Night Out (NNO) party was a huge success. This year's attendance was estimated at 525.

New this year was a kid's play area, which speaks to the growing number of young families in the neighborhood.

During the party, $438 was raised for People Serving People as part of the Dollar$ for Diaper$ drive.

The Rich Lewis Band provided perfect background music for the event.

And of course, plenty of tasty food and drinks!

Many thanks for all everyone who made the event a success. See you all at the next NNO - August 2, 2016!

Vote For Your Favorite Green Spaces To Win 2015 MDID Greening & Public Realm Awards

MINNEAPOLIS (August 10, 2015) — Help your favorite green spaces in Downtown Minneapolis get recognized through the 6th Annual Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District (MDID) Greening & Public Realm Awards.

The Greening Awards, an MDID initiative since 2010, celebrate outstanding examples of greening and placemaking that improve public space in Downtown Minneapolis. Winners are selected by public vote at MinneapolisDID.com/GreeningAwards. The vote will be open Aug. 10 through Aug. 24.
 
This year, 35 unique finalists selected through an interactive public nomination process were divided into 12 categories based on the project’s characteristics and size. Among the finalists selected were 17 new nominees—a sign of the growing diversity of greening in the downtown area—as well as nine past winners. Eight of last year’s 11 winners are nominated again this year, including five-time winners Loring Greenway and Target Plaza South Entry.

“Greening in the public realm is essential to creating a vibrant and thriving downtown. We as a community have put a great emphasis on sustaining and building upon our green spaces in downtown Minneapolis,” said Steve Cramer, President & CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Downtown Improvement District. “The Greening Awards help us celebrate these continued efforts, and we hope residents, employees and visitors alike will vote to help give acknowledgement to these deserving spaces—large and small.”

This year’s vote also includes a new category that focuses on downtown neighborhoods. Greening is an important aspect of every community, and this year’s Greening Awards will acknowledge the area of downtown that has produced the best greening according to the public.

Winners will receive a commemorative Greening Award created by Wood from the Hood, a Minneapolis-based company that reclaims discarded trees from urban neighborhoods and creates high-quality wood products. Each award will display the year the award was issued.

The MDID Greening Awards are intended to inspire all to work toward making downtown greener and more vibrant. The MDID’s mission through the Greening Awards is to encourage all downtown businesses and organizations to participate in the greening effort.

The public is encouraged to vote by visiting  www.MinneapolisDID.com/GreeningAwards and clicking on the interactive vote link. Each category will showcase the finalists along with a photo of each location for easy viewing and identification. This year’s 12 categories include the following finalists:

Small Green Space Activation
·        IDS Center PARKLOT presented by Bank of America*
·        Piazza on the Mall

Small Green Space
·        Assisi on 9th Park
·        Target Plaza South Entry

Large Green Space Activation
·        Convention Center Plaza
·        Government Plaza
·        Peavey Plaza
·        Target Field Station

Large Green Space
·        Elliot Park*
·        Loring Greenway
·        Loring Park*
·        Triangle Park

Façade Greening
·        500 S. Washington*
·        5th Street Towers
·        Kenosha Building
·        Seven Event Destination

Open Space Green Infrastructure
·        MCTC Plaza Rain Garden
·        Target Field Station

Outdoor Café
·        8th Street Grill
·        Dakota Jazz Club
·        Red Cow*

Streetscape Greening
·        222 Hennepin
·        Central Lutheran Church*
·        The Foundry Home Goods*

Streetscape Green Infrastructure
·        5th Avenue Lofts/Security Warehouse*
·        American Academy of Neurology
·        RiverStation Condos*
·        Spoon & Stable*

Entryway Greening
·        Aloft Minneapolis
·        Cynthia Froid Group*
·        Goldberg Bail Bonds*
·        Martin Patrick 3*

Public Realm Improvement
·        5th Avenue Lofts/Security Warehouse Lofts*
·        Central Lutheran Church*
·        Convention Center Plaza
·        IDS Center PARKLOT presented by Bank of America*
·        Soccer Field at Elliot Park*
·        Spoon & Stable*
·        The Foundry Home Goods*

Best Neighborhood
·        Elliot Park*
·        Loring Park*
·        Mill District*
·        North Loop*

*-New Nominee in this category

The public is encouraged to not only vote on a winner for each category but to also celebrate greening on social media year-round. Send your greening photos to @MinneapolisDID on Facebook, Twitter and  Instagram using the hashtag #GreenAwardsMpls.
 
For more information, visit www.minneapolisdid.com/greeningawards or log onto  Facebook, Twitter or  Instagram searching @MinneapolisDID.

About the Minneapolis Downtown Council:
Founded in 1955, and one of the oldest central business districts in the nation, the Minneapolis Downtown Council (MDC) is a membership-based entity that works to create, preserve, and enhance a vital and engaging experience for the people who visit, work, shop and live in Downtown Minneapolis. The MDC’s collaborative developments of Intersections: The Downtown 2025 Plan was designed to help downtown businesses, community leaders and citizens build on downtown assets and implement future goals. For more information, please visit http://www.downtownmpls.com/.

About the Downtown Improvement District:
Founded in early 2009, after more than five years of formative planning and advocacy by the downtown business community, the Minneapolis DID delivers higher levels of service to make downtown cleaner, greener, safer and more vibrant throughout a 120-block area, as is the case with most Business Improvement Districts. For more information, visit http://www.minneapolisdid.com/.

A Loft “40 Over 40” Event on the Stone Arch Bridge with Rachel Gabriel

“Inspired by Minneapolis: A Writers on the Town Tour and Workshop” 

 

Meet Rachel Gabriel—local writer and teaching artist—on the Stone Arch Bridge for a walking tour and writing workshop on Saturday, August 22 from 1:00-2:30 P.M. Meet beneath the blue balloon, and bring a notebook, pen or pencil, and your creative curiosity. A $5 registration fee is an investment in the future of The Loft Literary Center. Details at https://www.loft.org/events/40_for_40/

 

We’ll start with a view of St. Anthony Falls and end at The Mill City Ruins, where we’ll practice the writerly skills of observation and sensory exploration through written words and images.

 

Whether you leave with a poem or paragraphs, drawings or word fragments, “Inspired by Minneapolis,” is an opportunity to be present to a particular place, and your moment in it.

 

Children who are inclined to write and draw with a bit of encouragement are welcome to attend. 

Minneapolis is home to The Loft Literary Center—the United State’s largest nonprofit center of its kind—which will celebrate its 40th Birthday with 40 writing events over 40 hours, August 21-22, 2015. Registration details and more information. 

Celebrate Summer at the First Annual SotaFest on August 25!

Celebrate summer at the first annual SotaFest!

Kindred the Family Soul headlines an afternoon of music and fun in picturesque Parade Stadium August 29

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is excited to partner in the first annual SotaFest happening August 29at Parade Stadium, located at 400 Kenwood Parkway. Doors open at 1 pm, music starts at 2 pm and festivities will continue throughout the afternoon framed underneath one of the best skyline views in the city.

A portion of the proceeds collected helps create opportunities for kids in Minneapolis parks by funding scholarships for youth programming.

“We appreciate having the opportunity to partner with People for Parks, 89.9 KMOJ and Bachelor Boy Entertainment in putting on another great summertime event in Minneapolis while also helping more of our city’s youth enjoy park activities,” said Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Assistant Superintendent Nick Williams.

Nationally-renowned act Kindred the Family Soul headlines a lineup studded with dynamic performers, including Church and the Dirty Thought, Mike De’Cole, Chris Lawrence, Audiyo Element, Hustle Rose and MPLS.

Food trucks and local product vendors will also be on hand.

SotaFest is an 18+ event. Advance tickets are available onlinefor $25 and at the door for $35. Concert-goers can park for $5 at Dunwoody College across the street from Parade Stadium.

Volunteers for SotaFest are still needed. Volunteer assignments include entrance gate monitors/ticket takers, parking crew, ticket sales, stage monitors, and more.

Each volunteer will receive entry to the concert and one additional ticket. View and sign-up for volunteer assignments and shifts here: http://www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0449AFAC22A6FB6-sotafest or email Nicole Zappa at nzappa@minneapolisparks.org with questions about volunteering.

Event Details Who:Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, People for Parks, 89.9 KMOJ-FM and Bachelor Boy Entertainment What: An afternoon of music, food and dancing headlined by nationally-renowned act Kindred the Family Soul When: Saturday, August 29. Doors open at 1 pm; music starts at 2 pm Where: Parade Stadium Why: Proceeds help fund youth programming scholarships for Minneapolis park activities Cost: $25 in advance; $35 at the door

DMNA-sponsored Yoga Classes at Gold Medal Park Kicked off August 8

The first of six free yoga classes sponsored by the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA) took place August 8 at Gold Medal Park.  While geared towards beginners, all yogis are welcome to these weekly 8:00a Saturday sessions. I've been practicing for two years and found it to be a relaxing start to the weekend.

DMNA Board Member Claudia Kittock explained, "Yoga in the Park began with a brainstorming session between DMNA and Emanuel Housing. Our first class attracted almost 30 people from all across downtown. The teacher, Haley Lasche, did a wonderful job of welcoming each student and leading us through an hour of beginning yoga."

Above, instructor Haley Lasche, Claudia Kittock, and DMNA Outreach and Program Coordinator, Joan Bennett.

Please join us next Saturday morning! Plan to arrive 5 - 10 minutes before class to sign in, meet the instructor and get settled in for an hour of "you" time.  :) 

Week 14 at the 2015 Mill City Farmers Market

August 8 was Youth Day at the Market, featuring the Oliver Kelly Farm animals, Mill City Cooks youth-led demo, Power to Produce program, kid tatoos from Oink Outings and the Minneapolis Public Schools Food Truck. 

Power of Produce (a national program, new to MCFM this year) continues to be very popular. It was featured is this recent Star Trib article.

Shoppers sampled beet hummus from the Minneapolis Public Schools Food Truck and learned more about the farm-to-school efforts going on in our public schools. They were also promoting the 4th Annual Farm to School Community BBQ.

Metal artists Made By Liz P and Primitive Precision debuted at the August 8 Market.  Look for a post featuring Liz and Hans on our Farmers Market blog later this week.

The very talented Orange Mighty Trio entertained shoppers.

Chinese Long Beans - sometimes referred to as Yard Long Beans - so good!

Love at the Market. :)

The goat!

Should the DMNA Form Two Independent Neighborhood Associations? Feedback Sessions & Voting Info

Should the current Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Assosciation (DMNA) become two independent neighborhood associations?

The DMNA serves both the Downtown East and Downtown West neighborhoods. On September 21,  DMNA Members will vote to accept or reject a resolution to form two independent neighborhood associations that would serve East and West respectively.  Anyone who lives, works or owns property in Downtown East or West is eligible to vote.

To prepare our two neighborhoods for this vote, four informational meetings/feedback sessions will be hosted by the DMNA and facilitated by City staff.  This will be your opportunity to learn the details of this proposed change and provide input on the future of our neighborhood association(s).

INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS & FEEDBACK SESSIONS

Tuesday, August 18
Guthrie - Dowling Studio, 818 S 2nd Street
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Monday, August 24
New Century Theatre, City Center
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Wednesday, September 9
Open Book - 1011 Washington Avenue S
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Thursday, September 10
Central Library - Pohlad Hall, 300 Nicollet Mall
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

MEMBERSHIP VOTE ON THE PROPOSAL TO FORM TWO INDEPENDENT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS
SEPTEMBER 21  - DMNA BOARD MEETING
THE DEPOT RENAISSANCE HOTEL, 225 3rd AVE S
5:45 pm - 8:00 pm

Washington Avenue Bridge Closure

Via an August 7 Hennepin County e-newsletter:

WHAT'S HAPPENING
Motorists traveling the Washington Avenue Bridge (County Road 122) over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis will encounter traffic closures starting at 6 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2015. These closures will allow Hennepin County to complete a routine bridge inspection.

The marked detour uses Pleasant Street SE, University Avenue SE/Fourth Street SE and I-35W.
 
DETAILS
The closures will occur as follows:
•Eastbound traffic will be closed starting at 6 a.m. on Monday, August 10 through 12 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12
•Westbound traffic will be closed starting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 12 through 4 p.m. on Friday, August 14.

IMPACT TO BICYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS 
There should be no impact to bicyclists or pedestrians using the top level of the bridge. 
 
MORE INFORMATION
See active projects on our interactive road construction map.

Learn more about how transportation is connecting people to places.
 
CONTACT Colin Cox at colin.cox@hennepin.us or 612-596-7426 with questions about this bulletin.
 

August Offerings from the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul

Tickets available at http://mspfilm.org/ or at the box office before each show.

Now Showing thru August 6 - A LEGO BRICKUMENTARY

Now Showing thru August 6 - THE YOUNG AND PRODIGIOUS T.S. SPIVET

August 6 at 7PM + August 15 at 1PM - NT LIVE: EVERYMAN

August 7 thru 13 - JACK STRONG - Collaboration with Twin Cities Polish Festival

August 7 thru 13 - CARTEL LAND 

August 8 at 7PM - I AM CHRIS FARLEY (One Night Only)

August 14 thru 20 - KURT COBAIN: MONTAGE OF HECK

August 14 thru 20 - PEOPLE, PLACES, THINGS

August 17 at 7PM + August 22 at 1PM - NT LIVE: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE

August 20 at 7PM - TANGO NEGRO: THE AFRICAN ROOTS OF TANGO

August 21 thru 27 - MARSHLAND

August 21 thru 27 - THE PUBLIC DOMAIN

August 28 thru September 3 - Z FOR ZACHARIAH

August 31 at 7PM + September 5 at 1PM - NT LIVE: THE AUDIENCE (2015 Tony Award Winner starring Helen Mirren)

TICKETS available at: http://mspfilm.org/ or at the box office before each show.

Washington Avenue North Loop Restriping Update

Via an August 5 Hennepin County e-newsletter:

Work set to begin on Monday, August 10

We are ready to move forward with modifying and repainting (restriping) the lane lines on Washington Avenue in the North Loop. You will notice crews on the avenue working from North 3rd Avenue to Plymouth Avenue starting next week.

Upcoming work schedule

• Monday, August 10: Begin testing of lane drop area between north 3rd and 5th Avenues; remove striping and place temporary tab striping.
• Tuesday, August 11-Sunday, August 16: Observe traffic operations and adjust temporary striping as necessary.
• Tuesday, August 18: Remove striping on corridor (Washington Avenue from Hennepin to Plymouth Avenues).
• Wednesday, August 19: Resurface and restripe corridor.

This schedule is subject to change.

What you will notice during the work

One key item you will notice is that first we will be placing temporary striping down in the drop area between 3rd and 5th avenues. This is the transition area where the configuration will change between a 4-lane and a 3-lane roadway. The tab striping allows us to move the stripes as we observe how traffic moves through the area. We will be monitoring and adjusting the striping (as needed) over the course of several days, which will include some days when we expect high traffic volume.

Once we have completed this testing, we will place permanent striping in this area, as well as through the remainder of the corridor.

There may be some temporary parking restrictions during the work, but parking should otherwise remain the same in the area.

About the project

Hennepin County, in coordination with the City of Minneapolis, is restriping Washington Avenue (County Road 152) from Hennepin Avenue to Plymouth Avenue in the North Loop area. The goal of this reconfiguration is to increase the safety and well-being for all road users (drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists).

The scope of the project includes changing a portion of the road north of North 5th Avenue from its current 4-lane design (two lanes in each direction) to a 3-lane design (one lane each direction with a center continuous left turn lane). Bike lanes will also be added.

Intended benefits of the project include increased comfort and safety for bike riders; slower speeds; smoother operations for all transportation modes (vehicles, buses, bikes, pedestrians); likely reduction in all crashes due to removal of conflicts and better lane definitions.

More information

See active projects on our interactive road construction map.

Learn more about how transportation is connecting people to places.

For more information go to www.hennepin.us.

For questions about this bulletin contact Bob Byers at robert.byers@hennepin.us or 62-596-0354.

James I. Rice Parkway Resurfacing Begins Next Week

Via an August 5 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:

Pavement resurfacing work is scheduled to begin on James I. Rice Parkway between Plymouth Avenue and Hennepin Avenue on August 12.

 The parkway will be closed between Plymouth Avenue and Portland Avenue for a total of about five days while crews remove and replace a portion of the parkway asphalt surface. The parkway will reopen over the weekend beginning Friday evening, August 14, and close again Monday, August 17 to finish the paving.

In preparation of the pavement resurfacing, small segments of the concrete curb and gutter located along the edge of the parkway will be removed and replaced starting August 6. This work will be completed without closing the parkway to vehicle traffic.

Visit project page.

City of Minneapolis to Host August 10 Public Meeting to Discuss Downtown Public Realm Framework Plan

On Monday, August 10, the City of Minneapolis department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) will be hosting a public meeting to discuss the Downtown Public Realm Framework Plan. The Downtown Public Realm Framework will establish a framework, goals and policies for enhancing the pedestrian experience downtown, with a focus on priority streets and public spaces.

The public meeting will begin with welcome and brief comments by Council Member Jacob Frey and Downtown Council President Steve Cramer followed by a short presentation by City staff. Attendees will be invited to participate in an interactive exercise and to provide feedback.

The Downtown Public Realm Framework is the City’s plan to provide unified guidance to inform and coordinate the work of public and private entities that shape the public realm. The Downtown Public Realm Framework includes an inventory of existing policies, practices, and elements in the public realm. It is intended to inform and guide outcomes in capital planning, site plan review, and public/private partnership toward the coordinated enhancement of the public realm. A Public Realm Framework is a guiding policy document for the management of the Right-of-Way. The purpose of Public Realm Frameworks is the creation of a unified document for the public realm within a certain geographic area. The document will address connections, networks, assets and conditions.

You can learn more about the Downtown Public Realm Framework including access to the project description, meeting minutes, and presentations on the City’s website.

Minneapolis Parks Leads Way in Regional Park Visits

The number of annual visits to regional parks and trails in the seven-county metro area grew to 48.7 million in 2014, according to newly released estimates from the Metropolitan Council.

That’s about 1.5 million more visits than 2013, an increase of 3.3%. Since 2005, annual visits have increased by more than 15 million.

The five most frequently visited parks in the regional system include:
• Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park – 5,476,400 visits
• Como Regional Park, Zoo, and Conservatory Special Recreation Feature – 4,311,000
• Mississippi Gorge Regional Park – 2,692,700
• Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park – 2,275,800
• Minnehaha Regional Park – 1,686,600

Overall, 27% of all visits in 2014 were to regional trails, and 73% were visits to regional parks, park reserves and special recreation features. But many visits to regional parks are for trail use. For example, although Anoka County Riverfront, Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, and Mississippi Gorge are regional parks, the majority of visits to these parks are for trail use. If the trail visits to these parks are included in the trail totals, about 40% of all visits were to regional trails. For The full report, view Metropolitan Council’s 2014 Annual Estimated Use. 

This Wednesday and Thursday at Piazza on the Mall

Weekly Wednesday Concerts Continues with Greg Byers
August 5th, 5:30-6:30pm, FREE Concert with Greg Byers

Throughout his lifelong pursuit of music, Greg Byers has overcome countless obstacles in order to become an idiosyncratic performer, composer, educator, and producer. Greg started playing cello at The Family Suzuki School of Rochester, NY at the uncharacteristically young age of 2 1/2. By age sixteen, he was a talented cellist, but was frustrated with the lack of personal expression found in youth orchestras.

Thanks to several mentors, Greg began to explore the possibilities of the cello in a jazz context.  After working in the Miami music scene, Greg decided to explore opportunities in Los Angeles. LA taught the importance of viewing music from the perspective of not only the performer, but also the composer, music engineer, and business person, so he applied these skills to his debut EP Some Dark, Beautiful Morning. In order to fulfill his aspirations of teaching at the collegiate level, Greg decided to continue his higher learning at McNally Smith College of Music, where he recently graduated with a Master of Music in Performance. 

Now it's your chance to come hear Greg Byers perform at the Piazza for an enjoyable outdoor concert! 

Thursday Social Jam Session
August 6th, 7:00-9:00pm

All are welcome!  Join Ross Hackenmiller Music for the fifth summer Social Jam Session. These sessions are a fun way to do some outdoor improvised music-making at the Piazza!  We'll have a stack of random percussion and noisemakers waiting to be played. Please feel free to bring your own too.

Have your Next Event at the Piazza on the Mall
Event planning services also available. For more information contact:
Max Musicant
max@musicantgroup.com
612-584-9442

Residents invited to help plan the future of NE/SE Minneapolis Parks

Multiple projects underway to shape award-winning park system for next 20 years – and beyond!

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is undergoing what may be the most comprehensive planning effort in its 130 year history. Minneapolis residents are encouraged to get involved and help the MPRB with three distinct, yet deeply intertwined projects: Closing the Gap-Investing in our Neighborhood Parks, RecQuest, and Service Area Master Plans. Residents can get involved by attending a public meeting or subscribing to receive timely emails about the projects.

Public Meetings

From June through September, multiple public meetings will be held in each quadrant of the city to share information about the projects. Meetings will be scheduled 15-30 days in advance. A full schedule is at www.minneapolisparks.org/closingthegap. 

• June:  North Minneapolis
• June/July:  Southwest Minneapolis
• July/August:  South Minneapolis
• August/September:  Northeast and Southeast Minneapolis
  • Wednesday, August 12, 6:30-8:30 pm, Bottineau Recreation Center, 2000 Second St. NE
  • Thursday, August 13, 6:30-8:30 pm, Van Cleve Recreation Center, 901 15th Ave. SE
  • Tuesday, August 25, 6:30-8:30 pm, Luxton Recreation Center, 112 Williams Ave. SE
  • Thursday, August 27, 6:30-8:30 pm, Windom Recreation Center, 2251 NE Hayes St. (Also discussed: Waite Park and Audubon Park)
  • Thursday, September 17, 6:30-8:30 pm, Logan  Recreation Center, 690 13th Ave. NE (Also discussed: Northeast Park)
• September:  Citywide

Anyone requiring meeting modification in order to participate should contact Emily Wolfe at ewolfe@minneapolisparks.org or 612-230-6415 in advance of the meeting.

Subscribe to Receive Email Updates

Details about each project are available at www.minneapolisparks.org. To subscribe to receive timely emails about one or more of the initiatives, visit www.minneapolisparks.org/subscribe, enter your email, then select the project(s) you are interested in under the “Planning” section.

Closing the Gap – a look at the impacts deferred maintenance has had on neighborhood parks

Closing the Gap: Investing in Our Neighborhood Parks looks at the impacts that deferred maintenance – or delaying regular upkeep past the point of repair – has had on the 157 neighborhood parks in Minneapolis.

Neighborhood parks have greatest number of physical assets that require greater resources to operate, maintain and replace. These assets range from outdoor amenities such as wading pools and playgrounds to structural and property infrastructure including roofs, windows, parking lots and much more.  To sustain the current level of physical assets in the park system the MPRB would need $14 million plus inflation each year. The MPRB is currently has $5 million per year to invest in these assets, which means that from 2000 to 2015, the funding gap for neighborhood parks has grown to $111 million.

Unless the replacement and preventative maintenance costs associated with the park system’s infrastructure are addressed, the backlog and costs will continue to increase, and funding gap will grow additional $46 million from 2016-2020 (based on current funding levels).

RecQuest – an in-depth look at recreation centers

RecQuest is the MPRB’s in-depth assessment of its 47 community recreation centers. RecQuest not only considers the physical spaces within the recreation centers themselves, but also the programs, services and activities provided at the centers. The project’s goal to see if the centers are meeting our community’s current needs as well as projected needs 20-30 years into the future. It will also help identify any areas of Minneapolis where programming is not currently offered but needed.

Recognizing that both the demographics and recreation preferences of Minneapolis residents are changing, RecQuest seeks to capture not only the community’s current needs, but also their recreation needs of the future.

Master Plans – a look at the outdoor facilities within the parks

While RecQuest focuses on recreation centers, the MPRB also needs to look at the outdoor parts of a park: playgrounds, athletic fields, wading pools, sports courts and much more. The Park Board most often uses a master planning process for these large projects that span multiple neighborhoods.  Master plans are documents that use community input to create both a long-term vision and key elements of an area. The master plan typically addresses how the area will be managed and operated, and sets priorities and budget estimates for realistically setting the plan in motion.

In the next five years, Service Area Master Plans will be prepared for all five service areas (South, Downtown, Southwest, North, and Northeast). The first master plans to be initiated are the Downtown Service Area Master Plan and the South Service Area Master Plan, which is bounded by the southern and eastern city limits, I-35W, and the I-35W/I-94 downtown loop.

Week 13 at the 2015 Mill City Farmers Market

August 1 at the Market.  :)

Above, the Cynthia Froid Group blueberry giveaway.  Below, Mother Nature having a little fun...

Shoppers gave blood at the Memorial Blood Center Mobile Unit.

Representatives from the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA) gathered feedback on a collaborative project with the Parks Board and the City: Pathways to Places, which will guide future improvements to downtown streets, pathways and parks.

We met representitives from Abiitan (an Ecumen Community) our future neighbors at 2nd Street South and 5th Avenue (kitty-corner to MacPhail Center for Music). Their new community will have 103 apartment homes and 48 memory care apartment homes, and is slated to open Fall 2016.

The steps leading down to West River Parkway are a perfect spot for relaxing with a Mango Lassi from Gorkha Palace.

CSA pick up!

A shopper decides on a necklace from Birchberry Native Arts and Food. I recently bought an unique beaded hummingbird hair clip from them that I love, love, love.

Northern Waters Smokehaus is a very popular vendor.

The goat!

September 11 “Fashioning a Future” Runway Show to Raise Funds for Earthquake Victims in Nepal

(Minneapolis, MN) July 29, 2015 — Minneapolis retailers Key North Boutique and T Lee Custom Designer Jewelry are collaborating on a fashion show fundraiser to help earthquake victims in Nepal rebuild their lives. Proceeds will be donated to AmeriCares’ Nepal Relief Fund which is providing medical supplies and humanitarian aid for families in crisis.

Last year, T Lee Custom Designer Jewelry raised $4000 for the Shree Saraswoti Kunja primary school in central Nepal. This year, Key North Boutique and T Lee Custom Designer Jewelry are collaborating in the hopes of raising more money for the long-term recovery of the Nepali people.

Savvy style expert Grant Whitaker of Whitaker Style will emcee the runway show, with models wearing fashions from Key North Boutique and jewelry from T Lee Custom Designer Jewelry. Key North will feature exclusive women's clothing and accessory collections from American and International (Paris, London, Brussels, Munich) designers. Key North has created a local marketplace for organic, sustainable, fair-trade fashions that supports global designers, artisans and workers who are paid a fair wage. T Lee Custom Designer Jewelry will debut new one of a kind pieces and also a new collection of fine jewelry woven in 24kt and palladium. All materials used in T Lee designs are ethically sourced and mined.

VIP tickets are available for $100, which includes a reserved seat for the runway show, two $50 gift cards (one each from Key North and T Lee), and food and drink. Food will be donated by Gorhka Palace and beverages will be donated by North Loop Wine & Spirits. General admission tickets are available for $10.

For every $1 donated, AmeriCares provides $20 in aid. Because they deliver donated medicines and medical supplies to a trusted network of locally-based providers, the impact is multiplied many times over to save more lives in Nepal. AmeriCares has been aiding survivors of natural disasters, political conflict and extreme poverty around the world for more than 30 years, saving lives and restoring health and hope.

“Fashioning a Future” is sponsored by The Journal and the Southwest Journal.

WHAT: “Fashioning a Future” fundraiser for Earthquake Victims in Nepal
WHEN: September 11, 5:00pm-9:00pm
5:00pm-6:00pm: VIP preview
6:00pm-6:30pm: Runway show
6:30pm-6:45pm: Q&A with Grant Whitaker
6:45pm-9:00pm: socializing and shopping

WHERE: Boardwalk in front of the Key North Boutique and T Lee Designer Jewelry, 515 and 509 1/2 First Ave NE in Old Town Minneapolis (next door to the Red Stag).

COST: $10 general admission; $100 VIP
TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fashioning-a-future-tickets-17809464588
CONTACT: 612-455-6666 or 612-789-2656

About Key North Boutique

Key North Boutique a specialty shop owned by Katie Greene and Gwen Engelbert in Minneapolis. Featuring exclusive women’s clothing, jewelry, and accessory collections from local and international designers, the fabrics are luxe, the designers are among the finest, and it’s all fair trade and sustainable. Learn more at www.keynorthboutique.com.

About T Lee Custom Designer Jewelry

Owned by jewelry designer T Lee and managed by Nathaniel Smith, T Lee Designer Jewelry is committed to ethical and sustainable practices in jewelry making. Focusing on custom design for 32 years, T Lee Custom Designer Jewelry is the Twin Cities premier design team, owning the phrase “There’s nothing we can’t customize.” Learn more at www.tleegold.com.

Franklin Avenue Bridge Construction Update

CONTINUED ACTIVITIES

•Crews are constructing a cofferdam under the bridge in the Mississippi River. As a reminder, a cofferdam is a watertight construction barrier designed for construction in areas that are normally submerged, such as bridge piers. Crews will continue concrete restoration to the bridge piers below the water level once the cofferdam is complete. All boaters and recreational users of the river should be mindful of the construction area and steer clear of the site.

•The contractor is working on a platform for restoring concrete below the bridge deck.

•In the photo above, a crew member is in action applying new concrete to the bridge structure with a technique called shotcrete. Shotcrete is concrete conveyed through a hose at high velocity onto a surface. Shotcrete is placed and compacted at the same time, due to the force with which it leaves the nozzle.

•West River Parkway remains closed at Franklin Avenue Bridge through October 2015. View detour map.

•The Lower East River Parkway trail is closed between the East River Flats (University of Minnesota Boathouse) and Cecil Street while crews restore concrete below the bridge deck.

Hotline: 888-474-8929

Email: franklinbridge@hennepin.us

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