urbanMSP

Cool footage btw. It's impressive how much control of the wrecking ball the operator had...

I took this pic last weekend. I guess I could actually post it here.

Ritz block construction from 300 feet up Minneapolis 9-17-16 by Matt Bappe, on Flickr

It'd be funny if it wasn't so sad that they're ONLY DOING HALF THE DAMN BLOCK.

It's almost like they could be building underground parking for the entire block.

While I agree that it would be great if they built underground parking under the entire block, I just checked and I don't own the land, nor am I fronting up the millions of dollars to build it.

The city's authority to dictate building a particular development on private land is very limited.

So, what exactly are we kvetching about for the umpteenth time?

Am I the only one who finds it weird when every once in a while MNdible posts a super land-use-libertarian take?

I'm not being ideological about this.

But people keep complaining about this project as if somebody should have done something about it. Who, exactly, aside from the developer taking on more up-front risk by developing a much larger project all at once, could have compelled a different outcome?

Who, exactly, aside from the developer taking on more up-front risk by developing a much larger project all at once, could have compelled a different outcome?

The city could have if there were different zoning/design codes in place. They already require X% of commercial frontage for Nicollet. They could have a different code forbidding unscreened above ground parking.

MNdible, bitching is all I've got. And Imma gonna bitch.

I would rather have 2 projects on this block than 1 big one. In fact, I would prefer 4 projects.

Agreed. With what Opus has been building lately, a full-block, underground project would have wound up being basically Latitude 45, but on all four block faces. Leaving half the block open also leaves the opportunity open for Opus to get a better architect and do a better job on the other half, or, possibly, to sell it off to someone willing to do a better job.

It's almost like they could be building underground parking for the entire block.

Yes, it's only seems like a great idea until you're the one paying the bill.

Much like how a parking podium only sounds good if you are the one paying the bill.

The fences are now wrapped with renderings and the address "365 Nicollet" and a generic slogan.

"Live, work, play. 365 Nicollet, 24/7."

"Live, work, play. 365 Nicollet, 24/7."

Inspiring stuff.

What are you supposed to do on Leap Day?

Agreed. With what Opus has been building lately, a full-block, underground project would have wound up being basically Latitude 45, but on all four block faces. Leaving half the block open also leaves the opportunity open for Opus to get a better architect and do a better job on the other half, or, possibly, to sell it off to someone willing to do a better job.

The only problem with that is that in their environmental worksheet thing they submitted to the city they listed the options for the north half of the block as a twin apartment building or a 20 story office tower. So it will be either the same or worse on the most developable block in DT. Great job Opus.

The base of the crane has been there a few days, now it looks like the crane will go up today. Many additional parts were being delivered right now.