Covering life, work, and play in the Historic Mill District and Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront neighborhoods. Have an opinion, local news or events to share? Contact us.
Freewheel Bike, Nice Ride Minnesota, Move Minneapolis and Our Streets Minneapolis were on hand for the Mill City Farmers Market's August 11 "Bike to the Market Day."
Milly the goat!
Minneapolis Visitor Information on Nicollet at 5th Street is celebrating the Minnesota State Fair with a special event and giveaway on Thursday, Aug. 16, noon to 2 p.m. Come by during the event to:
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Minneapolis Visitor Information is the only place you can purchase fair admission tickets in downtown Minneapolis! Sales will run until Aug. 22 during store hours.
Due to scheduled maintenance, buses will replace trains beginning Saturday, Aug. 11 during a partial shutdown on the METRO Blue & Green Line. Customers can board replacement buses near the affected stations. Buses run on similar schedules as trains but can take more time. Customers are urged to plan accordingly.
From 12:15am Saturday, August 11 until 3:30am Monday, August 13, buses will replace Blue and Green Line trains for these stations:
BLUE LINE
- 38th St. (Northbound only)
- Lake St./Midtown
- Franklin Ave.
- Cedar-Riverside
GREEN LINE
- Stadium Village (Westbound only)
- East Bank
- West Bank
DOWNTOWN MPLS-SHARED STATIONS
- U.S. Bank Stadium
- Government Plaza
- Nicollet Mall
- Warehouse-Hennepin Avenue
- Target Field
See maps for boarding locations
Work being conducted includes ramp demolition, railbox repair work, Franklin Avenue bridge work and asphalt work on 11th Avenue.
Also note:
Green Line /Blue Line Detour starting August 11 at 8 AM - 4th St Closed between 1st Ave N and 2nd Ave N until August 12 at approximately 3 AM
Why: Pizza Luce Been Round the Block Party
Board eastbound Green Line/southbound Blue Line replacement buses at:
• 5th St Transit Center
• 4th St at Nicollet
Eastbound Green Line/southbound Blue Line replacement buses will not pick up at:
• 4th St at Hennepin
Via an August 10 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:
Join our team! The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is seeking enthusiastic volunteer coaches for youth soccer, flag football, and volleyball.
Click here to receive more information or to express interest in MPRB volunteer opportunities.
Via an August 10 e-newsletter from Metro Transit:
Routes are changing on Aug. 18
Beginning Saturday, August 18, changes will be made to routes operated by Metro Transit, MVTA and Maple Grove Transit. You can review changes here.
Please visit metrotransit.org on Aug. 18 for new schedule information.
If you know your route and just need departure times, call NexTrip at 612-373-3333.
Get your State Fair Express tickets now
You go to the State Fair for the good, the animals, the rides and more! Getting there on the bus is a fun, blue ribbon tradition, too. Instead of driving, park your car for free and take a stress-free, non-stop, air-conditioned ride straight to the fairgrounds.
Make your plans now for the Minnesota State Fair (Aug. 23 - Sept. 3) and save yourself time and money when you buy your State Fair Express tickets in advance. And with the Metro Transit mobile app, you can save money all through the fair.
Buy now and save up to 25 percent per ticket. But don’t wait – online discounts are only available through Aug. 22. After the fair starts, online tickets will be sold at full price.
Note: Service starts at 9 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends and Labor Day unless otherwise noted at all Metro Transit locations.
Bus Bargain Ticket Prices (Aug. 1-22)
• Single ticket: $4.50 (reg. price $5)
• Group ticket (for 2): $9 (reg. price $10)
• Group ticket (for 4): $15 (reg. price $20)
Mobile app ticket prices remain at discount shown above for the duration of the fair. Get the Metro Transit mobile now on iTunes or Google Play and save now all the way through the end of the fair! Find out more about State Fair service at metrotransit.org/state-fair.
Buses will replace Blue and Green Line trains Aug. 11-13
Buses will replace Blue and Green Line trains beginning Saturday, Aug. 11 through Monday, Aug. 13 during a partial shutdown of the METRO Blue and Green Line to allow for scheduled maintenance. Work being completed includes ramp demolition, Franklin Ave. bridge work, rail box modifications and 11th St. asphalt work.
Beginning at 12:15 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, buses will replace Blue Line trains from 38th Street to Target Field station and Green Line trains from Stadium Village to Target Field station in both directions.
Trains will resume by 3:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 13.
During the disruption, customers can board replacement buses near each affected station.
> See maps for boarding locations.
> Sign up for Rider Alerts to stay up-to-date about upcoming rail maintenance this spring and summer!
Ride Metro Transit to the Irish Fair of MN
Get it touch with your Celtic side and take Metro Transit to the Irish Fair of Minnesota.
The event will be held Aug. 10 – 12 on beautiful Harriet Island in St. Paul. Irish Fair of Minnesota is the largest free Irish festival in the country and includes music groups, traditional dance, animals, sports and more!
For more information about Irish Fair Minnesota and how to get there with Metro Transit, visit irishfair.com/getting-fair.
Rail lines on pace for another year of record ridership
Ridership on the Green Line, Blue Line and Northstar Commuter Rail Line is ahead of last year’s totals through the first half of 2018. All three rail lines saw record ridership in 2017.
Northstar has seen the largest increase in ridership, which is up 5 percent through the end of June. Ridership on the Green Line is up 2.6 percent and ridership on the Blue Line is up 1 percent.
“Growing rail ridership is an indication that this region appreciates reliable, high frequency transit,” General Manager Brian Lamb said. “We’re thrilled to serve so many members of our community and look forward to building on this success moving forward.”
Take Metro Transit to the remaining Twins games
Take Metro Transit to the remaining Twins games! There is still plenty of season left for the boys of summer. Both the METRO Blue and Green lines and Northstar Commuter Rail drop you off within feet of Target Field. With such convenience you could probably justify a couple of more games!
Visit metrotransit.org/twins to plan your next trip (or two) to the ballpark!
Vikings pre-season games are gaining yards!
The Minnesota Vikings begin their pre-season at U.S. Bank Stadium on Aug. 18 and Aug. 24!
Ride with fellow fans and take Metro Transit to all Vikings games this coming season. With both the METRO Blue and Green lines and multiple bus routes taking you right to the gates of U.S. Bank Stadium, there is no reason to worry about parking fees or downtown traffic woes.
There is Northstar service for all Vikings games. Transfer for free at Target Field Station to the METRO Blue or Green Line. Learn more at metrotransit.org/Vikings.
Transit service on Labor Day
Metro Transit buses and METRO Blue and Green lines will follow Sunday/Holiday schedules on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 3). The METRO Red Line will follow weekend/ holiday schedules that day. Northstar trains do not operate on Labor Day.
Via an August 8 e-newsletter from the Minneaplis Park and Rec Board:
Help keep Minneapolis in the swim!
Donate new and gently used swimwear for children, youth, women and men.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is committed to helping everyone use and enjoy the park system's Jim Lupient and North Commons water parks, Webber Natural Swimming Pool (NSP) and the new Phillips Aquatics Center.
These facilities require everyone to wear appropriate swimwear, which can pose a barrier for some. That's why MPRB is collecting swimsuits again this year. Here's how you can contribute:
What to donate
Where to donate
Details
MPRB thanks you for your generosity!
Via an August 6 News Release from mpls downtown council:
Joint Beats collaboration highlighted at annual National Night Out Kickoff event in downtown Minneapolis
NNO Kickoff event set for Tuesday, Aug. 7 from 3-5 pm on Nicollet
The Mpls Downtown Improvement District will hold its annual National Night Out Kickoff event on Tuesday, August 7 from 3-5 pm at the DID Pop-Up Satellite Office outside Gaviidae Common (6th Street & Nicollet).
With Minneapolis being a national leader in the number of National Night Out neighborhood events hosted each year, the NNO Kickoff Event in downtown Minneapolis features games, treats and information about where you can find your neighborhood’s NNO event as well as overall community safety.
This year’s NNO Kickoff Event on Nicollet will feature:
Great visuals are available of community gathering together to play games and meet local officials during the NNO Kickoff event on Nicollet.
Joint Beats collaboration on display at National Night Out
National Night Out also brings members of the ongoing Joint Beats law enforcement collaboration led in partnership with the mpls downtown council and Downtown Improvement District together to meet members of the community and interact while helping promote neighborhood safety.
Now in its 12th year, the Joint Beats program showcases collaboration between MPD, HCSO and Metro Transit Police Department that increases law enforcement visibility on the streets and helps enhance collaboration with street outreach teams—all in an effort to keep downtown safe during the summer months.
The 2018 Joint Beats program launched on Memorial Day and will run through Labor Day. During that span, more beat officers are being placed in downtown’s core as a way to enhance real and perceived safety during the summer months. Below are highlights from the partnership’s leaders on the impact it has downtown.
“We strive to create a consistently compelling experience downtown—one that everyone who lives, works, plays and visits here can enjoy,” said Steve Cramer, president & ceo of the mpls downtown council and Downtown Improvement District. “Partnerships with law enforcement agencies help make that possible through their visibility on the streets and their support of our other strategies like outreach and activations downtown.”
“Collaborative safety plans require collaboration—and Joint Beats is a perfect example of why that’s especially true of public safety efforts.” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. “Every year, Joint Beats brings our law enforcement partners and the community together to help achieve the goal of keeping downtown safe and inviting for all.”
“The Joint Beats collaboration really highlights the importance of relationships between our law enforcement partners, as we collectively provide a visible presence downtown,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo. “I’d also like to recognize the tremendous contribution of social service ‘street outreach’ workers; everyone is working together to increase public safety for those who live, work and visit Downtown.”
"Downtown is the heart of this county, and the entire Metro area," Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek said. "It needs to be safe and secure for residents and visitors."
“Working together and collaborating with our fellow law enforcement agencies is something we at Metro Transit Police feel is very valuable to the community,” said Metro Transit Police Chief John Harrington. “Keeping the visitors, riders and operators safe is our top priority, and the Joint Beats initiative is one that annually yields results doing that.”
The continued efforts this summer communicates a serious and shared focused on downtown safety, which is the foundation of any successful community. The Joint Beats program works in tandem with City of Minneapolis leadership, the downtown business community, and street outreach organizations to help meet the needs of all who live, work and play downtown.
Via an August 6 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:
Each week, Hennepin County will provide the latest stats on absentee voting progress and pre-registered voters for the 2018 Minnesota primary.
Absentee voting
As of Monday, August 6, at 8 a.m. in Hennepin County:
• Total ballots issued (mail and in-person absentee voting) – 26,600
• Ballots issued since Monday, July 30 – 6,700
• Total ballots received and accepted (mail and in-person absentee voting) – 15,300
• Ballots received and accepted since Monday, July 30 – 5,800
For comparison, the final count of absentee ballots received and accepted in the 2016 primary was nearly 8,000. The final count of absentee ballots received and accepted in the 2014 primary was just over 9,000. The 2018 primary has already surpassed these two elections, with 15,300 ballots received and accepted to date in Hennepin County.
Hennepin County cities with the highest numbers of absentee voters:
• Minneapolis: 7,390
• Bloomington: 1,015
• Plymouth: 835
• Edina: 800
Pre-registered voters
Hennepin County has 749,000 pre-registered voters for the Minnesota primary. Voters can register at their polling place on Minnesota primary day, August 14.
Voters also can look up their polling place, sample ballot, voter registration status, and absentee ballot status at mnvotes.org.
For more information about elections and voting in Hennepin County, visit hennnepin.us/elections.
Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.
For six of the past seven years, the Minneapolis park system has been rated as the best in the U.S. A great example of this success is Webber Park in North Minneapolis. It has seen its ups and downs, but for over 100 years this park has been an important focal point in the Camden community.
Second dam on Shingle Creek
For almost twenty years the Minneapolis Park Board planned on acquiring land near the Mississippi River in Camden for a new park. As the need for a park in the area became more apparent, Superintendent Theodore Wirth and his colleagues gathered enough votes to establish a park along Shingle Creek. While the neighbors and businesses in the area were split 50/50 on the idea of having to pay for the new park, the foundation was in place. In 1909 Camden Park officially opened, with one of its key features being a pond that the park board put there by damming Shingle Creek. The nucleus of the park would be a new recreation building next to the pond, featuring a library on the 2nd floor. This was made possible by Charles and Mary Webber, who donated the money for the construction with three conditions. The building had to be named after their 9-year-old son, John Deere Webber, who had recently passed away, a new dam had to be built along the creek, and an outdoor playground had to be installed for the children of the neighborhood to enjoy. Charles Webber, who was the grandson of John Deere, owned and operated the Minneapolis branch of his grandfather’s company, which made it possible for his family to give back to the community by helping create one of the nicest parks in the city. It is because of the Webber’s contributions that Camden Park was renamed Webber Park in 1939.
The pool and pond quickly became a popular spot to cool off during the summer, and events such as log rolling contests and canoe races were a frequent sight at the park. The pollution that ran through the creek eventually became too much of a hazard, and in 1927 a new pool was made that used city water and filtration and chlorination systems. These upgrades saw its popularity rise, and in the 1930’s, as many as 1,400 children per day would use the pool during the Summer months. It wouldn’t be until 1979 when significant upgrades to the pool would be made again, with the most recent renovations coming in 2015. The current pool went back to its roots and used natural filtration from the creek and pond, thus making it the nation’s first public natural swimming pool when it reopened in on July 24th, 2015.
From 1910 to 1953, the library on the second floor of the recreation building was a huge hit for the children in the area. During the early years of the first iteration of the library, Ms. Countryman noted that “when [the children] are tired of playing they come up and settle down happily with their books. The library to them is one of their happy recreational spots, a feeling that is shared by their parents, who also participate in the community pleasures offered in the park." In 1953, the park board and library system came to an agreement to renovate the first floor of the recreation building so the library could expand.
Original Webber Park Library
Webber Park Library
The current Webber Park Library sits in a brand-new building that opened just over a year ago in May of 2017. This came after a 17-year debate about what to do with the old library. Renovate it or build a new one? The new library is once again a place where children can go once they tire themselves out from a long day of swimming and playing, and is a state-of-the-art facility that will without a doubt contribute to the growth of the community.
While buildings, park equipment, and other amenities have been replaced throughout the long history of the park, one thing has stayed the same, and that is the importance it holds within the Camden community. For over 100 years people have enjoyed the trails, fields, pool, and library of Webber Park, and in this constantly changing world, it is always nice to have an anchor in this community that never fails to spread peace, joy, and love to everyone who calls North Minneapolis their home.
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About Michael Rainville, Jr.
A 6th generation Minneapolitan, Michael Rainville Jr. received his B.A. in History from the University of St. Thomas, and is currently enrolled in their M.A. in Art History and Certificate in Museum Studies programs.
Michael is also a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment LLC, giving Segway tours of the Minneapolis riverfront for 5+ years.
He can be reached at mrainvillejr@comcast.net.
Submitted by Joe Tamburino
Dear Editor:
The Minneapolis City Council is about to decide whether to allow the city’s charter to be amended by ballot question in November to give the council shared power with the mayor over the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD). Mayor Frey and Chief Arradondo strongly oppose this amendment and argue that the enforcement of laws must remain the prerogative of the mayor’s office - they are absolutely right.
The city’s charter, which has remained intact since 1920, is the foundational law of the city. It directs the mayor (executive authority) to be responsible for the police and the council (legislative authority) to institute policy and legislation. The proposed charter amendment would drastically change these sound and well-established governing rules and permit the 13-member council to govern the MPD. This would be a disaster.
One can imagine the finger pointing that would occur if the council obtained even partial control over the MPD. For example, if something goes wrong and someone, a police officer or citizen, is harmed or injured, any council member can blame other council members, who can then blame the mayor, who can in turn blame the 13-member council. No one is ultimately accountable.
Interestingly, this imprudent proposed amendment, in its current form and wording, hangs by a thread. Its passage appears to depend on one person - Council Member (CM) Steve Fletcher of the Third Ward, our council member for downtown. Thankfully, CM Fletcher has publicly stated his position and opinion that all executive authority over the MPD must remain with the mayor. We should expect him to keep his word.
It is concerning, however, that CM Fletcher has also supported language in the current proposal that gives the council the “authority to adopt policies, rules and regulations of the police department subject to the approval of the mayor as defined in section 4.4(c).” Section 4.4(c) allows the council to override a mayor’s veto on any proposed law by a two-thirds vote. In other words, the council would still ultimately control all of the rules, policies, and regulations of the MPD.
I have been practicing law for 29 years, have litigated thousands of matters in court, and have argued many cases in the appellate courts. I can unequivocally state that CM Fletcher’s position that the mayor should have all executive power while the council would have all regulatory power over the MPD is what’s called a legal incongruity. It’s literally contradictory.
By definition, executive authority makes and enforces rules over a government agency. The mayor cannot have executive authority over the MPD if the council dictates the MPD’s rules and regulations. The council’s authority is, and should remain, limited to making ordinances for the city. The rules and regulations by which the MPD operates must rest with the mayor if the mayor is to retain executive authority.
CM Fletcher has already stated his position that the mayor must retain executive powers over the MPD. We should hold him to his word and urge him to vote against this proposal without any further amendments or changes.
Article by Claudia Kittock
A few years ago, I asked for a meeting with Ilhan Omar’s chief of staff. The purpose of the meeting was to learn the best way to invite the Cedar Riverside community to events in the Mill District. Her immediate response was, “Do you know Coach Jennifer Weber?” I didn’t, but quickly set up a meeting. We ‘clicked’ and began a friendship and working relationship that continues to click!
Jennifer Wigchers Weber, or ‘Coach’ as she is known by everyone, is an extraordinary woman. She is the mother of 3 grown children, and decided when the last had left the house that she was going back to college. She chose Augsburg and began her work toward a teaching license in special education. Part of that degree is working as an aide in a school, and Jennifer chose the charter school, Cedar Riverside Community School. After earning her degree, Jennifer became the behavior specialist at the school and recently added the title of Community Liaison.
The first project Jennifer and I collaborated on was the founding of the Mill City Players. Jennifer has been incredibly successful in getting many young people from the Cedar Riverside community interested in becoming actors in our troupe. Everything we have been able to do with the Players has been because of our partnership with Jennifer and the community.
Coach Jennifer with Cedar Riverside youth and their innovative Sports Check It Out program.
Jennifer also noticed the lack of youth sports in the Cedar Riverside community. Her plan for changing that was sheer genius. Jennifer decided to begin every sport with a girls team. She consulted with the elders in the community, and with other partners was able to design a sports hijab that allowed the girls to play sports while satisfying the need to be modest in dress. Once the girls team started, the boys were clamoring to have a team too! Notice the genius of her brain! There are no limits to Coach Jennifer’s creativity, her drive, nor her devotion to our neighboring community.
Friends of the Mill District is pleased to announce the addition of Jennifer Wigchers Weber to their board. With coach Jennifer comes the addition of the sports programs she designed, founded and continues to coach. The future of our charity just got a lot more interesting! Stay tuned for more announcements.
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About Claudia Kittock
Join in Go Outside with Hennepin County events this August for fitness classes, family fun, the Minneapolis Farmers Market, piano performances and more. There is no cost to attend any of the following events.
Events at Target Field Station
Alchemy 365 outdoor fitness classes
- Mondays, August 6, 13, 20
- 5:30-6:30pm
- More about Alchemy 365
Most Epic Family Day
- Sunday, August 12
- Noon - 4pm
- Animals, arts and crafts, games, bounce house and more
Outdoor movies
- Wednesday, August 8, 7 p.m.: “Coco”
- Wednesday, August 22, 7 p.m.: “Mary Poppins”
Events at Hennepin County Government Center
- Downtown Farmers Market: Tuesdays 9am - 3pm, now - October
- Yard games and activities: Wednesdays 11:30am - 1:30pm, now - end of August
- Pianos on Parade performances: Thursdays Noon - 1pm, now - end of August
Hennepin County voters place ballots directly into counting machines
Hennepin County eligible voters can directly place their ballots into a ballot counter when voting in person the week before the Minnesota primary.
Voting machines will record votes as they are turned in August 7-13, but will not report results until after polls close on election day, which is August 14.
Direct balloting provides many benefits to voters:
It also helps election officials by providing:
In-person absentee voting is available now through August 13 at most city halls across Hennepin County and at the Early Vote Center in downtown Minneapolis at 217 S. Third Street. Each city location can accommodate voters who live in that particular city. Check available locations.
Voters who live anywhere in Hennepin County also may vote in person at the Hennepin County Government Center – 300 S. Sixth Street, Minneapolis – skyway level.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Pre-primary extended hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, August 11, and until 5 p.m. Monday, August 13.
Find information about voting and elections in Hennepin County at hennepin.us/elections.
The public can contact Hennepin County Elections at 612-348-5151 or hc.vote@hennepin.us
Via an August 1 News Release from Meet Minneapolis:
Today the Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) surprised staff members with news the MCC is the recipient of the 2018 Venue Excellence Award from the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). This award, from an international panel of peers, recognizes the MCC as one of the five best-managed venues within the IAVM membership – a category that includes convention centers, arenas, stadiums, complexes, casinos and more.
“It is incredibly gratifying to win this award, particularly because we were competing with venues of all types throughout the world, not just convention centers,” said MCC Executive Director Jeff Johnson.
Johnson added, “This validates the dedication and effort our entire team puts into providing a world-class hospitality venue for our clients and the community. Our employees are among the best in the world and, because of them, we are achieving our mission of serving this community by creating employment opportunities for workers, as well as generating tax revenue for the city.”
In winning this year’s Venue Excellence award, the MCC was judged in several areas:
The MCC award submission made note of several areas of success including:
This marks the second time the MCC has been recognized as a Venue Excellence award recipient; it was also honored in 2014 in a stand-alone category for convention centers. Johnson, MCC Director of Business Administration Chris Hunjas, and Senior Event Coordinators Ivory Smith and Justin Carlson accepted this year’s award in Toronto on July 25.
Mill City Times | 35W Bridge Memorial | Mill District Block Party | Mill City Media
Saturday, August 11, 2018 at 6:30PM