NICOLLET MALL RENOVATION Enhancing Our Industry
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE: JULY 2018 Nicollet Mall Renovation ................................................................................ 1-4 Snapshot: 124 North 3rd Avenue .......................................................................2 Highlights of MSCA Over 30 Years......................................................................5 Legislative Update..............................................................................................6 Member Profiles .................................................................................................7 Rising Star: Escapology .....................................................................................8 Minnesota Marketplace .....................................................................................9 “Highlight” Awards ..........................................................................................10 Twitter Highlights .............................................................................................11 Golf Recap .................................................................................................. 12-13 MSCA Leadership..............................................................................................14 MSCA 2018 Schedule of Events & Monthly Speakers .....................................15 June Trivia Winners & What’s Hot/Not ..............................................................16 Corporate Sponsors .........................................................................................17 STARRSM Awards Nomination Form ..................................................................18 Saint Paul Saints Flyer .....................................................................................19 Enhancing Our Industry & Advancing Our Members FEATURE ARTICLE NICOLLET MALL RENOVATION by Natina James — RSP Architects WE OFTEN ASK WHY DO OUTDOOR COMMUNITY SPACES MATTER? Nicollet Mall is one of Minneapolis’ most successful outdoor Originally spaces that attracts people and businesses to help create and maintains a vibrant downtown core. Nicollet Mall was [Nicollet Mall] first conceived and planned in 1962-1967 after the historic and controversial demolition of the Gateway District. The was designed Gateway District was one of Minneapolis’ first commercial districts centered on Nicollet and Hennepin Avenues. As the City evolved, the commercial district started moving toward Washington Avenue – allowing less desired uses to as an eight- take over the area (pawn shops, flop houses, burlesque theatres and bars). block stretch of Nicollet Avenue The designer for Nicollet Mall was Lawrence Halprin and Associates. – closing off Originally it was designed as an eight-block stretch of Nicollet Avenue automobile – closing off automobile traffic and creating an 80-foot swath through traffic and the heart of downtown. This was in direct response to attract retailers and people back to the core as suburbia was drawing people and creating an business’ away. Retail was also transforming from street-front to a new 80-foot swath concept – internal Shopping Center, the first being Southdale, which through opened in Edina in 1956. The initial investment included pedestrian the heart of respites, gardens and tree-lined boulevard (uncommon in downtown) downtown. at a cost of 3.875 million dollars.1 The original design did allow for a 24’ wide vehicle path in an “S” curve. The mall was redesigned in 1990 by BRW Inc. – and the alignment was changed to a “C” curve. One commercial anchor to the pedestrian mall was the seven story Dayton’s Dry Goods Company (Department Store). It was originally founded as R.S. Goodfellow & Company dry in 1902. In 1903, George Draper Dayton bought out the original partners and renamed the Company to The Dayton Company. Dayton’s acted as a main anchor to Nicollet Mall until rebranded as Marshall Fields in 2001. We often say that retail developments needed anchors. Nicollet Mall has enjoyed many anchors ranging from commercial to business including IDS by Philip Johnson in 1972 as the tallest building in the State at 792 feet, Orchestra Hall designed by HGA which opened for its first concert season in 1974, the wonderfully playful modernist outdoor plaza design by Paul Friedberg – Peavey Plaza 1974. Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, said “Every success story is a tale of constant adaption, revision and change. A company that stands – continued on page 2 PAGE 2 JULY 2018 CONTINUED: NICOLLET MALL RENOVATION still will soon be forgotten.”2 Not to be forgotten, we have witnessed the re-imagining of Nicollet Mall for the third time. The City of Minneapolis invested over 50 million dollars and worked with designers James Corner Field Operations. Although there was excitement regarding the project, the changes were often painful and disrupting. The community was frustrated, as the majority of work was underground and not immediately appreciated. Nicollet mall was closed or under construction for more than two years. Many businesses on Nicollet Mall saw a drops of 30% or more in sales. National retailers, such as Macy’s, Barnes & Noble, Sports Authority and Gap, have left or soon will be closing. Popular restaurants, including Ichiban, Masa and Vincent, have been chased away such due to loss of sales. Mayor Betsy Hodges told WCCO that “It will be well worth the wait — improving the pedestrian experience for all those who come to shop, dine and be entertained in our vibrant downtown.”3 My favorite quote regarding the project was from Council Member and Mayor Elect Jacob Frey — “Yes, we were all watching the sausage get made and at times, it does get a little bit disgusting when you’re watching that happen, but the end result is going to be delicious.”4 Nicollet Mall reopened in November of 2017. The project is intended to meet new urban and social trends as well as modernize and improve the infrastructure. New environmentally friendly LED lighting, and curb free intersections were provided for public safety and convenience. Most importantly, public social spaces were created, sheltered by native plantings oak trees and artist designed lanterns. Investments were made in unique experiences such as the Light Walk — a unique two block outdoor led corridor leading to center destination for programmed attractions and public events. There’s also a curated outdoor gallery of public art. The 1960’s, 16 foot-high clock sculpture at 11th Street and Nicollet was restored. A new art installment by Ned Kahn — “The Prairie Tree” was installed on the east – continued on page 3 JULY SNAPSHOT: 124 NORTH 3RD AVENUE MONTH/YEAR OPENED: .................................February 2018 OWNER: ........................................................124 North Partners, LLC MANAGING AGENT & CENTER MANAGER: ......Paster Properties REAL ESTATE REP: ........................................Urban Anthology / Newmark Knight Frank Global ARCHITECT: ..................................................AWH Architects CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR: ...................Greiner Construction GLA:..............................................................24,002 sf CURRENT OCCUPANCY: ................................12.2% # OF TENANT SPACES: ..................................4 Retail, 4 Office ANCHOR TENANTS: .......................................Fairgrounds Coffee MARKET AREA SERVED: ................................North Loop - Minneapolis LOCATION: North Loop Neighborhood - Minneapolis (NWC of 2nd Street and 3rd Avenue) CONSTRUCTION STYLE: ................................Historic Renovation Constructed in the late 1800’s in the heart of the North Loop, 124 North 3rd includes two buildings that were home to the American Hide and Fur Company and the Porter Electric Company. Today, the completely restored and renovated structures house two levels of office over one level of street front retail. This historic renovation returned two buildings hidden for decades behind layers of paint and metal cladding back to its original condition. The fully renovated street front openings allow for great visibility of the first floor retail spaces, and the fully restored oversized upper story windows on floors two and three integrate abundant natural light with great views of the Minneapolis skyline. The buildings first tenant, Fairgrounds Coffee Shop opens in July. The redevelopment of 124 North 3rd has uncovered a hidden gem at the prime intersection of the North Loop and will be additive to the existing neighborhood vibrancy. WWW.PASTERPROP.COM PAGE 3 JULY 2018 CONTINUED: NICOLLET MALL RENOVATION side of Nicollet at 10th and 11th. A series of seven pieces by artists Seitu Jones, Ta-coumba and poet Soyini Guyton were reinstalled in their homes between 12th and 13th streets. The main hole covers customized by artist Kate Burke to represent Minnesota – loons, walleye and lady slippers were re-installed. The City has committed to an art rich environment, with many more pieces to be discovered by visitors. A walk down Nicollet will be a continual discovery as new pieces will be found or reinterpreted during each visit. To date, the investment proved worthy as Nicollet Mall served as the stage for Super Bowl LII Live Experience – during a typically slow time for downtown businesses. For 10 days there were different events such as National Broadcasts, free concerts, NFL Shop, Super Bowl LII Photo Ops, American Birkebeiner International Bridge, Ice Rink, Super Bowl 360, Vikings Longhouse, Polaris Upside Downtown (snowmobile stunts) and many others.