Nicollet Island East Bank Neighborhood Association (NIEBNA)
BOARD OPPOSES 35W RAMPS: Sarah tenBensel, a Beltrami Neighborhood Association board member, asked for NIEBNA’s support of her neighborhood’s opposition to new ramps off 35W. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has proposed building ramps off 35W southbound on Lincoln, Buchanan and Johnson Streets. The additional exits are supposed to help drivers get into downtown more easily since the 35W bridge collapse.
The proposed ramps would cut through residential sections of the Beltrami neighborhood and funnel freeway traffic on East Hennepin Avenue through the Nicollet Island East Bank neighborhood. The ramps are being billed as temporary, but according to Ward 3 Council Member Diane Hofstede, MnDOT is unwilling to commit to a deadline for their removal. The NIEBNA board agreed to support the Beltrami neighborhood in opposing the ramps. “Traffic people in the city should consider other forms of transportation than cars,” said board President Victor Grambsch.
BOARD OPPOSES REMOVAL OF PARKING METERS: The board agreed to support the Northeast Minneapolis Business Association (NEBA) in its opposition to removing parking meters on a portion of East Hennepin, Central and First Avenues. MnDOT wants to increase lanes of traffic on these roads until a new 35W bridge is built. NEBA and the board feel that it will hurt area businesses and make the area less pedestrian-friendly. The Beltrami, Southeast Como and Marcy-Holmes neighborhoods have also opposed this plan.
BOARD OPPOSES BLOCKING 5TH STREET: MnDOT has proposed closing 5th Street where it crosses Hennepin and Central Avenues in order to speed traffic flow through that intersection. The board opposes the plan because pedestrians would have to go to 6th Street and cross both Hennepin and Central on a single light. Board members pointed out that many residents in the area are disabled and the extra distance would pose a hardship, particularly in inclement weather.
BOARD CALLS FOR TRANSPARENCY IN PARK LAND USE: The board agreed to send a letter to Peter Bell, the Metropolitan Council Chair, asking that the council’s negotiations with the Park Board over a land exchange for the De La Salle Athletic Complex be “a transparent process with full and fair public debate.” Board members are concerned that the Metropolitan Council will go ahead with its plan to trade Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park land to De La Salle in exchange for a parcel farther up river. The letter will also reiterate the board’s continued opposition to the De La Salle stadium project.
THIRD WARD SUMMIT: The next Third Ward Summit is October 13 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the City View Performing Arts Magnet; 3350 N. 4th St. Hofstede will give the Third Ward report, Assistant Chief of Police Sharon Lubinski will discuss public safety and Henry Reimer, the city’s director of inspections, will talk about inspections and problem properties. Minneapolis Public Works and MnDOT will give a 35W bridge update. There will be priority-setting workshops on issues like environment and sustainability, economic and neighborhood development, and the arts. Everyone is welcome. Food and beverages will be served.
DEVELOPMENT UPDATE: David Frank from Shafer Richardson updated the board on progress with Phoenix on the River, a 17-story residential tower on 3rd Avenue Southeast, which will be completed fall 2008.
R&R SOCIAL CLUB: The R&R Social Club will cruise the Mississippi River on the Minneapolis Queen and Paradise Lady in October. The date is TBA.
NEXT: November 19, 2007
MEETINGS: 3rd Monday bimonthly, 6:30 p.m., location TBA
CONTACT: Victor Grambsch, pvictor@eudaemonics.com
BORDERS: Apex of Central and Hennepin avenues to Mississippi River, Nicollet Island
last revised: October 5, 2007