Some charge school district isn’t communicating with South High

Many stunned to learn about new ABE/T+ building along Lake St. instead of expansion of Barnard Field

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
The question for some neighborhood residents isn’t whether Adult Basic Education and Transition Plus (ABE/T+) need space, but whether they need a new facility next to South High’s athletic fields.
Before they commit to using that land adjacent to South, Ericsson resident, and high school parent Steve Richter wants an assurance from the district that South High has the space needed to complete the Barnard Field project as requested and outlined.
“At this point, we do not have any such guarantees from them,” said Richter. “Once that project is completed, our ability to expand beyond our current footprint becomes very limited.”
Currently, the immigrant-focused Adult Education occupies 54,000 square feet in a three-story building at 2225 E. Lake St. known as the Brown Institute. However, the property was sold for $8 million and is being transformed into a large commercial and residential development by L&H Station.
As part of the sale agreement, MPS was granted up to eight years to relocate the ABE programs and can stay on the property without any assessment against the district for the first three years.
The Transition Plus program currently occupies approximately 64,000 square feet in two levels of the Wilder School at 3320 Elliot Ave. S., and 18-21-year-olds with the Wellstone Program would remain there. With the move, T+ would lose an auditorium, two computer labs and half of a gym.
Community members have several concerns about the cost and size of the proposed ABE/T+ building at 2005 E. Lake St. which is slated to break ground this spring and open in 2018.
“It seems to me that they are attempting to squeeze two programs that currently occupy much more space and have much more parking into a smaller facility, with limited parking. I am concerned because, from some of the descriptions that we heard, this new building may be too small for the programs it houses very soon after it is completed,” said Richter.
“Additionally, if the district is almost $30 million over budget from last year, it seems like this may not be the best time to take on a $30 million project.”
Adding insult to injury, according to South High parent Stephen Dinger, is that the district is building a new $5 million underground parking lot for the ABE/T+ building while there isn’t enough parking for students or teachers at South High.
Dinger suggests that rather than spend so much on a new building, the district use an empty one, such as Cooper School in his neighborhood at 33rd and 45th Ave. S. He pointed out that the closed school has been sitting empty for ten years but has ample space and parking.
He is upset that the district has made its decision about the ABE/T+ building despite community opposition.
“It’s such an extravagant thing at this time,” said Dinger, who attends Parents United For South High (PUSH) meetings.
District isn’t communicating
South High Site Council co-chair Scott Schluter pointed to a January 2016 letter in which the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization, Minneapolis Council Member Alondra Cano, South Principal Ray Aponte and Foundation President Ayers all asked MPS to consider South High before moving forward, and MPS did not reply to any of them.
“We have real concerns that MPS is not responding to the needs of the South High community, not only with the athletic facilities but a long-term plan as well,” said S. Schluter.
He is frustrated that South High is still waiting for better athletic facilities.
“There is such a long and dated story to an athletic facility that should have been updated 20 years ago when the plans were first drawn,” said S. Schluter. “We all thought we knew what was happening. We were wrong. We were not part of the process this entire time.”
His daughter, Emma Schluter, a junior at South High, is also frustrated by the miscommunications and misleading that has happened along the way. “It is a well-known fact, among the students, that the athletic facilities are in bad conditions, to put it lightly. Because it is so well-known among the students, many assume that others know the state of the facilities as well,” she pointed out. “Unfortunately, this is not the case.”
According to E. Schluter, students and parents continue to ask, “‘When are the improvements going to happen?’ We’ve been waiting a long time for improvements on the field, and nothing has happened.”
Photo right: Portions of the South High track have worn away to the concrete base, creating an unsafe running situation, pointed out student athlete Emma Schluter. She is frustrated at how unresponsive the district has been to the athletic needs at South High while planning to construct a new facility for Adult Basic Education that would block the ability of South High to expand Barnard Field. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)
S. Schluter and Richter have met with Said Ali, the school board member that represents the area South is located in. He promised to work closer with them and the superintendent to move the project along, and has plans to contact the school board members who represent other parts of the school attendance area, which is much larger than just the neighborhood of Corcoran. It includes all of Longfellow, Phillips, and the neighborhoods south of Corcoran, as well as students, come from the rest of the city.
“We feel a sense of urgency since budgets are being discussed right now and the ABE/T+ project is being put out for bids,” said Richter.
‘I am skeptical’
“I want to continue to give the district the benefit of the doubt, that they will take care of us, but I am skeptical at this point,” said Richter.
“We have sent repeated requests via email and letters to Superintendent Graff and the MPS Board without reply as to what we need to do, who we need to follow up with and how is best to keep this project from getting lost,” said Scott.
“We have sent a plan to the board from the South High Principal, the South High Foundation, the South High Site Council and the chair of the South High Field Committee that would help make an impact on improving the spatial layout of the track and field. All of these requests have had no response.
“That is what we need: an MPS that responds and helps us do now what should have been done 20 years ago.”

Article appeared in the May 2017 Longfellow Nokomis Messenger.

Twenty years later South High still waits for better athletic facility

Parents, students point to unsafe conditions at Barnard Field and question why the district hasn’t fixed the problems

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Basic Education (ABE) and Transition Plus (T+) are getting a new building along E. Lake St. while South High School students continue to wait for safe athletic facilities. And, some parents and students don’t think that’s right.
Parents United For South High (PUSH) and the school’s site council are pressing the school district to make good on promises it made in 1995 to update Barnard Field.
“For 20 years and eight superintendents, MPS has known that the athletic fields and practice space are undersized, unsafe and inequitable compared to other schools in the area,” stated site council co-chair Scott Schluter, who started the blog, mpsneedsaplan.weebly.com, to keep people informed.
The 26-year Ericsson resident sends one daughter to South High and watched another graduate from there in 2015.
His daughter Emma Schluter is captain of the soccer team and races on the track and field team.
“We are not asking for a grand new stadium,” said E. Schluter, who is one of 1,800 students at South High, the district’s largest high school. “What we want are facilities that address the needs of our student population, current and incoming. More importantly, facilities that meet regulations, are safe, and can compare to the other Minneapolis Public Schools. We, as students, want facilities that we are proud of; that we can proudly say: ‘Yeah, I go to South!’”
Parents and students are frustrated that the district’s plans for a $29 million, 87,000-square-foot educational building at E. Lake St. and 21st Ave. would block the ability of the South High to expand and to reposition its football field north/south. They say they were stunned in July 2016 when they discovered the district wasn’t planning to use the land it had acquired for South High.
Illustration left (click on it to see it enlarged): South High students come from a large part of South Minneapolis, as shown by this graph, but the district’s communication has been with just one neighborhood, pointed out South High Site Council Co-Chair Scott Schulter. He would like to see other affected neighborhoods included in discussions that affect South High. (Graphic provided)
The 1995 plans for the field turned it to a more playable north/south direction, and practice space was added on the west side of the field.
“Why the district has to put any building that permanently blocks any improvement to the largest school population in Minneapolis and without input from the school’s administration, staff, students and the South High community is disappointing and wrong,” said Scott.
Unsafe playing fields
The main issue for players, according to E. Schluter, is safety.
“It does not seem right that it takes such a long time and such persistence for the district to do anything when the facilities are not safe,” stated E. Schluter. “Safety should be something that the district provides and maintains without the need for lots of attention to be drawn to it before they do something.
We want to be proud in our school, in our facilities, and be able to grow our sports and the sense of community it can build within both the school and the surrounding neighborhoods.”
It is difficult to play on the field in its current condition, pointed out E. Schluter. The width of the field is the biggest issue for her. “It is not a wide field, which changes the style of soccer that can be played,” she explained. “More significantly, the track, along with drains and concrete, sit directly off of the field—no more than a couple of feet from the lines. On the north side of the field, the long jump and pole vault runs even have concrete that sits inches from the field. Regulation is 10 feet for the closest thing from the field. These factors compromise the ability to play safely. Specifically, for soccer, we can’t slide tackle or make plays along the sidelines without worrying about coming in contact with some form of concrete.”
Photo right: About 100 people stood in bone-chilling temperatures in January 2017 on South High’s Barnard Field to rally for fixes to the deteriorating field. According to Emma Schluter, the field isn’t safe for either soccer or track and field, the two sports she plays. (Photo submitted)
The field also has a very strong angle or arch to it, which at times make it impossible to see the ball on the other side of the field, E. Schluter added.
“In terms of the track, the conditions are horrendous,” said E. Schluter. “The track might as well be concrete, and in fact, in several spots, the thin layer covering the track is missing, so it is just concrete. As a result of this, our track is notorious for causing shin splints. This is often the reason why so many of our runners can’t finish out the season.”
Her father added, “We also need lighting for night games, a sound system for announcing, bleachers that are handicapped accessible and are not hand-me-downs from Roosevelt, and a turn-key press box like other schools have so it doesn’t take volunteers hours to set up a game.”
“By providing South with an updated field, track, scoreboard, lights, bleachers, and PA system that is on par with most other schools in the district and many other schools across the state, they would be giving our students and our community a sense of pride that is currently lacking,” said site council co-chair Steve Richter, who has lived in the Hale-Page-Diamond Lake neighborhood for 22 years. His youngest daughter is currently a junior at South High, and another graduated from there four years ago.
The hope is to replace the current six-lane track with one that has eight lanes and to use artificial turf.
“Because of limited practice space and playing fields, even though it may not be our first choice, it makes sense to replace the natural turf with and artificial turf that can be used by more teams, more hours of the day,” said Richter.
Grant awarded for part of field
In March, Minneapolis Public Schools was awarded a $250,000 grant from the Hennepin County Youth Sports (HCYS) Grant to develop an artificial turf athletic field and amenities at South High School.
At its Nov. 15, 2016, meeting, the school board agreed to match this grant if it was awarded, and now has $500,000 dedicated to the South High School field project.
The expected budget necessary for the entire project is $3.15 to $3.19 million.
MPS has committed to providing an additional $250,000 funding match, as other grants are sought and awarded.
According to a press release, MPS will be including Barnard Field updates in its 2018 Capital project proposal and hopes to move forward with the project in summer 2018.
Jay Pomeroy, a landscape architect with Anderson-Johnson Associates, has been contracted by MPS to develop plans for the facility and presented a few concepts to the site council’s Barnard Field planning committee in February.
“The plan so far is not adequate. That doesn’t mean that it can’t get there, but we have very little guaranteed so far,” remarked Richter. “We have drawings with no firm commitment that they fit our space and only about 15 percent of the money needed to complete the project.”
The most frustrating part for Richter is the uncertainty. “They say they will do something for us, and have even provided an architect to draw up plans, but that is where the commitment stops,” said Richter.
“Our fields have not been updated in over 20 years, and there is still the possibility that the district will put it off again.”

Article appeared in the May 2017 Longfellow Nokomis Messenger.

MPRB presents five scenarios for Hiawatha Golf Course

Five scenarios being studied for Hiawatha Golf Course:
• Alternative 1 – Existing Conditions: 18 hole golf course, current pumping; affects one house
• Alternative 2 – No groundwater pumping, berm in-place; other park use, pumping to manage stormwater only; affects 9-14 houses
• Alternative 3 – Reduced pumping, berm in-place; other park use, reduced pumping to protect basements and manage stormwater; affects 0-4 houses
• Alternative 4 – Reduced pumping, gravity-connection; other park use, reduced pumping to protect basements, gravity connection to Lake Hiawatha (no stormwater pumping required); affects 0-4 houses
• Alternative 5 – Reduced pumping, gravity-connection, open channel and creek realignment; other park use, reduced pumping to protect basements, gravity connection to Lake Hiawatha (no stormwater pumping required), development of the open channel and realignment of Minnehaha Creek; affects 0-4 houses

Only one of five would keep 18-hole golf course while rest are a mix of pumping and park-use options

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
Of the five scenarios being evaluated for the Hiawatha Golf Course, only one would leave the golf course open. The other four would reduce the amount of pumping or not pump water off the land at all, and the site would be set aside for other park uses.
Currently, the golf course is open because 308 million gallons of water are being pumped into the lake and then seeped back onto the course in a repeating pattern.
No pumping would not only close the golf course but also potentially flood the basements of between 9-14 nearby homes. Reduced pumping options would affect up to 4 homes. (See at top of page for detailed information on scenarios.)
The Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB) intends to select a preferred scenario to pursue by July.
At an Apr. 20 community meeting, residents viewed diagrams which illustrated the spaces created by the varying levels of groundwater pumping, and how these layouts may affect certain uses within the park in the future. The majority of this meeting focused on developing ideas for potential uses within the park. (Check the June Messenger for an article on the April meeting, which just missed our publication deadline.)
Photo left: At a Mar. 20 community meeting, attendees were asked to share their opinion on how the golf course land should be used moving forward by placing stickers on a diamond configuration. The graphic measures how many people support active versus passive use at the golf course property and nature-inspired design versus natural systems. (Photo submitted by MPRB)
\One scenario stops trash from ‘choking lake’
Only one of the proposed scenarios would effectively stop trash from “choking the lake,” according to Standish-Ericsson resident Sean Connaughty, who has removed 3,400 pounds of trash from Lake Hiawatha in the last year.
He pointed out that despite his efforts and those of other volunteers, trash remains in the lake and on its shores. “It comes from our streets,” he said.
While 90 participants have adopted 170 drains in the Lake Hiawatha watershed, Connaughty is pushing the city and MPRB to change how the storm sewer drains discharge directly into Lake Hiawatha.
“The most effective way to stop the trash and pollutants from reaching the lake is to create a catchment pond or ‘open channel’ in the line of the big north storm sewer pipe,” Connaughty said.
The big north pipe that currently runs into the lake would be diverted into an open water area outside the lake where trash and pollutants could be isolated and removed before they reach the lake. “I imagine the catchment pond or open channel would be surrounded by wetland that could help absorb and consume other pollutants before they reach the lake,” explained Connaughty.
MPRB is also considering a ‘gravity connection,’ so rather than pumping stormwater it would be allowed to flow naturally with gravity to the lake through wetlands.
“In this time of disappearing protections for our waters, something great could happen right here that would mean dramatic improvement for water quality and habitat preservation. But they (Parks) need to know this is what we want,” Connaughty said.
Moving forward
As the MPRB moves forward, it will factor in social, environmental and economic considerations to chart the future course of the site. Staff is working to identify ecological impacts, recreational impacts, economic impacts, and transportation/traffic impacts, as well as environmental regulations. Plus a review of cultural resources is being completed.
Next, Use Envision™ will be used to generate a sustainability score rating for each alternative considering, e.g., energy consumed and carbon dioxide produced, impacts on community health, and well-being
AutoCASE will help quantify costs and benefits of areas such as water quality, flood risks, recreational value, healthy and safety, and air quality.
As pumping alternatives are evaluated, the impacts to water quality and opportunities to reduce trash in stormwater are also being considered.
Resident opinions
Residents have a variety of opinions on the golf course property, and some wrote their thoughts down for the Park Board following the Mar. 20 community meeting.
One commenter pointed out that there are plenty of passive use and natural areas in South Minneapolis for residents to enjoy, including the Minnehaha Falls area. “Hiawatha Golf Course is the only one set in the heart of the city, and it is a gem,” the commenter wrote, adding that “golf is communing with nature while being a fun activity.”
Some residents continue to push for pesticide and chemical testing at the course arguing that the samples taken once in January of 2016 could not provide a full picture of what’s happening there.
Roxanne Stuhr of Friends of Lake Hiawatha asked that multiple sites be tested at multiple times of the year, not just when the ground is frozen.
“Identifying the chemicals and sharing them publicly will help to determine future uses,” Stuhr said.
Another commenter asked that alternatives to chemical herbicides and pesticides be used at the site, and that buffer zones be created for the bodies of water there. “Please create an effective mitigation system to capture and divert trash and pollutants to keep them out of the lake,” wrote the resident, who also pushed for a land use that would limit foot traffic and protect habitat and ecosystems.
“As a Minneapolis residents, I am interested in seeing progressive alternatives to maintaining park lands,” said Anna Seewald. “If supporting a golf course is unsustainable in light of the current environmental conditions then I feel that it’s time to move away from that and to use the land in a way that makes sense for the community while considering a sustainable way to maintain the land.”
Seewald supports the idea of a food forest and light recreation on the property. “However, I do not support the current amount of pumping to maintain the golf course.”
MPRB considers food forest
Earlier in March, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) sent out a press release stressing that Food Forest concept is a proposed idea from an organized group of residents, and is separate from the approved Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park Master Plan.
“Urban agriculture was not identified as a priority during the recently completed year-and-a-half master planning process for the Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park, and the final, approved plan did not include any agricultural zones within the Hiawatha Park,” pointed out MPRB representatives. “The prevailing sentiment among the Community Advisory Committee and public commentary was that the park should have more naturalization and habitat for wildlife.
“Hiawatha Park could be a place for a planned orchard and urban agriculture zone, but it would be disrespectful to all the people who worked on the current master plan to move forward with an amendment without additional engagement. It would also be out of line with MPRB’s dedication to broad and meaningful community engagement.”
MPRB is currently considering two amendments to the Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park Master Plan:
1) Consideration on of a recommended design concept for the Nokomis Athletic field
2) The inclusion of a designated urban agriculture area along the east side of Lake Hiawatha
These items will be discussed during an open house on Thur., May 25. See the MPRB project page for more details as they are available.

Article appeared in the April 2017 Longfellow Nokomis Messenger.

Adult Basic Education program is moving west on Lake St.

Ground breaks on new $29 million facility next to YWCA and South High’s football field in early 2017

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Basic Education (ABE) program will be moving a few blocks west to a new building that will be under construction in early 2017.
The new property is located between the YWCA and South High School’s football field.
Currently, Adult Education occupies 54,000 sq ft in a three-story building at 2225 E. Lake St. known as the Brown Institute. However, the property was sold and is being transformed into a large commercial and residential development by L & H Station.
The first phase of L & H Station development, the five-story, 100,000-sq ft Hennepin County services building, is nearing completion. As part of the $8 million sale of that 6.5-acre parcel, the Minneapolis School District (MPS) was granted up to eight years to relocate its immigrant-focused Adult Basic Education from the “Brown” building to make way for future housing at the site. As part of the 2015 “leaseback” deal with the county, the school district can stay on the property without any assessment against the district for the first three years.
Photo right: The Adult Basic Education program is being displaced by the construction of Hennepin County’s new service building and a large commercial and residential development at 2225 E. Lake St. The school district had three years to vacate the Brown Building before penalties were applied. The new Hennepin County building is nearing completion. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)
MPS opted to construct a new 87,000 sq ft educational building at 2005 E. Lake St. to house its Adult Education programs, as well as its Transition Plus, a program geared toward 18- to 21-year olds. Many students in the T+ program come from South High.
The new $29 million facility will open in the fall of 2018. That price tag includes the purchase price of the property (9 plats) for the new building of approx. $3.8 million and the site demolition budget of $429,840.
While the South High School booster club is concerned that the new building will thwart plans to expand the football field and track, the school district’s plan was supported by the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization (CNO), which seeks to have more “eyes on the street,” according to Phillip Koski, who represents CNO on the project task force.
This stretch of E. Lake St. is already difficult because of the cemetery on the north side. The Corcoran Midtown Revival Plan calls for mixed use with a multi-story building that houses commercial at the ground level and residential above commercial to create a vibrant street.CNO supported the school district’s plan and helped MPS assemble the properties it needed at Lake and 21st.
Photo left: The former buildings at 2005 E. Lake St. have all been torn down and the lot is ready for a new 87,000-square-foot facility that will house the Minneapolis Public School Adult Basic Education (ABE) and Transition Plus programs. The new property is located between the YWCA and South High School’s football field. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)
Several of the buildings on the site across from the Soldiers Memorial Cemetery were demolished in 2016. The demolition of the remaining building at 2019 E. Lake St. was approved by the Heritage Preservation Commission and City Council in late 2016.
New building tailored to program needs
The design proposes a three-story building along Lake Street consisting of three parts—a wing for each program and a communal center at its heart. This central space, known as the “Town Hall,” will be a social hub and provide common meeting rooms for both Minneapolis Public Schools and the community.
Classrooms and specialty education areas will be tailored to specific needs, and the programs will realize a synergy by sharing areas of overlap—social zones, meeting rooms, staff work areas and teacher collaboration.
The design follows recommendations outlined in the Hiawatha/Lake Station Area Master Plan, creating a pedestrian-friendly urban environment with active uses and civic open space. Welcoming entrance plazas from both Lake St. and the short-term parking to the south bring users into the same central space, whether arriving by transit, bicycle, car, or on foot. A courtyard and school bus drop-off in the middle of the block provides a safe and pedestrian-friendly outdoor amenity with access controls that allow it to be closed off and flexible for programming. The 121-stall surface parking continues the plaza design, with an additional 39 parking stalls provided underground.
The southern street that bisects the site, 30½ St. S., and the alley will be vacated.
The project will be a welcoming learning environment for adults, provide space that is both flexible and specialized, and be a place that fosters an active and inclusive sense of community, according to city documents.
Transition Plus currently occupies approximately 64,000 square feet in two levels of the Wilder School at 3320 Elliot Ave. S. in Minneapolis.
Neither the Wilder School nor the Brown building were designed specifically for these programs, resulting in inefficiency of space, function, and operation, according to documents filed with the city.
An advisory group comprised of various Minneapolis Public Schools staff, Board of Education members, parents of students, a City Council member, and members of the community formed a collective voice in determining the site location, establishing vision and goals, and reviewing the design. Additionally, representatives from both the Adult Education and Transition Plus program provided detailed input and feedback for the spatial program and design submitted.

Article appeared in the March 2017 Longfellow Nokomis Messenger.

Under helm of SENA resident, company knits community together

GetKnit supports local businesses while drawing people together for pub crawls, terrarium making, and more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
Four years ago, Stand­ish-Ericsson resident Nick Blake (photo right) wanted to meld together his desire to support local businesses and bring together friends for fun gatherings, and to turn that into something bigger than himself.
GetKnit Events was born.
The locally-owned experiential events company focuses on Minneapolis and St. Paul, but also offers activities in the suburbs and Greater Minnesota.
“The inspiration behind starting GetKnit was fueled by a love for supporting local and creating community,” remarked Blake, who serves as president. “From the beginning, my team and I often joked that GetKnit is the ‘love child’ of bringing those two concepts together.”
The business name says it all, according to Blake. “Not to be cheesy, but we really do aim to ‘knit’ the community together through our events. We do that through creating opportunities for our local partners to work together to showcase their products and services in interactive ways via our event packages. Those events are then offered up to the public with the goal of inspiring our participants to get out there, try something new, and experience all our surroundings have to offer. And the great thing about Minnesota is it offers so much!”
Since 2013, over 15,000 people have participated in GetKnit events. “I love that we’re given the opportunity to be memory makers for our participants,” said Blake.
Upcoming brewpub tours
The Progressive Meal Brewpub Tour features four local brewpubs, including Northbound Smokehouse at 2716 E. 38th St. At each pub participants will enjoy two small plates paired with a beer flight. “It’s a great way to experience the diversity of that scene in our neighborhood and throughout the metro!” said Blake.
Photo left: Brews & Buses, one of GetKnit’s two biggest events of the year, offers a door-to-door tour of all 11 breweries located in St. Paul, for a one-day, large-scale event. “It gives us a great opportunity to showcase what is happening in the brewing community across the river, and to truly highlight to diverse breweries in our capital city,” said GetKnit President Nick Blake. “It truly is a special day.”  (Photo submitted)

The progressive tour was held on Mar. 18 and will be offered again on Apr. 8.
Also in April is Brews & Buses, one of GetKnit’s two biggest events of the year. A fleet of buses creates a ‘brewery circuit’ that goes door-to-door to all 11 breweries located in St. Paul, for a one-day, large-scale event.
It’s one of the most logistically challenging as GetKnit creates its own line of transportation for the day, remarked Blake.
“What I am the most excited about this event, and all our bigger events, is that it allows us to expand our reach in one single day—not only in terms of our participants but also our partners,” he said. “It gives us a great opportunity to showcase what is happening in the brewing community across the river, and to truly highlight to diverse breweries in our capital city. It truly is a special day!”
The third annual ‘Brews & Buses: St. Paul Brewery Bus Crawl’ on Sat., Apr. 29 runs from 11am to 6pm. Early registration tickets are available for $45 until Apr. 9; after that prices rise to $55.
The event begins at Union Depot in Lowertown Saint Paul, where participants will check in and receive two beer tokens, each good for a pint of beer at any participating brewery, an event T-shirt which will unlock special discounts at each stop, and an event passport which contains maps, contests, and information to guide them. From there, the event is a self-guided crawl—allowing participants to plot their own route as they visit new breweries and old favorites.
Each brewery will be serving specialty beers just for Brews & Buses participants, have special activities including live music and games, and offer discounts on food, beers, and merchandise throughout the event.
Something larger than himself
Blake had been involved in the event world since before he dove into the workforce out of college. His first job was with Event360, a company based out of Chicago, where he worked on cause-focused events with non-profit organizations to bring their large-scale events to life. His main client during those five years was Susan G. Komen.
“This job gave me the opportunity to work for something larger than myself, but I got to work alongside some of the most creative, hardworking people I’ve ever known,” recalled Blake. “I also got to travel all around the States, and in doing so, my heart for exploration and adventure really came to life.”
Minnesota called him home, and he took a job with the start-up LivingSocial, helping create and build the event arm of the company for Minnesota. “The leadership in our division here would always preach ‘this is your company…make it what you will.’ I attest the fostering of my entrepreneurial spirit to that team,” stated Blake.
He moved to the LivingSocial travel division when they stopped planning events, and learned through travel what it was that his heart most loved about home. It motivated him to take the next step and start his own business.
Before GetKnit was created, Blake met with some local businesses from the beer, art, adventure, tourism, sightseeing, wine, and food industries. He remembers sharing with them what he was hoping to do, and the response was a unanimous “Yes, we need something like this!”
Photo right: The GetKnit Team celebrates its fourth anniversary together in March 2017. Standish-Ericsson resident Nick Blake credits the GetKnit team of ‘Local Gurus’ for keeping the events afloat. “Our team is made up of some of the most engaging, outgoing, and dynamic individuals around,” he praised. Since 2013, over 15,000 people have participated in GetKnit events. (Photo submitted)
“That was wildly affirming and all of those things combined, along with the support of family and friends, inevitably led to the creation of GetKnit Events,” said Blake. “It’s so exciting to see how that original idea has grown, evolved, and impacted so many local businesses and participants alike.”
To those who want to start their own companies, Blake recommends this: “No matter your business, success lies in the details. Pay attention to those and you’ll soar.”
Success lies in the details
What sets GetKnit apart? According to Blake, it’s the details.
“We put a strong emphasis on ensuring that everything is well thought out and executed accordingly on our events,” said Blake.
He praised the GetKnit team of ‘Local Gurus.’ “They are the spirit that keeps our events afloat,” said Blake. “Our team is made up of some of the most engaging, outgoing, and dynamic individuals around.”
But GetKnit wouldn’t be a success without the willingness of participants to try something new. “Without them, and their support, our events would be lifeless,” observed Blake.
More at getknitevents.com.

Article appeared in the March 2017 Longfellow Nokomis Messenger.

No specific grocery store picked yet for 46th and Hiawatha

Residents crowd meeting for information and to share input on grocery store proposed for ‘town square retail’ site

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
Over 100 residents showed up at the Hiawatha School Recreation Center to talk about a potential grocery store at 46th St. and Hiawatha during a Feb. 23 community meeting, filling up the available space and spilling into the hallway.
‘Why a grocery store at this site?’ wondered some.
“The demand for groceries in this part of the city is incredible high,” remarked Joe Bernard, Minneapolis Principal Planner. “There’s demand for more than one grocery store in this location.”
Illustration right: A market analysis shows that $1.5 million in grocery store sales are leaving the trade area each week. Grocery offerings not currently in the trade area include a hot bar with indoor/outdoor seating, a full deli, a bakery, floral and ethnic/specialty foods.(Illustration provided)
Oppidan has proposed investing $38-44 million in a five-story building. The 5.7-acre parcel that currently houses the Creative Kidstuff building, and sits adjacent to the Burger King, Holiday, strip mall and Falls Liquor.
According to Drew Johnson, Oppidan’s planning began with a review of the city’s transit-oriented development guidelines for the area, starting with the 2001 committee recommendations for the neighborhood and followed by the 2014 update.
Phase one would include 45,000 square feet of retail on the ground level with 146 apartments in upper levels and resident parking beneath. To encourage residents to use the nearby public transportation options, there would be less than one parking space allocated per apartment, according to Johnson. A second-story plaza would be used by building residents while a smaller outdoor plaza on the ground floor would be used by shoppers.
“Everything is preliminary,” stressed Johnson.
Photo right: According to Drew Johnson of Oppidan, phase one of the project would include 45,000 square feet of retail on the ground level with 146 apartments in upper levels and parking beneath for residents. Developers have not yet selected a specific grocery store, but note the space available would fit a medium-size store. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)
Developers have not yet selected a specific grocery store to fit into the 45,000 sq ft retail space, but note the space available would fit a medium-size store. To put that in perspective, a Hyvee is typically 90,000 sq ft, a Cub ranges from 65-80,000 sq ft, Lunds & Byerly’s range from 50-90,000 sq ft, a Trader Joe’s is 12,000 sq ft, and an Aldi is 19,000 sq ft.
A large, underground system would collect water run-off and treat it.
Other green space would be along the former railroad track, which those with the Mi Hi Line Coalition (www.minhiline.org) envision becoming a bike/walk trail and linear park.
Traffic concerns
Residents are concerned about traffic on 46th, especially the area near the railroad tracks where traffic currently empties onto the heavily traveled street.
“My concern with any development in this area is the traffic it will bring,” stated resident Kevin Baumgartner. “This is a really bad stretch of 46th.” He questioned adding another stoplight between the one on Hiawatha and Minnehaha Ave., and how it would add to the bottleneck near Burger King and Holiday. Plus he pointed out that those on the trail will want to cross 46th there and not move east to a stoplight.
Johnson acknowledged that traffic is a concern in the area, and pointed out that it was brought up by residents at the first community meeting on the project held in January.
They are currently working on a traffic management plan with the goal of improving traffic in the area, he pointed out.
Photo right: Residents Zak R. Stephens, Maja Bjornson, and Deb Stancevic learn about the development planned near 46th and Hiawatha during a community meeting on Feb. 23. Stancevic is excited about the plans and has been pushing for a grocery store in the area. Bjornson is a 61-year neighborhood resident and lives adjacent to the proposed site. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)
Developers are asking, “How low do we think traffic can go?” according to Johnson, and have set the goal of seeing at least 50% of residents use another form of transportation than a car. They’re also hoping that shoppers use the Blue Line, A Line, and other public transit options, as well as the nearby trail system for biking and walking.
Snelling extension, access closures
The plan to extend Snelling Ave. into the site and curve it over to Hiawatha would provide access to the area. The exact route of the roadway has not been determined, but eventually it would likely be the only access point from the retail area onto 46th.
Baumgartner pushed for the closure of the other accesses right away. “We can’t wait 20 years when there is a 40,000 sq ft grocery store there. Traffic is bad,” he said. “We need a future plan now.”
Bernard pointed out that the developer will need to meet current standards and mitigate the impacts of traffic from the site. However, the city can’t just remove accesses to businesses.
“We need to maintain access for private property owners to the street system,” said Bernard.
Additionally, 46th St. needs to be rebuilt within the next few years as it is at the end of its life. It may be done in the 2019-2020 Capital Improvement Project cycle; however, the county has 10 years worth of projects for the next five years, according to Hennepin County Transportation Engineer Bob Byers.
Residents expressed concerns about the hostile environment between Hiawatha and Minnehaha and suggested that more trees be planted.
Park Board won’t manage Linear Park
A bike/walk trail in this area would create a protected connection between the Midtown Greenway and Minnehaha Pkwy., and complete the Longfellow Grand Rounds, as noted in the Minneapolis Bicycle Master Plan.
However, District 5 Park Commissioner Steffanie Musich stressed that this trail will not be managed by the Park and Recreation Board, but rather by the city or county like the Midtown Greenway.
“This is not an area we have planned to invest in public land,” said Musich. “I don’t see us taking that on.”
While the Park Board had once owned the former railroad land, in 2007 it traded it to the city as representatives then thought it would make a good transit corridor. In return, the Park Board received the riverfront from Plymouth to Broadway in North Minneapolis, an area not as well served as South Minneapolis regarding parks.
Of course, Park Board planners will work with the city to connect any trails in the development to its existing trail system.
The main connection the Park Board would have with the project is that it would benefit from the park dedication fees paid by the developer. They could range from $230,000-280,000 and be used at the nearby Adams Triangle Park, Hiawatha School Park or Minnehaha Park. The money can’t be used on operations or to replace an amenity, but can be used on new amenities, according to Musich. For example, they couldn’t be used to fix a baseball field, but could be used to install multi-purpose fields at Hiawatha School Park.
Musich responded to a concern about the lack of enough trash cans at parks and how late bathrooms open in the spring. She pointed out that thanks to the financial agreement made with the city last year, the Park Board is working on an asset management plan and mapping out where items, such as trash cans, should be placed each season. With the additional funds, the Park Board will also hire more plumbers to open bathrooms quicker each spring. “This will get things done that affect your experience at the parks,” said Musich.
Share your opinions
“I am thrilled to see the turnout tonight,” said council member Andrew Johnson, who added that it shows how engaged the community is and how important this project it. “We will continue to take feedback on this important project that is really at the heart of our community,” he said.
To comment, contact the Longfellow Community Council or Johnson’s office.

Article appeared in the March 2017 Longfellow Nokomis Messenger.

Unforgettable adventures found locally at youth summer camps [Messenger version]

Popular local options include Adventures in Cardboard, Articulture, Minnehaha Academy, and Southeast Minneapolis Soccer

By Tesha M. Christensen

Take an unforgettable adventure to Africa this summer or spend a week at Hogwarts. Focus on ballet, Irish dance or tap. Experience the circus. Go for gold in the Animal Olympics at the zoo or create something great at the Friends School. Try tennis, soccer, or mountain biking. Dabble with clay, book arts or sewing. Step back in time and be a history detective.

That’s just the start of the youth camp options available in the Twin Cities area. Browse below for more information on some of the camps offered locally.

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

ADVENTURES IN CARDBOARD

Construct giant castles, get lost in colossal mazes, build suits of armor and more during these five-day, full-day sessions for ages 8-17. Buses available from Powderhorn Park. New this year: Teen Weeks and Advanced AiC.

Cost: $339

http://julianmcfaul.com/

612-532-6764

ARTICULTURE

A variety of art disciplines and mediums with themes like mirror images, urban forest, theater, art car, or paper and book arts offered for ages 4-18. Five-day, half- and full-day sessions available.

Cost: $124-275

612-729-5151

http://www.articulture.org

CIRCUS JUVENTAS

Explore international circus arts at Circus Juventas. Five-day, full-day sessions offered for ages 6-15. Or make your own camp with Circus Sampler Days.

Cost: $85-405

651-699-8229

http://www.circusjuventas.org

FORT SNELLING

Experience the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Become a history investigator. Or, try out what life as an archeologist is like. Camps range from one day to one week.

$45-$250

612-341-7555

http://www.mnhs.org/summercamps

MINNEHAHA ACADEMY

A variety of athletic, academic and enrichment programs are offered, including woodcarving, viola and cello, combat robots, puddlestompers, fencing, movie making, sewing, painting, rocket science, drumming, and more. Half- and full-day, one- to three-week weekday sessions. Camp Minnehaha, a full day camp for pre-k to grade 8, includes daily devotions, games, indoor and outdoor activities, daily swimming lessons and a weekly off-campus activity.

Cost: $36-500

612-728-7745, ext. 1

http://www.minnehahaacademy.net

SE MINNEAPOLIS SOCCER

Southeast Soccer fields a variety of girls and boys teams for ages U9-U18 at beginner, intermediate and advanced competitive levels. Consider the Lil’ Dribblers soccer program for ages 4 -8, or summer traveling teams.

http://www.sesoccer.org/

612-396-9511

YMCA

Explore the variety of Y Summer Programs at over 60 metro-area locations. Programs include flexible three-, four-, and five-day options. There’s something fun for everyone from preschool through grade nine.

Cost: $80-350

http://www.ymcatwincities.org/child_care__preschool/summer_programs/

IN THE TWIN CITIES

ANIMAL HUMANE SOCIETY

Unleashed summer campers entering grades 3-10 spend a full week immersed in animal learning and fun. NEW this year: Campers will spend their time exclusively in the shelters.

Cost: $120-300

http://www.animalhumanesociety.org/camps

763-489-2220

ARTSTART

Grab your passports and join ArtStart artists on an unforgettable adventure to Africa through the arts. Pre-school children ages 4-5 years register for “A Start with the Arts” offered morning only the week of July 10-14 and 17-21. Youth ages 13 years and older register for “Camp CREATE” offered June 19-22 Youth select classes taught by professional artists from multiple arts disciplines— music, creative movement/dance, and visual arts. As a result of participating in this 5-day immersion experience, youth gain artistic knowledge and skills, learn about the people, geography and environment of a place and create art works and performances inspired by the culture.

Cost: $145-$295. 651-698-2787.

http://www.artstart.org/summer-immersion

ALEXANDER RAMSEY HOUSE

Solve mysteries of the past in this three-day History Detective Camp for ages 10-13. Or, young ladies ages 9-12 can step back in time in a unique Finishing School for Young Ladies day camp.

Cost: $200-$220

612-341-7555

http://www.mnhs.org/summercamps

BLACKHAWKS OF ST. PAUL

Blackhawks offer several exciting half- and full-day soccer camps for players ages 5-18 that encompass a wide variety of activities and skills. Specialty camps focus on specific skills such as ball control, shooting, and goalkeeping.

Cost: $85-195

651-894-3527

http://blackhawksoccer.org/

CAMP COMO

Spend some time “Monkeying Around” with your primate pals, go for the gold in “Animal Olympics”, take an “African Adventure” without leaving Como, or try on the hat of a zookeeper or gardener in “Behind-the-Scenes!”. Como’s camps focus on developing children’s appreciation for the natural world through play and exploration, behind-the-scenes experiences, interactions with zookeepers and gardeners, and up-close encounters with plant and animal ambassadors Five-day, half-day or full-day sessions for preschool to grade eight. Extended care available.

Cost: $135-155

651-487-8272

http://www.tinyurl.com/p3u4lqv

CAMP SUNRISE

Camp and canoe while learning leadership and teamwork skills in a seven-day resident camp for youths age 13-18 who live within the city limits of Minneapolis or St. Paul. Held on the St. Croix River in Rush City and organized by YouthCARE.

Cost: free

612-338-1233

http://www.youthcaremn.org

CONCORDIA LANGUAGE VILLAGES

Experience cultural and language immersion; 15 languages to choose from. Resident camp for ages 6-18 and family camps.

Cost: $960-$4,510

1-800-222-4750

http://www.concordialanguagevillages.org

CREATE SOMETHING GREAT AT FRIENDS SCHOOL

Want to make a film just like the professionals do? Feel like biking 10 (or 20!) miles a day? Have a secret stash of poems you want to share? Feel a need to express yourself through paint and paper-folding? Maybe you'd rather argue for the defense in a real courtroom? Friends School will be the place to do that--and more--from June 19-Aug. 4 for ages 4-14. Weekdays, half- and full-day. Extended day care in the mornings and afternoons and need-based financial aid available.

Cost: $105 to $295

651-621-8941

http://www.fsmn.org

DODGE NATURE CENTER

Explore prairies, wetlands and woodland trails during full- and half-day, four-day camps offered for students entering 1-8 grades. Shorter sessions available for ages 3-6.

Cost: $50-200

651-455-4531

http://www.dodgenaturecenter.org/

FARM TO TABLE

Make butter, ice cream and bread while learning about science, agriculture and history at the Bruentrup Heritage Farm in Maplewood. Plus, students will play old-time games like townball and do arts and crafts. Three four-day sessions offered in July and August.

Cost: $150

651-748-8645

http://www.maplewoodhistoricalsociety.org/pdfs/2017-Summer-Camp.pdf

FIDDLE CAMP

Fiddling taught by master Swedish and American fiddlers, whistle making and folk dancing.

Cost: $235-305

www.yfaminnesota.weeby.com

FOCCI MN CENTER FOR GLASS

From fusing to casting to glass blowing, ages 9-18 are introduced to the mesmerizing medium of glass through immersive half-day, five-day experiences.

Cost: $325-425

612-623-3624

http://tinyurl.com/foci2016

GERMAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE CAMPS

Speak, hear, sing, and create in German while exploring subjects ranging from history and art to science and music during five-day, half-, full- and extended-day sessions for grades K-3 at the Germanic American Institute.

Cost: $130-150

651-222-2979

http://gai-mn.org

GIBBS MUSEUM OF PIONEER AND DAKOTA LIFE CAMPS

Travel back in time and learn about life in the 1800s. Explore seasonal Dakota activities including the maple sugar camp, wild rice village, life in the tipi, hunting games, methods of travel, language and song. Or enroll in Gibbs Girl or Digging history sessions. Three-day, half-day camps. One-day Pioneer PeeWees camps offered for ages 4-5.

Cost: $19-99

651-646-8629

http://www.rchs.com

HAMLINE YOUNG WRITERS

High school students ages 15-18 can explore the craft, prepare for college, and connect with other young writers in the Twin Cities, while working closely with Hamline Creative Writing faculty and published authors. 

Cost: $400

651-523-2476

http://www.hamline.edu/gls/youngwriters/

IRISH DANCE

Professional Irish Dance training by director Cormac O'Se, an original member of Riverdance.

612-722-7000

www.osheairishdance.com

JUGHEADS JUGGLING CAMP

Half-day, five-day sessions and single day sessions for beginners through experts ages 8-18 enhance hand-eye coordination, boost concentration and build self-confidence.

Cost: $30-110

612-229-3348

http://jugheads.com

KID YOGA

Yoga infused throughout the day via story, dance and games for campers age 5-12. Located on the Greenway = daily field adventures.

Cost: $75-335

612-202-5164

kidyogamn.com

LEONARDO’S BASEMENT

Girls and boys ages 6 to 17 can design and build their creative ideas, mixing art, science and technology during partial-day, weekday camps. There are more than 115 classes available over 10 weeks.

Cost: $185-370, scholarships available

612-824-4394

www.leonardosbasement.org

LOPPET ADVENTURE CAMPS

Roller ski, mountain bike, canoe and more during adventure camps for ages 9-13 at Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis. Equipment provided during the full-day, five-day sessions.

Cost: $200

612-604-5330

http://loppet.org

MINNESOTA WALDORF SCHOOL

Join the Minnesota Waldorf School for good, old-fashioned summer fun June 12 to Aug. 18. Outdoor games, natural crafts, water play, gardening, caring for the school’s chickens, and much more, all on their beautiful 8-acre campus. 70 East County Road B, St. Paul. For children ages 3.5 to (rising) 6th grade.

Cost: $150- $275

651-487-6700 x202

http://mnwaldorf.org/summercamp

MILL CITY MUSEUM

Play music, get creative, bake bread and construct books while exploring the rich culture along the Minneapolis riverfront district. Campers aged 9-11 will explore a new experience each day at four arts centers.

Cost: $225-$250

612-341-7555

http://www.mnhs.org/summercamps

NORTHERN CLAY CENTER

Work with sculpture, tiles, or wheel-thrown pottery in half or full-day sessions for ages 6 and up.

Cost $160-305

612-339-8007

www.northernclaycenter.org

TECH CAMPS

Use LEGO bricks, gears and motors to construct and program robots. Opt to learn to code or create your own video game. Math Addvantage offers five-day, half-day camps for grades 2-8.

$215

http://mathaddvantage.com

SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTA

Summer programs for youth ages 3 to 16 combine science, art, drama, and literature in ways that encourage kids to actively discover and examine concepts for themselves. Programs also offered at the Lee & Rose Warner Nature Center, the state's oldest outdoor environmental education facility.

Cost: $60-345

651-221-4511, 651-433-2427

http://www.smm.org/classes

STEPPING STONE THEATER

Learn about devised theater, music and other performance art forms during these one- to two-week, half- and full-day sessions for those preK to grade 12. Two theater classes offered in collaboration with the Science Museum and Minnesota Zoo.

Cost: $125-475

http://steppingstonetheatre.org

SPIRIT TAE KWON DO

Fun, exciting camps that combine physical fitness and education are offered throughout the summer for school-age kids. Register early for discounts.

651-428-6172

www.istkd.com

ST. PAUL ACADEMY

Make your own games and design circuits. Take a writing workshop entitled: “A Week at Hogwarts.” Debate, play chess, learn about mathematical modeling and forecasting, make movies or delve into creative science options. Eight options at SPA cover a wide range of academic, arts, and enrichment activities for grades 2-12. The Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth offers the ExplorSchool for students in grades 4-6. 

Cost: $195-385

651-698-2451

http://www.spa.edu

ST. PAUL BALLET

Summer is a great time to try dance. Programs include workshops and camps for ages 3 and up, weekly drop-in classes for teens and adults, and a new "mommy and me" baby class.

Cost: $8.50-20

651-690-1588

www.spballet.org

ST. PAUL URBAN TENNIS

Located at 30+ sites, with several locations in the Midway-Como neighborhoods, St. Paul Urban Tennis offers a summer program for all age groups and skill levels. Tennis lessons combine high quality instruction with life skills learning. Sampler Camps offer a condensed, 4-day version of the lesson program. Scholarships available.

612-222-2879

http://stpaulurbantennis.org/2011-summer-program.php

TEXTILE CENTER CAMPS

Sew, knit, felt, dye and more. Take home completed fiber items from three- and five-day, half-, full- and extended-day sessions for ages 6-16.

Cost: $87-370

612-436-0464

http://textilecentermn.org

TRAPEZE CENTER CIRCUS CAMP

Students ages 8-17 enrolled in the weeklong, half-day camps will experience a variety of circus disciplines (including Trampoline, Static Trapeze, Acrobatics, Circus Bike, and of course Flying Trapeze).

Cost: $275

651-262-9477

twincitiestrapeze.com

WEST BANK SCHOOL OF MUSIC

There's something for everyone at WBSM this summer! Camps: Rock, Pop, Funk, Brass, and Girls Rock – Ensembles: Jazz, Gypsy Jazz, Fiddle, String Quartet, and Irish – Guitar Classes: Blues, Celtic, and Finger-style – and more.

612-333-6651

wbsm.org

WHITE BEAR CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Painting, drawing, clay, theatre, writing, glass and much more for ages 6-14.

Cost: $23-$97

651-407-0597

http://www.WhiteBearArts.org

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is not a comprehensive list of every camp in the Twin Cities. If you would like to be included in next year’s guide, please send us detailed information on the camp.