ANNUAL MEETING
The NIEBNA annual meeting is scheduled for May 20.

NORTH MEMORIAL URGENT CARE FACILITY UPDATE
The board heard a presentation from representatives of North Memorial Medical Clinic (NMMC) regarding a proposal to relocate and expand the medical clinic facility currently location is 2nd Street and and 13th Avenue NE. The new site would take all the retail space on Central Avenue from Prairie Stone to Cost Cutters. NMMC Manager Leah Martodam and Mike Foley, director of clinic services, gave the presentation.

The clinic would include primary care, urgent care, obstetrics and podiatry – “everything from prenatal to pediatrics to geriatrics,” said Foley.

Issues discussed included ambulance and patient access as well as the plans for the structure itself. Foley stated that an architect was working on the project. Board member Victor Grambsch inquired as to whether plans included clear windows facing the street, an urban design to realize “eyes on the street” as a “way to get urban safety.” Matthew Spector suggested ambulance access at the 4th Street corner to avoid compounding Central Avenue traffic issues.

“(A medical clinic) is one of the things the neighborhood has wanted for a long time,” said Grambsch; other things on the neighborhood wish list include a hardware store and a bookstore.

PROPOSED GRANDSTAY HOTEL
Larry Opelt from DJR Architecture presented a proposal for the Grandstay Hotel, which would include shops and a restaurant, on Central Ave and Northeast Seventh Street across from the Banks Building. Opent presented a detailed explanation of the project, complete with architectural drawings.

The board received a zoning summary outlining the details of certain zoning variances and conditional use permits the project would like to pursue with the city. While board members were comfortable with most of the proposed variances, issues surrounding the permanency of a variance to meet a potential restaurant’s parking needs raised concerns.

“A variance goes with the property,” said Grambsch. “I do not see the necessity for it, other than for the convenience of the developer.”

The board passed a resolution approving/supporting all variance and conditional use permit requests except as related to a parking variance. The board encouraged other existing parking options be explored, including brokering some kind of deal to share parking with the Banks Building.

“You have to plan for contingencies,” said Matthew Seldon. “There is a great parking pressure. A variance is something that that property enjoys no matter what.”

DANDELION DAYS AT ARD GODFREY HOUSE
Muriel Bachman distributed a flyer to the board and meeting attendees regarding Dandelion Days. The event is scheduled for Sunday, May 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. is the 20th annual Dandelion Day Celebration.

(Cookies and punch will be available, as will dandelion tattoos, dandelion recipes, and house tours. The event is free; donations are welcome. Call 612-813-5319 or visit www.ardgodfrehouse.org for more information.)

DELASALLE FOOTBALL FIELD PROJECT UPDATE
Board member Lisa Hondros updated the board regarding the archaeological findings associated with the project. The school hired Two Pines Archaeology Group, which has unearthed an old foundation, lots of artifacts and garden elements such as a cobblestone courtyard and a fountain. An open house and public presentation are planned. The school has withdrawn its application to lay artificial turf on the field.

MINNEAPOLIS SCHOOLS FUNDRAISING EVENTS
Board member Jan Deming apprised the board of two fundraisers scheduled to benefit Minneapolis schoolchildren.

“Fashioning a Dream”, a fashion-show fundraiser, will to benefit the Green Central Park Elementary School’s fifth-grade field trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota. The event ill be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on April 12 at Picosa Restaurant in the Riverplace complex at 65 Main Street SE. Appetizers, beverages, and a dance performance by Green Central students will round out the festivities.

Another fundraiser, the Marcy Open School Gala, will be held at the SOAP Factory on April 12 from 6 to 11 p.m.

(Proceeds help fund the school’s visual art, music and theater programs. Performances by Xelias Aerial Artists and the Marcy Open School Rock Band are scheduled, along with both a silent and live auction of a variety of artwork donated by local artists and collectors. )

“The idea is to get all of us more involved in the Minneapolis Public Schools,” said Deming.

GRANARY ROAD PROPOSAL
The board discussed the potential project ,which would serve as a connection between Washington Avenue and Second Street. Debate ensued regarding the road’s location and the project’s potential scope and viability. The board concluded more information was in order and that it wants to be more involved in the discussion and planning of the project.

NEXT: May 20, 2008
MEETINGS: 3rd Tuesday 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: April 1, 2008

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