urbanMSP

Small thing, but it stood out to me how much that awning sticks out and how much shade is being provided. I love it. I wish more projects actually followed through and built it. Even without consideration of climate change, cities need to offer more shade for residents and visitors right now. Kudos ...

The trail is at the planning of Three Rivers, for the long awaited 21 mile north south bike trail to parallel the CP rail line. Three Rivers is asking the city councils to vote on preferred routes through their respective cities by Dec 5 in order to allow the regional park district to apply for fede...

The Lt. Governor Flanagan is objecting to a proposed bike trail in front of her home. Believing the shuttle landing strip named Dakota Ave. has no room for a trail without removing trees. https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_sailor/community/stlouispark/critics-of-regional-bike-trail-route-through-st-...

I’m most pleased with the flag that hints at the shape of the state. Though I’d go for taking that flag and sub in the yellow+white starflake instead of the white 8-point star. Even as is, it feels like this could have been a flag that stands the test of time and fits in among an array of flags. Do ...

Mother Jones on environmental activist groups vs housing supply in California.

https://www.motherjones.com/environment ... ity-nimby/

Wall Street Journal rates MSP 2nd best large airport in the US. Close behind Phoenix. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20231115/c398d3354b887d43ca24cc9e4ea3a25f.jpg Top Mid size airports rated in the low 70s. If you have access to an Apple device here is the Apple News link to the WSJ story. https:/...

I went to a downtown panel discussion last week that Goodman and Frey spoke at. Among other things one of Goodman's parting desires was to "tear down that damn post office ramp" and Frey echoed it too. I didn't know it was such a priority at the city - good to see. Which ramp? https://upl...

Adam Duininck replacing Steve Cramer.

https://www.startribune.com/downtown-co ... 600314735/

Seems a good choice. I think I recall Adam attended a Streets.mn gathering before.

Tallinn’s experiment of tree transit has not helped increase ridership. https://www.fastcompany.com/90968891/estonias-capital-made-mass-transit-free-a-decade-ago-car-traffic-went-up Ridership has decreased and car ownership grew over the decade policy. Estonia’s growing prosperity plays a part. Esto...

On the riverfront trail breaking through to the north past the rail bridge. https://mplsparksfoundation.org/buildin ... nnections/

The Hopkins Depot is out further west past where the review video started, so not open to the Depot yet. I think that was to be paved next year. But between Belt Line and Blake is huge!

If I recall, didn’t some section in Richfield do this widened gutter? IMO, when the choice is between a stripe and a widened gutter, the concrete every time. Currently drivers more easily recognize the concrete as “not their space” but just paint is seen as theirs. I’ve had conversations with my 80-...

On a roll with the housing market stuff… Minnpost again, writing about workforce housing in Greater Minnesota has had extreme struggles. The state passed a 10x increase in aid money. https://www.minnpost.com/greater-minnesota/2023/08/workers-cant-find-housing-in-greater-minnesota-will-an-extra-40-mi...

I wonder if there is any hope next year for the sort of alliance that Montana had this past legislative season for cutting housing obstructions. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archi ... ly/674950/

Keeping housing costs low needs to be seen as critical need.

Fortune article alleging that changes in Minneapolis metro housing supply is a major factor for the region’s low inflation rate. https://fortune.com/2023/08/09/minneapolis-housing-zoning-real-estate-inflation-yimby-nimby-minnesota/ I’m not an economist who can look at the metro housing supply number...

Allegations that in our current market with very low supply, sellers are discriminating against FHA- and VA-backed mortgages. Resulting in an effective redlining as immigrants and households with low wealth are over represented among federally backed mortgages. Increasingly sellers are avoiding the ...

Delays opening new construction apartments.

https://www.startribune.com/constructio ... 600294909/

For what it is worth, out in Hopkins the city is beginning the planning and community engagement regarding a full reconstruction of 17th Avenue between TH 7 and Excelsior Blvd (the future SWLRT Shady Oak station area) All reconstruction plans call for narrowing the street and including bike faciliti...

YWCA Uptown closing and selling facilities.

https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/ ... ntown.html

And a survey to take.

https://content.govdelivery.com/account ... ns/3686deb