Midtown Farmers Market opens May 5th
Kicking off its 10th season the Midtown Farmers Market is preparing to open May 5th. The market will be open each Saturday through October, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Lake Street and 22nd Avenue South.
In June, the market will be open on Tuesdays as well, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. through the end of the season in October. Producers from Minnesota and Wisconsin bring the day’s harvest. The market features fresh fruits and vegetables, artisan crafts, ready-to-eat food, and live music. The market’s vendors will accept cash, check, and food stamps. Visitors can also go to the market booth to use a credit card or EBT card.
Little Earth homeownership initiative to break ground
This May, Little Earth of United Tribes, will break ground on a homeownership initiative in the East Phillips neighborhood. Little Earth is the largest Native-owned and operated low-income rental housing community in the United States.
“We started working to help our rental families become homeowners, but we always thought it would be an empty dream, a vision unrealized,” said Little Earth Housing Corporation president Bill Ziegler. “But now it is going to be a reality thanks to working in partnership with the city.”
“When Little Earth adopted a zero-tolerance policy to crime, we noticed drug dealers saturating the rental housing one block south,” says Council Member Schiff. “The block also saw drug-related crimes increase and three homicides. By converting the block to homeownership in partnership with Little Earth we will expand economic opportunity while protecting the community from exploitation.”
The program will allow Little Earth to purchase, build and rehab homes for Little Earth residents. The first phase will include renovating one home and building four new homes. The project site area includes E.M. Stately Street and 26th Street from Hiawatha to Cedar.
On-street bikeways nearly double in 2012
Minneapolis is one of the top bicycling cities in the country, and the outlook is even better for 2012. Thanks to a busy construction season last year, there are more bikeways in Minneapolis than ever before. This includes an 80 percent increase in the number of miles of on-street bikeways. With the addition of 37 miles of bikeways in 2011, there are now 167 miles of bikeways in Minneapolis. That includes 80 miles of on-street bikeways.
The addition of the many on-street bikeways means residents will see many new bike markings on the roadway. Two new videos produced by the City of Minneapolis will help road users understand these markings so both bikes and cars can safely use the same streets. The videos can be viewed and shared at www.minneapolismn.gov/bicycles.
The Minneapolis Bike Walk Ambassador Program is hosting more than 40 rides, walks and classes this spring and summer. Sessions are designed to help people get back on their bikes, ride on our streets and trails, and consider walking and biking for some of their trips. Sessions include family bicycling, adult bicycling, and Stroll Minneapolis for residents 55 and older.
Many people already use bikes for transportation in Minneapolis, and the City strives to make bicycling an even more attractive option for others. By choosing to bike instead of drive, residents help reduce traffic congestion, improve our air quality and reduce dependence on oil. Biking is a healthy way to get around that boosts physical fitness and lowers health care costs. Minneapolis is among the top cities in the country for bicycle commuting, according to a U.S. Census comparison of the nation’s 50 largest cities. For more information on bicycling in Minneapolis, go to www.minneapolismn.gov/bicycles.
Last updated May. 4, 2012