urbanMSP

360 for the first building would have worked if it was actual round.

3Point12 Pi in the Sky Apartments

I like it, but isn't it technically 3.14[15927....]?

So this got approved in September...anyone who when/if this is supposed to start?

(sorry to get anyone's hopes up with the new post!)

hopefully never.

Parking lots 4 life bruh

Parking podiums 4 life homie.

Parkin podium > crumbling sidewalks, dead lot space, litter

The parking podium is better than surface lot (argument*) would make sense if there weren't a healthy number of other projects going on in Downtown and other neighborhoods without it. Parking podiums can cause just as much visual displeasure as a surface lot. imo.

The parking podium is better than surface lot (argument*) would make sense if there weren't a healthy number of other projects going on in Downtown and other neighborhoods without it. Parking podiums can cause just as much visual displeasure as a surface lot. imo.

I have to agree with you on that statement.

Latest document: http://minneapolismn.gov/www/groups/pub ... 148254.pdf

I actually really like the retail space give in this building. Would've been even better if Xcel had a good retail corner as well.

Look at it again

I did, and have a very clear memory of it. And I walk next to it all the time at nic and 5th. Same proportions, same neglected monotonous Marquette, all you see there is parking ramp. And ramp isn't necessarily better to me than surface lot. It only addresses the street nicely on Nicollet (maybe it's just me) and that leaves 3/4s of its street face boring af. Just like a surface lot. Sure the first floor might have retail but it's tucked under a hulk. Idk. That idea that anything better isn't holding up anymore now that other projects are making it economical in areas that don't have the location value and as the economy has recovered. I'm not willing to give them a pass like they're doing us some giant favor sitting on that land for decades and coming up with a par at best concept.

Haha so that's not the bump I meant to give this thread...what about the timeline of it?

There hasn't been any news that I know of. And if it dies we won't see anything proposed here in the next 3-4 years. Lets just keep this awful surface lot around just because "we're" afraid "we're" being screwed on 4 stories of parking. Even though there's over 200 units of housing, but whatever I guess that means absolutely nothing to you.

Thanks, I hadn't seen anything but I thought I'd try. Hopefully they'll start in the spring!

If dropping this one means a better chance for the United groups project to get off the ground then I'm all for this to stay a parking lot. Maybe once the Franklin Building is built and they show Opus how to do a class act. Maybe we will get something worthy of the site. I still prefer a mix of Residential and Office here to help to get some more day time foot traffic in the area.

Let's not forget this project still includes generous surface parking!

Let's not forget this project still includes generous surface parking!

Are you referring to the "Phase 2" lot?

I'm sorry Grant that's just really poor reasoning. The only reason nothing has happened here is because Opus has been hoarding the block.

I realize that. What reasoning do you have as to why a developer should be forced to build underground parking on this site? I agree, it would make a lot of sense and I wish that they would do it. This is an argument of hypotheticals. I believe that hypothetically, if this site is turned away due to the parking aspect, we won't see something built here for another 10 years or more. You believe that the developers will either be a) nice enough to build parking underground or b) sell the site and another developer will build something even better with underground parking.

I think another possibility is that Opus would say yes to building underground parking, but then decrease the height to under 20 stories to make up cost.

No podium and 20 stories to much better than a podium and 24 stories in the long run. There would really not be enough height difference to make a real difference in the skyline. But the lack of a podium would make a HUGE difference to the streetscape of the mall and any other street here in MPLS. Why in 2016 the city does not have a not podium build on the mall is beyond comprehension. Shows how the city has no clue as to how to be a big time city and have people employeed that can comprehend basic things like that. A no podium thing should have been on the books back in the year 2000. I'd say we are a bit late aren't we.