browser<http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=ab10caacad3986ae6780de874&id=3fc55fec7f&e=c897c0d4ef>.
JACOB FREY
MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
[Image removed by sender.]
July 29, 2014
[Image removed by sender. Inside redevelopment of the A-Mill]
Spotlight on Minneapolis Growth
As you walk around Third Ward neighborhoods you see it everywhere - development
projects that will increase residential density and spur economic growth for
Minneapolis.
To keep you updated, we’ll be highlighting key projects in Third Ward News
emails. This month we will highlight Nic on 5th and the Riverton development.
* The Nic on 5th (Nicollet Mall between S 4th St & S 5th St): Thriving
cities must have a diversity of activities mixed together. To that extent, our
core downtown cannot be all business with activity limited from 9am to 5pm. The
Nic on
5th<http://minneapolismn.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab10caacad3986ae6780de874&id=eb52f26986&e=c897c0d4ef>
breaks the mold of single use by offering residents a chance to live in the
middle of it all and experience the vibrancy of downtown. Located on what used
to be a surface parking lot, the 253 unit apartment building being developed by
the Opus
Group<http://minneapolismn.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab10caacad3986ae6780de874&id=4ac8beeec5&e=c897c0d4ef>,
draws residents closer to retail shops and local businesses in the area. The
site is also in close proximity to an array of transit options, including light
rail right outside the door, hundreds of bus routes blocks away, and convenient
bike lanes leading to all corners of the city (photo above).
* Riverton (SE 4th St between SE 12th Ave & SE 13th Ave): We must develop
housing surrounding the U of M that does not saddle students with extraordinary
debt. The Riverton development tackles this increasingly prevalent issue head
on by using a co-op model to provide significantly cheaper housing, while
allowing students to become active participants in the way their building is
operated and run. This
project<http://minneapolismn.us3.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=ab10caacad3986ae6780de874&id=66d734e939&e=c897c0d4ef>,
currently moving through the planning
process<http://minneapolismn.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab10caacad3986ae6780de874&id=36d0604325&e=c897c0d4ef>,
proposes demolishing the existing building to build a new 6-story, 66-unit
residential building with ground floor commercial space. "Decreasing student
debt, activating the street level through commercial space, and giving students
an opportunity to participate in their housing decisions make this project a
positive addition to Dinkytown", said Council Member Frey. "I am particularly
pleased to see that the site plan was amended to include retail at the base
level."
Minneapolis legalizes operation of transportation network companies
[Image removed by sender.]With the emergence of transportation network
companies like Uber and Lyft, Council Member Jacob Frey authored, and the City
Council adopted new
ordinances<http://minneapolismn.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab10caacad3986ae6780de874&id=714f6d68cc&e=c897c0d4ef>
to legalize their operations in Minneapolis. "Once again, our city is on the
front line in the move for progress," said Council Member Jacob Frey. "Our goal
when we began drafting this ordinance was to be the first city to do this
properly -- one, by ensuring safety, and two, by allowing an alternative
transportation model to operate and thrive. We as a city cannot shut our doors
on innovation simply because it’s new and different."
The City Council also voted to modernize the City’s longstanding taxi
ordinances<http://minneapolismn.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab10caacad3986ae6780de874&id=314847de18&e=c897c0d4ef>
to make them less restrictive to companies while still maintaining safety for
passengers. "Our ordinances for taxi companies have been in place since the
early 1980s,” said Council Member Abdi Warsame, who authored the major changes
to the City’s taxi ordinances. “We needed to update these to keep pace with the
times. These changes also make sure that many of our taxi company requirements
will also be required of the transportation network companies as well, making
it a fairer playing field.”
Under the ordinances, licensing fees will be collected to cover the costs of
regulation, such as an additional licensing inspector. Vehicle inspections and
background check requirements will be the same way as for taxi companies. And a
new surcharge will be paid by that will be used to provide incentives to
licensed para-transit providers for wheelchair and other accessible
transportation.
City modernizing restaurant rules for alcohol
[Image removed by sender.]Council Member Frey, along with Council Members
Elizabeth Glidden and Linea Palmisano are working on changes designed to
modernize the city's alcohol
rules<http://minneapolismn.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab10caacad3986ae6780de874&id=b722d5072a&e=c897c0d4ef>
<http://minneapolismn.us3.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=ab10caacad3986ae6780de874&id=840d0a9e3a&e=c897c0d4ef>
and licensing standards for restaurants. The updates will remove archaic,
arbitrary sales ratios (such as 60/40 and 70/30) on food and alcohol that place
an unnecessary burden on many businesses that are well-run, positive assets to
our neighborhoods. "Take a standard meal of a burger and a side salad ($12),
and two craft beers ($12)," said Council Member Frey. "You've already surpassed
the legal ratio of alcohol to food sales. Clearly, this rule is no longer
serving its purpose and needs some modernization." Additionally, we have found
that such ratios have actually increased the amount of alcohol consumed because
businesses are forced to sell lower quality, cheaper alcohol, thus allowing
binge drinking.
The proposed ordinance changes will not change the type of establishment or
entertainment that’s allowed in a particular location. "These changes wouldn't
allow bars to pop up in neighborhoods," said Council Member Palmisano. "The
kinds of entertainment a restaurant could provide won't change, rather the
changes would provide new tools for the City if a business is a problem for
neighbors because of things like excessive noise."
These changes would also provide the the City with a toolkit for dealing with
businesses that are not responsible operators or good neighbors. New tools will
include the ability to manage noise issues, required certified alcohol
training, and detailed management responsibilities for restaurants. “The new
regulatory approach is a great balance that will allow for vibrant restaurants
and great neighborhoods," said Dan McElroy, Executive Vice President of the
Minnesota Restaurant
Assocation.<http://minneapolismn.us3.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=ab10caacad3986ae6780de874&id=f5ed6f4d1b&e=c897c0d4ef>
Further regulatory tools will allow the City to take licensing action against
restaurants that cause problems. A public hearing on the proposed changes is
expected to take place in early September.
National Night Out is August 5th!
[Image removed by sender.]On Tuesday, August 5th, join Jacob for National Night
Out in the neighborhoods of the Third Ward. If you want Jacob to stop by your
event, send him an
email<mailto:<email obscured>?subject=Come%20to%20my%20block's%20National%20Night%20Out%20event!>
with the details. Although time is limited, Jacob will stop by as many events
as possible.
As with many past National Night Outs, Minneapolis was ranked #1 among large
cities in 2013. Over 1,450 events were registered. If you haven't registered
your event, you can do so
online<http://minneapolismn.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab10caacad3986ae6780de874&id=31853ede18&e=c897c0d4ef>
or through 311. Applications for blocking off a street will not be taken after
July 31st.
NNO is an annual nationwide event that encourages residents to get out in the
community, holding block parties and getting to know their neighbors as a way
to encourage crime prevention. It's a great way to promote community-police
partnerships and enjoy a Minnesota summer evening surrounded by friends and
family.
PepsiCo to sponsor youth track programs
[Image removed by sender.]The
T<http://minneapolismn.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab10caacad3986ae6780de874&id=f76716e560&e=c897c0d4ef>win
Cities Track Club
<http://minneapolismn.us3.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=ab10caacad3986ae6780de874&id=2efbeb3535&e=c897c0d4ef>
(TCTC) Foundation announced that PepsiCo, Inc. will be sponsoring all TCTC
youth programming in 2014. The sponsorship will provide funding for the
expansion of TCTC’s All Comers Track
Meets<http://minneapolismn.us3.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=ab10caacad3986ae6780de874&id=e3efaf705c&e=c897c0d4ef>
and Kids Run
Free<http://minneapolismn.us3.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=ab10caacad3986ae6780de874&id=81545f2150&e=c897c0d4ef>
program.
PepsiCo’s sponsorship will also provide funding for the Kids City Cross
League<http://minneapolismn.us3.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=ab10caacad3986ae6780de874&id=9c07cd5db5&e=c897c0d4ef>,
which is new in 2014. The Kids City Cross League will be a fall youth
cross-country running league based in the Twin Cities, with teams designated
according to neighborhoods in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Twin Cities Track Club
athletes and members will coach and manage the youth teams.
“The Twin Cities Track Club is excited to have the support of PepsiCo and to
continue developing programming for all ages,” said Mike Reneau, President of
the Twin Cities Track Club. “With their help, we will continue to make the
healthy and accessible sport of running even more accessible to Twin Cities
youth.”