Message from Council Member Kevin Reich

Have you noticed that Central Avenue is in the midst of a transformation?

Over the past several months a number of properties have been bought, sold, spruced up and turned around while several new businesses have sprung up or are in the works. Some of these changes are the result of community action harnessed by the Northeast Investment Cooperative, which purchased two properties on Central. Others have arisen from collaborations between neighborhood organizations and property owners. But most of these changes have come from local businesses and business owners who see the economic opportunities Central Avenue offers. I hope the brief tour of the Avenue inside the newsletter encourages you to check out the many exciting things happening on Central Avenue in person.

I’d also like to remind you about the upcoming community meeting about the proposed Velodrome development on Central Avenue at Shoreham Yards. The meeting is Tuesday, October 8, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., at Columbia Manor, 3300 Central Avenue NE and offers a great opportunity to meet representatives from MN Cycling Center and learn about the facility they would like to bring to Northeast Minneapolis. Their exciting proposal for a world-class velodrome, BMX track, commuter facility, event center and educational programming would not only be a unique community amenity, but would also be a significant step forward in the redevelopment of Central Avenue as a whole.

Lastly, I’d like to point out the innovative new bicycle and pedestrian connection at Stinson and New Brighton Blvds NE. Made possible through a combination of City and Windom Park Citizens in Action (WPCiA) funds, this newly formatted intersection crossing should create a safer environment for both pedestrians and bicyclists by implementing a dedicated crossing with a pedestrian signal and countdown timer. Still to come is a bicycle signal. The improvements to this intersection will be a welcome amenity for bicyclists using the Diagonal Trail and connecting to the rest of Minneapolis’ bicycle infrastructure.

What’s New on Central Avenue

If you haven’t seen Central Avenue lately, here are some of the highlights:

Broadway/Central Gateway Art
The Logan Park Neighborhood Association (LPNA) led the development of the public art “Gateway” project at the intersection of Central and Broadway Avenues in 1993. Over the past year LPNA has been working with City of Minneapolis to replace the text that accompanies the art work with new lettering that will make a bolder visual impact.

1314 Central Avenue NE
Ideal Diner, an iconic Northeast breakfast-and-lunch location, closed briefly this year before changing hands. New owner Kim Robinson completely renovated the kitchen, made some interior upgrades and had the diner’s signature outdoor sign refurbished.





1717 Central Avenue NE
A vacant Burger King occupied this site at the intersection of Central and 18th Avenue NE for several years, complete with boarded windows, overgrown weeds and a disintegrating parking lot. Hillcrest Development purchased the property in the last year, renovating and landscaping it before leasing it to the current tenant for use as a childcare facility.

1851 Central Avenue NE
Remodeling is underway for the projected late fall opening of the Mill Northeast, a full service restaurant that will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant will be located in the building that previously housed Falafel King and Porky’s and will be serving a menu described as Eclectic American.

2014 Central Avenue NE
This property was recently acquired by Middle West Management, an artist management firm whose most high-profile client is Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Bon Iver.

2220 Central Avenue NE
This building, which houses both offices and apartments, received a significant facade improvement this summer: the result is both beautiful and historically-sensitive.

2300 Central Avenue NE
Purchased recently by Frank Stone and Lynn Olson, this building has undergone extensive renovation to reveal a brick building with traditional open transom windows. At the end of September, new tenant Language Central, a non-profit language school geared toward serving immigrant communities, celebrated its grand opening.

2504/2506 Central Avenue NE
Northeast Investment Cooperative (NEIC) purchased these two properties with the express purpose of bringing “transformative change one building at a time” to Central Avenue. 2504 Central is currently occupied by Recovery Bike Shop, while Aki’s BreadHaus, a German-style bakery, will be leasing 2506 Central.

2538 & 2544 Central Avenue NE
Central Liquors, at 2538 Central, was extensively remodeled this summer, while its next-door neighbor, 2544 Central, was purchased by Ben Janssens, the owner of local company SignMinds. Janssens intends to turn the building into a live-work space, with a full-service design studio on the first floor.

New Bicycle & Pedestrian Connection in Northeast Minneapolis

A new trail crossing at New Brighton Blvd NE & Stinson Blvd NE became operational Friday, September 13th. This new crossing connects the Diagonal Trail (east of the intersection) to Minneapolis’ larger bicycle and pedestrian network and key NE Minneapolis destinations (west of the intersection).

This complex intersection required a unique solution to create a better connection for biking and walking. The solution is a more direct crossing through the middle of the intersection that is approximately 1/3 of the distance of previous routes (Figure 1). This dedicated bicycle and pedestrian crossing includes a pedestrian signal complete with countdown timer, and pending Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approval the crossing will soon include a bicycle signal, similar in appearance to the bicycle signal at 5th St NE & Broadway St NE.

How does this new crossing affect me?

Bicyclists and Pedestrians
To use the new crossing you must push the pedestrian button located on the signal post for this crossing, to make your presence known. The walk signal will not turn on unless you push the pedestrian button. You MUST WAIT for the walk signal to turn on and then proceed with caution using the new crossing.

Drivers
When the traffic signal is displaying the walk signal for bicyclists and pedestrians using the new crossing, drivers will have a red light at all legs of the intersection, with one exception – cars traveling north-bound on Stinson waiting to turn left onto southwest-bound New Brighton will receive a green left turn arrow at the same time bicyclists and pedestrians are using the new crossing (Figure 2).

When driving north-bound or south-bound on Stinson Blvd NE and preparing to turn right onto southwest-bound or northeast-bound New Brighton you will see a new sign posted. This sign reads “Turning Vehicles STOP for Pedestrians” (Figure 3).

You MUST STOP completely for all red lights when preparing to turn right, and must stop for pedestrians and bicyclists using the new crossing. You MUST STOP for pedestrians and bicyclists using the adjacent crosswalks when preparing to turn on green lights.

All Users
Always behave predictably and follow the rules of the road.

Oct. 6 – 12 Fire Prevention Week Events

Learn about simple steps to prevent kitchen fires during National Fire Prevention Week

As part of National Fire Prevention Week, October 6-12, the Minneapolis Fire Department is teaming up with National Fire Prevention Association to raise awareness of kitchen fire prevention. This year’s theme focuses spreading the word that more fires start in the kitchen than in any other part of the home and teaching people how to keep cooking fires from starting in the first place.

Kitchen fire safety is explained in English, Hmong, Somali and Spanish as part of the City’s “Did you know.,.” series of short videos that can be viewed on the City’s YouTube channel and cable channels 14 and 79. Residents who have friends or neighbors who speak these languages are encouraged to share links to the videos. The City’s website and National Fire Prevention Association website have additional information on kitchen fire prevention.

The Minneapolis Fire Department is also participating in community events to help residents learn fire safety tips and educate people on the importance of having smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers throughout their home. The public is encouraged to attend these events to learn about staying safe, and it’s a great chance for families and kids to get an up-close look at fire trucks and other firefighting equipment.

• Saturday, 10/5, 9 a.m. – noon. Family friendly safety event at Home Depot, Quarry Shopping Center.
• Saturday, 10/12 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Firefighters Hall & Museum, 664-22nd Ave NE. Family friendly safety event, with wood crafts, fire extinguisher demos, antique fire engine rides and more.

Save the Date

Como’s 2013 Solar & Sustainable Living Tour
Saturday, October 5, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. SECIA and Sunny Day Earth Solutions are sponsoring this tour of neighborhood solar installations. Pick up maps at Sunny Day Earth Solutions (1000 26th Ave SE), Lift Coffee, Joe’s Market or Van Cleve Park. For further information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/491649127591792.

2nd Annual Riverfront Summit: A River of Opportunity
Monday, October 7, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Mill City Museum, 704 S. 2nd Street. This year’s Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership-sponsored event features a keynote address by Dorothy Bridges, senior vice president at the Federal Reserve, an update on the Riverfront Vitality Project, and interactive discussion kiosks led by local experts and partners from the riverfront community. RSVP at 612-465-8780 ext. 211 or admin@minneapolisriverfrontpartnershop.org.

1st Ward Community Meeting: MN Cycle Center at Shoreham Yards
Tuesday, October 8, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Columbia Manor, 3300 Central Avenue NE. Join Council Member Reich and representatives from MN Cycling Center to learn about a development proposal for Shoreham Yards that would include a velodrome, BMX track, retail and event center. A light meal will be served. Contact 612-673-2201 or kevin.reich@minneapolismn.gov to RSVP.

Disability Employment Awareness Month Celebration & Reception
Wednesday, October 16, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Crown Roller Mill Building 2nd floor Rotunda, 105 5th Ave. S. Community members are invited to this event hosted by the Mpls Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities. The event includes a guest speaker and a recognition ceremony. RSVP to Cheyenne Brodeen at 612-673-2052 or Cheyenne.brodeen@minneapolismn.gov.

Election Day
Tuesday, November 5.