Minneapolis Central City Tunnel - December 3rd Project Update

Via a December 3rd 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. This project is anticipated to be completed summer 2023.

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.

Latest Project News

Chicago Ave

• Crews will begin setting up materials and equipment to install the dewatering well on the northeast corner of the Washington Ave and Chicago Ave intersection the week of December 6.
  • There will be no sidewalk or lane closures needed to complete this work.
  • There may be short, periodic delays while crews move equipment and materials around.

Nicollet Mall

• Crews are setting up the dewatering well and pumps near the southeast corner of the Nicollet Mall and Washington Ave intersection.
  • The eastern sidewalk along Nicollet Mall between Washington Ave and 3rd St N is temporarily closed.
  • Pedestrians are still able to use the sidewalk on the west side of Nicollet Mall.
  • The crosswalk at the Washington Ave intersection remains open.

2nd Ave

• Crews are installing the new tunnel access shaft in the southbound lanes of 2nd Ave S, just north of the Washington Ave intersection. Drilling, excavating, and installing the shaft walls will continue through January 2022.
  • The sidewalks remain open on both sides of the road.
  • The crosswalk at the Washington Ave and 2nd Ave S intersection remains open.
  • 2nd Ave S remains a single lane in each direction using the northbound lanes between Washington Ave and 1st St S.
  • Access to driveways off 2nd Ave S remain open. There may be short-term access delays while crews move equipment and materials around.

 4th Ave

• The east lane of 4th Ave S between 3rd St S and Washington Ave remains closed near the Washington Ave intersection. This is needed to complete setting up the dewatering well and pumps. The dewatering well is anticipated to be completely set up and running by the end of December.
  • The sidewalk on the east side of 4th Ave S remains temporarily closed until the dewatering well is setup.
  • 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 remain open.

 Portland Ave

• The west lane of Portland Ave remains closed between 3rd St S and Washington Ave. This closure is needed to install the dewatering well and pump on the southwest corner of the intersection. Work is anticipated to be completed by the end of December.
  • During this closure, bicyclists share the open traffic lane and pedestrians should use the eastern sidewalk.

Mississippi River Portal

• Crews continue excavating soils above the storm sewer tunnel and grouting near the existing retaining wall at the Mississippi River portal site.
  • The parking lot off Portland Ave east of the Stone Arch Bridge, near Mill Ruins Park, is temporarily closed for the winter and will reopen spring 2022. This closure is necessary to complete the work in this area safely and efficiently.
  • The parking lot near Portland Ave and W River Pkwy remains open.

What to Expect

• Expect additional noise, dust, and vibration as crews complete work.
• Schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

Long-term closures/restrictions

• The north sidewalk along Washington Ave remains closed between Hennepin Ave and Nicollet Mall through spring 2022. The contractor is utilizing an existing shaft in this area to connect the existing tunnel to the new tunnel.
  • During this closure, pedestrians share the bike lane on Washington Ave.
  • The crosswalks at the Washington Ave intersections of Nicollet Mall and Hennepin Ave remain open.

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

Minneapolis Public Works is Hiring and Training

From the December 3rd City of Minneapolis e-news:

Join the teams that keep Minneapolis running, and help spread the word about these opportunities with friends, family and community.

Minneapolis Public Works is hiring and training for several job openings: 

• Public Works service worker 1 trainee: performs manual labor, learns to drive and operate equipment. Supports the department’s construction and maintenance activities. You will be supported in obtaining your CDL Class B license.
• Public Works service worker 1: performs manual labor and drives and operates equipment to support construction and maintenance work.
• Public Works service worker 2: performs manual labor, drives and operates heavy specialty equipment to support construction and maintenance work.
• Water distribution operator 1: performs manual labor and semi-skilled work to maintain the City’s water distribution system.
• Water distribution operator 1 trainee: performs manual labor to maintain the City’s water distribution system.

Applications are accepted Dec. 6-Jan. 16, 2022.

Read more information online and attend one of several upcoming virtual and in-person information sessions throughout the application period.

Applicants can apply online on the City website.

The Cowles Center presents "Who Brought the Humbug?" Dec. 10-19

The Cowles Center is pleased to present Rhythm Street Movement's holiday special, Who Brought the Humbug? 

.

A holiday party has begun but a humbug is afoot - can Ricci Milan and the gang find out who it is and continue celebration? Live music (with a full funk band), incredible tap dance, and a refreshing holiday story with sweet (but not cloying) morals make this a delightful show for the whole family.

.

The in-person, eight-show run begins on December 10, and runs through December 18; Shows take place at 7:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:00 PM matinees are available on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the run. Tickets range from $35-$75 ($75 tickets include a VIP package). Learn more at thecowlescenter.org/humbug21.

Nonprofit Leader: Tonia Teasley, Regional CEO, American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region

Article by Becky Fillinger

Tonia Teasley was recently appointed to CEO of the American Red Cross, Minnesota and Dakotas Region. It’s a large region, comprised of nine community chapters and five Blood Donation Centers, and serves more than 7.3 million people across Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. We spoke to Tonia about the priorities facing the organization and the many ways Mill District residents can get involved in their mission.

Q:  Congratulations on your appointment to CEO of our regional Red Cross. Please tell us about your interest in the Red Cross and priorities for the coming year. 

A:  A year ago, I had the opportunity to drive through an area in Northern California that had been devastated by wildfires just a couple of days before I was there. Seeing the homes that were lost and talking to people who had no home to return to had a profound impact on me. The mission of the American Red Cross is to prevent and alleviate the human suffering that accompanies that kind of disaster. That’s a daunting and inspiring goal, and one I’m ready to take on.

My priority for the coming year is to continue to strengthen the relationship the Red Cross has with the volunteers and donors in this extraordinary community. For me, that means establishing personal relationships with as many of our incredible volunteers and donors as possible. I have so much to learn from them about seeing the need and doing whatever it takes to meet that need – something that our founder, Clara Barton, was so very committed to doing.

We work with our neighbors to make their community more prepared and more resilient in times of crisis. For example, training groups in lifesaving first aid, CPR/AED skills, sharing preparedness resources, such as our free Red Cross apps, and inspiring people to give blood.

The more people and organizations prepare themselves and help each other get ready for emergencies, the more the Red Cross and our partners can focus on those more at risk.

Q:  What are your critical needs and how can we in the Mill District help?

A:  Our critical needs, simply put, are time, blood and money. Donating time to help people after home fires, giving blood at our center at 1201 West River Parkway, or donating money so we can help communities who may not be as fortunate as our neighborhood, are all ways people can become involved.

Thankfully, recent studies show Minnesota ranks second in the country in volunteerism and third in philanthropic giving. Our state is also known for generously rolling up their sleeves to donate blood.

Many people are surprised to find out that more than 90% of our workforce is volunteers. Last year, more than 2,200 people served as Red Cross volunteers, donating in excess of 140,000 hours. One of my goals is to make those hours not just fulfilling, but fun.

In addition to volunteers, our generous financial donors provide the funds that fuel our mission. Our Minnesota and Dakotas region, headquartered in downtown Minneapolis, is a proud member of the Mill City neighborhood. But the Red Cross isn’t buildings – it’s the vehicle connecting the people who want to help with people who need the help – every community, every day.

We supply about 40% of the nation’s blood and we’re currently experiencing historically low blood supply levels, the lowest we’ve seen in over a decade. Compounding this issue, we’re facing the same staffing shortages other nonprofits and businesses across the country are experiencing. It’s a domino effect – staffing shortages mean fewer blood drives and less blood collected. I know that every two seconds someone in our country needs blood. We have a donor center in our Minneapolis building, right in the neighborhood, and encourage everyone who can, to donate blood or platelets.

To learn more and get involved, visit our web site at redcross.org/mndaks.

Q:  I read that the Red Cross Donor App won Best Charitable Giving App in 2021. Please tell us some of the app's features.

A:  The American Red Cross app was ranked Best for Blood Donors in 2021 among top platforms for donating money, time or resources to charity by BestApp.com, an in-depth guide for the latest mobile app reviews and technology trends.

The Red Cross Blood Donor App was selected for helping make giving blood convenient and easy with many special features for donors. Users of the app can start by learning about eligibility based on health, recent travel, etc., then search for blood drives nearby using a built-in map tool and schedule an appointment. Once users have a scheduled appointment, they can complete the RapidPass pre-screening questionnaire directly in the app to save time during their blood drive visit. Donors can also use the app to view donation history and results from health screenings, track which hospital their blood goes to, and learn about other ways to volunteer or contribute.

Q:  Does the American Red Cross Tiffany Circle have a strong local presence?

A:  The Tiffany Circle is a community of women leaders who advance the American Red Cross mission through a focused investment of time, talent and treasure by engaging and embracing women locally, nationally and internationally.

Since the Tiffany Circle was founded in 2007, its members have made a lifesaving impact in their local communities, across the country and around the world. More than 1,000 members strong, these women have collectively provided extraordinary support - more than $120 million - to fulfill the mission of the Red Cross. The Twin Cities Area Chapter was one of eight founding chapters. Our regional Tiffany Circle is honored to count 36 women leaders among its ranks, several of whom also sit on the national board.

Q:  How may we follow your news? 

A:  Please do follow us on Facebook, Twitter or our website. 

MPRB Announces New “Scholarship FUNd” Program for Minneapolis Residents 17 and Under and Adults 55+

Via a November 30 e-announcement from Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) now offers a new scholarship fund designed to help more Minneapolis residents participate in a wide variety of MPRB recreation program.

The new fund, known as the Scholarship FUNd, is a result of the MPRB Board of Commissioners and Superintendent Al Bangoura’s commitment to investment in youth. The Scholarship FUNd will work together with the existing Recreation Fee Waiver program, which is part of the MPRB’s Recreation Fee Assistance Program.

“We have never turned a child away from our recreation centers because of an inability to pay fees,” said MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura. “This new fund simply adds another avenue for more Minneapolis residents to participate in our recreation programs and other activities.”

The Scholarship FUNd is available to Minneapolis residents 17 and under and 55 + with financial limitations. The process for applying and income eligibility are the same for the FUNd and the MPRB Fee Waiver program and include completing an application and providing additional documentation, including proof of residence.

Fee waivers are for the instructional portion of fees only and not for supplies, extra fees, or admission costs for field trips. The Scholarship FUNd covers all costs up to $300 per person, minus a $5 participation fee per activity. A Scholarship FUNd application must be completed every year. Scholarships FUNDs may be used for recreational programs and activities, lessons, youth sports, environmental and naturalist programs, and 9-hole golf. 

In addition to being included in the MPRB 2021/22 budget, the Scholarship FUNd is also funded through individual donations. When anyone registers for a program, they are given an opportunity to make a tax-deductible donation in any amount directly to the Scholarship FUNd. Individuals can also make a tax-deductible donation directly to the Scholarship FUNd at https://www.minneapolisparks.org/volunteer_and_give/

Additional information about the Scholarship FUNd, including guidelines on how to apply – and applications in English, Spanish, Hmong and Somali - are available at https://www.minneapolisparks.org/activities__events/recreation_fee_assistance/.