Mill & Main - (501 Main Street Southeast)

[min-chi-cbus]

I think this will have a nice presence in that area, and it fills up land that was vacant for years. It completes the residential and commercial district on that side of the river with a nicely defined edge and focal point by the Stone Arch Bridge.

Wait.....this project is next to the Stone Arch Bridge and it's a focal point because it's the end of high-intensity development across the river? So IOW, there is nothing directly across (Southeast) from the bridge on that side of the river? That SEEMS to me like an amazing opportunity for a future development! Who wouldn't want a view of the Minneapolis skyline with the Stone Arch Bridge in the foreground (at least, Minnesotans would)?!

[min-chi-cbus]

I agree with nickmgray regarding the street-level retail. It might not be totally justified right now, but if the A Mill goes through and eventually something infills that giant parking lot off university it will be a huge increase in people for one of the city's most underrated areas.

Well according to that Brownfield link I posted today, the "Pillsbury Lofts" (A-Mill site) received funds to redevelop the A-Mill, so I'd think they'd only do that if they were for certain going through with the project....no?

[Didier]

Sorry, I don't really understand what you're saying. Can you clarify?

[MNdible]

Well according to that Brownfield link I posted today, the "Pillsbury Lofts" (A-Mill site) received funds to redevelop the A-Mill, so I'd think they'd only do that if they were for certain going through with the project....no?

No, not necessarily; these projects keep piling up grants until they're finally ready to go. The financing for a project like Pillsbury Lofts is mindbogglingly complicated.

[Nathan]

I like that Mill and Main is a little low. It makes really great potential for things on the south and north side of 2nd to develop, with potential height and great views. I mean the river front is really great, but if things get to be really successful, 2nd could turn into a great neighborhood, maybe some students, and a lot of med/high income apt/condos anchored by the St Anthony Main. Easy access to Lunds and commercial activity in NE

[min-chi-cbus]

Well according to that Brownfield link I posted today, the "Pillsbury Lofts" (A-Mill site) received funds to redevelop the A-Mill, so I'd think they'd only do that if they were for certain going through with the project....no?

No, not necessarily; these projects keep piling up grants until they're finally ready to go. The financing for a project like Pillsbury Lofts is mindbogglingly complicated.

I didn't know that (the first part), but I believe it (the whole thing)! I figured you couldn't even apply for grants until all of your ducks were in a row first. So what happens if a project were to fall through the cracks? Would the grant money go to the next project on some "waiting list"?

The A-Mill project is controversial but I feel it will get built....mostly because there just doesn't ever seem to be enough low-income/market-rate housing (for artists or whomever).

[Didier]

The impression I've gotten from the news coverage is that the artist lofts plan is really the only viable option in the near future, as privately developing it would be incredibly expensive, so hoping it goes through!

[John]

The impression I've gotten from the news coverage is that the artist lofts plan is really the only viable option in the near future, as privately developing it would be incredibly expensive, so hoping it goes through!

Adding artist lofts to the mix in that neighborhood can only be a positive. Artists frequently contibute a great deal to the quality and tone of life in areas where they live. They will be a huge asset to making the riverfront community vibrant and interesting.

[min-chi-cbus]

The impression I've gotten from the news coverage is that the artist lofts plan is really the only viable option in the near future, as privately developing it would be incredibly expensive, so hoping it goes through!

Adding artist lofts to the mix in that neighborhood can only be a positive. Artists frequently contibute a great deal to the quality and tone of life in areas where they live. They will be a huge asset to making the riverfront community v*****t and interesting.

I can't figure out what word you wrote was edited, and it's driving me nuts! It looks like the word "v*brant" was edited though....for some reason (*edit: it totally is, since it edited my word too!)

I agree that artists are a great asset to a community, especially if you have to have lower-income residents in your community (don't be offended....I am one -- some people don't want them though!). It also creates an opportunistic vantage to for creative thinking. I mean, how many people are used to living in an old mill, let alone one that has spectacular views of the river and the city??

[Didier]

I'm going to take this slightly off-topic, but St. Anthony Main would be the perfect place to have kind of an "artists row" like they do in Europe. Obviously Minneapolis isn't Paris, but if St. Anthony Main was developed from Hennepin Bridge to Stone Arch Bridge, can't you imagine something like this set up on weekends?

[dmdhashw]

I'm going to take this slightly off-topic, but St. Anthony Main would be the perfect place to have kind of an "artists row" like they do in Europe. Obviously Minneapolis isn't Paris, but if St. Anthony Main was developed from Hennepin Bridge to Stone Arch Bridge, can't you imagine something like this set up on weekends?

That covered walkway along the movie theater would be a great spot for that, if they opened it up to the street.

[spectre000]

From their Facebook page.

[seanrichardryan]

Here comes the wood!

[dmdhashw]

Mill & Main by dmd.hashw, on Flickr

Mill & Main


Mill & Main Phase II by dmd.hashw, on Flickr


Mill & Main Phase II by dmd.hashw, on Flickr

Mill & Main Phase II

[aguaman]

mn real estate journal says the first 185 units will be complete by june.

[MumfordMoses]

The advertising video for this was horrible, just awful & really white bred suburban - the wrong kind of invasion & succession. The music was soft porn techno, or something along those lines. My God, my God!

[John]

The advertising video for this was horrible, just awful & really white bred suburban - the wrong kind of invasion & succession. The music was soft porn techno, or something along those lines. My God, my God!

Agreed. Quite sickening and not hip at all. lol! Just who are they trying to attract as tenants?

[Didier]

I ran by this the other day. There are sticks up to five stories now, but it's still a ways to go.

I'm partial to this part of the city, so I might be biased, but I can't help but feel that this is a somewhat underwhelming development in a space that has tons of potential.

[MillCityTimes]

A shot taken 2 days ago:

[John]

I ran by this the other day. There are sticks up to five stories now, but it's still a ways to go.

I'm partial to this part of the city, so I might be biased, but I can't help but feel that this is a somewhat underwhelming development in a space that has tons of potential.

The original proposal from the early 2000's was better and more fitting for this very desirable and prominent location. It was more ambitious on many different levels. Unfortunately, the recession probably put the kabosh on this project going forward. Does anyone on the forum have a rendering of the original proposal?