Westminster Church

Downtown - North Loop - Mill District - Elliot Park - Loring Park
seanrichardryan
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby seanrichardryan » February 23rd, 2013, 7:26 pm

Sad.
Q. What, what? A. In da butt.

John
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby John » February 24th, 2013, 8:07 am

Hmmm. I guess I'm not sure what all the fuss is about with this building being torn down. It was a beautiful building when it was built, but they removed all the character decades ago with a cheesy remodel. It was in bad condition, very unattractive, and quite frankly a neighborhood eyesore. I actually like the new view of the church along 13th street with its Gothic architecture.

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Andrew_F
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby Andrew_F » February 24th, 2013, 12:16 pm

I would hardly call the building in bad condition or a neighborhood eyesore. I don't think it's appropriate to tear down perfectly functional buildings for parking lots except for in extreme cases where the buildings have no hope for occupancy or a *actually* serious eyesores. Don't forget that it wasn't just the office building, but also the apartment building behind it!

min-chi-cbus
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby min-chi-cbus » February 24th, 2013, 12:42 pm

I'm starting to see how this spot could be one hell of a location for an apartment/condo.....the view in that picture is stunning!

MNdible
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby MNdible » February 24th, 2013, 4:56 pm

I would hardly call the building in bad condition or a neighborhood eyesore. I don't think it's appropriate to tear down perfectly functional buildings for parking lots except for in extreme cases where the buildings have no hope for occupancy or a *actually* serious eyesores. Don't forget that it wasn't just the office building, but also the apartment building behind it!
I'd agree that if they tore down the building only to build a parking lot, that would be a major disappointment. At this time, in spite of a lot of hyperventilating on the forum, we really don't know what their plans are for the site. I remain optimistic that they've got bigger and better things in mind.

If they were really concerned just about parking, they could have very easily leased spaces in the Orchestra Hall ramp or Convention Center ramp for a fraction of the financial and political price that they're dealing with now.

mplser
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby mplser » February 24th, 2013, 6:19 pm

If they were really concerned just about parking, they could have very easily leased spaces in the Orchestra Hall ramp or Convention Center ramp for a fraction of the financial and political price that they're dealing with now.
They already do that with the Orchestra Hall ramp

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Nick
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby Nick » March 16th, 2013, 4:43 pm

Just look at that reflected sky!

Image
IMG_2915 by UrbanMSP, on Flickr
Nick Magrino
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John
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby John » March 16th, 2013, 8:33 pm

Just look at that reflected sky!

Image
IMG_2915 by UrbanMSP, on Flickr
I've got to say the view of the reflective glass and the church is beautiful from this corner. It would make a nice little pocket park until its redeveloped.

beykite
Nicollet Mall
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby beykite » March 16th, 2013, 8:35 pm

Beautiful. I can't wait to start parking there. I hope they'll be using the white reflective paint instead of the yellow. I'd be fine with either though as long as they number the stalls so I can remember exactly where I parked.

mattaudio
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby mattaudio » March 25th, 2013, 2:40 pm

I also hope they install lots of that popular low wooden fence to keep pedestrians from cutting the corner past my parked car.

lordmoke
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby lordmoke » June 5th, 2013, 3:48 pm

SURPRISE! They're asking for permission to construct a temporary (five years) parking lot here. Having not received any citizen input against it, the city is recommending approval:
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/www/groups ... 109367.pdf

MNdible
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby MNdible » June 5th, 2013, 4:23 pm

Boo. On the other hand:
Westminster Presbyterian Church also intends to demolish the 1221 Building once the leases, which extend to mid-2015, expire. Following the demolition of the 1221 Building, Westminster Presbyterian Church intends to redevelop both parcels which encompass the entire southerly portion of the block.

John
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby John » June 5th, 2013, 4:39 pm

^^^I'm speculating they need a few years to plan the project, and also to raise the money for their expansion. I'm sure the redevelopment will cost double digit in the millions.

gpete
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby gpete » June 6th, 2013, 8:22 am

In other news, sounds like the Church is trying to liven up the space in front of their newly acquired office building:
This Summer, a European style "Piazza on the Mall" is coming to Minneapolis on Nicollet Mall between 12th and 13th Streets (just south of Westminster Presbyterian Church). The Musicant Group has been retained by the owner of the space to transform the formerly barren concrete plaza into a vibrant piazza through the addition of a warm and inviting patio deck, new tables and chairs, a ping pong table, and bocce ball court. In addition to these new amenities there will be programs and activities happening in the space throughout the summer and into the fall, winter and beyond.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Piazza-o ... 84?fref=ts

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Nathan
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby Nathan » June 6th, 2013, 4:00 pm

Uh, Ok. That's awesome.

John
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby John » June 6th, 2013, 4:56 pm

If this is succesful, it would be nice if they incorporate the concept into their new project.

Blaisdell Greenway
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby Blaisdell Greenway » August 26th, 2013, 3:40 pm

This parking lot actually looks pretty nice, well, as surface parking lots in the CBD go. Only half of the parcel is dedicated to parking, which looks like it's made of permeable pavers. The rest is a green space with two rows of trees, and the row closest to the sidewalk contains much larger mature trees. This either means they plan to keep the parking lot forever or will somehow incorporate this green space into the new development. My only complaint is the short fence around the grass. It would be nicer to actually provide a space for lingering instead of looking.

Matt
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby Matt » August 26th, 2013, 8:44 pm

Image

lordmoke
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby lordmoke » August 26th, 2013, 8:48 pm

It's so awesome how they kicked a bunch of people out of their affordable housing to build a parking lot. Nice job being a church.

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Nathan
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Re: Westminster Church

Postby Nathan » August 27th, 2013, 8:59 am

Hmm... two rows of trees given a little time to mature, with plenty of room for a trail between them... makes for a perfect extension of the Loring Greenway when they bring the office building down... just a thought :)


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