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July 16, 2015
IN THIS ISSUE
Beginning early next month and throughout the summer, you'll see some changes at four Midtown Greenway access points:
- 26th Avenue South
- Bloomington Avenue South
- 10th/11th avenues (at the Cepro greenspace)
- Nicollet Avenue South
The goal of these simple, creative -- and temporary -- design experiments are to point people on the greenway to nearby destinations, encourage patronage of businesses along Lake Street and other neighborhood areas, and to help make these spaces more welcoming and friendly.
 Developed by the urban design team at the City of Minneapolis in collaboration with Community Works, these enhancements may include:
- Wayfinding signage
- Seating and planters
- Bike racks and fix-it stations
- Paint-on-pavement
The most successful experiments will be recommended for permanent implementation at locations throughout the greenway as part of Midtown Community Works long-term plan. Tell us what you think worked and what didn't -- look for community works staff at the East Lake (Aug. 2) and Nicollet (Sept. 20) Minneapolis Open Streets events or email midtowncw@hennepin.us.
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 More than 1.5 million people use the Midtown Greenway each year. How can we tap this potential market for businesses in the Midtown corridor?
Better connections will make it more convenient and appealing for these people to get to nearby commercial districts and neighborhoods, and support area businesses and organizations.
If you own or operate a business along Lake Street near one the design experiments taking place this summer (see above), you can help in several ways:
- Let us know about your events and other marketing efforts so we can coordinate activities
- Assist with data collection before and after the experiments are installed
- Sponsor a bike rack or bike corral at your business for free: if you provide information on its use, the county will cover your cost to participate in the city’s bike rack/corral program
Contact lisa.middag@hennepin.us or 612-348-0134 for more information.
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 Nearly 100 people came out for the mid-May event at the Cepro greenspace in conjunction with the St. Paul Riverfront Corporation's 2015 Placemaking Residency. The event featured a talk and two workshops, performances by local artists, and family friendly activities, such as a mobile sign shop, where people created more than 43 signs describing what they want to see on the site.
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Roaming surveyors captured additional input from both English and Spanish language speakers.
During the activities that day and at other opportunities throughout the spring, the community has expressed a range of ideas for uses of the space. Highlights from a more detailed summary of the findings (available on the program web page) include the following:
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An inclusive, accessible,
and intergenerational space for public gathering and socializing -- including
space for children, cultural uses and physical activity
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Landscaping and plantings that support sustainability, such as gardening, orchards, and native plantings
- Uses that extend throughout the day (into evening) and span all seasons
In conjunction with these efforts, Community Works is partnering with the Midtown Phillips Neighborhood Association on a landscape restoration plan for a portion of the greenspace and leading a process to identify long-term partners who can help the county program and maintain the site.
The county-owned greenspace has a great location 2828 11th Avenue South (between 10th and 11th avenues on the north side of the Midtown Greenway) kitty-corner from the Midtown Exchange and Global Market. It offers a large, convenient and free space for community events. Neighborhood workers and residents use the tables, chairs and swings routinely for lunch and recreation, but the large flat area on the site is also ideal for physical activities or group events. Contact lisa.middag@hennepin.us or 612-348-0134 to talk about options and permits for your event.
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