urbanMSP

Tower crane appears to have begun dismantling itself.

Seems odd considering the windows and crown aren't completed ... is this possible?

if we hope to ever add more commuter rail lines

We are building commuter rail lines, but using electric multiple units instead of diesel locomotives. Here are the threads:
https://forum.streets.mn/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=5
https://forum.streets.mn/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=7

LPM's garage was built with extra-high ceilings to allow (hundred?) more parking spaces by way of valet service and lifts should demand be higher than they built for. I like this option, especially if you're like me and drive maybe once a week.

This has been an accelerated time frame, correct? I have to think that the combo design aspect (parking integral) and the short turn-around time means this isn't likely to really 'wow' us. Can someone enlighten me if this isn't true? How fast can architects and engineers really crank out a skyscraper?

Indeed, anything that's not doom and gloom on this line will pay 10x the dividends if we hope to ever add more commuter rail lines. What a pariah this has been. (And hopefully we fully fund them before building them in the future...)

Slowly but surely this line is coming into it's own.
http://knsiradio.com/news/local/northst ... ets-record

I was hoping the article was going to say something about funding the remaining stretch from Big Lake to St. Cloud...

Looks like Mayo is teaming up with Target Center

http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ ... tion-works

Might want to check the above posts before posting... (this was already posted above)

Leasing office is definitely now open. More spacious than I would have thought. Includes what appears to be a model of one of their kitchens as well.

Love how it overlooks the park. I have to say - the ice-cream shop kinda sticks out like a sore thumb though.

I kind of think that was their intent. I doubt they really were aiming for the Ice Cream Factory to blend in... Still, some greenery and touches will make it look a bit less disjointed.

Even the Strib picked up on the importance of this http://www.startribune.com/local/blogs/242823261.html

Marquee signage on renderings... maybe speculative?

Whoa, this is Awesome! I wonder if the roofdeck would be part of Rudolph's? I'm amazed they would change buildings...

At first I thought this thread was about a new, local mega-endurance race.

An endurance race for the hardiest of souls, touch every surface lot in Minneapolis, or die trying! The Minneapolis 500K

There's a lot more going on here, though, than just people saying it should be more elegant by way of slenderness. Let's not be reductive.

Yes, well done ... Perhaps UrbanMSP is really just someone's discount version of an urban planning and design think tank. Hopefully someone [who makes these decisions] is listening?

Well, I do think there's still demand for car storage even if one rides to/from work via transit, walking or biking. Minneapolis is at a tipping point of sorts, with many looking to live urban but want to hedge their bets a bit on the car thing. I'm one of them - I drive little but can't quite ditch...

And for context, LPM has about this many total units packed into one slenderish tower. Not sure how much more it costs to almost double the height, though. Probably a pipe dream to think this will change.

But Avian makes a very good point: the number of units could stay the same while changing the girth of the tower or the details, such as rounding. 20% narrower towers would make for much more pleasant aesthetics and better views on prime units.

Pardon my ignorance, but what are the realistic chances we see the newly-proposed design get some tweaks? Especially regarding massing and crown? I like it, but I'm just curious if there's a chance they'll refine it before approval?

Once the rest of the block gets filled in the clunkiness will be less noticeable. Anybody know if the leasing office has opened in Baker Center? As of today it is still not "open" per se. There are two openings and one has the bars physically lifted to allow access with a large LCD and so...