Nicollet Mall
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- Wells Fargo Center
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Re: Nicollet Mall Reconstruction Project
It always amazes me at some of the comments people post about the projects proposed or happening around the metro.
For those questioning the price tag of the 12 block redo, there have been stories over the years about how maintaining the current state will cost more in the long run. The other point people keep mentioning is holding the building owners accountable to opening up their space to the mall. I full heartily agree with this statement, but no one seems to acknowledge that that other $25 million will be coming from them. And this notion that our "leaders" don't think big enough by promoting the option of a $200+ million dollar tunnel beneath Nicollet Mall, when we can't seem to repair our pothole riddled streets is almost laughable. It's not reality. Our "leaders" know reality - and promoting a remake of the backbone of Minneapolis can't cost hundreds of million dollars. The fact that the $50 million price tag should reap $100+ million in return is huge. Not sure if a $250 million would result in a two fold return.
For those questioning the price tag of the 12 block redo, there have been stories over the years about how maintaining the current state will cost more in the long run. The other point people keep mentioning is holding the building owners accountable to opening up their space to the mall. I full heartily agree with this statement, but no one seems to acknowledge that that other $25 million will be coming from them. And this notion that our "leaders" don't think big enough by promoting the option of a $200+ million dollar tunnel beneath Nicollet Mall, when we can't seem to repair our pothole riddled streets is almost laughable. It's not reality. Our "leaders" know reality - and promoting a remake of the backbone of Minneapolis can't cost hundreds of million dollars. The fact that the $50 million price tag should reap $100+ million in return is huge. Not sure if a $250 million would result in a two fold return.
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- Stone Arch Bridge
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Re: Nicollet Mall Reconstruction Project
It's not a 2 for 1 return for the public. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdBOiF6AH-o
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- Wells Fargo Center
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Re: Nicollet Mall Reconstruction Project
Great link Matt, thanks. I do wish the real ROI was presented more often.It's not a 2 for 1 return for the public. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdBOiF6AH-o
Re: Nicollet Mall Reconstruction Project
the bonding dollars have been approved now. so this is going to happen.
Re: Nicollet Mall Reconstruction Project
Except that no one should be surprised that there are tons of utilities under Nicollet Mall. What matters more than the amount of utilities is where they are and how well they're organized. If I were to guess based on the access panels, I'd bet that most of them are placed roughly 5-20' from each building face mostly under the sidewalk area, which would allow them to be accessed without detouring buses, or if they need to be repaired, without cutting through the thick concrete paving the bus runningway.I think it's important to quote this line from the F&C story, just because people here tend to toss out the "just dig a tunnel!" option with great regularity.
James Corner, the firm’s founding partner, said the project is challenging from a technical standpoint because there’s a lot of utilities below grade.
This is a problem for James Cornfield, who probably wants to put pomo ovular gluteus maximus relaxation units and sugar tube roasting kiosks right where centerpoint likes to access their gas lines. But it may be less of a problem for a bus tunnel, which could be designed in the space where the utilities aren't. The stations would likely affect the utilities, but that could be as few as one block and I don't think anyone is suggesting more than three.
What I am suggesting is that before making a $50m investment in Nicollet Mall pavers, the city should consider that a bus tunnel under Nicollet is necessary if the city ever wants to make transit a major component to its transportation system, and they should spend the change needed to figure out how much it would cost to build and if now is the right time.
This is inane. We can and are repairing our pothole riddled streets, and we can and do spend $200m on segments of transportation infrastructure that are of region-wide importance. By the way, sorry if you don't like potholes but you better get used to them as they are a permanent fixture of a paved roadway network.And this notion that our "leaders" don't think big enough by promoting the option of a $200+ million dollar tunnel beneath Nicollet Mall, when we can't seem to repair our pothole riddled streets is almost laughable.
"Who rescued whom!"
Re: Nicollet Mall Reconstruction Project
RE: Utilities.
Not only are there the normal utilities that woofner mentions, but Xcel also has 3 buried 115kV transmission lines that come out of 5th Street Substation from the Nicollet Mall side. I'm not 100% sure of the routes they take, but they're under the mall for at least a block. I'm not saying they would or should prevent a tunnel, just that moving them would be an extra $50 million or so.
Not only are there the normal utilities that woofner mentions, but Xcel also has 3 buried 115kV transmission lines that come out of 5th Street Substation from the Nicollet Mall side. I'm not 100% sure of the routes they take, but they're under the mall for at least a block. I'm not saying they would or should prevent a tunnel, just that moving them would be an extra $50 million or so.
Joey Senkyr
[email protected]
[email protected]
Re: Nicollet Mall Reconstruction Project
please PLEASE puuuuhlease stop calling him James Cornerfield. it's James Corner (big space) Field Operations. that's like saying Barack Obamapresident of the United states.
Re: Nicollet Mall Reconstruction Project
I think (?) we're intentionally saying Cornfield.
Nick Magrino
[email protected]
[email protected]
Re: Nicollet Mall Reconstruction Project
lame.I think (?) we're intentionally saying Cornfield.
Re: Nicollet Mall Reconstruction Project
Well I didn't but judging from who has, it was a joke.
Nick Magrino
[email protected]
[email protected]
Re: Nicollet Mall Reconstruction Project
I laughed.lame.I think (?) we're intentionally saying Cornfield.
Towns!
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- Stone Arch Bridge
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Re: Nicollet Mall Reconstruction Project
James Cornfield, brother of economist Myron Cornfield and South Mpls commercial landlord Steve Cornfield.
Re: Nicollet Mall Reconstruction Project
sounds like reporting and promoting the twin cities lead development taking site that can't post rumors should do.
tracking
tracking
Last edited by Nathan on May 18th, 2014, 1:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Nicollet Mall Reconstruction Project
I'm not sure what you said, but I have to admire how you said it.sounds like reporting and promoting the twin cities lead development taking site that can't post rumors should do.
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.” ― Plato
Re: Nicollet Mall Reconstruction Project
I'm debating if this should be in the Nicollet Mall or Downtown Retail thread... Hear me out and move if you think it should be somewhere else.
Today as I went out from my office in LaSalle Plaza to eat at a food truck along Marquette, I saw that it was also Farmer's Market day on Nicollet Mall. I'm new to having my office downtown. I had always heard about how busy it was, but never seen it. Today both Marq and Nic sidewalks were overflowing due to the gorgeous weather.
The thought came to my mind about how great it could be if they could close Nicollet Mall to buses/taxis from 10-2 on these days and move the food trucks over. Make it a true pedestrian mall and the GO TO spot downtown and make it very enjoyable for everyone. I saw many people frustrated by the crowds.
Your thoughts???
Today as I went out from my office in LaSalle Plaza to eat at a food truck along Marquette, I saw that it was also Farmer's Market day on Nicollet Mall. I'm new to having my office downtown. I had always heard about how busy it was, but never seen it. Today both Marq and Nic sidewalks were overflowing due to the gorgeous weather.
The thought came to my mind about how great it could be if they could close Nicollet Mall to buses/taxis from 10-2 on these days and move the food trucks over. Make it a true pedestrian mall and the GO TO spot downtown and make it very enjoyable for everyone. I saw many people frustrated by the crowds.
Your thoughts???
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- Moderator
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Re: Nicollet Mall Reconstruction Project
Downtown needs more people space and less car space. The four lane one way network is outdated for a 21st century and needs to go.
Re: Nicollet Mall Reconstruction Project
Personally I like the idea of having people on other streets downtown like Marquette. Perhaps having more people on the street and the recent street/sidewalk redo will encourage more street level businesses to open along Marquette too. Be nice if there was a place/benches/tables for people to take their food from the food trucks and enjoy outside.I'm debating if this should be in the Nicollet Mall or Downtown Retail thread... Hear me out and move if you think it should be somewhere else.
Today as I went out from my office in LaSalle Plaza to eat at a food truck along Marquette, I saw that it was also Farmer's Market day on Nicollet Mall. I'm new to having my office downtown. I had always heard about how busy it was, but never seen it. Today both Marq and Nic sidewalks were overflowing due to the gorgeous weather.
The thought came to my mind about how great it could be if they could close Nicollet Mall to buses/taxis from 10-2 on these days and move the food trucks over. Make it a true pedestrian mall and the GO TO spot downtown and make it very enjoyable for everyone. I saw many people frustrated by the crowds.
Your thoughts???
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