The Neighborhood Advocate, 27 Apr 10

Midtown Farmers Market returns!

Market will remain at its home of 7 seasons

Minneapolis Public Schools will also remain at 2225 East Lake

photo by Jeff Blanch The Midtown Farmers Market is secure at 2225 East Lake Street—its home of 7 seasons—and will be part of the future redevelopment of the site. This was the message from Mark Bollinger, Executive Director of Facilities for Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), when he attended the April 19, 2010 meeting of Corcoran’s Land Use and Transportation and Housing committees. MPS owns the building and 6-1/2 acre site and is currently preparing a request for proposals (RFP) for its sale and redevelopment.

While preparing to sell, MPS is relocating its citywide Welcome Center, Community Education, and Adult Basic Education operations to 2225 East Lake. These functions, like the farmers market, will be accommodated in the redevelopment, said Bollinger, meaning MPS will transition from being property owner to becoming a tenant on a small portion of the site. For now, they will occupy the existing building—originally built as Brown Institute in 1985—though this structure is expected to be demolished as part of the redevelopment. Bollinger expects to relocate MPS operations temporarily during construction.

MPS has been downsizing for several years, through school closures and consolidations, disposal of unneeded properties, and most recently, an initiative to consolidate its administrative operations and district headquarters. These initiatives have aimed to “right-size” the district’s operating space to its actual needs, to make operations more cost effective, and to address the sizable debt facing the MPS board.

Bollinger expects to begin engaging prospective developers this summer. The Corcoran Midtown Revival Plan—amended to the Minneapolis Plan by City Council vote in 2002—calls for the redevelopment to include a transit-oriented mix of housing, retail/office, and shared open space to accommodate a farmers market and other public uses.

In 2009, the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization (CNO) directed a university study of transit-oriented farmers markets nationwide, while engaging developers, educating elected officials, and empowering residents to ensure the conversation about redevelopment at 2225 East Lake includes citizen-identified priorities including public use and access to light rail, and sustainable development. An initiative to preserve the Midtown Farmers Market made Hennepin County’s capital investment platform in early 2010, as well as the Minnesota Senate’s, serving to elevate the profile of these issues.

Join the Land Use & Transportation committee, every 3rd Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at CNO.

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Farmers market will open May 1, dedicate season to MPS

Market logo The Midtown Farmers Market will dedicate its 2010 season to Minneapolis Public Schools, its generous host of 7+ seasons, in thanks for allowing the Market to connect over 40,000 residents to the locally-made food and goods of nearly 100 producers each year. The all-local Midtown Farmers Market opens Saturday, May 1 at 8:00 a.m. at 2225 East Lake. Enjoy local, seasonal produce, hot drinks and delicious crêpes, live market music, and original art or simply come out to meet with your neighbors in the spring air. All are welcome at the Midtown Farmers Market! We accept credit cards and EBT. Our vendors also accept WIC-S/FMNP and WIC-CVV. The mission of the Midtown Farmers Market is to create a vibrant forum in south Minneapolis that connects community residents, artisans, and nearby food producers in a mutually beneficial economic and cultural exchange.

Last chance: weigh in on Xcel high voltage lines

Several weeks of courtroom proceedings are underway at the Public Utilities Commission, the final stage of Xcel Energy's bid to run high voltage power lines through south Minneapolis neighborhoods. The PUC will make a decision about the routing following the judge's recommendation. Possible routings include Xcel’s preferred overhead routing through the Midtown Greenway, and the alternative overhead routing through the Corcoran neighborhood along E. 31st Street. CNO is an intervening party to the proceedings and has filed testimony opposing the above routings due to their potential impact on human health, property values, aesthetics, and development opportunities. Make your voice heard! E-mail comments to Judge Beverly Jones Heydinger by 4:30 p.m. on May 11. The Midtown Greenway Coalition has led the way in the battle, and is seeking donations from community members for the significant staff time and legal fees invested. Donations in any amount are welcome at their website.

MayDay Parade Sunday, May 2, seeks volunteers

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre’s annual MayDay Parade and Festival begins Sunday, May 2 at 1:00 p.m. at the intersection of Bloomington Ave. and 26th St., heads south on Bloomington to Powderhorn Park, and concludes with the Tree of Life Ceremony in the Park. Festivities continue until 7:00. Parade organizers seek volunteers to help green the event. Volunteers will spend a few hours monitoring incoming waste and direct it to the proper receptacles for recycling, composting, and garbage. This is also a chance to talk to hundreds of people about an issue or organization you represent. To get involved contact Michelle Ramier, 612-804-4369.

New grant will support Community Energy Services

The Corcoran Neighborhood Organization (CNO) is now offering a $175 Mini Grant to Corcoran homeowners who participate in Community Energy Services (CES). CES is a comprehensive one-stop residential energy program offered by Center for Energy and Environment in partnership with CNO, CenterPoint, and Xcel Energy. Free CES workshops will be held on Tuesday, April 27 and Monday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Corcoran Park, 3334 20th Ave S. CES participants may use the grant for air sealing and insulation, or upgrade to a high efficiency furnace, air conditioning, or water heater. To learn more please attend one of the free workshops or click here.

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Corcoran Neighborhood Organization | 3451 Cedar Ave S | Minneapolis MN 55407
Phone 612-724-7457 | Fax 612-721-7588