Messenger launches new web site

Events calendar offers one-stop glimpse of community, advertisers can create synergy between print and online campaigns

by Tesha M. Christensen

Newspapers aren’t dying.

That’s the news Messenger Co-Publisher Tim Nelson wants to spread.

While the business has changed since the advent of the Internet and the nationwide recession, it is not dead but evolving, just like radio. Just like network television. Just like cable.

“It’s a very exciting time,” said Nelson.

To move forward in this digital age, the Messenger is launching a new web site. Along with an updated look, the site features a community events calendar, multimedia section, news, marketplace, classifieds, archives, and community information page.

With this update, Nelson knows things will change for the newspaper he co-owns with Calvin deRuyter. “We’re going to become a much more important resource to our community,” he said.

Messenger Editor Denis Woulfe acknowledges that this marks a whole new paradigm for the newspaper. “It’s about reinventing the business model for the industry,” said Woulfe.

A BALANCING ACT

Part of the reinvention is recognizing the myths that surround newspapers and the Internet. Senior citizens are not lost using the Internet, but regularly use it for email, shopping and more. Sure, young people might ignore the news now, but that changes when they buy a home, begin a family and start to see how it affects their lives. And while most people go online these days, not everyone has access even in urban areas. For these residents and others, the print editions continue to be their primary source of information about their community.

The new paradigm requires that newspapers find a balance between being community journalists and business people, something Nelson works to achieve every day. “We are business people first,” said Nelson. “We don’t do anyone any good if we go bankrupt.” Yet, it is the community journalism piece that marks the Messenger as a niche publication, one specifically focused on the Longfellow and Nokomis neighborhoods of Minneapolis.

SIMPLE TO ADVERTISE ONLINE

For advertisers, having an online presence on the Messenger web site is simple. Pick one of three sizes, and your ad will rotate with three others across the site. Advertisers may also opt to sponsor the events calendar. Or for higher visibility, buy the top banner ad spot or web site sponsor, and your ad will appear at the top of all the site pages.

Anyone who purchases a classified ad will continue to have double exposure for one price.

Businesses may pick from packages that include print and digital ads. “This is a great complement to the print ads they’re already doing,” said Woulfe. “The appeals and features of each are different.” With the online ad, businesses and nonprofits can do things a print ad can’t, such as provide a link directly to their own web site to boost traffic. Those who buy space in the What’s Cookin’ ad campaign get the best of both worlds: a print ad and a custom video.

FOR AND BY THE COMMUNITY

With the web site, Facebook and Twitter, “We can get more news out there in a more timely manner than before,” said Nelson.

Under the “multimedia” tab on the new web site, users can find video and photos created both by newspaper staff and readers.

One of the biggest features of the new site is its community events calendar. “It’s a one-shot glimpse of what’s going on in the area,” said Nelson.

On the calendar, readers can find detailed information on community events, from school concerts to organized bike rides. Anyone with an event can post the information using a straightforward form. After submitting an event, the online editor will review it. Events will be live within 72 hours. Nelson expects the calendar to start small and then grow as more people begin using it.

“Now getting your news in the Messenger is as easy as 1-2-3,” said Nelson.

Wolfe added, “We’re about building the community with both the print and online options.”

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE READER?

• More news via social media

The Messenger is promoting events daily on its Facebook page and Twitter. Be sure to subscribe in order to receive updates in your news feed. Readers can also sign up for occasional email blasts.

• More news more often

While the print edition will continue to hit the newsstands just once a month, the web site will always be available.

• More exposure for community events

The Messenger has unlimited space to list the many events occurring within the Nokomis and Longfellow neighborhoods each day. Fill out a straightforward form under the “Event Calendar” tab to get your event included.

• More information on the community

Click on the “Community Information” tab for details on community organizations, schools, city offices, politicians, libraries and recreation.

• More photos and vidoes

Find videos and photo galleries on the “Multimedia” page. Content is created by not only newspaper staff, but also by you, the reader. Did you take video of a school spelling bee or church concert? Photos at a community festival? Send it to denis@deruyternelson.com.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE ADVERTISER?

• More synergy

It’s easier than ever to link your print ad campaign with your online ad campaign so you can benefit from both styles of advertising. Get a discount with a 12-month contract.

• More exposure

By advertising in the online Messenger Marketplace, even small businesses get regular and consistent exposure to customers who are searching for local businesses to shop at and local contractors to hire.

• More links

With your online ad, you can link readers directly to your own web site to increase your web site hits.

Sabo Bridge closed for repairs until early December

Nearest crossing at 28th a ‘mess’ during Xcel construction being completed at same time

by Tesha M. Christensen

Sabo Bridge is closed to all pedestrian and bicycle traffic until early December.

Crews are making final repairs to the five-year-old bridge, which was first closed earlier this year when a pair of suspension cables broke loose.

“We’re pleased to see the final bridge repair underway,” said Midtown Greenway Coalition Soren Jensen. “I know many people join me in hoping the repair goes smoothly and quickly.  I think the most important thing is to do it right and ensure the bridge is safe, however long it takes.”

NEW PARTS WILL WITHSTAND WIND-INDUCED FATIGUE

Diaphragm plates on the bridge’s pylon will be installed and retrofitted while the bridge is closed.  After extensive tests, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., an engineering firm hired by the city, identified the cause of the cable connection failure to be wind-induced cable vibrations that caused fatigue cracking in the diaphragm plates. These plates secure the cables to the bridge’s main pylon.

According to the city, the retrofitted and replacement plates being installed are designed to withstand the fatigue that caused the cracking.

After the bridge was closed in February 2012, the broken plates were analyzed by Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. Strain gauges, displacement transducers and accelerometers installed on the bridge provided actual stress range movement, amplitude and frequency of cable vibrations experienced by the bridge during wind events. These two pieces of information presented investigators with a complete picture of what happens to the bridge in all kinds of weather. From this, the repair plan was developed.

The 215 foot-long cable-stayed suspension bridge opened in November of 2007 to carry Midtown Greenway bicycles and pedestrians over Hiawatha Avenue. The bridge was built by Hennepin County and turned over to the city of Minneapolis when construction was completed.

INTERSECTION AT 28TH A ‘MESS’

The nearest crossing to the Sabo bridge for bicyclists and pedestrians is at 28th and Hiawatha. However, that is an area of concern right now for the Midtown Greenway Coalition. Xcel has began construction there on the substation and two 115-kilovolt transmission lines that will travel 1.5 miles underground from Hiawatha to Oakland Ave. S. via 28th.

“It’s really quite a mess right now. ” observed Jensen.

He added, “Fixing the Sabo bridge is a top priority, so bicyclists and pedestrians can at least avoid most of the construction and safely cross Hiawatha/55.”

Construction of the transmission lines will be complete in the fall of 2013. The substation work will be done in 2014. The bike trails around the Hiawatha substation will remain open during the construction; however, at times the trail will be temporarily rerouted by 10 to 20 feet.

The Hiawatha Transmission Line will carry 55 megawatts of power, enough to serve 50,000 customers, and bolster existing capacity infrastructure.

Jensen encourages bikers and walkers to remain patient through the construction process. “The power company’s original idea was to place giant overhead power lines in the Midtown Greenway.  What a terrible idea! With the support of neighborhood organizations and residents along the Greenway, our coalition took the lead in the fight to keep the lines out of the Greenway -- and we won!  

“So, while the construction on 28th will disrupt things for a while, we see it as a reminder of the power of neighborhoods and citizens standing up to protect vital community assets like the Midtown Greenway.” 

Howe playground moved farther away from street

School district withdraws variance request, CUP approved

by Tesha M. Christensen

Minneapolis Public Schools (MSP) has decided to put the playground at Howe in a new location in order to avoid requesting a variance from the city.

However, the playground will still be located in the northeast side of the paved area and won’t take away from either the grassy playing field or the front lawn space.

Community members had expressed their support for the playing fields at Howe, and asked that they not be infringed upon.

The initial plan for the renovation at Howe School that was presented during a public meeting on Sept. 17, 2012 included rebuilding the playground in the same space it used to be in. However, to do that the school district needed a variance from the city because it fell within 20 feet of 44th Ave. S.

According to Howe School Project Specialist Jane Thompson, “We were advised that cost to the property owner (MPS) was not sufficient reason to grant a variance. Therefore, a revised plan for the playground area has been made.”

The size of the rubberized playground area is 50 feet by 70 feet. This is slightly smaller than the current area, but more efficient as it is rectangular in geometry, observed Thompson.

Neither the west parking lot nor the service vehicle safety zone have been compromised by the revised location of the playground.

Additionally, the school district is considering new lights that will be directed away from the property line towards the play equipment.

The change to the playground will cost the district $70-80,000 more than the first plan because the school won’t be able to reuse the existing concrete border and ground cover.

The conditional use permit for the school renovation was approved by the Minneapolis City Council on Oct. 1.

“Thank you to all that provided input at the community meeting, school meetings, by email or through your comment cards. Your voices were heard and the children will have both an athletic field and a playground with the new site plan,” said Thompson.

Keewaydin park to be challenging for kids, as well as aesthetically pleasing

Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board architect Deborah Bartels presents
a bird’s eye view of the proposed playground and wading pool. After hearing
from residents in July that they wanted the playground design to be less
structured and more informal, Bartels worked on a redesign that would provide
those qualities. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

Construction continues on Keewaydin School. A fence near the Rec Center
keeps people out of the construction site. Work will be complete in time for the
start of the 2013-14 school year. The wading pool and playground equipment
currently in place will remain there for about five years to give the park board
time to create a new playground on the southeast corner of their property.
(Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

This draft of the Keewaydin Park Master Plan will be presented to the park
board during a public hearing on Nov. 7. The highlight of the plan is a
water element between the pre-K and K-12 play structures. It will include a
sandbox, pump, dry stream bed with boulders and various concrete walls
that will also serve as benches.

New master plan incorporates net structure and natural color palate

by Tesha M. Christensen

Keewaydin parents want a playground that is challenging and has a high play value. Next door neighbors want one with a calming view.

The Rec Plus Kids showed the parks department how to merge the two.

According to Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board Manager of Public Engagement and Citywide Planning Jennifer Ringold, when the Rec Plus Kids voted on what they want to see in a playground, the majority favored a nature play area over either the classic post and deck or one with all nets (20 to 4).

“We’re really thankful for the kids because I think they showed us the way in how to merge the concepts,” stated Ringold during a community meeting held on Sept. 25, 2012.

When the parks department requests playground manufacturers to submit proposals for Keewaydin Park, they will be told there is a preference for an Evos/net structure with a color palate that mimics nature and uses browns, greens and blues.

DETAILS AND COST

 The September meeting was the fourth one held this year to update the Keewaydin Park Master Plan. Driving the effort is the $16 million expansion of Keewaydin School that will eventually displace the existing playground and wading pool. While a section of the playground has already been removed, the majority of the equipment will remain for five more years in the existing location, which gives the Minneapolis Parks Department time to find funding to move the playground and pool from the west side of the parks building to the east side.

At the July meeting, residents expressed their support for the location on the east side of the parks building, but wanted the playground design to be more informal, noted Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board architect Deborah Bartels.

The revised plan has a smaller footprint, “but the play value is the same,” said Ringold.

It places the K-12 structure with swings closest to 31st Ave. on the south side. In between it and the pre-k structure is a water element shaded by a pergola. In this area will be a sandbox, pump, dry stream bed with boulders, and various concrete walls that will also serve as benches. Three spinners and six swings from the old playground will be reused. The new play equipment will cost $233,550.

The wading pool nearby will have a spray feature. There will be numerous benches around it, and park staff members are researching what the best sort of shade structure will be. The cost of the wading pool is $404,500.

Since the last meeting, park staff did learn that they do not need to include bathrooms in the pool equipment building. Instead, the bathrooms in the main park building will be remolded to be accessible from outside and to be ADA accessible. It will cost about $25,000 to renovate the existing rec center bathrooms.

The parks department will also spend about $41,000 to relocate utilities.

Five additional trees will be planted around the playground, and the existing trees will be preserved.

An ornamental fence will be installed around the perimeter of the playground and the pool as the city requires anything within 100 feet of a street to be fenced. The space near the fence will be left clear of vegetation so that the sight line into the area is clear. “We like to keep the view into parks pretty open to reduce vandalism,” stated Bartels.

The total cost of the project is $992,422. That doesn’t include the cost of renovating the playing fields, which will range from $170,000 to $275,000.

Construction will be phased so that the existing playground and wading pool remain in use until the new ones are ready. Keewaydin parent and school construction steering committee member Matt Lee pointed out the school changed its plans in order to accommodate the playground and pool.

Before anything is built, the city needs to identify funding for the project.

COMMUNITY COMMENTS

Neighborhood resident Cheryl Luger stated, “I love the pool and pergola. It looks very well designed.”

In response to a question from the audience, Ringold noted that the parks department conducted a parking analysis earlier this year. The conclusion was that there is adequate on-street parking to meet the needs of the playground, pool and athletic fields.

The primary entrance into the playground/pool area will be on the northwest side to encourage patrons to park away from the corner of 53rd St. and 31st Ave.

Park staff re-visted the rational behind removing two ball fields and creating two soccer fields in their place. Bartels explained that it is difficult to play soccer in the ag lime of a ball field. When local sports groups were surveyed, they stated that the need was for soccer fields, not ball fields.

WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?

The draft of the master plan will be viewed by the park board at a public hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 7. Residents will be given one to three minutes to speak. Then the park board will consider approving it. Once approved, the parks department will begin to identify funding for the work.