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Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: May 19th, 2013, 4:47 pm
by Aville_37
I think we need to stop trying gimmicky things and focus on uses for buildings and spaces that enhance the businesses and residents in the area. A water park is mostly a gimmick in that it is a blatant tourist draw and not an everyday amenity for anyone living there. Challenges:

1) Turning the Armory in to a waterpark would be pretty expensive if we want it to be "world class" - is the ceiling high enough, the space big enough, etc.
2) like the WP of America or not, it is already considered a pretty good indoor water park by American standards. Searching "best indoor water parks" on Google yields: http://themeparks.about.com/od/themepar ... arks_5.htm http://www.complex.com/city-guide/2012/ ... he-world#9 http://www.familyvacationcritic.com/10- ... sorts/art/

I don't see many water parks, indoor or outdoor, in "world class" cities, my take it to build stuff that makes Mpls a better place to live and work first.
This. When I go to Istanbul or Barcelona or Paris, it's not because of water parks. I don't think I've ever walked around a healthy city center and said to myself, "Wow, the shopping here is fantastic, the sidewalks are beautiful, there are people everywhere. Now if only there was a water park it would be perfect!"

On a similar note, we really don't need MORE convention centers and concert venues. In fact, that's probably the last thing downtown needs more of (water parks aside).

A permanent year round market would be great, with both local and non local produce. Or just convert it to a shopping center, dividing up the interior into several shops but keeping the key architectural features intaroct the way Barcelona converted their bull ring.
Agreed that we don't need more event space. If there is an event going on at the new Vikings stadium - no need to use the Armory. I agree a marketplace would be cool. Wild idea - but how about turning it into a conservatory/winter garden, possibly including a restaurant, etc. Would mean putting in a clear roof.

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: May 20th, 2013, 8:22 am
by MNdible
It's a tricky space, and if there were an easy, financially viable option, somebody would have done it already.

While I'd love to see the marketplace happen (and I think it's the best of the options in terms of taking advantage of the space), I'm really skeptical that the city can support something on that scale.

In the end, I think a flexible event space is probably the best interim solution. It will support some repairs and improvements, and at least have the space active and used on a semi-regular basis. While the metro area doesn't *need* another event space, I could see this space filling a niche in the market.

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: May 20th, 2013, 2:49 pm
by dingo
I think an event Space is the ticket here. Minneapolis/Saint Paul has long been missing a concert venue for the artists that can draw around 3000-5000 people. Most Cities have this type venue ranging from old theater spaces to smaller type arenas. The closest thing we have is Roy Wilkins, which has some of the worst acoustics ever.

That leaves artists to playing a multiple nights at First Ave, half empty Target Center/Excel or play out of the city at some casino.

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: May 20th, 2013, 3:10 pm
by mattaudio
I agree that's a need, but I think concert promoters could be a little more creative in finding spaces that work for that size of show. Especially during summer months. I'd rather see the Armory become a space that serves the neighborhood every day.

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: May 20th, 2013, 5:00 pm
by RailBaronYarr
Wasn't Northrop Auditorium on campus just shy of 5,000 people? The upper deck had not so great acoustics by concert hall standards, but certainly better than Roy Wilkins. It is being renovated now and will have 2,800 seats, but I feel like if we really dug around there were some good venues out there in the 3-5k range. And again, this is the type of thing that would get use at best 52 nights a year for that intended purpose. As mattaudio says, it would be best if it could be a 365 type space.

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: May 20th, 2013, 5:50 pm
by Jfuss
The armory could be a very cool spot for ultimate fighting or boxing type events.

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: May 20th, 2013, 8:12 pm
by MNdible
And again, this is the type of thing that would get use at best 52 nights a year for that intended purpose. As mattaudio says, it would be best if it could be a 365 type space.
I agree this would be great. Do you really think we can support a 60,000 sf market at this location? I don't. Everybody poo-pooed the water park idea. What other suggestions do we have that are actually viable?

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: May 20th, 2013, 9:54 pm
by TroyGBiv
The event center idea could be a good thing if it is programmed really well. Though it isn't quite in the center of downtown - Nicollet Mall would be the best place - but it could really add to downtown traffic. In many European cities they have Christmas markets that offer unique holiday items and draw a lot of people and tourists. Could be a great place for New Years Eve celebration. It would just have to e done right.

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: May 20th, 2013, 10:27 pm
by MNdible
The event center idea could be a good thing if it is programmed really well. Though it isn't quite in the center of downtown - Nicollet Mall would be the best place - but it could really add to downtown traffic. In many European cities they have Christmas markets that offer unique holiday items and draw a lot of people and tourists. Could be a great place for New Years Eve celebration. It would just have to e done right.


Exactly. An event center could host the Mill City Farmer's Market on weekends. It could host events like the Green Expo that are usually at the State Fairgrounds. The beauty of a well programmed flexible space is that it's not dependent on the success of a small pocket of retailers covering their rent 365 days a year -- it allows you to spread out the cost over a much broader footprint.

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: May 21st, 2013, 7:26 am
by RailBaronYarr
Exactly. An event center could host the Mill City Farmer's Market on weekends. It could host events like the Green Expo that are usually at the State Fairgrounds. The beauty of a well programmed flexible space is that it's not dependent on the success of a small pocket of retailers covering their rent 365 days a year -- it allows you to spread out the cost over a much broader footprint.
I agree with you - a market of this size would not be something that could sustain itself every day. Even the Borough Market I linked to is 70,000 sqft in total, is only open for lunch 10-3 M-W and barely more on Th-Sat (closed Sundays). For London, an immensely larger and denser city than Minneapolis with much better transit options located adjacent.

This space should be flexible as you note - perhaps dedicate space in near the park side to the market vendors so they aren't forced to tear-down every single night but allow the back side to be used for other events and functions on daily basis.

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: May 21st, 2013, 7:36 am
by Didier
I personally wouldn't be as motivated to go to the Mill City farmers market if it was in the armory. It's current location is half the appeal. Also, as it is its not *that* big.

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: May 21st, 2013, 8:23 am
by sushisimo
I personally wouldn't be as motivated to go to the Mill City farmers market if it was in the armory. It's current location is half the appeal. Also, as it is its not *that* big.
Agreed. It's fun if only to grab a bison burger and hang out on the Guthrie steps. As for the Armory, maybe it's Da Range in me, but I'd love to see curling rinks (maybe just for awhile in the winter). I have a hankering for a bonspiel.

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: May 21st, 2013, 9:36 am
by Tyler
When I've advocated a food market here I don't mean a farmers market. Ideally, you'd have permanent vendors selling items year round -- meat, seafood, cheese, baked goods, cured meats, non food items, restaurants, etc. More of a competitor with the mid town global market than the farmers markets. Try to replicate Toronto's st lawrence market. If the Ryan project get's built, I think it would be an awesome success. Right now, not as much.

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: May 21st, 2013, 9:52 am
by mattaudio
Something like Pike Place or Eastern Market is what I would hope for. Along with lots of other leasable space for any use that can be dreamed of.

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: May 21st, 2013, 10:56 am
by RailBaronYarr
- Rotating showcase art gallery for the artists up in NE Minneapolis.. limited space that each artist applies to get a 1 week slot in to show off work, meet people, take advantage of a different scene.
- Indoor playground similar to the one at Edinborough Park for when it's raining or cold out (complements the park space) to serve people in the area
- Stage space (flexible/removable) for public gatherings with speakers or ad-hoc performances. Have a piano on hand that anyone can start playing.

Really, small investments in portable space utilizing things could make this place a great public amenity. I like the idea of more fixed food vendors (Pike Place is a more linear version of Borough, I like em both) rather than the Farmer's Market style place. But obviously those vendors wouldn't be there 12 hours a day.

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: December 24th, 2013, 8:23 pm
by planetxan
Just roaming around the forums looking for info on the armory and came across this thread.

The armory is a perfect set up for a year round market, a cross between the midtown and the farmers market. Basically a market like exists anywhere else in the world. It has a basement level for storage and vendor parking.

Of course it still has the stands built in which would make it a fine home for the North Star Rollergirls, who currently play in the stale and soulless convention center. Market during the day. Roller dome at night.

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: December 24th, 2013, 11:10 pm
by FISHMANPET
I'd like if we did the same thing with our Armory that San Francisco did to there's, but there's probably not enough demand for another one of those...

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: December 25th, 2013, 8:41 am
by dmdhashw
I'd like if we did the same thing with our Armory that San Francisco did to there's, but there's probably not enough demand for another one of those...
:lol:

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: December 26th, 2013, 12:44 pm
by TommyT
I'd like if we did the same thing with our Armory that San Francisco did to there's, but there's probably not enough demand for another one of those...
HAHA! I was JUST in San Francisco... I wouldn't mind our Armory being used for those purposes :twisted:

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Posted: December 26th, 2013, 12:59 pm
by mattaudio
I guess I'll be the resident prude. No thanks. I think we can do better.