County happy to anchor L & H Station Development

New facility in South Minneapolis will be one of six replacing downtown Century Plaza

by Tesha M. Christensen

  

Imagine a Hennepin County Service Center conveniently located in your neighborhood. Now add retail businesses and offices next to it along Lake Street. Place a green roof above a 100-space parking area.

Situate multi-story apartment buildings, some with units that walk out directly to the street and others that overlook the lightrail station along Hiawatha. They have balconies and terraces. Inner courtyards provide space for gardens and gatherings. Rain gardens and green roofs are sprinkled throughout the development, designed to help with stormwater management (while exceeding those standards). Underground parking is available for the apartments. A bike trail follows the lightrail tracks.

Add in a one-third-acre area set aside for the farmer’s market and urban park, one that includes a stage area for outdoor concerts as well as indoor bathrooms. Envision a 6 a.m. yoga class filling the park.

These are all pieces of the current proposal for the 6.4-acre site at Lake and Hiawatha. It’s very similar to an earlier plan for the site, except that the county building is the anchor for the L & H Station Development rather than Minneapolis School’s adult basic education program.

LOCAL MEETING WELL ATTENDED

Local residents learned about the plan during a public meeting on Thursday night, April 3 held at the Brown Building, the facility owned by the Minneapolis School District that currently sits on the property. The entire parcel at 2225 E. Lake St. is owned by the school district, and the district and county are negotiating for the sale of the land. The cost is estimated at between $7-9 million.

“It’s nice to see a packed house for such an important project,” stated Corcoran Neighborhood Organization Land Use Committee Chair Philip Koski.

“How can we make buildings that aren’t the same old?” asked City Council member Alondra Cano. “This project is about people and collaborations.”

“We couldn’t be more excited about this development,” said Don Sabre of Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department.

Putting together a 100,000-square-foot county facility, retail, mixed-use housing and a farmer’s market is a magical formula, according to developer Jack Boarman of BKV Group. “It’s a wonderful opportunity.”

The current plan varies slightly from the one presented four years ago. Instead of the school district anchoring the site, a county social services building will. This six-story building will run along Lake St. and 22^nd Ave., which will give the school district several years to vacate the Brown. The shift also allows the farmer’s market area to be one-third larger, making it more like an urban park.

Phase one on the northwest side includes 125 housing units, retail and office and the 100,000-square foot county facility. There will be between 3 to 4 phases in all, spread out over several years, as developers are sensitive to the needs of the school district.

“It’s all about you. It’s all about us. It’s all about community,” said Boarman.

 

 

Commissioner Peter McLaughlin

1 IN 5 RESIDENTS USE SOCIAL SERVICES

The county facility will be “a one-stop experience for folks to get their needs met,” according to Sabre. It will be similar to one in Brooklyn Park that opened in October 2012 and the Bloomington location that opened in February 2014.

The county is decentralizing its services and intends to open four more several social service hubs throughout Hennepin County, including this new one in south Minneapolis and others in Hopkins, north Minneapolis, and downtown Minneapolis. It plans to close its large downtown Century Plaza building in 2015. 

“The beauty of this hub is the great transit access on Lake and Hiawatha,” observed Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin.

Sabre pointed out that 1 in 5 south Minneapolis residents use the services provided by his department. “We serve Corcoran neighbors,” Sabre stated. “We want to do a better job.”

He expects 950 people to be in and out of the county building a day. They will have just under 300 employees, whose hours are staggered.

450 HOUSING UNITS

There will be a mix of 450 housing units in this development, with both affordable housing and market rate options, that house between 600-800 people. There will be smaller units of 550 square feet with one bedroom, and also larger units with four bedrooms for families. Taller apartment buildings will sit near the lightrail line, while townhouse units will ring the edge near existing single-family homes.

Meeting attendees asked questions about parking. Some expressed concern that there be enough while others envisioned a development that didn’t support cars, and pushed for a pedestrian boulevard.

Boarman acknowledged that parking must be supplied within the development, and not push out into the streets or neighborhood. He pointed out that a parking and traffic study will be done soon to study the area, taking into account traffic at the YWCA across the street.

Sabre pointed out that county employees are encouraged to use public transit and given discounts on a metro card.

Currently, the Met Council rents space for a Park-and-Ride lot at the site. The future of the lot for commuter parking has not yet been determined.

ABE AND TRANSITION PLUS

Currently, the building on the site is used for the school district’s adult basic education program, and its Transitions Plus program for ages 18-21 with disabilities is supposed to move into the building in 2015.

Richard Doty of the Minneapolis School District noted that the district is considering several options for where the ABE and Transitions Plus programs will be moved.

Several people spoke out in support of keeping the programs there.

“The school district wants to be a part of where we go with this,” stated Robert Doty of the Minneapolis School District.

Last year the district rejected an $83 million multi-use development plan for the parcel because the cost to replace the Brown Building was more than it was willing to pay.

Hennepin County to transform Hiawatha Ave. from bleak to appealing

County working on landscape plan that will feature a taller and fuller tree canopy, more plants

Existing shrubs and plants will be removed and replanted over the next few years, with the specimens in the worst condition removed first and trees in good condition left. Perennials, trees and shrubs will then fill in over several years, and there won’t be a time when the area looks even bleaker because a clear-cut was done.

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN

Hiawatha Ave. will soon be a bit prettier as well as more pedestrian friendly.

Hennepin County is working on a plan to improve the landscape along the corridor between 32nd and 46th Streets.

“Hiawatha Ave. is the gateway to Minneapolis for people coming into the city from the airport,” said Robb Luckow of Hennepin County Housing, Community Works, & Transit. “The corridor should welcome people to Minneapolis and to our neighborhoods.”

AMUR MAPLES TO BE REPLACED WITH MORE AND BIGGER TREES

Right now, there are about 400 amur maples located in the boulevards of the road. “The current trees are mature, and at a maximum height of 20 feet, do not fit the grand scale of the corridor,” said Luckow.

“According to our assessment, more than a quarter of the trees are in poor or very poor condition, and many of the rest are reaching their natural life span. There are also significant gaps where trees have been removed and not replaced. In addition, the medians contain some shrubs, but little else.”

This restoration plan seeks to create a more fully developed tree canopy that will provide shade for people on the multi-use trail and people walking to the LRT stations. The number and diversity of trees will be increased. “Trees can help reduce air pollution and improve air quality along Hiawatha Ave.,” pointed out Luckow.

While trees are the main focus of this plan, designers are also looking at opportunities for ground level plantings in key areas. “The project proposed groups of plantings (in 100-300 foot long sections) along the corridor, targeting areas that currently lack tree cover and areas of high visibility,” said Luckow.

Planners are also looking at how stormwater management can be improved in the area, and rain gardens are being considered for 35th, 38th and 42nd.

What types of plants will be used? A mix of native, cultivars of natives, and non-native plantings that can withstand a harsh urban environment have been proposed. Options include large trees such as bur oaks, red maples, honeylocust and hybrid elms; as well as small trees such as crabapples, serviceberry, and Japanese tree lilac. Possible shrubs include autumn fire sedum, daylillies, prairie dropseed and chokeberry. All plants used must be able to tolerate the harsh conditions of the corridor, fit the scale and aesthetics of the area, and require minimal maintenance.  Existing trees in good condition will remain.

The project area includes the median, the boulevards on the east and west side of Hiawatha, and the area between the sidewalk/trail and the LRT fence. The project does not include the berm/area west of the LRT line.

COUNTY CONSIDERS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

A maintenance strategy for the corridor is part of the plan. Following comments at two public meetings on the landscape plan held in December 2013, planners are investigating partnerships with other community groups and volunteer organizations.

Currently, trees are maintained by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board forestry department. Grass mowing is done by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

‘PEOPLE ARE EXCITED’

“The plans look great!” said Standish resident Minke Sundseth.

“The plan was well presented and everyone agrees that we are happy to have some attention paid to this gateway to our neighborhood,” said Hiawatha resident Deb Reierson.

“People are excited that this project would make the corridor a more attractive, appealing, and hospitable place for people –versus the bleakness of the current corridor,” said Luckow.

Funding for the project has not yet been designated. Pending funding and approvals, planting could begin in spring 2014, coinciding with other improvements to pedestrian crossings at 32nd, 38th, 42nd, and 46th streets. The project is being designed as a “restoration” so that plantings can be phased in over several years as the existing trees deteriorate, according to Luckow. “This will give the perennials, trees and shrubs time to adjust and grow to fill in without doing a clear cut and waiting several years for it to look good,” added Reierson.

For more information, go to: www.minnehaha-hiawatha.com

Find original story at:
http://www.longfellownokomismessenger.com/hennepin-county-to-transform-hiawatha-ave-from-bleak-to-appealing/

NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES | Roosevelt Library to dedicate new artwork Saturday

By Tesha Christensen, Neighborhood Notes

September 06, 2013

This mosaic by Sheryl Tuorilla appears in the community room addition at the back of the library.

The new artwork at Roosevelt Library will be dedicated during a special event tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 7 at 11 a.m.
View the many fine art mosaic panels now hanging on the recently rennovated library’s walls. Artist Sheryl Tuorilla will be available to speak to attendees.
Create your own paper mosaic art with volunteers from the Minnesota Mosaic Art Guild.
The library is located at 4026 28th Ave. S.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
“Zen Tile, Flowing Ovals and Squaresville Tiles are my signature handmade tiles, and the meditative process of creating them provides me with an artistic retreat,” remarked Tuorilla on her web site. “Working with the wet clay, cutting the individual tiles, meticulously applying glaze and loading each piece into the kiln allows time for reflection.”
After the tiles are made, she mindfully select each piece for her mosaics, to create balance among shapes and colors until the work is complete. “My organic mosaic designs are often enhanced by the addition of fossils, sliced agates, stained glass and polished river rock,” said Tuorilla.
“The finished artwork functions as a stopping point for the viewer, allowing them to clear their mind for a moment and allow their eyes to meander through the individual tiles and experience the journey of color and shapes. New materials blend with natural materials to illustrate a sense of history and timelessness.
“These pieces are ideal as hanging artwork or sculpture but are dynamic when actually installed on walls. The terra cotta tiles are exterior grade and fine for most outdoor applications,” she added.
During her career, Tuorilla has experimented with other artistic mediums, but once she created her first mosaic piece over 10 years ago, she said she never looked back. “Mosaic work is a medium that offers limitless possibilities with regard to ideas, materials and applications,” said Tuorilla. “I only wish there were more hours in the day to create this beautiful work.”
She lives in Brooklyn Park on the Mississippi River, an environment she feels compliments and inspires her organic flowing style of artwork.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
A used book sale will be held at Roosevelt Library on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Most books, withdrawn from the Hennepin Conty Library system or donated by the public, will be priced at $1 or less. Book donations will be accepted at the library beginning on Sept. 7. Funds raised will benefit the library.