Growing Minneapolis March: News and Information from the City of Minneapolis department of Community Planning and Economic Development

Growing Mpls 2

March 2019

East Town Apartments Breaks Ground

photo of community leaders breaking ground to new development

Community leaders, including Council Member Abdi Warsame, Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley and Mayor Jacob Frey break ground on East Town Apartments. (Source: First Covenant Church)

The East Town Apartments project broke ground on Wednesday, February 6. East Town will provide 169 units of new construction workforce housing for individuals and families in the Elliot Park neighborhood. The building, located in the downtown core, is within one block of the light rail and high frequency bus transit. The project is being developed by Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) in partnership with First Covenant Church. The building will be six stories with underground parking. The project is expected to be completed March of 2020.


TechHire Profile: IT-Ready Graduates, Lana and Harold Monestime

TechHire Graduates photo

Harold Monestine and Lana Richards Monestine. (Source: Creating IT Futures)

In response to the growing need for tech workers in the Minneapolis Saint Paul region, the City of Minneapolis partners with high-quality, accelerated learning programs to quickly skill up job seekers looking to enter the tech industry. Long-standing partners in this work include PRIME Digital Academy, Creating IT Futures – IT Ready, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, The Software Guild, Minnesota Computers for Schools, Takoda Institute and York Solutions. Since the effort began in 2015, more than 2,000 people have enrolled in tech training through MSP TechHire and many are now working with one of the 400 employer partners. 

Lana and Harold Monestime both graduated from IT-Ready; Lana graduating the program in 2016 and Harold in 2017. After eight weeks of classroom-based training and passing their CompTIA A + certification, the couple launched their careers in the IT industry and have said it has impacted their lives for the better.

Learn more about their story here.


Recipients of the Minneapolis Preservation Awards

AIA Minneapolis, Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission and Preserve Minneapolis recognized nine local architecture and design firms in receiving the 2019 Minneapolis Preservation Awards.

This year’s award categories included accomplishments in preservation, new construction in historic districts, advocacy, education and individual career achievement. Organizers also added a new category for 2019: The Preservation Gem Award, which recognizes a single, masterfully-completed small project or detail.

Mpls Heritage Preservation buildings photo collage

The winners in each category include:

Historic Restoration, Rehabilitation or Adaptive Reuse:
Millworks Lofts (top left)
Maytag Building (bottom left)
Smyth Lofts (top right)
Thompson Flats (bottom right)

Mpls Heritage Preservation buildings photo collage

Preservation Gem:
Christ Church Lutheran Courtyard (top)
Municipal Building Clocks (bottom left)
Pillsbury A-Mill Hydroelectric Power (bottom right)

Preservation Award winners

Grassroots, Advocacy and Education:
Minneapolis Music History Project (pictured second to left, Charlene Roise; middle, Kristen Zschomler; far right, Jason Wittenberg)

Steve Murray Award for Significant Individual Achievement:
Elizabeth Gales (pictured far left)


PARTNERS with Youth Conference

speakers and classroom trainings photo collage

Top (L to R): Keynote speaker, Jess Pierce, youth professionals partaking in one of eighteen workshops. Bottom (L to R): Youth professionals partaking in one of eighteen workshops, speaker, Mayor Jacob Frey. (Source: The City of Minneapolis)

The annual PARTNERS with Youth Conference was held on Friday, February 15 at Minneapolis College and had over 200 attendees, which consisted of Youth Work Professionals and youth. The attendees participated in eighteen interactive workshops. The workshops had four main themes: Advocacy, Foundations, Inclusivity and Health.

Mayor Frey shared some encouraging words to open the event and was followed by Jess Pierce, Youth Housing Program Manager at Simpson Housing Services and Founder of Focused Village with an engaging keynote presentation. During lunchtime, performers from Asian Media Access lit up the stage with their dance moves. The conference also had a resource fair, where 12 local youth-serving agencies shared resources, including the City of Minneapolis’ Step Up youth employment program.

Interested in staying up to date with the latest news regarding PARTNERS? Subscribe to the YCB Newsletter and NEWS for Youth Work Professionals.


Step Up Partner's Breakfast

Step Up intern speaking on stage photo

On Tuesday, February 12 Step Up honored its 200+ employers and alumni with its annual Step Up Partners Breakfast. A snowy morning didn’t stop people from coming to help kick off the 2019 internship season and celebrate their commitment to Step Up. It was also a time to call on prospective employers to hire interns for summer 2019.

Speakers DEED Commissioner Steve Grove, Step Up Supervisor Jerrod Woods with First Ave. (pictured), Step Up Intern Brianna Jackson (pictured), MSP Superintendent Ed Graff, Step Up founder R.T Rybak, new Step Up Co-chair Kate Quinn from U.S. Bank and Mayor Frey touched upon a common theme: What does hope look like ten years from now? It's an equitable and thriving economy. It's a multicultural workforce. It's a competitive talent pipeline. The future starts now, and it begins with our young people. To partner with Step Up and pledge to hire interns this summer go to stepupmpls.org.

Volunteer to Interview a Step Up Youth at Mock Interviews

Looking for something rewarding and inspiring to do that supports young people? Register for the annual Step Up Mock Interviews March 18-21 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. You will interview three to five interns and offer feedback to strengthen their skills and presentation. 

Register here

youth in mock interview photo

Two Openings for the City’s Board of Adjustment

The Minneapolis Zoning Board of Adjustment was created to decide appeals from decisions made by the Zoning Administrator, to act upon applications for variances from the terms of the Zoning Code and to recommend on all matters referred to it by the Zoning Code.

There are currently two City Council vacancies:
Seat 4 – Three-year term beginning January 1, 2019, and ending December 31, 2021.
Seat 9 – Unexpired one-year term ending Dec 31, 2019.

The deadline to apply is Friday, March 30, 2019.

To apply:
Complete the Application Form (pdf) and the Voluntary Demographic Questionnaire (pdf).
Send completed forms via email, fax: 612-673-3812  or mail:
City Clerk Appointments
Room 304, 350 South Fifth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415-1382

Learn more.


Upper Harbor Terminal Concept Plan Approved and Community Committee Applications are Open

Upper Harbor Terminal photo

On March 1, the Minneapolis City Council and Mayor Frey approved an amended Concept Plan for redeveloping the 48-acre Upper Harbor Terminal site along the riverfront in North Minneapolis. The first phase will include affordable housing, mixed-use development, riverfront parkland and an outdoor music performance venue. Click here to view the approved Concept Plan, as amended.

Applications Now Open for City’s and Park Board’s Community Committees:
To prepare for the next phase of planning, both the City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) are establishing community committees that will be actively involved in planning:

The City’s newly established 15-member Community Planning and Engagement Committee (CPEC) will work with the project team on community engagement, refinement of the Phase 1 plan and visions for future development phases. Applications for appointment to serve on the CPEC close April 14, 2019.
Click here to learn how to apply for appointment to the CPEC.

The MPRB’s Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will work concurrently with the MPRB on the park-related component of the UHT planning, including aspects of the infrastructure and private developments that impact the adjacent park areas. Applications for appointment to serve on the CAC close April 14, 2019.
Click here to learn how to apply for appointment to the CAC.


Still Time to Sign Up for Lottery to Buy a Low-Cost Tree

parking lot with trees to plant photo

Thanks to overwhelming popularity, the City’s low-cost trees program operates by lottery. The deadline for Minneapolis property owners to enter the lottery is Wednesday, March 13. The last people to register will have the same chances as the first and will hear back Monday, March 18.

Learn more.  


Business Training & Resources

B-TAP Professional Series: Social Enterprises for Non-Profits
If you are a nonprofit that has been thinking about a social enterprise for your organization, applications are now open for a program designed to assist nonprofits in exploring social enterprise, with the long-term goal of building sustainability to further your mission. The program addresses common challenges for developing a social enterprise and fosters learning that can be applied in the real world. The program combines developmental training, hands-on working sessions, and business plan support.

This social enterprise program is presented by Propel Nonprofits and is supported in part by the City of Minneapolis through the Business Technical Assistance Program.

Apply by March 22 here.


Events

Neighborhoods 2020 logo

Neighborhoods 2020 Community Meetings
Through the month of March
Join the Neighborhoods 2020 mailing list

Neighborhoods 2020 is an opportunity to further develop and improve upon the City of Minneapolis' neighborhood based engagement structure. Neighborhood organizations are by the people, for the people. The Neighborhood 2020 Framework Recommendations are open for public comment and close March 31, 2019. 
More Information

Northeast Farmer's Market Winter Market
Sunday, March 17, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Chowgirls at Solar Arts
711 15th Ave. NE

There will be featured music on vinyl by The Ring Toss Twins, kids activities/entertainment and a great variety of over thirty-five local vendors. It is a weekend destination with something to offer for all.
More Information

Spring Howl logo

Spring Howl for Northern Spark
Wednesday, March 20, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Holden Room
145 Holden St. N

As we move from the season of dark, deep winter to the brighter days of spring, join the newly conceived “launch party” and Spring Howl for Northern Spark, an evening filled with indoor art installations, a silent auction, drinks and eats to support one of your favorite summertime events.
More Information

Northside Housing Fair 
Saturday, March 23, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Lucy Craft Laney Elementary School
3333 Penn Ave. N

This is a one-stop-shop for all housing needs. Whether a renter, homeowner or anything in between, all are welcome. There will be over fifty organizations and resource tables, a Home Depot Kids Workshop, mini workshops all day, free lunch and door  prizes. 
More Information

Dame it! logo

Dame It! 2019
Sunday, March 31, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Chowgirls at Solar Arts
711 15th Ave. NE

The Minnesota Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier is throwing the spotlight on Minnesota’s women chefs. Some of the Twin Cities’ most creative kitchens are led by women chefs. The taste-around lets you mingle and chat with the chefs as you sample a delicious array of small plates, wine tastings, craft cocktails/mocktails and sweets.
More Information


New/Expanding Businesses

Food/Beverage

Jinx Tea food truck photo

Retail

photo of vegetables

 

Coworking Space


In the News

University of Minnesota launches startup incubator to aid new ventures based on university research
Read in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal

NorthPoint clinic project seeks ‘local hires’
Read in Finance & Commerce

Downtown Council seeks more retail in Minneapolis
Read in Finance & Commerce

A Dinkytown duo will represent Minnesota in the UK's 'World Pasty Championships'
Read in City Pages

Nice Ride to deploy e-bikes in spring
Read in Southwest Journal

9 Minnesota chefs, 4 restaurants named semifinalists for 2019 James Beard awards
Read in the Star Tribune


About this Newsletter

Growing MPLS is published monthly by the City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development Department. If you have questions, please contact Kelly Stacken.

For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please call 311 at 612-673-3000.

People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users can call 612-673-2157 or 612-673-2626.

 

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