Monthly Archives: October 2016

CPM Development Seeks to Swap Lakefront Houses for Five-story Condo

The following article by Michelle Bruch, dated October 18, 2016, was published in the Southwest Journal.

(Park Watch Note:  As far as I can recall, this is the first time since 1988 when the Shoreland Height Ordinance was passed 13 to 0 by the Minneapolis City Council that a developer has attempted to exceed the 35 foot limit on a MPRB lake parkway by proposing a condominium complex that would be 55 feet in height.

The intent of the Shoreland Height Ordinance was to protect the city’s lakes from excessive height.  Anything over 35 feet was considered excessive height. Until now, developers have respected the Shoreland Height Ordinance on Minneapolis’ lake parkways.   This proposed 55 foot condominium project would replace three houses with 14 to 16 one million dollar condos fronting on E. Lake Calhoun Parkway.)
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City of Minneapolis filing to FERC on Crown Hydro EA and Proposal

The following item has been forewarded by Doug Verdier.

City of Minneapolis filing to FERC on Crown Hydro EA and Proposal

On 10/25/2016, the following Filing was submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C.:


Filer:         City of Minneapolis, Minnesota
            City of Minneapolis, Minnesota (as Agent)

Docket(s):         P-11175-025
Lead Applicant: CROWN HYDRO CORPORATION                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Filing Type:     Comment on Filing
Description:     Comment of City of Minneapolis, Minnesota regarding the Crown Mill Hydroelectric Project under P-11175.

To view the document for this Filing, click here
http://elibrary.FERC.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_num=20161025-5065

Second Submission to FERC by Friends of the Lock and Dam on the Crown Environmental Assessment dated 10/20/16

Second Submission to FERC by Friends of the Lock and Dam on the Crown Environmental Assessment dated 10/20/16

Attached are the comments of Friends of the Lock and Dam on the Crown Environmental Assessment (filed October 20, 2016 with FERC).

Friends of the Lock and Dam believe the EA is woefully inadequate and that the Crown project would preclude a much higher and better public use of the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock.
fld-ea-comments

 

Park Budget Boosts Neighborhood Park Spending

Public Invited to Comment on MPRB Superintendent’s Proposed 2017 Budget

Public Invited to Comment on MPRB Superintendent’s Proposed 2017 Budget

The proposed budget and related documents are available for viewing at www.minneapolisparks.org/budget or by calling 612-230-6400. The public may comment on the proposed budget during the following times:

  • Nov. 2, Public Comment Session – Administration and Finance Committee meeting, MPRB Headquarters, 2117 West    River Road, Minneapolis. The Committee meeting will follow the Board’s regular meeting, which begins at 5 pm.
  • Nov. 16, Public Comment Session – Regular Board meeting, MPRB Headquarters, 2117 West River Road,              Minneapolis, at 5 pm.
  • November 30, Administration & Finance Committee Approval of 2017 Budget – MPRB Headquarters, 2117 West    River Road, Minneapolis. Comments may be made during 5:30 pm regularly scheduled Open Time session.
  • Dec. 7, Public Hearing and Board Approval of 2017 Budget – City of Minneapolis public hearing on 2017 tax levy and  2017 Budget, City Hall, Council Chambers Room 317, 350 South 5th Street, Minneapolis, at 6:05 pm.

First Avenue Amphitheater Pitched to Anchor Minneapolis Riverfront Development

The following article by Nick Halter, dated October 18, 2016, was published in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

First Avenue Amphitheater Pitched to Anchor Minneapolis Riverfront Development 
Nightclub owner First Avenue Productions is joining forces with two Twin Cities developers on a plan to re-imagine the Upper Harbor Terminal, a North Minneapolis riverfront property.

Bloomington-based United Properties and Minneapolis firm Thor Construction joined First Avenue on the proposal. They make up the only team to respond to a request for qualifications to be the master developer for the northern half of the 48-acre site, the city and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board announced on Monday.

The plans show an amphitheater that would hold music and performing arts festivals, according to a source who saw the plans but was not authorized to discuss them. Broader, long-range plans show light manufacturing, housing and retail on the entire site.

 

To continue reading click on the link to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2016/10/17/first-avenue-amphitheater-pitched-to-anchor.html

Second Open House for Calhoun-Harriet Trail Improvements Project Scheduled Nov. 9

Second Open House for Calhoun-Harriet Trail Improvements Project Scheduled Nov. 9

Attend public meeting Nov. 9, 6-8 pm at Lyndale Farmstead Park to review preferred concept

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is hosting a second public meeting for planned trail and access improvements around Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun. The meeting is scheduled Nov. 9, 6-8 pm at Lyndale Farmstead Recreation Center, 3900 Bryant Ave. S.

Improvements will focus primarily on pedestrian and bicycle circulation at Northeast Calhoun and Southeast Harriet as well as general trail and access upgrades around both lakes. Interested park users are encouraged to attend to review and discuss the preferred concept, ask questions and share ideas.

The first open house for this project was held on Oct. 4. Materials from that meeting are available on the Calhoun-Harriet Trail and Access Improvements project page and linked below. Also, an online survey is available until Oct. 28 to provide input on the project.

Open House #1 Graphics

Take the Survey

Public Meeting

Date: Nov. 9, 2016

Time: 6-8 pm

Location: Lyndale Farmstead Recreation Center

Address: 3900 Bryant Ave. S

Topic: Review and discuss the preferred concept for upcoming trail and access improvements around Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun.

Proposed 2017 Minneapolis Park Board budget focuses on fiscal responsibility, service delivery, and implementation of historic 20 Year Neighborhood Park Plan

The Park Board has posted the following item:

Proposed 2017 Minneapolis Park Board budget focuses on fiscal responsibility, service delivery, and implementation of historic 20 Year Neighborhood Park Plan

The Superintendent’s Recommended 2017 Budget for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) focuses on enhanced maintenance, rehabilitation and capital investments for neighborhood parks, continued sound fiscal management, providing responsive service delivery to meet the changing demographics and needs of the community, maintains the park system within available resources and, for the first time, implementing a racial equity tool throughout the budget process.

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Heads-Up for the October 19, 2016 Park Board Meeting

4:30 P.M.  CLOSED SESSION. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – Discussion Regarding Proposed Workers Compensation Settlement

5:00 P.M.  REGULAR BOARD MEETING.  The meeting will be held in the boardroom at Park Board headquarters, 2117 West River Road, just north of Broadway Pizza.  Visitors to Park Board meetings can find at the back of the meeting room the agenda book with all the printed materials for the meeting

5:30 P.M.  OPEN TIME.  Speakers can call 612-230-6400 before 3:00 p.m. the day of the meeting to sign up or they can sign up at the Board meeting prior to the start of “Open Time”

6:00 P.M.  Spring and Summer Youth Sportsmanship Awards And Sandy Peterson Memorial Most Improved Youth Softball Player Awards

The main agenda item is the Superintendent’s Recommended 2017 Budget.

Continue reading →

Riverfront Advocates Propose New Park at Minneapolis Lock and Dam

The following article by Steve Brandt was published in the October 15, 2015 edition of the Star Tribune.

Riverfront Advocates Propose New Park at Minneapolis Lock and Dam

The plan, with a visitor center and performance space, would remake Mill Ruins Park and the Stone Arch Bridge area but push out a hydro plant.

itemprop

VJAA architects

This view shows the preliminary concept for the Falls at the Upper St. Anthony Lock and Dam. It includes an enclosed viewing platform for the lock and adjacent dam, an outdoor performance space with grass seating, and a parking ramp and interpretive center under the lawn. Part of the planned Water Works Park is shown at right.

 

The lock at St. Anthony Falls, no longer used for navigation, could be transformed into a park with an interpretive center and performance space under a plan being floated by a new nonprofit formed by riverfront advocates.

The pitch by the Friends of the Lock and Dam includes a glass-sided observation platform slung over the lock and beside the falls, sloping lawns, concessions and a beefed-up visitor center built atop a 280-car parking garage. It would completely remake the area near Mill Ruins Park, the planned Water Works Park straddling W. River Parkway and the Stone Arch Bridge.

“The bridge is great but on both ends it is still undeveloped … with dirt paths and asphalt parking,” said Tom Fisher, director of the Metropolitan Design Center and a board member of the new Friends of the Lock and Dam. “Why not make it a national destination?”

 

To continue reading, click on the link to the Star Tribune.

http://www.startribune.com/riverfront-advocates-propose-new-park-at-minneapolis-lock-and-dam/397154421/