I-35W Bridge over the Mississippi

Dec. 14, 2007 Greetings!

If you have questions, contact:
Amy Barrett, Public Information Officer
(612) 807-3264
e-mail: abarrett@flatironcorp.com

Cranes migrate to I-35W Bridge construction site

The crane count at the construction site is up in the double digits now. In addition to the cranes provided locally, some have come to Minneapolis from as far away as Denver and Manitowoc. These cranes can lift between 15 and 250 tons, and they will be doing a lot of heavy lifting while they winter here. Some of the cranes-like the Dawes crane in the background of the photo-drill shafts. Other cranes-like the ALL crane in the foreground-then hoist rebar cages, weighing more than 100,000 pounds, into the shafts. The shafts are then filled with concrete.

Read the rest of this entry »

<strong>Marcy-Holmes Residents & Stakeholders
Your vote is needed for a $150,000 question:
Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008, 7:30 p.m.</strong>
at a neighborhood meeting
in University Lutheran Church of Hope
601 13th Ave SE (parking lot on north side of church)

The Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association Board asks neighborhood residents, business and property owners to <strong>consider reallocation of approximately $150,000 in the Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) for a low-interest loan program for property rehabilitations</strong>.

For more information contact the Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association:
612-623-7633 / office@marcy-holmes.org / www.marcy-holmes.org

Marcy-Holmes Residents & Stakeholders
Your vote is needed for a $150,000 question:
Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
at a neighborhood meeting
in University Lutheran Church of Hope
601 13th Ave SE (parking lot on north side of church)

The Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association Board asks neighborhood residents, business and property owners to consider reallocation of approximately $150,000 in the Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) for a low-interest loan program for property rehabilitations.

For more information contact the Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association:
612-623-7633 / office@marcy-holmes.org / www.marcy-holmes.org

TCF Bank Stadium Area

Construction Update

12/10/07

Download PDF 

Infrastructure – Infrastructure work surrounding the Stadium Site is complete. Roadways have been reconfigured, sidewalks installed and all parking lots are open. Miscellaneous landscaping work will be completed in the spring.

Lane restrictions continue on westbound UNIVERSITY near OAK STREET, however, to accommodate installation of the steam tunnel for the Medical Biosciences Building.

Stadium Construction – The foundation for the Stadium is under construction and is scheduled to be finished in early January 2008. All 2200 foundation pilings have now been installed as the underpinning of the stadium foundation. Enclosed below is a photo of the last foundation pile being driven on Friday Dec. 7^th? Each piling is a steel pipe that is drilled into bedrock, filled with concrete, and then capped in concrete.

During the rest of the month, crews will be finishing pile caps, installing beams between the caps and then laying concrete over the pilings, caps and beams.

View the stadium webcams at http://www1.umn.edu/stadium/index.php.

Other Issues – Environmental cleanup continues of contaminated soil on the former Republic Creosote site (northwest portion of the Huron Avenue Parking complex). The cleanup is being completed under a Response Action Plan approved by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in February 2007. Under that plan, the creosote-contaminated soil is being removed from the stadium site and trucked to a permitted facility in the southern metro area. There, the soil is being thermally treated to remove contaminants and then sent to a State-licensed landfill for final disposal. Go to www.umn.edu/stadium/environmental_process.html for details.

Non Stadium related Projects – The University has begun work on a Medical Biosciences building adjacent to the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR) on 6^th Street SE. As part of that project, a steam tunnel is being extended underneath University Ave. There will be lane closures and/or traffic delays in the vicinity of Oak & University accommodate extension of the steam tunnel. For more information, contact Kevin Ross at 626-8283.

CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW

Major road and infrastructure construction began in March south and west of the TCF Bank Stadium site bounded by Oak, University, 6^th St and 23^rd Ave SE. (See enclosed map). New utilities have been installed and portions of Oak, University, Huron and Washington have been expanded and reconfigured to handle increased traffic from the Stadium and other developments in the East Gateway area of the University.

Road and infrastructure work is complete, but there could still be occasional lane closures, lane shifts and congested traffic at times. Drive carefully and allow extra time to reach destinations.

Construction of the Stadium itself has begun. The foundation is being installed and is scheduled for completion in early January after which time steel erection will begin.

Questions? Contact Brian Swanson, Stadium Project Coordinator at 612 625-6665 or bswanson@umn.edu

Read this and more on the Stadium Website at http://www1.umn.edu/stadium/index.php

NOTE: Project information may change due to weather, scheduling or other factors outside of our control. Information will be updated as soon as it becomes available.

Reminder there is no MHNA General membership meeting in December.

The MHNA Board will meet Tuesday Dec. 11 at President Arvonne Fraser’s home,
821 7th St SE, 6 pm.

MHNA Land Use Committee has changed its meeting place to Wilde Roast Café,
518 East Hennepin, featuring “French toast so deliriously decadent it
approaches Enron-like levels of overindulgence” …Rick Nelson, Star Tribune

Land Use meets the first Wednesday of the month.

New Neighborhood Concierge Service Planned

Paul & Munce White need to know if MH area residents are interested in a new service called “Marcy One Call” that will provide homeowners and renters with “condominium like” services. Go to http://marcyonecall.blogspot.com to hear about it and give your feedback.

Marcy Open School Student Photography Exhibition opening

Dec. 13 from 5 to ­ 7 pm.

All 660 students learned to use digital cameras, even the kindergartners. Please come to their show!

First floor, Marcy Open School
415 4th Ave SE.

The “French Café” will offer appetizers, treats and beverages for sale in support of the Middle School 2008 French Camp trip.

December events at Vesper College
201 6th St SE

December 14th - Gallery Show
Studio Pu, Studio Abode and Studio Ground Latch
4pm - 8pm

MHNA members are invited to attend.

December events at Vesper College
201 6th St SE

December 14th - Gallery Show
Studio Pu, Studio Abode and Studio Ground Latch
4pm - 8pm

MHNA members are invited to attend.

Would you like to see a dogpark here in the neighborhood?

Some neighbors are starting the groundwork ­ if you would like to help, call the MHNA Office 623-7633 or email office@marcy-holmes.org.

New improved bus routes are coming to our area.

Route 829: Service on this existing limited stop route on Central Avenue to
downtown Minneapolis will double from three to six trips in each direction
during rush hours. Route 829 boards along Nicollet Mall in downtown.

Route 241: This is a new route launching from a new park-and-ride that
opens Monday at the southbound exit ramp from I-35W at Industrial Boulevard.
Customers will have limited-stop service via I-35W south to 4th Street and
Central Avenue, then into downtown Minneapolis on Marquette Avenue. Nine
trips in each direction will be offered during rush hours.

Route 141: For those who usually take Route 4 into downtown Minneapolis, a
new limited-stop service will be available using Route 141. This service
originates at Silver Lake Village near Cub and follows Johnson Street.
Route 141, while using local streets only, will be non-stop from the Quarry
Shopping Center into downtown Minneapolis on Hennepin Avenue.

Route 118: If the destination is the University of Minnesota, new service
is just around the corner. Beginning on January 22nd, Metro Transit will
offer limited-stop service on new Route 118 to both the East and West Banks
of the U of MN. The service will originate at the Columbia Heights Transit
Center, travel south along Central Avenue to Lowry, then to Stinson Parkway.
On Stinson, it will head south toward New Brighton Boulevard, where it will
pick up I-35W south to University Avenue. Once at the U of MN, service stops
will include Dinkytown and the East and West Bank along Washington Avenue.

These service enhancements are part of the Metropolitan Council’s continuing
efforts to help the region and its citizens deal with congestion caused by
the loss of the I-35W bridge over the Mississippi. The service is funded by
emergency federal assistance dollars, and if it proves successful, Metro
Transit hopes to continue enhancements even after the bridge is restored.

A few weeks ago the City Council created an NRP Work Group as part of its community engagement review that is putting together options for the community and City Council to consider.  The group’s charge is to frame options for:

1. A proposed administrative structure to support community engagement activities;

2. Expectations of services community or neighborhood organizations would
provide through citizen participation contracts; and

3. Extending or not a formal program of using discretionary funds for community-initiated projects.

The Work Group plans to bring an initial set of options to the City  Council Committee of the Whole on Thursday, December 20, 2007.  The  original request was to report back on December 6th however  considering the complexity of the charges, the group is taking a little more time to carefully work through them.

In January there  will be opportunities for the community to offer input on the options  before they go to the City Council.  Stay tuned for additional  details about those opportunities.

The NRP Work Group includes:
* Council President Barbara Johnson,Council Vice-President Robert Lilligren
* Council Member Paul Ostrow, chair of Ways and Means/Budget committee
* Council Member Betsy Hodges, chair of Inter-governmental Relations
committee
* NRP Director, Bob Miller, Mayoral representative, Cara Letofsky

For more information on the action that created the NRP Work Group  please refer to the October 18, 2007, Committee of the Whole agenda on the City’s Web site at:

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2007-meetings/20071019/
COW20071018agenda.asp

Minneapolis City Council, Committee of the Whole
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2007-meetings/20071221/cow.asp

Open to the public December 20, 2007 10 a.m.
Council Chamber, Room 317 City Hall 350 South 5th Street

A few weeks ago the City Council created an NRP Work Group as part of its community engagement review that is putting together options for the community and City Council to consider.  The group’s charge is to frame options for:

1. A proposed administrative structure to support community engagement activities;

2. Expectations of services community or neighborhood organizations would
provide through citizen participation contracts; and

3. Extending or not a formal program of using discretionary funds for community-initiated projects.

The Work Group plans to bring an initial set of options to the City  Council Committee of the Whole on Thursday, December 20, 2007.  The  original request was to report back on December 6th however  considering the complexity of the charges, the group is taking a little more time to carefully work through them.

In January there  will be opportunities for the community to offer input on the options  before they go to the City Council.  Stay tuned for additional  details about those opportunities.

The NRP Work Group includes:
* Council President Barbara Johnson,Council Vice-President Robert Lilligren
* Council Member Paul Ostrow, chair of Ways and Means/Budget committee
* Council Member Betsy Hodges, chair of Inter-governmental Relations
committee
* NRP Director, Bob Miller, Mayoral representative, Cara Letofsky

For more information on the action that created the NRP Work Group  please refer to the October 18, 2007, Committee of the Whole agenda on the City’s Web site at:

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2007-meetings/20071019/
COW20071018agenda.asp

Minneapolis City Council, Committee of the Whole
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2007-meetings/20071221/cow.asp

Open to the public December 20, 2007 10 a.m.
Council Chamber, Room 317 City Hall 350 South 5th Street

Celebrate Northeast Nights with the Northeast Business Association!

Each business participating will feature a different event each month.

Events take place from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

For more information visit www.northeastminneapolis.com.

Coming up: A Season of Giving on Thursday, December 13.   Co-sponsored with Eastside Neighborhood Services.Look for these special activities:
* Enter to win a $500.00 Shopping Spree
* Donate toys, non-perishable food items and personal hygiene items to
charity! Drop off points from now until 12/13 include Let’s Cook, Surdyk’s,
Bibelot, Spot Spa Boutique, The Red Stag, Keegan’s Pub, Pacifier, The
Bulldog, Look + See

Celebrate Northeast Nights with the Northeast Business Association!

Each business participating will feature a different event each month.

Events take place from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

For more information visit www.northeastminneapolis.com.

Coming up: A Season of Giving on Thursday, December 13.   Co-sponsored with Eastside Neighborhood Services.Look for these special activities:
* Enter to win a $500.00 Shopping Spree
* Donate toys, non-perishable food items and personal hygiene items to
charity! Drop off points from now until 12/13 include Let’s Cook, Surdyk’s,
Bibelot, Spot Spa Boutique, The Red Stag, Keegan’s Pub, Pacifier, The
Bulldog, Look + See

THE MINNEAPOLIS PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

There are four ways to participate in the update to the city’s comprehensive
plan, The Minneapolis Plan for Sustainable Growth.

First, you may read the
plan on-line at www.minneapolisplan.info and fill out the on-line survey.

Second, you may view a copy of the plan at one of the city’s public libraries or at the Planning offices at Room 210 in City Hall.

Third, you may attend one of five open houses scheduled during the month of January. (Look for details on the website: www.minneapolisplan.info.)

Fourth, you may utilize the 45-day public review period for the plan, which runs January 1 thru February 15, 2008, to communicate your comments.  The email address for the comprehensive plan is planupdate@ci.minneapolis.mn.us.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Help reduce your chance of becoming a crime victim.  Auto thefts increase
during the cold weather due to vehicles left running with keys inside.

Remember:  It takes only a second to smash a window and take your vehicle.
Also, It’s against Minneapolis City Ordinance to leave your car running
unattended.  City Ordinance 478.160 states, “Failure to lock ignition and
remove key from passenger vehicle” is a towable offense.

BREAKFAST WITH A PRESERVATIONIST:
WASHBURN “A” MILL GRAIN ELEVATORS RE-USE STUDY

Wednesday, December 12, 8 am
Mill City Museum, 704 Second Street South, first floor Mill Commons

Pick up breakfast at the Mill City Cafe on the first floor and then learn
about the ongoing re-use study for the elevators in a discussion led by
Miller Dunwiddie Architecture.

FREE and open to the public; no RSVP needed.