Update from the Mayor – November 18, 2005
November 18, 2005
News from Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak
Lake Street is vibrant…Let’s keep it that way!
Lake Street is one of the most vibrant commercial corridors in Minneapolis and anyone who has driven down Lake Street lately can easily see changes at work. New businesses are opening every day representing the growing diversity of our city. New street construction is underway that will make Lake Street more pedestrian friendly, more attractive, and more accessible. The former Sears building is being transformed into the Midtown Exchange that will include Allina’s corporate headquarters, housing, and a global marketplace. We have much to celebrate!
Supporting Our Lake Street Businesses
On Wednesday I started my holiday shopping early and visited several East Lake Street businesses to encourage support for those business owners struggling during the street redevelopment and construction period. I encourage you to cross the construction and patronize these businesses on Lake Street near Chicago Avenue. With so much new economic activity on Lake Street right around the corner, especially in the former Sears site, we need to make sure that the businesses already there continue to succeed during this crucial construction period.
Get the Scoop on the NEW Midtown Exchange
Now you can get a behind-the-scenes peek into the new Midtown Exchange development being built on the site of the former Sears building by watching my newest "Meet the Mayor" TV Show on the City of Minneapolis Cable Ch. 14. Inside this month’s episode, I interviewed the project’s key players, including the CEO of Allina, the Sherman housing developer, and the global market developers. See for yourself the exciting Midtown Exchange in the works. Show times for "Meet the Mayor" on Ch. 14 are:
• Sundays from 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Tuesdays from 9:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
• Wednesdays from 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Saturdays from 9:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Buses Return to Lake and Chicago
On Monday, I will join Metro Transit officials to welcome transit buses back to the Midtown Exchange. Transit buses diverted from Lake Street and Chicago Avenue during street construction will return to their normal routes. At 10 a.m. on Monday route 5 will return to Chicago Avenue between 31st Street and 26th Street and routes 21 and 53 will return to Lake Street between Bloomington Avenue and 4th Avenue. Beginning December 3rd, Routes 5, 21 and 53 will all serve the new Transit Center near the Midtown Exchange. So, starting Monday, you can take the bus to go shopping right on Lake Street with no diversion!
Riverside Coal Plant Conversion Correction
My November 4th Mayor’s Email Update incorrectly stated that we have reduced air pollution by converting the riverside coal plant to cleaner natural gas. The plant conversion has not yet been completed and the email should have more clearly stated that the conversion will reduce air pollution. We all look forward to cleaner air in our city!
Published Nov. 18, 2005