Hennepin County says “no” to cycle tracks

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After multiple community meetings, Hennepin County has decided not to install cycle tracks along Minnehaha Avenue.A cycle track is a protected bike lane that is separate from vehicle traffic. In the Minnehaha Ave design, the cycle track would have been protected by a curb and parking spots.Bike Lane PlansInstead, the County has voted to move ahead with on-street bike lanes that will be built as part of the Minnehaha Avenue reconstruction project scheduled to start in 2015.According to the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition, the County has committed to installing a bike lane that follows national best practices, including a two foot painted buffer that will separate vehicle traffic from cyclists along much of the roadway. Specific details about the bike lane design will be presented at two community meetings next week.Cycle Track SupportThe Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition was vocal in it’s support of the cycle track throughout the entire design process. Executive director Ethan Fawley told MPR, “We were supportive of a protected bike lane on Minnehaha, very supportive, but we wanted it to be designed right so it would be a good asset for the community for the next 50-60 years. We really wanted a protected bike lane design that would have no impacts on trees, no impacts on parking, no impacts on traffic.”The Coalition reported that of the 130 people who filled out comment cards at the July public meetings, 89 were in support of cycle tracks. Continue Reading

Midtown Farmers Market: Market report with Pflaum Farms

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The tables at the Pflaum Farm stand at the Midtown Farmers Market are bursting with colorful vegetables. We caught up with Julie Pflaum to learn a little bit about the different varieties of squash they grow at the farm and how to safely cut into a hard-fleshed squash. The peppers were so bright and beautiful, we had to chat for a minute about those as well, and we learned the best way to preserve their flavor all winter long. [Audio below]Market Report NotesPflaum Farms sells spaghetti, acorn, and buttercup squash, along with other varieties.Julie’s favorite way of eating squash is the old fashioned method of splitting the squash in half, placing it in a baking dish with a little water, and then putting some brown sugar and butter on the squash, covering, and baking until it’s soft.This was a great year for peppers at the farm, as evidenced by their table full of colorful peppers of all shapes and sizes that range in heat from the hot habaneros to the sweet bell peppers.Thin fleshed Thai peppers can be dried. To preserve peppers with a thicker flesh, put them in a freezer bag either whole or chopped.The Midtown Farmer’s Market is open Tuesdays from 3-7 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Check out its website for more of what’s fresh at the market.If you like My Broadsheet, help us spread the word and tell your neighbors and friends. Continue Reading

Midtown Farmers Market: Market report with Rebecca’s Bakery

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It’s a market success story. Three years ago, the Belayneh’s started selling their handmade Italian pastries at the Midtown Farmers Market. They have seen so much success with their treats that they are opening up a permanent location on Franklin Avenue next to Verdant Tea. We had a chance to sit down with owner Tesh Belayneh to learn more about Rebecca’s Bakery and their new location in Seward. [Audio below]From left, Leslie Carey and Tesh Belayneh help two customers pick the perfect treat.Market Report Notes:The Belayneh’s left Ethiopia for Italy, where they lived for many years as Tesh attended school. Continue Reading

Minneapolis: King’s Fair photo recap

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Organizers for Seward’s King’s Fair couldn’t have picked a better day. There were lots of people out enjoying all of the fun activities – from the strong man competition to pony rides and a petting zoo to two stages for music. We heard lots of comments saying that this was the best King’s Fair yet. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our table – it’s always so much fun to talk to readers.For coverage of this event, we were lucky enough to have Seward-based photographer and designer Jennifer Larson capture the day with her excellent photography. Enjoy the recap!(Photos by Jennifer Larson)
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Minneapolis: Franklin Avenue bridge redesigned to include cycle track

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The Franklin Avenue bridge is scheduled for a renovation by Hennepin County beginning next fall. The renovation will include a new deck, rebuilt railings, the installation of historically appropriate lighting, repaired arches and piers, and a widening of the east side of the bridge by ten feet. The County has also proposed that the renovation include a redesign of the bikeway on the bridge, allowing for a protected cycle track.Hennepin County project manager Jim Archer explained that the barrier would, “help channel bike and pedestrian traffic to designated crossing areas where they’re movements can be better anticipated by vehicular traffic.”Plans allow for 13′ wide vehicle lanes, and a 10′ wide sidewalk and 7′ wide bike lane on both sides of the roadway.The Franklin Avenue bridge (also known as the Cappelen Memorial Bridge) was built by two “prominent Norwegian engineers” according to the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission. When it was built in the 1920s, the bridge was considered to have the longest concrete arch in the world. The bridge replaced a steel truss bridge built in the 1880s, and allowed for increased auto traffic and the expansion of the streetcar line to the east bank of the river.The bridge was added to the National Register in 1978, and renovation plans will need to be reviewed by the MnDOT Cultural Resources Office and the State Historic Preservation Office.Information is available on the Franklin Avenue bridge project page.If you like My Broadsheet, help us spread the word and tell your neighbors and friends. Continue Reading

Touchstone Mental Health brings a holistic approach to the care of mental illness

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Touchstone Mental Health Rising Cedar Apartments is a new living and wellness building in Seward that is designed to help people living with mental illness overcome significant obstacles – housing instability, isolation and unemployment, and a life expectancy that is 25 years less than the general population. The building is home to both Rising Cedar Apartments and a Community Health and Wellness Center, and it takes a holistic approach to the care of people living with mental illness.From the outset the project has been unique, explained Touchstone’s senior director Jessica Ryan. An advisory committee of nearly 150 people with mental illness helped design elements of the building. “We asked clients for key feedback around what defines a home for them,” she said. “Clients have been in and out of hospitals, state shelters, and some have been homeless so it was really important to get feedback. Continue Reading

Midtown Farmers Market: Market report with Dream of Wild Health

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This week we got the chance to talk to Frank Haney from Dream of Wild Health, an organization on a mission to teach American Indian youth how to live healthy lives by learning traditional ways of growing and preparing their own food. The organization also maintains a collection of more than 300 seeds. Check out this week’s Market Report to hear more about the program (with the fab musical stylings of Blue Waters Brass in the background). [Audio below]Market Report Notes:Dream of Wild Health invites American Indian teens to its farm for four week sessions where they get the chance to learn about growing and preparing food, and how spirituality ties into the food culture.The U of M has tested the indigenous foods grown at Dream of Wild Health and has found them to be exceptionally nutritious in comparison with more conventional vegetables.Dream of Wild Health is a 10-acre farm in Hugo, MN. Its produce is available at the Tuesday Midtown Farmers Market.The Midtown Farmer’s Market is open Tuesdays from 3-7 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Check out its website for more of what’s fresh at the market.If you like My Broadsheet, help us spread the word and tell your neighbors and friends. Continue Reading

Renovating the refectory at Minnehaha Falls

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The Minnehaha Falls Refectory (the building that houses Sea Salt) might be getting a facelift, and right now the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is asking for community input in determining what the improvements should include.Cliff Swenson, director of design and project management at the Park Board, said, “We need to be good stewards of the building. Sea Salt has an interest in enlarging their space, and we want to meet with the public to see what we’re missing. We want to get the public and private spaces right. We want to know what changes we can make that would benefit the public.”Last week, the Park Board held an open house at the Refectory, giving attendees a chance to tour the grounds and talk to the design team about renovation options and issues they see with the building.Refectory IssuesPrior to the meeting, the Park Board identified numerous issues with the building itself, the park grounds, and traffic flow. It has been many years since the building was last renovated, and the roof, walls, ceiling, and other fixtures are showing their age. Continue Reading