urbanMSP

I haven't seen a snow shovel in downtown for a while now. Big brush machines do the work. If not snow blowers and salt.

Ah yes, the ice polishers.

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The etching is actually pretty cool. That pattern might not age well, stylistically, but it's a good cheap way to add texture and interest.

One concern I have, looking at some poured sections near Westminster, is the significant curb between sidewalk and busway. I fear the mall will continue to be seen as two very separate sidewalks bisected by a chasm, if you will. What we really need is a space (either without buses, or where they can work with pedestrians) where people can move about between buildings with ease. Having to go to the end of the block to cross, while not really that big of a deal, is actually a pretty big deterrent.

I'm not too concerned about that. People were pretty willing to cross midblock on the old Mall, and these smaller curbs (and lack of cabs unexpectedly whipping around buses) will only help.

I hope you're right A unified mall is essential, I think.

Soo, those stencils are definitely going to wear off. It is only a question of how quickly they wear off/down...

It looks like they've sandblasted the concrete out so the leaves are a negative space in the concrete, not something painted on top.

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Yeah, I see...but the different texture will still wear down pretty quickly, I think.

Good thing cement slabs are cheap and easy to replace, then.

Went by to take look. Looks okay to me. Not as fancy as the old granite pavers, but likely to need less maintenance and certainly less treacherous when wet.

Went by to take look. Looks okay to me. Not as fancy as the old granite pavers, but likely to need less maintenance and certainly less treacherous when wet.

People don't seem to think about this enough when talking about the old pavers.

They looked nice and all. But, I remember many times when I was running for my bus from the downtown Target, I had to slow down and shuffle because I feared I'd slip and crack my head open. That happened with snow and rain.

Went by to take look. Looks okay to me. Not as fancy as the old granite pavers, but likely to need less maintenance and certainly less treacherous when wet.

People don't seem to think about this enough when talking about the old pavers.

They looked nice and all. But, I remember many times when I was running for my bus from the downtown Target, I had to slow down and shuffle because I feared I'd slip and crack my head open. That happened with snow and rain.

This x100. I could not be happier that we're getting concrete.

Image of the "basket weave" pattern:
https://twitter.com/RickNelsonStrib/sta ... 29/photo/1

Those comments. Wow. People need to do a little research on this project.

Those comments. Wow. People need to do a little research on this project.

This is (further) evidence that we are in a very small niche of public consciousness as urbanists/people that care about cities/streets/sidewalks/architecture/design.

I will wait until it is all in place for final judgement...but I am not very happy with the plain light colored concrete...as I have said before, though the patterns help. Also it is going to look awkward abutting some of the nicer finishes in front of some of the buildings that matched the old granite more(was just noticing in front of IDS). I just feel like it is going to get worn and stained quickly. I do like the dark concrete with specs in it (best I can describe it)they are using for some portions of the mall...that looks a little higher quality...There is some across from Brits. Looking forward to seeing the other aspects of the project!

Specs = aggregate

Thanks:)

What if they had put Nicollet Mall... Under the Dome

http://tcmedianow.com/wcco-tv-10pm-repo ... er-2-1987/

(not really a dome)

Anyone see the signs they put up on the construction railing? It's HUGE and basically impossible to read unless you walk the length of the mall. It went up a few days ago and at first I thought it was a protest banner.

The banners are an art installation for The Great Northern Festival and will only be there through Sunday. They're not really meant to be read in their entirety. They're just words that will make you think as you pass by. They also have winter poems displayed on digital construction signs on Nicollet.

More info at www.thegreatnorthernfestival.com.