Check out potential concepts for Graco Park, new riverfront park project in Northeast Minneapolis

A view of Hall's Island, Plymouth Avenue Bridge and East Bank Trail running through the future Graco Park. Image courtesy of Mississippi Watershed Management Organization.

 
Review and comment on three concepts created based on feedback received over the summer
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is developing a new park along the Northeast Minneapolis riverfront called Graco Park! This summer MPRB staff collected initial feedback from the community and researched opportunities and constraints at the site, which is located just north of the Plymouth Avenue Bridge with Mississippi East Bank Trail currently running through it.
Now three distinct design concepts for Graco Park, created based on the initial feedback and research, are available for public comment. Use the link below to view each concept and comment on what you like or don't like about them. 
 

Graco Park Concepts

 

Feedback will be used to generate a refined concept that will incorporate elements from all three designs. The refined concept will be shared in late fall 2021.

 

Each concept is unique, but all include:
  • A public multiuse building
  • Access to the Mississippi East Bank Trail
  • Improved landscaping and greenspace
  • Improved stormwater treatment
  • Improved intersection safety near 8th Avenue NE and Sibley Street NE
Graco Park Concept 1
Concept 1 for Graco Park. Tap or click the image to open a larger file in an internet browser.
 

Get Involved

The MPRB invites anyone interested in the Graco Park project to give feedback on the three park concepts. There are multiple ways to get involved:

 

Online Survey: Visit the project engagement page to find images and information about the project and concepts, along with prompts to share your thoughts and opinions. All submitted ideas and comments will be documented and considered as designs for the project are developed. The survey will be open until Sept. 26, 2021.

 

In-Person Event: Share your thoughts in person at Graco Park on Sunday, Sept. 12, 3-5 pm.Look for the MPRB tent and table!

 

Virtual Conversation: Join MPRB staff and community members for an online open house on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 4:30-6 pm. Use the Zoom link below to join:
Meeting ID: 883 7023 0432
 

Phase 1 Recap

The first round of community engagement occurred June 7-July 7, 2021. During the first round of engagement, MPRB staff met with more than 100 potential park users across several engagements and collected more than 170 comments through an online survey. Engagements included: Neighborhood meetings, Pop-Ups in Graco Park, a Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting, a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting,  a virtual Public Open House, intercept interviews in the park, and a Youth Engagement Bus Tour with 60+ youth.

 

Visit the project engagement page for more details on the feedback received during the first phase over the summer.
 

Down the Road

A third round of engagement will occur this fall with another survey and additional in-person events to share a preferred park and building design concept for feedback. The final concept will have a public hearing before being considered by MPRB Commissioners for final approval. Contract bidding is scheduled spring 2022, with construction anticipated to begin in summer 2022.

 

Visit the Graco Park and Lot 2 project page and enter your email address into the box under "Subscribe to Email Updates" to stay informed about this project.
Read more

Early voting opens Sept. 17 for 2021 municipal election

The Early Vote Center at 980 E. Hennepin Ave opens at 8 a.m. Sept. 17 for voters who wish to cast their ballot early and in person. Also Sept. 17, Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services begins mailing ballots to voters who have requested to vote early by mail. Learn more on the City website about how to vote early this year.

What’s on the ballot?

The mayor, City Council, Board of Estimate and Taxation, Minneapolis Park Board district and at-large seats, and amendments to the City Charter will be on the ballot this year. A sample ballot is available 45 days before the election and is an excellent resource for preparing to vote. See your sample ballot on the City website.

Find the list of all candidates who filed for municipal offices on the City website.

Due to the timing of State and City redistricting, City Council members elected in 2021 will serve a two-year term. In 2023 an election will be held for another two-year term for council members. No other City offices will be on the 2023 ballot. City Council terms will return to a normal four-year cycle with the 2025 municipal election.

This election uses ranked choice voting

Minneapolis voters will use ranked choice voting this fall to elect a mayor and members of the City Council, Board of Estimate and Taxation, and Park and Recreation Board. Ranked choice voting is a way of voting that eliminates the need for separate primary elections. Voters rank up to three candidates for each office. The ballot has three columns, and choices are made from left to right in those columns. Ranked choice voting in Minneapolis is used only for municipal elections.

Find more information on ranked-choice voting on the City website.


Now Hiring: Project Coordinator

Project Coordinator

Nicollet Island East Bank Neighborhood Association (NIEBNA)

Pay: $30 per hour
Type: 30 hours per month, contract position

Project Coordinator position offers an opportunity to use your creative talents to support the citizen participation efforts of the Nicollet Island East Bank Neighborhood Organization (NIEBNA). We are a local non- profit responsible for identifying and developing solutions for community needs. A top priority for NIEBNA is to improve citizen engagement. NIEBNA is led by a volunteer Board of Directors.

The Project Coordinator position provides administrative services with an emphasis on communications and engagement activities. As the sole staff position for NIEBNA, Project Coordinator also prepares meeting materials and attends Board and Committee meetings, takes meeting minutes, pays vendors, monitors neighborhood issues at the City and with surrounding neighborhoods, and works closely on community initiatives with the volunteer Board of Directors. The Project Coordinator works independently and remotely except for attendance at meetings.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Knowledge of all City policies relating to neighborhood associations
  • Ability to communicate with City Staff and the Park Board on behalf of NIEBNA. 
  • Ability to meet strict deadlines for preparation of meeting materials, minutes, and execution of board directives.
  • Excellent customer service skills including both oral and written communications
  • Ability to work independently, self-motivated, prioritize tasks, and see projects through to completion
  • High level of personal and professional integrity including ability to represent neighborhood in a positive manner and maintain confidentiality on business matters
  • Experience with hosting business meetings, both virtually and in person, and familiarity with Robert’s Rules of Order preferred
  • Understanding of how to make payments to vendors
  • Tech-savvy and proficient with word processing, spreadsheet, SharePoint, and similar office software
  • Ability to develop and execute electronic outreach strategies and maintain current communications such as eblasts, website updates, general correspondence, develop text for written materials such as postcards and newsletters
  • Talent to identify new opportunities to leverage social media to expand connections to diverse audiences
  • Understanding of equity and social justice issues and experience working with diverse populations
  • Aptitude for learning new technology quickly and developing improved business processes

Apply
Please send your resume along with a cover letter to [email protected]. We would like to fill the position as soon as possible.


Third Ave. Bridge project: 2020-2022 Construction

line

Virtual construction update on June 23

Curious about the work that’s being done to restore and preserve the Third Ave. Bridge?

Join us at 5 p.m. on Wed, June 23 for a virtual construction update. Register online for the event. Get a behind-the-scenes tour of the ongoing construction and ask questions about our progress and current activities. We will also talk about ways to support local businesses near the bridge this summer.

Third Avenue Bridge project update on Wednesday, June 23 from 5-6 p.m.

Visit the project webpage to learn more about the schedule, impacts to your commute, detour routes, rehabilitation and preservation efforts, and what the bridge will look like when the work is done.

Extended construction hours begin June 21

The contractor will begin working extended hours from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning Mon, June 21. Saturday morning work starting at 5 a.m. is possible, too. We will provide updates about the contractor’s work schedule when more information is available.

We will do our best to minimize noise and light pollution during afterhours work. Thank you in advance for your patience.

Road work continues to be a critical service. MnDOT is committed to protecting the health, safety and well-being of its employees, contractors and all Minnesotans. Crews continue to follow the guidance of state and federal health officials to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

More about this project

The historic Third Ave. Bridge over the Mississippi River near St. Anthony Falls opened in 1918 and needs significant repairs. The bridge carries Third and Central avenues, which are part of Hwy 65.

Construction began in May 2020 and is anticipated to be complete in August 2023. The bridge is fully closed to traffic through November 2022. Motorists, transit riders, and people walking and bicycling will need to use alternate routes across the river during this time.

For more information, visit the project webpage. To contact the project team email [email protected] or call the project hotline at 612-547-7968.

 

 

COVID-19 emergency rent and utility bill assistance

If the pandemic has caused you hardship and you need help catching up on your rent or utility bills, you may be eligible for Minnesota’s COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance. Eligible Minneapolis renters can receive help with rent and utility bills dated on or after March 13, 2020. If you qualify, you could receive up to 15 months of total assistance.

While you can’t be evicted for not paying rent during Gov. Walz’s executive order, rent is still due. When the order is lifted, people owing unpaid rent could be at risk for eviction.

Apply now for RentHelpMN

To apply for RentHelpMN or find more information, visit renthelpmn.org or call 211. The 211 helpline has dedicated multilingual staff available to answer questions about RentHelpMN 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

In Minneapolis, you can also apply through these community partners:

  • Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servico (CLUES) Assistance in Spanish: 651-362-0162
  • New American Development Center (NADC) Assistance in Somali, Oromo and Amharic: 612-823-0180
  • NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center: 612-767-9198

renthelp



Shooting Incident in the Nicollet Island Neighborhood

On Monday, June 7 at approximately 4:45 p.m., 2nd Precinct Officers responded to a 911 call of shots being fired near the 100 block of East Hennepin.  When officers arrived, they located one male on the sidewalk that had been shot.  Immediate life savings measures were implemented by responding officers and the victim was transported to HCMC.  At this time there is no update on his condition.

This incident has been assigned an Investigator and is an active case.

Observe and Report - Call 911 if you witness any suspicious persons/activity as it is happening, and/or if you believe you are being followed.

Anyone with information is asked to call:

MPD issues a Crime Alert when we notice a crime pattern. The crime pattern may be specific to geographic area, a time, or specific method of crime.  To enroll in the MPD Crime Alert system, http://www.minneapolismn.gov/police/crimealert/police_crimealert_signup

To view crime maps around your area and to sign up for email crime alerts - http://www.minneapolismn.gov/police/statistics/index.htm.  You may also access information on police stops, crime data, arrest data, use of force, and other information.  

To contact the 2nd Precinct’s Crime Prevention Specialists,

 

 

 


Gathering Community Stories


Notice of Plan Modification Vote: NIEBNA Proposal for a Neighborhood Placemaking Program


You are invited to a Community Vote on a proposed neighborhood priority:

 

NEIGHBORHOOD PLACEMAKING PROGRAM

The Board of Directors of the Nicollet Island-East Bank Neighborhood Association (NIEBNA) would like to create a city-recognized neighborhood priority that will build a coherent identity for the Nicollet Island/East Bank community. This placemaking effort is intended to not only bring our ever-increasing population closer together with our unique business environment, it’s also meant to draw new residents and entrepreneurs to this distinct urban neighborhood just steps from the Mississippi River.

 

Community members from the Nicollet Island and East Bank neighborhoods are invited to NIEBNA’s upcoming Membership meeting on Thursday, January 21, 2021 to discuss and vote on this proposed priority. To attend this online meeting, you must register here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvcOytrDosHdbJqg5D_20_eaHb2mofic8K

 

The creation of a city-recognized priority—and allocation of city funds over $25,000—through the city’s Neighborhood & Community Relations department requires a 21-day notice.


PROPOSED PROGRAM DETAILS

Priority: Neighborhood Placemaking Program

Concept: 

To promote consistent, positive interactions between all residents, business and property owners, and the workers and guests who frequent the neighborhood. Increase community awareness of the neighborhood organization through the development and implementation of a concise identity and communications strategy.

Amount Requested:  

$50,000

Sources:     

$39,788.49 — unspent CPP Reserve funds

$10,211.51 — unspent CPP #43364 Rollover funds

Types of Activities:

  • Solidification of business district name / branding
  • Digital & Non-Digital Communication Planning and Strategy (internal to the neighborhood and external to the broader population)
  • Community Events & Promotional Planning (funds cannot be used for food or entertainment)
    • Including, but not limited to, Adopt-a-Street, Adopt-a-Block, National Night Out, other greening events
  • Street Signage / Banners Design, Fabrication and Installation
    • Including, but not limited to, gateway markers, pole banners, window clings

 


 

Other items on the meeting agenda are currently being finalized and will be announced in the coming two weeks.

For questions about this notice, or the intent behind this proposal, please contact NIEBNA Executive Director Chris Lautenschlager at [email protected] or 612.623.7633                                                


Notice of a Public Hearing: 200 Central Ave

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING

Gretchen Camp of ESG Architecture & Design, on behalf of Brittani Sanders of CRG, has filed the following land use applications for the property located at 200 Central Ave SE and 113 2nd St SE:

• Variance to reduce the minimum vehicle parking requirement.

• Amendment to a previously approved site plan review for a new 28-story mixed use building with 360 dwelling units and 4,500 square feet of commercial space.

 

The City Planning Commission will meet on Monday, January 11, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. During the declared local public health emergency, Minneapolis has transitioned to an electronic format for its public meetings and hearings, authorized under Minn. Stat. Section 13D.021, to minimize the risk of exposure to or potential spread of COVID-19. The public may view the public hearing using the following options: Watch on Comcast Channel 14 or 799, CenturyLink Channel 8001 or 8501, or live on www.minneapolismn.gov/tv/citycounciltv

In accordance with the Zoning Code, all property owners within 350 feet of the subject property are notified of this public hearing.  The public may submit comments or participate by phone in the meeting by using the following website: www.minneapolismn.gov/meetings/index.htm.

If you have questions about the project, please contact the City staff person listed below.  If you would like to submit comments, you may submit them via the link above or by emailing:

Peter Crandall, Senior City Planner – 505 4th Ave S #320, Minneapolis, MN 55415

Phone (612) 673-2247 E-mail: [email protected].

Planning Department staff will issue a recommendation to the Planning Commission. After hearing from the public, the Planning Commission will make a determination based on required legal findings of fact. Please visit www.minneapolismn.gov/meetings/planning for the agenda with staff reports (web page will be updated by the end of the day Wednesday prior to the meeting date).

For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact 612-673-3710. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-673-2157 or 612-673-2626.

PLAN11945


Full Third Avenue bridge closure begins January 4

The Third Ave. Bridge will fully close to traffic starting Mon, Jan. 4, 2021, through November 2022. Motorists, transit riders, and people walking and bicycling will need to use alternate routes across the river during this time.

Highway 65/Third Avenue Bridge detours

Curious about the work that’s being done and the detour routes to get you around construction? Visit the project webpage to learn more about the schedule, impacts to your commute, rehabilitation and preservation efforts and what the bridge will look like when the work is done.

Road work continues to be a critical service. MnDOT is committed to protecting the health, safety and well-being of its employees, contractors and all Minnesotans. Crews continue to follow the guidance of state and federal health officials to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

More about this project

The historic Third Ave. Bridge over the Mississippi River near St. Anthony Falls opened in 1918. It is in need of significant repairs. The bridge carries Third and Central avenues, which are part of Hwy 65.

Construction began in May 2020 and is anticipated to be complete in August 2023. There will be a full closure of the bridge from January 2021 through November 2022. Motorists, transit riders, and people walking and bicycling will need to use alternative routes across the river during this time.

For more information, visit the project webpage. To contact the project team email [email protected] or call the project hotline at 612-547-7968.

MnDOT invites and encourages participation by all. If you need an ASL, a foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, or need documents in an alternative format (such as braille or large print), please email your request to Janet Miller at [email protected] or call 651-366-4720.