National Marrow Donor Program HQ - 524 5th Street North

[mister.shoes]

There *will* be more lunch options in this area by the time the new building opens. For one, it is supposed to have its own cafe. District 600 will have a retail space that could theoretically be a cafe. Junction Flats behind Holiday will have retail space. There are two spots on the Interchange property that are available for development in the coming years. With enough activity in the area, it wouldn't surprise me to see some of Target Field's own restaurants open year-round. I don't see "lunch options" as being very high on the list of reasons to locate one's business. Of course, I say all this as someone who brown bags lunch 95% of the time.

[xandrex]

I also would like to see more good lunch options on this side of town. It has become a good destination neighborhood for sit-down food but not for reasonably priced excellent lunch options. Although part of the problem I think is also a cultural mentality- I work in Boston and we'll walk in single digit temps across the city to bring our favorite lunches back to the office. Moose and Sadie's, bewitched, black sheep, and pizza Luce should all be considered walking distance from this location. They're all ok but there is certainly opportunity for a stand-out lunch spot in the NL. (Sometimes I feel like it could be bewitched but their employees can be dismally slow)

Definitely this. I currently work in the North Loop and the issue is that there aren't a lot of great places to get a meal for under $10. I find myself switching between Pizza Luce or the Block E Jimmy John's. Other than that, you have to hoof it to the skyway stuff. When you have a short lunch break, that usually means half of the time is spent just getting to where you will be eating.

I'm hoping there will be some more fast casual options in the near future. Something along the lines of a Noodles or Chipotle (not necessarily those, but similar), because while cafes are great, I don't always want a soup/salad/sandwich.

[Wedgeguy]

For those that want a current restaurant within walking distance there is Darby's Pub and Grill on 5th between 3rd and 4th ave. Pull by the time that opens there will be other food places as well.

[lordmoke]

Passing by this morning, Shapco was loading printing presses onto flatbeds.

[minnyapple]

According to this Strib article this will break ground July 8th. The Shapco building won't come down until after the All-Star game. Which makes sense. http://www.startribune.com/local/minnea ... 71381.html

[web]

ummmm north loop was dead before target field?? this area has been under construction for almost 20 yrs! The stadium did not start development here. cmon tribune.

[min-chi-cbus]

It didn't hurt it though, and some developments are very closely attributed to its existance, including the Hines project(s).

[NE_love]

ummmm north loop was dead before target field?? this area has been under construction for almost 20 yrs! The stadium did not start development here. cmon tribune.

I caught that too, that is kind of frustrating!

[Didier]

I'm no expert, but if the North Loop had been experiencing this level of growth for 20 years I can't imagine it would still have so many surface parking lots.

[MSPumpkins]

Realized what I had to say would make more sense in the North Loop thread... Nothin to see here...

[Nick]

[lordmoke]

Jersey barriers, fencing, and project signs are up around the site!

[mullen]

ceremonial groundbreaking was today.

[mnmike]

http://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/be ... adquarters

Also a mention of the proposal across the street in there. Sounds like they are fairly far along in the planning if they know the hotel would have 161 rooms...that is pretty specific.

[bapster2006]

And a lot of info in the StarTribune article:

http://m.startribune.com/business/?id=266348981&c=y

[nickmgray]

It's amazing how a few projects can completely transform a desolate area next to downtown. It'll be nice to have 900 people coming into the neighborhood on a daily basis to add to the new residents that'll be moving in soon.

[Wedgeguy]

I'm curious as to what they will be doing on the 6th Ave side of the building. It is pretty much a full floor drop in grade from their front door on 5th. Will there be retail on that level or will that be eaten up by underground parking that would enter at that level? It would be nice to see some store fronts across the street from Fulton and D600 instead of a blank wall and garage door.

[schmitzm03]

Walked by this weekend and the Shapco building is completely leveled. There was a lot of rubble to clean up, as well as whatever lies beneath ground level, but they are really moving along.

[grant1simons2]

https://i.imgur.com/NdS1C6L.jpg

Walked by today (or biked whatever)

[holmstar]

Was that your fat tire bike in the photo?