A NEWSLETTER OF THE MIDTOWN COALITION Volume 22, Issue 1 k Winter 2017 PR OS PECT P ARK n

COMPLETING THE GREENWAY Lo While the final section of the trail opened Calhou in 2006, the truth is the Midtown

st Greenway isn’t finished yet. Much remains to be done, including getting a ng

connection over the river to St. Paul; fe

installing better directional signage; and ll ow We making street crossings safer. There is

also a need for new trails and bike routes Se

Dean to and from the Greenway; more public art; new ramps and access points; better lighting, and more. wa r Is les The Coalition will be rd da working to “Complete the Greenway,” Ea Ce partnering with volunteers, neighborhood organizations, government agencies, and elected officials on a variety of unfinished projects. st P

Is les A BRIDGE TO ST. PAUL hil st The Midtown Greenway Coalition has long advocated for adding bike and li

ps pedestrian trails to the Short Line bridge over the Mississippi River, connecting the Park is currently abandoned, and a short ¶ The Short Line Bridge over the Mississippi Greenway to/from St. Paul. Work was n Ea section of proposed trail is planned for River could one day be part of the Midtown done on this project by the Coalition, construction in 2018 between the Greenway Greenway, connecting to St. Hennepin County, and others more than and Lake Street. Paul. Photo courtesy of John Marvig.

a decade ago, but progress stalled for a Calhou To support this new trail idea, the Midtown variety of reasons, including the fact that an

st the bridge is still being used by the Greenway Coalition is collaborating with the or railroad. Min Hi Line Coalition, a volunteer-run rc group dedicated to envisioning and Starting this year, the Coalition will developing this distinct green space and trail Co re-start our community discussion about along the Minnehaha/Hiawatha corridor.

G Ea horn using the bridge, with the goal of Watch for updates about community er RA determining action steps that will help nside meetings regarding the corridor, and be sure wd i CA move the project forward. to follow the group on Facebook and on < their website at www.minhiline.org. ps Po THE MIN HI LINE TRAIL TO lli Message from the MINNEHAHA FALLS WAYFINDING SIGNAGE AND hi Executive Director st The Min Hi Line trail would connect the PLACEMAKING wn P to New Murals on the Greeway

l Ea Midtown Greenway to Minnehaha Falls One of the great unfinished projects Park along Hiawatha/Hwy 55. The for the Greenway is getting better Mid Volunteer of the Year: Peter Scholtz proposed new trail would utilize the rail y Hil directional signage. While The Coalition Would Like To Thank . . . corridor that is currently being used by long-term Greenway users wr the railroad. However, a southern section can find their way around ps West

Lo of the rail line closest to Minnehaha Falls lli continued on page 3 hi www.midtowngreenway.org Whittier Lyndale CANDO P 2 Message from the EXECUTIVE dIRECTOR

At a recent gathering of our board of Minneapolis College of Art and Design and Little Earth of directors, one of the newer members United Tribes on the other. asked when the Greenway would be completed. The room was silent as Of course, we’ll also be organizing the Greenway Glow Arts the board thought about the question. Festival, one of the largest performance-based arts festivals in After all, our official history says the the Twin Cities, and seeking other opportunities to get more Greenway was completed in 2006, public art into the Greenway. with the Sabo Bridge opening in Thanks to our donors and volunteers, we’ll keep working on 2007. But as the board thought about these projects and more to “Complete the Greenway” and keep it it, they realized that a great deal of the nation’s best urban bikeway. We hope you will join us. the Greenway has not been completed. See you on the Greenway! For example, rarely a week goes by that someone doesn’t ask us when the Greenway will extend over the Mississippi River to St. Paul, using the railroad bridge. It’s the most frequent question we get, but the answer has always been complicated. However, Soren R. Jensen it’s a question that needs to be answered, so this year we will be Executive Director working on ways to advance our long-held vision for connecting the Greenway to/from St. Paul over the river. If we can get the Greenway extended over the river, there’s also a good chance that a new idea for trail connecting the Greenway WHO WE ARE to Minnehaha Falls could be realized. We’ve recently been partnering with the Min Hi Line Coalition, a volunteer-led group that is working on a new trail that would utilize the The Midtown Greenway Coalition is a coalition freight rail line along Hiawatha Avenue/Hwy. 55. While the main (middle) section of the trail would likely need to be of neighborhoods and individuals who love the abandoned by the railroad before the trail could be built, the northern and southern sections of the proposed trail are Midtown Greenway. We’re the organization that got currently abandoned and could be used for the first two phases the Greenway built by public agencies, and now we of trail construction. work to protect and enhance it. We grow stronger There is also great opportunity for getting more art in the Greenway, which not only makes it more interesting and with each new member. Join us to help protect vibrant, but can also help to invite new people to the corridor. So, we are excited to announce there will be at least two new YOUR Greenway and make it even better! murals in the Greenway in 2017. We will be leading the installation of the first one, and we are partnering with the

Midtown Greenway Coalition Board Members The Coalition board of directors consists of one seat for each of the 17 neighborhoods along the Lake Street-Midtown Corridor, and four at-large seats.

Peter Bajurny Jason Lord George Puzak Corcoran Neighborhood Calhoun Area Residents Action At Large Association Group *We are currently seeking representatives from the Central Aaron Shafer Area Neighborhood Development Organization, Lowry Dave Fettig Andrew Martinson At Large West Calhoun Neighborhood Seward Neighborhood Group Hill East Neighborhood, Phillips West Neighborhood Council Kelly Wilder Organization, Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association, Jo Ann Musumeci Midtown Phillips Neighborhood Roger Messner Whittier Alliance Association and Longfellow Community Council East Calhoun Community Organization Michael Nelson Michael Wilson Board President Midtown Cedar Isles Dean Neighborhood Deborah Kermeen Greenway Coalition, Association For a list of board members’ roles East Isles Residents Association Lyndale Neighborhood and responsibilities, visit Association Morgan Zehner Margaret Kirkpatrick Lake Street Council www.Midtowngreenway.Org. Click on East Phillips Improvement Reed Polakowski “the coalition,” then “Board of Directors,” Coalition Prospect Park East River Road or call 612-879-0105 Improvement Association

2834 10th Avenue South, Greenway Level, Suite 2, Minneapolis, MN 55407 • www.midtowngreenway.org • Fax: 612-879-0104 3

COMPLETING THE GREENWAY — continued from page 1

the corridor, it often remains difficult for new users to find the trail. Ramps and access points are not well marked, and it’s hard to know which ramp to use in order to get to destinations on Lake Street and beyond. Having completed the major Midtown Greenway-Lake Street Connections Study last year, we are now working with our partners to seek funding for new wayfinding signage, to help people get to and from the Greenway. In addition, we are seeking funding to create “places” on the Greenway where people can rest, relax, and simply enjoying being in a green urban space. A CULTURAL CORRIDOR While there is already some great public art in the Greenway, there is potential for so much more. Public art can help build community, increase equity, and build a sense of shared ownership for a public space. Art can also bring new people to an area, show that people care about it, and help prevent crime. We are currently working on several major art initiatives for the Greenway, and are pleased to announce that two new murals will be installed in the corridor this summer. Both murals will be showcase artists from cultural communities that live near the Greenway. Our vision is a corridor that in addition to having the best ¶ The Min Hi Line Trail would connect the Midtown Greenway to urban bike trail in the nation, is also a cultural destination and Minnehaha Falls Park. Photo courtesy of the Min Hi Line Coalition. celebration of the rich diversity of Greenway neighborhoods. NEW RAMPS FOR THE GREENWAY More access ramps are needed in the “trench” portion of the needed, which they will share with government officials who Greenway. We are pleased to report there will soon be a new can make the improvements. one, part of the I-35W Rehabilitation Project that will break We are also advocating for increasing safety at several key ground in August. The project includes a transit center at Greenway crossings, including at 28th Street, Hiawatha 35W and Lake Street, with a new ramp extending down to the Avenue, Minnehaha Avenue, and 26th Avenue, in order to Greenway. We’ve been working with MnDOT and other prevent potential bike-car collisions. agencies on the ramp design, with a focus on ensuring the ramp has enough lighting and other measures to enhance THE GREENWAY ISN’T DONE safety. This new ramp is a good start, and we’ll continue to While much has been accomplished – and the Greenway has look for other opportunities to increase access to the Greenway. become the most popular bike trail in Minnesota – there is so ENHANCING SAFETY much more that needs to be done. The Midtown Greenway Coalition will be working on a variety of unfinished projects While our Trail Watch volunteers patrol the Greenway at night, and seeks support from the community. To volunteer or and we have successfully worked to install new lights in several donate to help “Complete the Greenway,” please visit the key locations, safety upgrades are still needed in the corridor. Coalition’s website at www.midtowngreenway.org or call Our Safety Task Force will continue to compile safety 612-879-0106. recommendations, including areas where more lighting is

2834 10th Avenue South, Greenway Level, Suite 2, Minneapolis, MN 55407 • www.midtowngreenway.org • Fax: 612-879-0104 4 NEW MURALS FOR THE GREENWAY By Janey Gengel, program coordinator

We have exciting news for art lovers in the Greenway. experience with community engagement and public The Midtown Greenway will be home to at least two art. And all three partner organizations get to work new murals this year! and learn together, hopefully leading to even more art initiatives in the future,” said Mohn. GREENWAY LITTLE EARTH ART PROJECT (GREENWAY LEAP) GREENWAY EQUITY MURAL PROJECT In partnership with the Minneapolis College of Art and In 2016, the Midtown Greenway Coalition was awarded Design (MCAD) and Little Earth of United Tribes, and a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council thanks to a grant from the Carolyn Foundation, the (MRAC) to place a mural in the Greenway created by a Greenway will soon feature a new mural created by local artist of color from the Phillips/Midtown youth from Little Earth. community. Many generous Midtown Greenway Coalition donors also contributed to the project, § Two new including a major gift received from The Ackerberg murals will be Group. installed in the Greenway this With the help of local community organizer the K’Ma summer, joining Group, a panel of local residents will help select the others such artist. This mural will be designed to help diverse a this one at community members feel welcome in the Greenway Nicollet Avenue and illustrate that the trail is for everyone. by local artist Jo Ann Musumeci, Chair of the ArtSpace Committee, is Erin Sayer. excited about this project for several reasons. “This mural project is a way to connect the diverse Phillips Kate Mohn, MCAD’s grant writer, has been working on community to the Greenway—to engage them with the this project in partnership with the Midtown Greenway artist to tell their stories; tell who they are and Coalition and Little Earth for about two years now. perhaps what the Greenway could be for them. The Now that the project has funding, it can proceed this artist will take inspiration from community dialogs summer. and turn them into a mural,” she said. “At the end of this project we will have created a new, The artist for this project will be announced in late permanent piece of art on the Greenway. But even February and the mural will be installed in September. more importantly, MCAD, Little Earth, and the Everyone is welcome to join in on a community Midtown Greenway Coalition will have worked celebration and mural unveiling in September. collectively to address multiple community needs,” said Mohn. Be sure to come down to the Greenway this summer to see these two new mural projects and celebrate the Little Earth teens will get a chance to not only be a local community. part of the creation of art in the Greenway, but also work behind the scenes with mentors from MCAD, Check our website and Facebook page for updates on connecting them to new resources and opportunities. these mural projects. To get involved with getting more Together, the youth will create a mural that celebrates art in the Greenway, join our ArtSpace Committee. their culture and brings new people to the Greenway. Contact [email protected] for more information. “In addition, MCAD students will gain valuable

Street access cedar Ramp access lake Stairway access lake of the

isles hennepin ave. Dean I-35W bryant 5th lyndale

Parkway girard nicollet Chain of Lakes Trail

Calhoun lake st. Village

lake st.

excelsior lake calhoun abbott 5 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR By Janey Gengel, PETER SCHOLTZ program coordinator

Each year, the Midtown Greenway Wednesday night Trail Watch leader and Coalition selects a volunteer who has inspired others to join his rides. shown exemplary service to the Greenway. This year’s “Tim Springer “Crime is currently very minimal on the Greenway Champion Award” Greenway, but it would be great to see it go ceremony was recently held at down even further, and for people to feel Flux apartments on the Greenway, comfortable riding the trail at any hour of where volunteers enjoyed tasty the day or night,” he said. pizza donated by Galactic Pizza. Scholtz would love to see you on a ride. This year, Trail Watcher Peter “The Greenway is one of the features that Scholtz was recipient of the award, has helped Minneapolis get listed as a top recognized for his dedication to bicycling city for years now. Please consider leading the night patrol of the giving some of your time to this very Greenway. worthy cause,” he said. Scholtz is a biking and outdoor The Tim Springer Greenway Champion enthusiast who’s been living in Award is named in honor of our former south Minneapolis for the past executive director, who led the coalition several years, “I’m a big fan of the for many years and helped get every city’s lakes, creeks, and bike trails.” phase of the Greenway constructed. Tim ¶ Checking Peter Scholtz was recently continues to be a champion not only for the honored as the Midtown Greenway “I’ve been using the Greenway for a long Greenway, but for other communities that Coalition’s Volunteer of the Year. Trail time, and I remember thinking it was such seek to build similar trails. Watch volunteers, left to right: Gary Davis, a cool idea to have volunteers patrolling the trail to discourage crime,” said Scholtz. If you would like to join Trail Watch and Peter Scholtz, John Farrell. ride with Scholtz’s group, please contact Since that time he has taken the role of [email protected].

A sincere THANK YOU to all Trail Watch riders for keeping riders safe on the trail!

Trail Watch top riders (Oct. - Dec.)

Gary Davis Ray Hastings We are looking for new Trail Watch Leaders, co- John Davis Peter Scholtz leaders, and riders! If you are interested, please Dave Evans Manny contact [email protected]. John Farrell

10th mississippi river

hiawatha 27th 30th 29th 26th

w. river pkwy. 11th 12th 13th Bike Center and Coalition Offices 5th park columbus chicago bloomington cedar 18th

Midtown minnehaha 34th Exchange 38th

lake st. 6 THANK YOU to our MEMBERS, Donors and Volunteers! (Covering new donations and sustainers for the period from October 15, 2016 to January 13, 2017; please contact us if we have missed you!) Special thanks to our sustaining members—denoted with a (*)

GRANTS Welna Hardware Sarah & Bill Oyler* Linda Susan Hoch and Mark Seaburg Allina Health Kevin Saff* James Haefemeyer Carlos Seoane-Quinteiro* LEADERSHIP ANNUAL The City of Minneapolis – Paul Hogrefe & James Amy Short* GIVING Greenway Patron Sauder* Great Streets Program ($100 - $249) Kyle Sogard* Jay and Rose Phillips V. Scott Holmgren* Tim Springer Greenway Leaders DarrenAcheson and Carol Family Foundation of Dana Jensen Jane St. Clair ($1,000-$5,000) Peterson Minnesota Jim Howitt and Ann Mary Jane Steinhagen Mary Arneson and Dale Janessa Adelmeyer * Metropolitan Regional Lewandowski and Bob Veitch Hammerschmidt * Alfredo Alfaro* Arts Council Kathryn Keefer David Streitz Dave and Eileen Andersen McKnight Foundation Greenway Guardians Laura Kirstein Kathleen Sullivan and New Belgium Brewing ($500-$1,000) Frank and Annliv Bacon Kaia Knutson* Mark Ambroe Mark and Carla Bartusch Peter Bachman and Janet Kathy and Charles Koch* Sue and Harry BUSINESS AND Rice Jack Becker Dave and Carmela Kranz Summitt ORGANIZATION Amy Bergquist Brent Bertsch David Krco* Ken Sutherland* MEMBERS Dominic and Allison Michele Bevis and Steve Edith L. Johnson Tom Thul Cecere Wardell Matthew Kazinka* Gabriella Tsurutani Greenway Champions Jennifer Bisenius ($2,500+) Joe & Jean Crocker* Joe Laha David and Lynn Vander Dave Fettig Carol Bouska Craig Lassig, Lisa Legge, Haar Ackerberg Soren and Sasha Jensen * Charles Breer* and Sean Lassig Michelle Vigen* Allina Health Nicole and Dave Palmieri Jeff Byers WalterLentz and Susan Liz Walton and Mark Elan Uptown Apartments Nicohle Schluender Jill and Scott Chamberlain Nixon Wright New Belgium Brewing Margaret Thomas Ted Cochran John and Anne Levin Dan Weaver First Service Residential Michael Wilson and Scott Tessa Coons Edward Linder* Chip Welling and Barb Mozaic Art Park Abbott* Sue Crolick Charles and Becky Lyon Thoman Process Type Foundry Suzanne Digney Chrissie and Brian Mahaffy Jeff and Mary Werbalowsky Greenway Leaders INDIVIDUAL Mary E Dobish Sheldon and Beverly ($1,000 - $2,499) MEMBERS/DONORS Mark and Sonja Elias* Mains Michael Westerhaus and John Farrell* Karen Margolis and Amy Finnegan Smith Partners Greenway Angel Kathryn Florence Robert Simonds Lucia and Bruce Wheeler ($250 - $499) Greenway Dale and Sara Forsberg Molly Martin Kelly and Dan Wilder* Supporters ($500 - Lucas Erickson Norman Foster* James McCarthy and Molly, Betsy, and Peter $999) Peter Goss Joanne Francoual* Gloria Peterson Wilson* Allegion Amy Hart Paul Frenz and Julie Deb McKinley and Pete Mark and Gina Young Bryant Lake Bowl Debra Heiser Johnson Nelson Dero Bike Racks Kathy and John Hendricks Michael Fuhrman Eric Mueller and Burt Greenway Advocate Coffin* Hiawatha Bicycling Club Karin Holt* Brennan Furness* ($50 - $99) Jo Ann Musumeci KaBOOM! David Hunter Nancy Gaschott and Mark Richard Adair Steven and Dawn Nelson Surly Brewing Company Jan Kleinman and Fadil Ritchie Rebecca Alper Santosa Hans Gasterland* Michael Nelson and The UPS Store Marcy Cheeseman* Paul and Whitney Andre Peggy Knapp and Lisa Genis and Steve Pratt Kyle Ness R.S. Anthony Greenway Donors Catherine Settanni Sue Ginsburg* Eric Newman and Janice Margaret Belew ($250-499) David Koehser and Nancy Jullonne Glad* Dunnigan Gepner Thomas Bugbee Birchwood Café Ben Goldfarb and Nora Tom Novacheck* Emma Bull De Leon & Nestor, LLC Cynthia Launer and Will Whalen Thomas Tavia Parker* Andrea Canter Erik’s Bike Shop Betty Grant kDaniel Lussenhop Denise Pasmanter and Rolf Carlsen Intown Properties, LLC Eric Hart* Mark Lystig Robin Brown Dawn Cassidy JD Haas and Associates Jan Heasley Roger Messner George Puzak Nina Clark Juiced Nutrition Uptown Linda and Gary Hendlin Charles and Laura Miller Timothy Rand Bruce Cornelius Kaas Wilson Architects Matthew and Shelly Jonathan Riehle and Britt Dougall Lunds and Byerly’s Stanley Mros Hendricks* Angela Bohmann Susan Elsner Uptown Robert and Ellen Nelson Roberto Hernandez- Evan Roberts QBP John Nicotra and Lisa Cotter* James and Yvonne Roger Rusack and Priscilla Forsythe R&D Lab, Inc. Nicotra Schneider Sandy and John Hey Cushman* Paula and Norm Fox Smith Foundry Company Kirby and Anne Ogden Peter Scholtz* 7

Kay Grace and Michael Matt Welbes Beth Schmieg Donna Tresbesch Joyce Preschool Schiavo Ann Williams Shelley Shreffler Kelly Wilder Lake Country School Katherine Gumpertz John Wyant Cher and Harvey Simer Michael Wilson Minneapolis Jaycees Doug Hill Sarah Zuber and Chris Harriet Swartz Morgan Zehner Minneapolize Design Tom & Pam Hockenberry Erickson Walter Swentko Manny Minnesota State Fair Del Holmes DeWayne Townsend North Face Greenway Friend ADOPT-A-GREENWAY Marjorie Huebner ($25 - $49) Douglas Weldon Patagonia, St. Paul Rusty Hurley Brianne Whitcraft Albert’s Organics Phillips Garden Cindy Angerhofer Carl and LuAnn Johnson Allegion Public Allies Twin Cities Ann Bernstein Robert Kean VOLUNTEERS American Swedish Ryan Companies US, Inc. Judith Bonhiver Curtis and Teresa Klotz Peter Bajurny Institute Saturday Properties Kristina Clark Lindsey Kopp Peter Bajurny Avionté Seward Co-op Garry Clum Matthew Lasley Amy Bergquist The Bakken Smiley’s Clinic William Domeier and John Lauber and Gail Boxrud Birchwood Cafe Suzanne Marx Smith Foundry Company Elizabeth Lincoln Leila Brammer Bryant Lake Bowl Ethan Fawley Smyth Companies Ruth & Herb Lauritzen Janet Court Cedar-Isles-Dean Spare Key Ann Fleck Neighborhood Carrie Long Joe Crocker Surly Brewing Company Bob Fried Association (CIDNA) Julia and Jared Jean Crocker Timberland Calhoun Alicia Garatoni Children’s Hospitals and Miller Amy Cusick Square Mary Gibney Clinics of MN Frank Neubecker Gary Davis Trader Joe’s St’ Louis Park Tony and Elizabeth Collegeville Track Club Richard and Joan Olson Robin Davis Young Professionals of Gleekel Commuter Connection Meliisa Olson Adam Demers Minneapolis Michael Gloss Cristo Rey Jesuit High David and Erica Perlman ZAP Twin Cities Phyllis Kahn Dave Fettig School Mark and Karen Margaret Kelly Julia Floberg Dero Bike Racks Rabinovitch Wendy Frieze Thomas Ryan Anna Komor East Isles Residence Brennan Furness Association Mike and Elise Schadauer John Kostouros Timothy Kramer Ray Hastings Elan Uptown Apartments Patricia Schmitz and Alex Fitzie Heimdahl Dietz Mina and Gregory First Service Residential Deborah Kermeen Caroline Schultz and Leierwood First Unitarian Society Margaret Kirkpatrick Matthew Seltzer Bill Lewis Green Team Jason Lord Gregg and Kellie Severson Mari Lyman Lowe Family and Friends of Andrew Martinson Michael Shilinski Jane Siegal and Ann Reed Paula and George Mackey Roger Messner Family and Friends of Melanie Sorensen Randy Miranda and Jim Jo Ann Musumeci Shepard (Shep) Myers Carla Tollefsrud LaDuc Michael Nelson General Colin L. Powell Linda Varvel and Martha Doug Nelson Sara and Jack Nelson- Dante Pastrano Leadership Academy Hewett At MT HS Julian Ward* Pallmeyer and Hannah Reed Polakowski Pallmeyer George Puzak HCMC- Whittier Clinic Mary Weber and Peter Ian Kees Consulting, PLLC Fleck Bonnie Oldre Aaron Shaffer Susan Priem Margaret Thomas JD Haas and Associates

Midtown Greenway MISSION MISIÓN Coalition Staff We empower communities to Nosotros habilitamos a las kdevelop, improve, protect, and comunidades a desarrollar, mejorar, Soren Jensen enjoy the Midtown Greenway as a proteger y disfrutar del sendero Executive Director 612-879-0105 green urban pathway to improve urbano Midtown Greenway para [email protected] people’s lives. mejorar la vida de la gente. Janey Gengel Program Coordinator 612-879-0106 [email protected] 2834 10th Avenue South Greenway Level, Suite 2 Minneapolis, MN 55407

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Membership and calendar of events Donation Form Greenway Improvements Committee Second Thursdays, 6–7pm Name ______February 9th, March 9th Address ______City, State, Zip ______ArtSpace Committee 5:30pm Phone, E-mail ______January 31st, February 21st m $250 – Greenway Angel m $100 – Greenway Patron Safety Task Force m $50 – Greenway Advocate Second Thursdays, 5:30–7pm m $25 – Greenway Sponsor February 9th, March 9th m Business $______m Any amount comfortable for you $______m Yes, I want to volunteer My main interest is: ______Please make your check payable to: “Midtown Greenway Coalition” and mail to: Midtown Greenway Coalition 2834 10th Avenue South, Greenway Level, Suite 2 Unless indicated, all meetings are held at the Midtown Minneapolis, MN 55407 Greenway Coalition’s office (2834 10th Avenue South, Greenway Level, Suite 2, Minneapolis, MN 55407). or donate at www.midtowngreenway.org