The Commons - Downtown East Park

[Wedgeguy]

Yes, they will be the Opus towers until I die. Even though they sold them years ago. Back in the days when Opus cared about their reputation in this city. I watched both go up. I remember the opposition to losing the pocket park that was there, where the 150 tower stands. It's why the base was built to give a small area around the base of the building as a park like setting for people to sit and enjoy the bit of sun that shines there, due to the plaza across the street. But that does not really happen these days unless you are a cigarette smoker that is sitting have a cig, but that was the intent of that building's base design.

[seamonster]

Funny - it always looked to me like the building was joining the smokers for a quick puff when the foggers were on.

[twincitizen]

Marlys is back at MinnPost: http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy ... -lot-going

[PhilmerPhil]

I checked with Marion Greene about the status of closing Portland Ave. She has been very supportive throughout this process and is on the side of closing the road. Unfortunately, it's looking more unlikely.

Hi Phil,

Thanks for the note - been meaning to get back to you.

The idea is a non-starter here for two reasons:
1. We need more that one board member making inquiries, and
2. The whole path forward for the park is a little unclear - who builds, who maintains, who owns, etc., which complicates advocating for it.

Sorry it's not looking more hopeful!

My best,
Marion

Has anyone outside of Marion's district contacted their county commissioners?

[EOst]

Is Peter McLaughlin on the record about it? Seems like he'd be the natural next step.

[mattaudio]

Commissioner McLaughlin voted to keep the road open to motor vehicles the first time around, right?

[MNdible]

A good article about The Commons' design process from ArchMN.

[seanrichardryan]

Frank is one of the best in the biz. Always insightful.

[UrbWave]

They are doing some environmental cleaning at the Star Tribune building and a worker told me that demolition should start beginning of August.

[mattaudio]

Since the Commons is surrounded and bisected by one-way streets... An update from CityLab on conversion to two-way streets:
http://www.citylab.com/cityfixer/2015/0 ... ay/398960/

A pair of planning scholars has evaluated just how well the safety and economic claims held up following the street conversions. In a word: very.

If we want to get the most out of the surge in development in this area, we need to convert these neighborhood streets to two-way.

[lordmoke]

Star and Tribune Building is coming down. Doesn't look like they're salvaging much:
https://twitter.com/Lileks/status/628269688531865600

[TroyGBiv]

If we want to get the most out of the surge in development in this area, we need to convert these neighborhood streets to two-way.[/quote]

This is a really interesting point - I hadn't thought about this issue in this way.

[mattaudio]

Exactly. One-way streets are holding this neighborhood back from its potential.

[mnmike]

I am not sure one way streets are exactly the cause. I live on a one way street in very neighborhood-y uptown. I would say wide streets maybe. But even Lake and Lagoon, while not ideal, manage to coexist with an urban, walkable neighborhood.

[amiller92]

I am not sure one way streets are exactly the cause. I live on a one way street in very neighborhood-y uptown. I would say wide streets maybe. But even Lake and Lagoon, while not ideal, manage to coexist with an urban, walkable neighborhood.

One way doesn't help, but yes, it's not the historical issue for this area, which has more to do with restricting zoning (or so I've heard) and failure to execute prior plans for redevelopment.

[HiawathaGuy]

Finessing downtown Minneapolis park’s design delays public input
http://finance-commerce.com/2015/08/fin ... lic-input/

[David Greene]

I am not sure one way streets are exactly the cause. I live on a one way street in very neighborhood-y uptown. I would say wide streets maybe. But even Lake and Lagoon, while not ideal, manage to coexist with an urban, walkable neighborhood.

I disagree. Ever tried to cross a one-way Lake at an uncontrolled intersection? I can't necessarily claim that a two-way Lake would be easier, but it would slow down traffic at least.

Lagoon is much better since cars are generally backed up due to congestion anyway. But oh, the Dupont intersection! *shakes fist*

Rethinking 26th and 28th (two-way, parking, etc.) would help mitigate several problems - speed, parking need, walkability and it would help people realize they're actually driving in a NEIGHBORHOOD, not THROUGH a city.

[mnmike]

I disagree. Ever tried to cross a one-way Lake at an uncontrolled intersection? I can't necessarily claim that a two-way Lake would be easier, but it would slow down traffic at least.

You mean J walk? I said it's not ideal! Lagoon is really easy to cross though...Lake not as much, at an uncontrolled intersection. I wouldn't mind seeing them two way, I think it might be better...but as it is now it doesn't seem to be inhibiting neighborhood growth. That was my point.

[David Greene]

I disagree. Ever tried to cross a one-way Lake at an uncontrolled intersection? I can't necessarily claim that a two-way Lake would be easier, but it would slow down traffic at least.

You mean J walk?

Not even j**walk. Try crossing at Colfax, for example. No one stops for pedestrians of course.

[grant1simons2]

Demo continues on Strib building by grant.simons, on Flickr