Minneapolis/St.Paul Development News

[minneapolis-uptown]

George Lucas proposes building affordable housing on property - an unexpected announcement from the legendary filmmaker and producer may win him accolades with the public, if not his wealthy neighbors.

I think George Lucas has found the best way to deal with NIMBY neighbors

[spectre000]

Just found out there's a webcam for the 222 Hennepin project!

http://www.222hennepin.com/stream.html

[minneapolis-uptown]

right now that webcam's boring, but once they get to the stick-built part it will be worth checking every day.

[Major Deegan]

Bloomington attempts to re-invent itself as urban community:

http://www.minnpost.com/cityscape/20...nt-parking-lot




If they pull off something similar to Sydney's Chatswood (dense, reasonably priced hosing, expanded amenities), I can see it becoming a viable alternative to crowded urban living of Minneapolis or Saint Paul. It would be very attractive to young families and commuting professionals...

[spectre000]

That area definitely needs some infill. Sometimes I like to take in the view from the parking ramp on the east side of the MoA. There's been some nice projects built up around the LRT stations. But still needs a lot more.

[minneapolis-uptown]

Just want to let everybody know that Google maps has updated their sattelite images (not the 45 degree ones, those are a year old), so you can see all the new construction.

[spectre000]

Here's a small rendering of a proposed new apartment building along University Ave in St. Paul. The site is the long vacant 2700 the Ave. project. It'll be 222 apartments and 5 stories tall.


http://finance-commerce.com/2012/05/...ents-near-lrt/


In other CCLRT dev news, Episcopal Homes is seeking rezoning of the Porky's site to TN3 zoning at the next zoning committee meeting. That'll permit a 7-story 80 feet tall building at that site.

[minneapolis-uptown]

something interesting I learned today: Apparently they have no idea how they are going to get the money to build a new Peavey Plaza but they still want to demolish it right away. That seems a little strange, doesn't it? Also, is there any way to confirm this?

[Jennifat]

Originally Posted by minneapolis-uptown

something interesting I learned today: Apparently they have no idea how they are going to get the money to build a new Peavey Plaza but they still want to demolish it right away. That seems a little strange, doesn't it? Also, is there any way to confirm this?

Ugh, for f*ck's sake. The way things are done in this city is thoroughly exasperating.

Why can't we just leave the plaza the way it is (one of the very few examples of quality urban design from the 70s), restore it to its former grandeur, and be done with it? How this city can make so many reckless planning mistakes over the years and not learn from them is an enigma.

[spectre000]

Originally Posted by minneapolis-uptown

something interesting I learned today: Apparently they have no idea how they are going to get the money to build a new Peavey Plaza but they still want to demolish it right away. That seems a little strange, doesn't it? Also, is there any way to confirm this?

By demolishing it now they're taking past the point of no return (so to speak). There are many opposed to changing it or have different ideas about the final look of the project. If they leave it as is until they secure the money it could take years. Meanwhile it could lose its priority, change plans yet again, face a new council, and new committees. By demolishing it now, they're forcing the project through. No one will want to just leave it as a gaping hole for too long. This way it won't lose its ranking as a priority.

[minneapolis-uptown]

Originally Posted by spectre000

By demolishing it now they're taking past the point of no return (so to speak). There are many opposed to changing it or have different ideas about the final look of the project. If they leave it as is until they secure the money it could take years. Meanwhile it could lose its priority, change plans yet again, face a new council, and new committees. By demolishing it now, they're forcing the project through. No one will want to just leave it as a gaping hole for too long. This way it won't lose its ranking as a priority.

wow, has this city learned nothing from their "urban renewal" attempts? much of downtown remains empty today because they wanted shiny new buildings and demolished all the historic old ones without any sort of a plan. this could end badly.

[Major Deegan]

I recall the 90s, when one could see Peavey Plaza featured in every tourist brochure, every coffee table book about Minneapolis St. Paul. It has been a source of much civic pride, but now they want to demolish it altogether only to replace with something ... so ordinary.

Our barbarism even made the NY Times:http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/ar...vey-plaza.html

[spectre000]

Some pictures by me from today.

Fort Road Flats on West 7th Street in St. Paul.


Oaks Station Place.


Soltva in the North Loop.

[spectre000]

Regions Mental Health Building expansion in St. Paul.

[John Nicollet Mall]

There is a new website for Twin Cities architecture and development:http://www.urbanmsp.com. Unfortunately, the old Minnescraper website has faltered due to neglect.

[Avian001]

Originally Posted by John Nicollet Mall

There is a new website for Twin Cities architecture and development:http://www.urbanmsp.com. Unfortunately, the old Minnescraper website has faltered due to neglect.

Thanks John! I'll be dropping in to see if this website will sustain the studied craziness that was Minnescraper.

[minneapolis-uptown]

Originally Posted by Avian001

Thanks John! I'll be dropping in to see if this website will sustain the studied craziness that was Minnescraper.

craziness?

[Avian001]

^OK, maybe I'm the one who's just a little crazy then

Opus development has released a rendering of the planned Xcel Energy headquarters in downtown Minneapolis at 4th & Nicollet, just across the street from their current HQ. 212,000 sq. ft. & 9 stories. Just to the right of the building in the background is the new Nicollet Residences discussed in another thread

Personally, I think it looks like it could have been carved out of Target's HQ just a few blocks south. It definitely has that typical non-offensive interplay of curtain wall with punched-opening-precast-with-Scotch-Brand Plaid-detail that is all the rage from here to Denver to Seattle and from condo to anonymous office building. Nothing about it screams "Hey, we're an ENERGY Company for pete's sake!"


Source

[Major Deegan]

Amazing. Both of those proposals + planned "central park" are going to completely transform that stretch of the Nicollet Mall

[Major Deegan]

For those who don't know the city well, this is the block in question. The two parking lots adjacent to the library are expected to be turned into a new park, which will re-connect the urban fabric with the riverfront.