Nicollet Island East Bank Neighborhood Association board meeting, Sept. 16
THIRD WARD NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT
Minneapolis City Council Member Diane Hofstede is hosting a neighborhood summit focused on transportation.
The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave. NE. Registration is at 5:00 p.m.; the program begins at 6:00 p.m. An “after-summit” discussion will be held at 9:30 p.m. Food and beverages are to be provided. For more information, call Hofstede’s office at 612.673.2203 or go to www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/ward3.
Issues include traffic flow on the proposed Granary Road and East River Road and its impact on Second Street. Other issues to be discussed include the Central Corridor light-rail system, a transit hub for the Northstar Commuter Rail and the new Lowry Avenue bridge.
RED STAG SIGN ORDINANCE CONSIDERED
The City of Minneapolis has determined that The Red Stag Supper Club “stag rampant” cast-aluminum sculpture is in violation of the current sign ordinance. The supper club is located at 509 First Ave. NE.
Board president P. Victor Grambsch said that it was hard to know what the real issue might be and that he considers the sculpture a piece of public art. He suggested that perhaps it was considered “too exuberant.”
Discussion ensued regarding the NIEBNA board formally supporting the club’s request to the city for a variance so the sculpture can remain. Suggestions for other options included a conditional use permit, rather than a variance, or having the city “grandfather” it in.
Grambsch will investigate the issue and options and circulate his findings to the board at a later date.
SIXTH STREET (DIS)REPAIR
Resident Mark Skoine addressed the board regarding the condition of Northeast Sixth Street between First Avenue Northeast and the railroad tracks. He said the area is in “constant disrepair,” that area residents and business are affected, and that he would like to see the street fixed.
Grambsch will ask for the assistance of Hofstede’s office to find out who the property owners are and to initiate a contact with the city’s public works department to address the issue.
CHUTE SQUARE PARK
The residents of Cobalt Condominiums are taking on the issue of refurbishing the park. Developing something similar to the Loring Park Association and finding out how to raise money are priorities.
TRAFFIC COMMITTEE
The board discussed the need to set up a traffic monitoring committee, as the 35W bridge collapse sparked desire to access the NIEBNA neighborhood. Grambsch expressed concerns that the proposed Granary Road could end up as a feeder for 35W down Second Street, and that the “1900s street pattern” was an issue.
“We have enough traffic in the neighborhood,” Grambsch said.
Board members agreed that a good turnout at the Third Ward Neighborhood Summit to speak up regarding the impact of reopening Second Street was imperative.
“It’s really critical to have your feedback,” said Hofstede, “and bring a face to this discussion.”
DE LA SALLE COMMITTEE UPDATE
The board discussed the need for long-term monitoring of the situation regarding the new field built at the school as well as the need for a forum with all parties, including DeLaSalle representatives and the Park Board. A tentative goal of having a meeting during the first or second week in October was set. Hofstede’s office will play a role in organizing the meeting.
NICOLLET ISLAND PAVILION OPERATION AND LICENSES
Board member Lisa Hondros presented her concerns to the board regarding public safety and property tax issues surrounding the Nicollet Island Pavilion, which is under the auspices of the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board.
Hondros expressed concern that the catering service operating inside the pavilion, Mintahoe Hospitality Group (MHG), is operating a private business without proper licensing and wants the city to review the situation.
“The area has been privatized to a large degree,” said Hondros. “There’s no oversight by the Park Board, and (MHG is) not even paying property taxes.”
Grambsch said that $300,000 in five years has been lost in property tax.
Resident Edna Brazaitis said that Pavilion revenues reached $277,000 last year, but that financial statements are not publicly recorded in a timely fashion and that the numbers do not add up.
Hondros also said that emergency access to the island is cut off by parked buses at the Pavilion and that it was unclear whether proper permits were in place for their parking practices.
Resident John Rimarcik commented that MHG has “improved a terrible facility and made it occupyable (sic)” and provides a venue for the city to bring large groups during conventions. “I’m not speaking for them,” Rimarcik said, “but there’s plenty of good to be said about what they did.”
Grambsch suggested that representatives from MHG could be invited to the November meeting to discuss the situation. Hofstede said she would coordinate a meeting with regulatory people and NIEBNA representatives.
“Public safety is something NIEBNA should really be concerned with,” said Board Member Bob Olson.
(See the Sept. 18th “Twin Cities Daily Planet article”:http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/article/2008/09/18/nicollet-island-cash-cow-or-public-park.html# regarding this issue.)
ST. ANTHONY WEST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING
Brazaitis addressed the board regarding her visit to the Sept. 11 SAWNA meeting, where discussion was held regarding the development of Boom Island and B.F. Nelson Park.
“The good news is that they are going to start some work on some of the stabilization funded by the Watershed District,” said Brazaitis. “The bad news is that somehow the Park Board is stuck on a plan and is being inflexible to really see that maybe things have changed and what our neighborhood is now, that we are, right now, a pedestrian-oriented neighborhood.”
The number of parking lots, buildings, and the kinds of plantings are at issue, Brazaitis said, and that SAWNA passed an amendment asking that they be able to approach the Park Board and work towards making some amendments to the plan.
Brazaitis suggested that NIEBNA consider passing a resolution supporting SAWNA’s desire to make changes to the master plan.
“It’s an artificial boundary,” Brazaitis said. “We’re right up against the park.”
Hofstede commented that the new Mississippi Riverfront Revitalization nonprofit corporation will help, as “it is really committed to natural habitats.”
NEXT MEETING
The next NIEBNA meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 17. Grambsch told The Bridge that, ongoing, NIEBNA board meetings would be held on the third Monday of odd-numbered months, rather than Tuesdays. The time and location will be determined at a later date.
last revised: September 22, 2008