urbanMSP

Going down Chicago today I notices that they are working on their first level of above ground parking on the ramp block. Something I had not notice until now was the grade change between 3rd and 4th was great than I had thought. There looked to be space that could be used as retail long 3rd street. Maybe not a deep space, but there looked to be height enough to allow for store fronts if they wanted to put them in, (which I doubt they will do).

Cached!
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/s ... clnk&gl=us

Judging by the summary at the top of the article, it looks like this was posted prematurely and then pulled. I wonder why.

But perhaps more importantly, unlike the Commons, the lot isn’t separated from the stadium by a light rail line.

“Every 90 seconds there’s going to be a train coming from one direction or another,” Bagley said. “So the fact that this space is east of the LRT and it is more directly and physically connected to the [stadium] plaza, it will be more directly engaged as part of the gameday experience.”

Does this confirm that this section of 5th Street (between Chicago and Park) is definitely going away, as we've long hoped for?

From the looks of construction in that area today I would say a big year. It is tore out and hauled away

Use your imagination and visualize the future:

I thought this was Photoshop at first -- I never noticed that little park across from the Strib building until now.

Will any of those trees be saved? Would stink to have them all ripped out only to have new saplings planted in roughly any of the same places...

Will any of those trees be saved? Would stink to have them all ripped out only to have new saplings planted in roughly any of the same places...

Agree, Nothing looks so pathetic that a bunch of sapling that are supposed to shade a park. IF they can't figure a way to save those mature tress and work around them, the landscape designer needs a different line of work.

Not disagreeing with you, but the firm doing the project for the commons is letting the public or the board or CAC or whatever! Decide what size trees they want at first. Smaller, medium or large. I'm sure someone might be able to find it in the presentation. I would love for this to stay so people in about 30 years or so learn about the Strib building or.. maybe even the StarTribune in general

I don't think those few trees are so important that I'd allow them to drive the overall design for an entire two block park.

If you've got the money to spend, arborists have actually gotten very good at spading and transporting larger trees. They don't need to be saplings.

I don't think those few trees are so important that I'd allow them to drive the overall design for an entire two block park.

If you've got the money to spend, arborists have actually gotten very good at spading and transporting larger trees. They don't need to be saplings.

Those trees are located on the half block where the apartment will be build on the other half of the block. The block with the Star/Trib building will pretty much be a blank canvas , unless there are some mature trees at the very edge of the block, and at this point I can't say I remember any. As the sidewalks are fronting the streets and most of the building is next to the sidewalk except for the loading dock area. There might be a tree along Park Ave across from the LRT station on the back side of the building. They can do what ever they want with the full block. But let's at least keep the half block with as much establish trees as possible. That pocket park where those trees are located is only about 20 feet deep so they will not intrude that much into the block.

Do you know the cost of moving large mature trees??? Big $$$$$. In moved big tree would probably cost the same as 30 sapling which will not do much for 15- 20 year. How many years has the Hennepin Government Center been around. Those tree on the south plaza are now finally at maturity where they do what they were planted to do. provide decent amount of shade and greenery

But perhaps more importantly, unlike the Commons, the lot isn’t separated from the stadium by a light rail line.

“Every 90 seconds there’s going to be a train coming from one direction or another,” Bagley said. “So the fact that this space is east of the LRT and it is more directly and physically connected to the [stadium] plaza, it will be more directly engaged as part of the gameday experience.”

Does this confirm that this section of 5th Street (between Chicago and Park) is definitely going away, as we've long hoped for?

Everything specific I've read indicates the permanent closure to Park. I was in the area for the first time since the closure Monday and was disappointed to see 5th open between Chicago and Park. I did see a west bound train make it through park without having to sit through almost an entire cycle, which was a very rare occurrence in recent months.

I forgot about that pocket park! It will be great to have a green space in front of those towers.

Cached!
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/s ... clnk&gl=us

Judging by the summary at the top of the article, it looks like this was posted prematurely and then pulled. I wonder why.

it's baaaack.

http://www.startribune.com/local/minnea ... 87551.html

They needed to make their article title funnier of course

I think they could very easily save those nice mature trees. They are in the corner of a block, so wouldnt necessarily disrupt any plans of any open space.

They needed to make their article title funnier of course

https://youtu.be/h3SbGmUQQr4

So who's also killing time downtown right now waiting for the meeting to start?

Me!

Where are you guys? I am too