Posts tagged things in minneapolis
Minn recently selected a general contractor for the project, Black/Dew of North St. Paul, and he hopes to break ground in July for occupancy expected in early 2013. Leasing won’t begin until six months before occupancy. Rents will range from $630 to $675 for a studio, and $745 to $891 for a one-bedroom unit.
The area is poised for massive change. The site is adjacent to a parcel where Doran Companies plans to build the Mill/Main luxury apartments, and is near the Pillsbury A Mill complex, where Dominium plans to redevelop the historic buildings into several hundred low-income rentals, primarily for artists.
Minn’s project is within two historic districts, including the St. Anthony Falls Historic District and the East Side Milling Railroad Corridor Historic District. The building will have a rooftop deck, a solar system and a business center, and Minn said that he hopes to attract people who work downtown and at the University of Minnesota who might want to walk to work. The project is only a block to the Stone Arch Bridge, a former railroad crossing that links southeast Minneapolis to downtown.
I’m really impressed with the initial renderings of this. It will blend in well with the surrounding neighborhood. The solar system seems especially interesting.
Link to developers website:
View from the rooftop (by dmd.hashw)
What Water Works Park could look like | StarTribune
magine being able to explore the tunnels of mills long buried along the Minneapolis riverfront, enjoy live entertainment and grab a bite to eat while overlooking St. Anthony Falls all on the same afternoon.
Welcome to the future Water Works Park.
The Minneapolis Parks Foundation and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board presented conceptual designs last week for a park on the city’s central riverfront where the original Minneapolis municipal Water Works, several mills and the former Fuji-Ya restaurant all once operated along the Mississippi River. The public has through the end of the month to comment on the design.
“The Water Works study area is only three blocks long and one block wide, but its concentration of exciting features make it ideal for a four-season destination park,” said Mary deLaittre, president of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, in a press release.
The area being studied for a potential new park is between Portland Avenue S. and the 3rd Avenue Bridge, and between 1st Street S. and the Mississippi. The area already is a convergence of several riverfront destinations such as the Mill City Museum, the Stone Arch Bridge and the lock and dam.
The conceptual plans show that the park would be comprised of three experimental zones. The south zone, where some ruins are currently exposed, would feature the further excavation of mill ruins so that the public can explore the channels and tunnels that still exist on the riverfront. There’s also an idea to create rooms with the exposed walls and incorporate native gardens, children’s play areas or other experiential spaces. The center zone could be used for programming opportunities such as water-based activities, an entertainment venue and a plaza street. The north section of the park would possibly feature a interpretive or cultural center and a year-round restaurant at the location of the former Fuji-Ya restaurant.
The site’s three-month design process began in December, more than 20 years since the park board purchased the property where the Fuji-Ya sits boarded up. Plans for the tract of land have come and gone. The last developer to try its hand at the site wanted to build a luxury condo tower there, but it didn’t get the required permits so the park board terminated the deal. In 2009, the developer sued the park board for breach of contract, but last year litigation finally ended when the Supreme Court declined to hear the developer’s appeal.
GOP senators: Let the Vikings take out a loan | MinnPost
“[T]hree Republican senators offered a plan Thursday that would limit any direct public subsidy to the team to a $300 million loan. The proposal — which the Vikings and Gov. Mark Dayton quickly dismissed — took the stadium debate at the state Capitol in an entirely different direction: Arguing that the team should only be offered minimal assistance and nothing beyond what other businesses could expect. The three senators, led by Sen. Roger Chamberlain, R-Lino Lakes, said that the state should not be involved in whether the stadium had ‘gold-plated tile’ and needed to cost $1 billion. The Legislature ‘shouldn’t have an interest in whether they build a stadium with a roof or astro-turf, or how many suites they have, or whether it’s in Ramsey County,’ said Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie, a co-author of the proposal. ‘Those are things that the business itself ought to work out with local communities who have interest in hosting that site.’
Sounds sensible to me.
Bird’s eye view of of the Mill District of Minneapolis, MN in 1891 (by Mill City Times)
wr3n:
Hennepin Avenue Bridge, 1865
Officially named “Father Louis Hennepin Bridge”, this was the first of four bridges at this location. It was built in 1855 and at that time was a toll bridge.
IIRC, the toll to cross this bridge was 5 cents walking; 10 cents if you had donkeys. (note the sign between the turrets) It was also the first suspension bridge that spanned the Mississippi in all the country.
First bridge of any type, actually.
Thank you whoever broke into my car last night
I’ve been meaning to clean the coins out of my cup-holder. Too bad for you that most of them were cemented in place by pop residue.
There wasn’t much else of interest in my car, luckily enough. And all of the windows are intact (my car has a habit of not locking on occasion). Someone else in my building was less fortunate (lost some cash, and they tossed the car).
Just an FYI for anybody in the SE University area.
Stone Arch Bridge (by dmd.hashw)
Took this tonight.
“Totino’s Restaurant, 918 West Lake, Minneapolis. Photographer: Norton & Peel Photograph Collection 1957”
Yes, I know this isn’t the Totino’s on Central over Northeast (I’ve already posted a picture of that.) But people that care about Minneapolis history should know that the city’s Historic Preservation Commission is going to hear an application from Hillcrest Development to demolish the building, also known as the Wheaton & Reynolds Building, for some random “mixed use development”.
If you’re curious about it and/or able to attend, the commission is holding its hearing on Tuesday at City Hall. Gets started at 5:30. Here’s the proposal. (.pdf)
Also, I never knew that Totino’s had a place in South Minneapolis twixt Uptown and Lyn-Lake. (Lake & Colfax)
(image via MHS Visual Resources Database)
It would be sad to see the building go, but that entire structure is in such disrepair (and a huge eyesore), I don’t doubt that there isn’t an alternative to demolition. Does Hillcrest have any renderings of what they’re hoping to build on the lot?
Minneapolis moving toward eliminating 'buffer zone' between neighborhood bars and churches | MinnPost
Minneapolis has a zoning history of protecting its churches from drunks. Except downtown, where churchgoers and drinkers have been allowed to mingle at their mutual risk for decades.
But out in the neighborhoods, there’s a buffer zone that prevents booze from being sold within 300 feet of a church or other religious institution unless the seller is making at least 70 percent of its money from the sale of food.
The rule has been blamed for some of the empty storefronts that would make great locations for restaurants.
The new wording would eliminate the 300-foot buffer and reduce financial requirements, allowing holders of a liquor license to make only 60 percent of their money from food. The changes also exempt breweries from the 300-foot rule but do require them to operate the same hours as liquor stores and be closed on Sunday.
“Is that [the 70-percent food rule] too large of a hill to climb for businesses?” asked Council Member Diane Hofstede.
“It’s always a struggle,” replied Grant Wilson, the city’s director of business licensing.
It would have been a pretty dull hearing but a perfect example of moving alcohol across the street from a church was there to plead his case.
Rob Miller, owner of Dangerous Man Brewing Co., would like to sell his craft beer in Northeast Minneapolis, across the street from Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church. He promises 25 parking spots, limited hours of operation and a tastefully done sign produced by a local artist.
“This is a beer joint,” said one opponent of the change, Patricia Hillmeyer, who is from the church. She talked about the tradition of respect between liquor businesses and churches in Northeast and argued to keep the current language, saying, “We have lived very well with the current ordinance.”
“We’re really not talking about a seedy bar,” said Jason Avey, who sells craft beers from his business in St. Louis Park. He said craft beer fans are no longer a small group and are willing to travel for a new taste opportunity. “Beer tourism is a reality.”
“The spot they’ve picked out is not the right one,” said Duane Gagnon, chairman of the parish council. “It doesn’t belong across from a church.”
Dan McElroy, president of Hospitality Minnesota, said he polled his membership on the 300-foot restriction and found they favored a “strong case-by-case review,” as opposed to an across-the-board restriction.
Council Member Gary Schiff, who proposed elimination of the 300-foot rule, said, “We’re making it difficult” for people to make a living or rent out their empty storefronts.
“It works in my ward now” without the rule, said Council Member Lisa Goodman, who represents 30,000 people who live downtown. And more important, “no one has been hit by lightning.”
Elimination of the restriction was approved on a voice vote by the Regulatory, Energy and Environment Committee with small but audible dissent.
Out in the hall, a beaming Miller said he is still six to eight months away from opening his brewery but the rule had been his only obstacle.
He’s waiting to see if the full City Council approves the changes before signing a lease on the space, and he still must apply for his liquor licenses.
![Above is a rendering of the Lake & Hiawatha Station Development [follow the link for more images].
They plan to build in four phases. Phase I is planned for construction beginning next fall, and will include 45k sq. ft. of space for the Midtown Farmers Market, which currently utilizes the space, as well as 225 market rate apartments.
The other three phases will include office and retail space, senior housing, and additional market rate housing.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lu9awlk9rD1qzz62yo1_400.jpg)
Above is a rendering of the Lake & Hiawatha Station Development [follow the link for more images].
They plan to build in four phases. Phase I is planned for construction beginning next fall, and will include 45k sq. ft. of space for the Midtown Farmers Market, which currently utilizes the space, as well as 225 market rate apartments.
The other three phases will include office and retail space, senior housing, and additional market rate housing.
Heidi Kurtze - Director, Property Development presented plans for the new Artspace HQ / Artists housing project to the East Downtown Council today. The project will be built on the “E Liner Parcel” at Chicago & Washington Ave S next to the American Academy of Neurology HQ building, currently under construction across the street from the Guthrie Theater in the Mill District of Downtown Minneapolis.
Below are notes and photos from her presentation:
- Kurtze officially announced that the building will be their new headquarters
- After bouncing back and forth between different names for the building, Kurtze officially announced the name of the development: simple and straightforward “Artspace”
- The building will be 6 stories in height
- There will be 61 units of live/work space for artists
- All units will be affordable housing
- They hope the “Cube” on the corner of Chicago & Washington Ave S will be the signature element
- Exterior will be brick, metal panel and glass
- Commercial space on the 1st floor, hopefully a coffee shop/wine bar
- Will have a green roof, hope to create an urban farm in partnership with the Mill City Farmers Market
- Hope to have an Art Market in conjunction with the Mill City Farmers Market
- Possibly a public gallery
- Plan to break ground summer 2012 and occupy summer 2013
More photos at http://millcitytimes.com/news/breaking-news-artspace-unveils-plans-for-new-headquarters-in.html
Downtown Journal | Luxury apartment tower planned for 5th & Nicollet
Opus Development Corp. has proposed a new 33-story luxury apartment tower at South 5th Street & Nicollet Mall.
The developer presented an overview of the project to the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA) on Sept. 13. It’s scheduled to be reviewed by the Minneapolis Planning Commission’s Committee of the Whole tomorrow.
If approved, it would be the first high-rise apartment building in downtown in nearly three decades. The building would have retail at street and skyway levels and skyway connections to Fifth Street Towers and Neiman Marcus.
“Nicollet Residences will offer a San Francisco or New York-type luxury high-rise apartment living experience that will be the first of its kind in Minneapolis,” said Tom Lund, vice president, real estate development of Opus Development Corporation, in a news statement. “Extensive amenities, a light rail station and two skyway connections will be very attractive to a variety of residents looking for the flexibility of renting rather than owning.”
The project site is a parcel between Nicollet and Marquette on 5th Street formerly home to the Powers Department Store, which closed in the mid-1980s.
Downtown Minneapolis from the U of M Transitway (by dmd.hashw)
Took this on our way back from the State Fair last night.
Prospect of a convention center shocks Vikings stadium watchers | StarTribune
A red circle on a map has become the latest obstacle that Vikings owner Zygi Wilf might have to overcome to win support for his proposed stadium in Arden Hills.
The circle, surrounding 120 acres next to Wilf’s planned 260-acre stadium parcel, drew gasps last week at a St. Paul Rotary luncheon when business leaders saw the label imposed on it — “Potential Convention Center Hotel.”
Ramsey County Commissioner Tony Bennett, the Vikings’ key stadium ally, said that Wilf isn’t looking to build a “major” convention center that would compete with those in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Instead, there might be a “medium-sized convention center/hotel” at the stadium site, Bennett said.
“It’s just a concept. It may change,” he added.
Within a day, Bennett and the Vikings backpedaled, saying the map passed out at the luncheon was out of date.
Team Vice President Lester Bagley, who attended the Rotary lunch and is the architect of the Vikings’ stadium effort, now says the convention center idea is dead.
“There are no plans for a convention center. We are entirely focused on the stadium component,” Bagley said Friday.
But even the possibility that Wilf entertained ideas for a convention center at what would be a state-subsidized project has left some members of the Twin Cities business and political communities stunned.
In moving the Vikings to Arden Hills, Wilf “not only would … be taking this business [the NFL franchise] from us,” Minneapolis City Council President Barbara Johnson said. “But he’d be taking convention business and using state taxes to do it. Yes, it would be bad.
“I don’t know what he’s thinking,” Johnson said.
Karolyn Kirchgesler, president of Visit St. Paul, said the Twin Cities already is unusual in having two convention centers in the same metro area.
“To add another convention center to the mix would not be prudent from an economic standpoint,” she said.
Welcome to Zygi World.
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