 Looking back on the past year, I am pleased to be
able to say that 2012 has ushered in a significant increase in economic
strength and development for the First Ward, with a parallel improvement in
our community’s livability and vitality. The Solar Arts Building in the Logan Park neighborhood is a stellar example of the development occurring in the community. This 100-year old former factory has been thoroughly and carefully renovated and takes its place as the newest addition to the Arts District. In the Marshall Terrace neighborhood, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization’s new headquarters opened this fall and serves as a visible demonstration of MWMO’s mission to safeguard and improve water quality. Central Avenue has also seen some changes. First & First’s new Broadway development at the old Land O’ Nod location at Broadway and Central broke ground this year, while Hillcrest Development has also begun work on repurposing the long-neglected Burger King site at Central and 18th Avenue NE. 2012 also saw welcome progress at our historic Hollywood Theater on Johnson Street. On December 14 the City Council granted exclusive development rights for the Hollywood to developer Andrew Volna. This designation will give Volna time to determine the feasibility of a development proposal.
Last year the City Council made a change in City
ordinance that allowed breweries to open taprooms and sell their beer in
Minneapolis. That change has borne immediate fruit in Ward One, with the
opening this year of Indeed Brewery in the Solar Arts Building and the
planned openings of 612 Brew and Northgate in early 2013, as well as other
potential breweries and taprooms in our community. Northeast is quickly
becoming Minneapolis’ “Brew District”, making us a destination spot for
entertainment dollars.
Last,
but perhaps most importantly, 2012 has been a banner year for the Second Precinct in terms of providing a safe and crime-free environment. At our
recent Public Safety Community Reception, Inspector Schafer shared some
stellar statistics about the First Ward.
- Kevin Reich
--- Contact Kevin Reich 350 S. 5th Street Room 307 Minneapolis, MN 55415 612-673-2201 Kevin.Reich@minneapolismn.gov |
Monday, December 10, 2012
Message from Council Member Kevin Reich
First Ward Public Safety Reception
Thanks to everyone who attended the First Ward Public Safety Reception at
the Firefighters Hall & Museum on November 27. Former Police Chief Tim
Dolan came out of retirement for the event to introduce incoming Chief Janeé
Harteau and to offer his thoughts on the history of the Second Precinct.
Chief Harteau, who joined the Minneapolis police force in 1987, shared her
philosophy of policing and the commitment to community engagement she brings to the Minneapolis Police Department.
Inspector
Schafer gave a report on 2012 crime statistics for the Second Precinct,
including the welcome announcement that the Precinct was on track to lead the
City in the lowest crime rate this year, as well as highest officer
productivity. Some specifics:
·
Part I crime overall down 6%
·
Burglary down 12%
·
Robbery down 22%.
He also discussed the crime prevention
initiative instituted around Jackson Square Park this past summer and the
resultant 80% drop in overall crime in that area.
Inspector Schafer introduced Susan
Bradshaw, the new Crime Prevention Specialist for the Second Precinct. She
joins Nick Juarez as one of two Second Precinct Crime Prevention Specialists,
and she will specifically cover the portion of Northeast north of Broadway.
Bradshaw talked about her background in the military, serving in both Iraq
and Afghanistan as an intelligence analyst, as well as her work for the
Downtown Improvement District. She expressed great enthusiasm for becoming a
part of the Northeast community and extending the outreach work of the Second
Precinct.
This well-attended event was the last
in a series of 2012 First Ward forums, following previous public discussions
on such topics as Minneapolis’ Boards & Commissions, Urban Agriculture,
and Arts Education & the Creative Economy.
Stay tuned for upcoming First Ward
forums in 2013.
|
Snow & Ice Pilot in First Ward
 In 2011 the City of Minneapolis Public Works Department, in cooperation with the Pedestrian Advisory Committee,
examined the City’s sidewalk snow and ice removal procedures and determined
that more needed to be done to ensure effective snow and ice clearance for
pedestrians. Currently, if property owners fail to clear their sidewalks,
there’s an average of 7 days between first and second inspections, before
sidewalks are cleared by City staff. This winter Public Works will test the
use of a private contractor for snow clearance. The pilot program will be
undertaken in sections of Northeast and South Minneapolis; it will include the
portion of Ward 1 north of Lowry, encompassing Audubon Park, Waite Park,
Columbia Park and much of Marshall Terrace.
Snow shoveling rules remain in place.
Ordinance requires that residential property owners clear sidewalks within 24
hours of the end of a snowfall and within 4 hours for apartments and
commercial buildings. The City also offers free sand for sidewalks. Sand can
be picked up 24 hours a day at the Public Works Maintenance Facility at 1809
Washington St NE (bring your own pail and shovel).
Are there neighbors on your street who
are elderly, have a disability or may have a hard time shoveling for any
reason? Work with your neighbors to give a hand and ensure your entire block
is safe and accessible to all.
|
Northeast Life Size Book Project
Artshare, a Northeast non-profit with
a mission to create community-based art, has launched the Northeast Life Size
Book Project. The end result will be a handmade art book that’s created by
and celebrates the Northeast community.
Workshop dates:
·
Saturday,
Jan. 26, 1-3 p.m. ,Northeast Library
·
Saturday,
Feb. 2, 1-3 p.m., Edison High School
·
Saturday,
Feb. 9, 1-3 p.m., Edison High School
·
Saturday,
Feb. 16, 1-3 p.m., Northeast Library
For further information, contact
Artshare at 612-432-1512. To sign up for workshops, go to http://www.hclib.org/pub/events/ or call 612-543-1512.
|
Snow Emergency Information
Residents, workers and visitors have a number of ways to learn with
Snow Emergencies are declared and what to do when they are. We’re advising
drivers to put many of these tools to use, not just one or two. The more ways
people learn about a Snow Emergency, the more prepared they will be to do
their part, and the less likely they will be to be towed because they didn't know one was declared.
Hotline: call 612-348-SNOW to find out if a Snow Emergency has been declared and what parking restrictions are in force. City Website: go to www.minneapolismn.gov to find out whether a Snow Emergency has been declared. Also check out the street lookup, which lets you put in an address or neighborhood to see where you can park. Phone Alerts: If your landline or cell phone is unlisted, click HERE to sign up for the automated alert system. Email Alerts: Click HERE for more details about receiving automatic email alerts. Facebook/Twitter Alerts: Click HERE for more details about receiving automatic Facebook & Twitter alerts. |
Save the Date:
Conversations
with Carla
Friday, January 11, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Edison High School Media Center, 700 22nd Ave NE. Families and students
are invited to meet Principal Carla Steinbach and Edison staff to learn about
the IB and other rigorous academic programs and wide-ranging extracurricular
activities offered by Edison High School. A light dinner and school tour will
be included. RSVP to thomas.parks@mpls.k12.mn.us.
Eastside
Co-op Winter Market
Saturday, January 12, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Eastside Food Co-op, 2551 Central Ave. NE. The winter market, which offers local
vendors and local wares, continues on the 2nd Saturday of each
month through April.
Minneapolis
School Choice Fair
Saturday, January 12, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.,
Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Avenue S. Free parking,
shuttle service and childcare are offered at this showcase of Minneapolis
public school options. For further information, click HERE.
Winter
Warm Up
Friday, January 25, 7 – 11 p.m., Grace Center, 1500 6th
St. NE. This fundraiser to support Northeast Middle School’s theater program
and their spring production of “Peter Pan” will feature food, drink and music
by the band Buster Phelan. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. For
further information, click HERE.
5th
Annual NE Mpls Presidents Day Walk
Saturday, February 16, 10 a.m., Edison High School,
700 22nd Ave NE. This
year’s event includes Presidential Pets and White House Animals. Join your
neighbors for this walk to commemorate NE’s “presidential” streets.
|
Monday, November 5, 2012
Message from Council Member Kevin Reich
 Fall is budget season for the City of Minneapolis. The Mayor has proposed a 2013 budget with a 1.7% increase over
2012. This proposed increase, which is below the rate of inflation, is
possible due to the tax relief made available to the City through the downtown
stadium financing package.
The increase allows a number of significant
expenditures, including $1.1 million to allow the Fire Department to hire
additional firefighters; $2.5 million to allow the Police Department to hire
new non-sworn community service officers, convert existing community service
officers to sworn officers, and start a new recruit class in 2012; $1.2
million for major street construction projects, road and bike trail
maintenance, utility system upgrades and economic development projects.
Over the past several weeks the City Council has
been receiving presentations from all City departments regarding their budget
plans. Two public hearings will also be held at City Hall, Room 317, to give
the public the opportunity to weigh in on the budget proposal and the 2013
property tax levy, beginning at 6:05 p.m. on both Wednesday, November 28, and
Wednesday, December 12. The Council will then vote to adopt a final 2013
budget and levy on December 12, immediately following the second public hearing.
I will be looking carefully at all aspects of the departmental budgets and overall City expenditures, but I can say that I am initially pleased to see increases to the Police and Fire budgets that will have a direct positive impact on public safety. I also think that investment in the maintenance and enhancement of public infrastructure fulfills a core mission of municipal government. The current path the budget is on remains consistent with my priorities, although the process is still fluid until the final budget vote on December 12. I look forward to receiving your input on budget priorities. - Kevin Reich --- Contact Kevin Reich 350 S. 5th Street Room 307 Minneapolis, MN 55415 612-673-2201 Kevin.Reich@minneapolismn.gov |
One-Sort Recycling Begins
Thanks to an accelerated schedule that
is a welcome process improvement for the City of Minneapolis, the new
one-sort recycling containers began rolling out the week of November 12.
One-sort is an exciting innovation in
our process that could increase recycling rates by up to 60%. If a cart is
delivered to your home, start using it immediately for all recycling. No
sorting is needed. Just make sure not to include garbage or other
non-recyclables, and rinse all your bottles, cans, jars and cartons.
One-sort is rolling out in phases; if
you don’t get a new cart with this rollout, you’ll get one next year in the
second phase. Start when you get the cart. A letter with instructions will
come to your home about a week before you get the cart. One-sort customers
stay on the same recycling schedules as before. While routes and schedules
won’t change, the time the truck comes may change. Make sure to have your
recycling at your collection point by 6 a.m. on your recycling day. You may
keep your old bin for other uses or leave it at the curb or alley and our
crews will recycle it. Since routes run street by street (and alley by alley)
rather than by neighborhood or quadrant, the routes chosen for the first
phase are all over the city. This is the most efficient way to roll out the
new carts and keep your service high during the transition. If you would like
more specifics about when you’ll receive your cart, contact the Ward 1 office
at 612-673-2201 or kevin.reich@minneapolismn.gov.
|
MWMO Grand Opening Re-visited
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pApV_RkR-hQ&list=UU1kuEDjpDf9DZh6VKx-on7g&index=1&feature=plcp
Ward 1 Community Forum – Nov. 27
Council Member Kevin Reich will be
hosting a Ward 1 Public Safety Community Forum on Tuesday, November 27, 6 – 7 p.m.
at the Firefighters Hall & Museum, 664 22nd Ave NE. Special
guests will include outgoing Police
Chief Tim Dolan, incoming Police
Chief Janee Harteau, and new Second Precinct Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bradshaw. Join your neighbors
and fellow community members for a pizza dinner and an opportunity to both
thank Chief Dolan for his service and meet key new personnel. RSVP to kevin.reich@minneapolismn.gov or 612-673-2201.
|
Ward 1 October Urban Ag Forum Recap
An enthusiastic group gathered at
Eastside Food Co-op for October's Ward 1 Community Forum on the topic of
urban agriculture. The evening offered attendees the opportunity to meet some
of our local farmers and gardeners, as well as share ideas, concerns and
resources. Mike Smieja of Buchanan Street Farms and Jim Bovino and Jillia Pessenda of California Street Farm shared their experiences with their first year of urban
farming. Much discussion centered on ways in which the City of Minneapolis’
agriculture-related zoning legislation in 2011 has supported an expansion of
urban agriculture activities, as well as areas in which that legislation could
use a second look.
Some of the resources that attendees
shared included:
|
First Ward Business Highlight: OceanTech
One of the First Ward’s many
innovative businesses is OceanTech, which relocated from St. Louis Park
to 1313 Winter Street NE in the Mid-City Industrial neighborhood in 2010.
OceanTech specializes in electronics recycling, as well as asset management
services and secure data destruction. Specifically, they purchase a range of
electronics, from computers and laptops to televisions and telephones, then
refurbish or recycle them, ensuring they don’t become part of the growing
electronics waste stream. OceanTech has ISO 14001 certification for
environmental management and a “no landfill policy” that extends to their
vendors.
 OceanTech takes a proactive approach
to community engagement. Last April they sponsored a unique art show at
Tarnish & Gold Gallery: “This Old Mouse”. Artists were given access to
OceanTech’s recycling warehouse to create artworks out of a variety of
recycled materials. These pieces, which demonstrated the power and creativity
of re-use, were then displayed for two weeks at the Tarnish & Gold
Gallery. They offer fundraising
opportunities for organizations and non-profits through their laptop
collection program and an annual Educators E-cycling Initiative to collect
and recycle e-waste from schools. For
further information, go to http://oceantechonline.com/. |
“The Broadway” Groundbreaking
 |
311 Online
|
Save the Date:
Holiday Train  Tuesday, Dec. 11, 8:45 p.m., 2800 Central Ave NE.
Enjoy the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, as well as music and family
activities at this annual fundraiser for the East Side Neighborhood food
shelf. Bring non-perishable food and money donations to benefit East Side Neighborhood’s food shelves. The event takes place at the Canadian Pacific Railway Shoreham Yard, 2800 Central Avenue NE.
City
of Minneapolis Budget Public Hearing
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 6:05
p.m.., City Hall, Room 317, 350 S. 5th Street.
“Romeo
& Juliet”
Dec. 12 – 13, 7 p.m., Northeast Middle School, 2955 Hayes St
NE. Dec. 14 – 15, 7 p.m., Edison
High School, 700 22nd Ave NE.
|
Monday, October 8, 2012
Message from Council Member Kevin Reich
I am pleased to announce that the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) will be celebrating the grand opening of their new headquarters at 2522 Marshall Street on Saturday, October 27. This state-of-the-art building on the banks of the Mississippi serves as a palpable demonstration of many of MWMO’s principles of best management practices for supporting water resources and treating stormwater and I welcome you to come explore it. Check out page 3 of the newsletter for more information about the many features of the headquarters.
The MWMO was formed in 1986 by Minneapolis, Lauderdale, St. Anthony, Falcon Heights, St. Paul, the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, and the University of Minnesota. Its mission is to lead and to foster stewardship of the Mississippi watershed with actions that promote civic ownership and responsibility and through measures that achieve diverse and functional ecosystems. As Chair of their Board of Commissioners I have appreciated the opportunity to observe their work firsthand and I’m confident that their projects, programs and outreach will offer significant resources as we move forward in reimagining our Mississippi riverfront and safeguarding our watershed.
MWMO’s work ranges from educational outreach initiatives like educational workshops and the youth employment Green Team program to the ongoing monitoring of water quality to the funding and management of major stormwater mitigation and improvement projects. MWMO has been a partner in developing the Green Campus project, encompassing Jackson Square Park, the Edison High School campus and athletic fields and the Public Works Flood Mitigation Basin in the Holland neighborhood. Click HERE for more details about the scope and progress of Phase I of this project.
~ Kevin Reich
---
Contact Kevin Reich
350 S. 5th Street
Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415
612-673-2201
Kevin.Reich@minneapolismn.gov
MWMO’s work ranges from educational outreach initiatives like educational workshops and the youth employment Green Team program to the ongoing monitoring of water quality to the funding and management of major stormwater mitigation and improvement projects. MWMO has been a partner in developing the Green Campus project, encompassing Jackson Square Park, the Edison High School campus and athletic fields and the Public Works Flood Mitigation Basin in the Holland neighborhood. Click HERE for more details about the scope and progress of Phase I of this project.
~ Kevin Reich
---
Contact Kevin Reich
350 S. 5th Street
Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415
612-673-2201
Kevin.Reich@minneapolismn.gov
Election Information & Resources
The upcoming
General Election will be Tuesday, November 6. Find general information and
resources below to ensure that the voting procedure is as smooth and accessible
as possible.
State law
requires Minnesotans to be registered at their current address before they are
allowed to vote. Registrations remain current until voters move or change their
names. Voters must also re-register if they have not voted in the last four
years. The voter pre-registration deadline is October 16. You can pre-register
to vote by completing a voter registration application which can be found
online at www.mnvotes.org or at Minneapolis or
Hennepin County government offices and public libraries.
If you are able
to register prior to the deadline your name will appear in the roster at your
polling place and you will not have to provide additional information at the
polling place on Election Day. If you are unable to pre-register, Minnesota
allows eligible voters to register on Election Day as long as they provide
proper proof of residence. For more information about voting eligibility
requirements, visit www.mnvotes.org.
Voter Registration Lookup
You can use the
Secretary of State’s online Voter Registration Lookup at www.mnvotes.org
to quickly learn whether you are registered at your current address.
Polling Place Location
Remember, due
to redistricting, your polling place may have changed since you last voted.
Visit http://www.minneapolismn.gov/elections/index.htm
to find out whether your polling place has changed.
Voting Absentee
Will you be
absent from your precinct, observing a religious holiday or unable to travel to
the polls due to illness on Election Day? If so, visit http://www.minneapolismn.gov/elections/absentee/index.htm
for information about how to receive an absentee ballot or to learn how to vote
in person before Election Day. You may also go to https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/absenteeballotstatus.aspx
to track where your ballot is in the process and when it has been successfully
counted. In addition, links to additional voter resources such as county
auditor contacts and a listing of candidates appearing on a voter’s ballot are
also provided.
Preview Your Ballot
You are now
able to preview a ballot specific to your precinct before Election Day. To see
what will appear on your ballot, visit http://myballotmn.sos.state.mn.us/.
MWMO Grand Opening
One of the unique elements of this site is that the landscape itself functions as a living laboratory for best practices for stormwater management. Some of the demonstrated methods include permeable pavers, rain gardens, a 4,000 gallon cistern for roof runoff water recapture, a green roof and a filtration basin. In addition, the building materials were deliberately selected to be reusable, recyclable or biodegradable and its energy sources are geo-thermal and solar. The end result is a facility that is truly an example of form as an expression of philosophy.
The event will also include displays and family-friendly activities. For further information, visit www.mwmo.org.
Lowry Bridge Re-Opens
After closing
in 2008 due to structural issues, the Lowry Avenue Bridge re-opened this
October. This Hennepin County project which is a significant transportation
corridor and neighborhood connector between north and northeast Minneapolis
features a striking tied-arch design. The Grand Opening event was held Saturday, October 27, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
in conjunction with the Mississippi Watershed Management Grand Opening right
down the street.
Festivities included performances by the Edison and Patrick Henry high school marching bands, a ribbon cutting, a Twin Cities RiverRats water ski performance and parade.
Festivities included performances by the Edison and Patrick Henry high school marching bands, a ribbon cutting, a Twin Cities RiverRats water ski performance and parade.
Fall Street Sweeping Begins
The City’s website also has an interactive tool to allow residents to find out when the sweepers are scheduled for their neighborhoods: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/publicworks/streetsweeping/.
Green Campus Phase I
MississippiWatershed Management Organization (MWMO) is moving forward with a Green Campus
Phase I project in the Holland neighborhood. Stantec, a professional consulting
firm, has been engaged to conduct a feasibility study of two areas of the
Edison High School campus: the parking lot at 22nd and Quincy and
the gym at 22nd and Monroe. Landscape architect John Slack has
created several preliminary designs that would reduce stormwater runoff in
these areas while significantly enhancing their aesthetic appeal. MWMO, Stantec
and the First Ward office have been working with Holland NeighborhoodImprovement Association (HNIA), Minneapolis Public School district staff, Edison
High School staff and Edison Green Council students to evaluate the various
options. For more information about the Green Campus project and to view the
various designs and options, click HERE.
St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral’s 125th Anniversary
On Sunday,
October 14, St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral in Northeast Minneapolis celebrated its 125th Anniversary. St. Mary’s was originally
established in 1887 as an eastern-rite Catholic community founded by
Carpatho-Russian immigrants and was officially received into the Orthodox
Church in 1891. When the original building was destroyed by fire in 1904, a new
church was built in the Russian Baroque style, based on the Dormition Cathedralin Omsk, Siberia. The architect for the project was Victor Cordela, who also
designed the Swan Turnblad Mansion (now the American Swedish Institute) and the
Gluek Building in downtown Minneapolis.
St. Mary’s
Cathedral, which has undergone significant restoration in the past decade, houses
a trove of historical elements and artwork. Some distinguishing features include
its soaring dome and the Iconostasis, a carved wall of icons which was crafted
in Russia and installed in 1905.
St.
Mary’s Cathedral is one of Eastside Minneapolis’ architectural and historical
gems, and its enduring relevance and vibrancy speaks to the immigrant heritage
that is an integral part of Northeast. For further information about the 125th
Anniversary celebration, go to http://www.stmarysoca.org/125anniversary/index.html.
Save the Date:
First Ward Community Forum: The State of Urban Agriculture on the Eastside
Wednesday, October 17, 6-8 p.m.,
Eastside Co-op Community Room, 2551 Central Ave. NE.Enjoy dinner at this community discussion about the many facets of urban agriculture. Panel members will include representatives from Buchanan Street Farm, Homegrown Minneapolis, NE Minneapolis’ newest garden center Mother Earth Gardens, California Street Farm, the Northeast Farmers Market, Waite Park community garden, and more. For further information or to RSVP, contact us at 612-673-2201 or kevin.reich@minneapolismn.gov.
MWMO Grand Opening
Saturday, October 27, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., 2522 Marshall St. NE.
Ribbon-cutting for MWMO’s new headquarters, as well as building tours, family-friendly activities, and more.
Lowry Bridge Grand Re-Opening
Saturday, October 27, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Lowry Avenue & Marshall Street NE.
Festivities will include performances by the Edison High School and Henry High School marching bands, water ski performance and parade.
Art Attack 2012
Friday, Nov. 2 – Sunday, Nov. 4, Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson Street NE.
This annual open studio and gallery crawl features the work of over 200 artists working in a variety of media. For further information, click HERE.
NE Harvest Gathering
Monday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m., Northeast Middle School, 2955 Hayes St NE.
Associate Justice Alan Page will be the guest speaker at this dinner dedicated to fostering community. Contact neharvestgathering@gmail.com for more information.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Message from Council Member Kevin Reich
August and September are usually busy months, as summer wraps up and the school year gets underway. That’s been particularly true for the First Ward, with lots of activity and community spirit to celebrate. The 6th Annual Eastside Community & Schools BBQ on August 23 and the Waite Park Fall Festival & Push Cart Derby on September 8 were two outstanding events that brought community together. September brings more exciting news as the Minneapolis Public School District continues to implement healthy new changes to the school lunch menu. Check out the story on for more details.
September marked the opening of The Solar Arts Building, located at 711 15th Avenue NE. This historic structure has received an infusion of new life with solar technology, innovative renovation and a raft of artists’ studios.
One of the building’s most high-profile tenants is Indeed Brewery, which celebrated its grand opening in August. Made possible by last year’s change in City ordinance, Indeed features both a brewing operation and a taproom in the heart of what’s being called Northeast Minneapolis’ “Brew District”.
Last month also saw a unique gathering of First Ward volunteers at the “Appointed Boards & Commissions” forum I hosted on August 29. Eighteen current and former members of Minneapolis advisory boards and commissions discussed their work with 30 or so fellow Ward One residents.
I’d like to extend an invitation to another Ward-wide forum on October 17, 6-8 pm, at Eastside Food Co-op on the topic of “Urban Agriculture & the Eastside”. The evening will feature a panel of invited guests including Mike Smieja of Windom Park’s Buchanan Street Farm, and representatives from California Street Farm, Northeast Farmers Market, Homegrown Minneapolis, Mother Earth Gardens and more. I hope you’ll be able to join us for what promises to be an in depth conversation about the current state of urban agriculture in our community.
- Kevin Reich
---
Contact Kevin Reich
350 S. 5th Street
Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415
612-673-2201
Kevin.Reich@minneapolismn.gov
September marked the opening of The Solar Arts Building, located at 711 15th Avenue NE. This historic structure has received an infusion of new life with solar technology, innovative renovation and a raft of artists’ studios.
One of the building’s most high-profile tenants is Indeed Brewery, which celebrated its grand opening in August. Made possible by last year’s change in City ordinance, Indeed features both a brewing operation and a taproom in the heart of what’s being called Northeast Minneapolis’ “Brew District”.Last month also saw a unique gathering of First Ward volunteers at the “Appointed Boards & Commissions” forum I hosted on August 29. Eighteen current and former members of Minneapolis advisory boards and commissions discussed their work with 30 or so fellow Ward One residents.
I’d like to extend an invitation to another Ward-wide forum on October 17, 6-8 pm, at Eastside Food Co-op on the topic of “Urban Agriculture & the Eastside”. The evening will feature a panel of invited guests including Mike Smieja of Windom Park’s Buchanan Street Farm, and representatives from California Street Farm, Northeast Farmers Market, Homegrown Minneapolis, Mother Earth Gardens and more. I hope you’ll be able to join us for what promises to be an in depth conversation about the current state of urban agriculture in our community.
- Kevin Reich
---
Contact Kevin Reich
350 S. 5th Street
Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415
612-673-2201
Kevin.Reich@minneapolismn.gov
Arts District's New Solar Arts Building
Topped with 109 solar panels and filled with artist studios, a gallery and a microbrewery, today’s newly renovated Solar Arts Building is a far cry from its early 20th century roots as a site for the manufacture of tires, rubber and transformers.Co-owners Duane Arens and Larry Brandt were initially attracted to the building at 711 15th Avenue NE because of its location in the heart of the Arts District and its unique structural elements. Their renovation focused on enhancing the building’s creative space, including studios for artists and creative professionals and a 3rd floor gallery that will host the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA) Fall Fine Arts Show beginning September 21. Another focus was on designing an environmentally-friendly building; hence the rooftop solar panels and the name “Solar Arts”. Lastly, they added Indeed Brewery, Minneapolis’ most recent microbrewery. This newest addition to the Arts District is an example of the public sector providing a framework of support for private investment and community improvement.
Indeed Brewery: Open for Business
Last year’s City ordinance allowing breweries to open taprooms has borne fruit in Ward One with the opening of Indeed Brewing in the Solar Arts Building. Their 12,000 square-foot facility is comprised of a 30-barrel brewing system, a taproom with 37-foot long bar and a 45-seat patio.Indeed is the first of a number of breweries proposing to begin operations in what’s being termed the “Northeast Brew District”, including 612 Brew and Northgate. It’s an example of history moving full circle, CM Reich pointed out: “When brewing took place in the early days of Minneapolis, it was right here in Northeast.”
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