Xcel Energy HQ - 401 Nicollet

[m b p]

here's a google earth model for the new xcel building...

Detailed/colored (takes longer to load):
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/ ... fee25a7f45

Basic white:
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/ ... 45&ct=mdsa

[Nick]

The garbage ramp at Nicollet & 4th closed this morning. Mazeltov!

[Silophant]

Seems strange, since last I heard, it isn't going to be demolished until the third quarter. Though, I guess the 4Marq lot has also closed well in advance of anything actually starting there.

[seanrichardryan]

It was probably deemed unsafe judging by its appearance.

[crizmois]

That ramp and the first floor with boarded up store fronts would have made a great filming location for a post-apocalyptic dystopian movie.

[Silophant]

There's a crew taking down the streetlights on 4th, and the skeleton of a pedestrian tunnel is up on Nicollet. Where's that Ron Paul GIF when you need it?

[nordeast homer]

Who has the Champagne chilling? Was it Nick that was going to pop the cork when this ramp demo starts?

[John]

Who has the Champagne chilling? Was it Nick that was going to pop the cork when this ramp demo starts?

It was I but maybe others said it too. The more champagne the better!

[Seth]

Just curious. When was the last time a public parking ramp was demolished downtown?

[contrast]

Just curious. When was the last time a public parking ramp was demolished downtown?

Only a guess- where the Federal Court House is now?

[kellonathan]

At least someone was working there yesterday.

[Tom H.]

The sidewalk on the north side of that block (which goes underneath the parking lot ramps) was not blocked off at the Nicollet Mall side yesterday afternoon. I walked about halfway along it, saw heavy construction equipment and workers at the far end, and had to turn around.

[MNdible]

So, was this ramp the absolute worst one in downtown Minneapolis, given it's egregious treatment of the sidewalk and generally unsympathetic appearance? And if so, what are the next ones on our hitlist?

Northstar Center and 8th Street Grill must be candidates.

[mattaudio]

I'd agree with those two.... are they the only other two garages where the sidewalk slips in behind the ramps?

The Midwest Plaza (8th St Grill) above ground podium garage can also be accessed off Marquette. The exit is (IIRC IMHO Obv) a helix to the main level with an exit onto Marquette shared by the the underground contract parking. These entrances all conflict with the southbound bus lanes on Marquette. But I wonder if it would be possible to simply remove the access on 8th St.

Northstar on the other hand.... that entire 2/3 block podium, the Crowne Plaza hotel above on 2nd and the 11-floor Northstar Center above on Marquette.... prime redevelopment opportunity. There's very little redeeming about it on the inside as well, with the weird escalator situation to the food court and the skyway disconnect. It could be redeveloped with a wonderful open atrium for street & skyway level. Something like a one-tower version of US Bank Plaza would be a winner. Along with sidewalk improvements, activation of the Park/Star Tribune facade and eventual redevelopment of the Thrivent lots, this could make 7th St S a premiere east-west pedestrian corridor.

[Silophant]

So, was this ramp the absolute worst one in downtown Minneapolis, given it's egregious treatment of the sidewalk and generally unsympathetic appearance?

I think so, especially with the aggravating factor of being an unscreened ramp on Nicollet Mall itself.

I agree with those two, and I can't think of anyone ramps that abuse the sidewalk in that manner. I'd also like to see the ramp at 4th and Marquette go. Doesn't mess with the sidewalk, and it's not quite as decayed, but it's still a bare concrete ramp on one of the major corridors of downtown.

[MNdible]

I kind of have a soft spot for the 4th and Marquette ramp and its cousin on 9th and LaSalle. They're all retro Mad Men throwback. First parking ramps to get HPC protection?

[PhilmerPhil]

Let's keep the either of the 4th and Marquette or 9th and LaSalle ramps. Fifty years from now, it might be nice to have a vestige of the postwar automobile era.

Edit: Hey! MNdible and I agree!

[Silophant]

Hm... I can't disagree with the unique architecture angle. Yeah, I can get behind one of them being kept. I don't actually have a problem with structured parking - I'd much rather focus on developing each and every surface lot before touching a single ramp. I'm just visually offended by ramps that didn't at least put the minimal thought towards aesthetics that, say, the Haaf Memorial Ramp did.

[FISHMANPET]

9th & La Salle is kind of a dump inside, is 4th & Marquette in any better condition?

[mister.shoes]

The last time (the first of two, now that I think about it) I parked in 4th and Marquette, I wasn't entirely sure that it was going to be standing when the time came for me to retrieve my car. It's so scary, it's awesome. I think my favorite part are the brightly colored rails ringing the levels. Gives some interest. I also like that it's one of those parking ramps with staggered level floors and crazy steep mini ramps between them.