Mpls Downtown Improvement District

The Minneapolis Downtown Council, Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District and East Downtown Council partnered with the St. Paul Riverfront Corporation for the second straight year on Tuesday to bring the 5th Annual Placemaking Residency program to Downtown Minneapolis.

Approximately 50 people took part in the walking tour—despite a rainy morning—and took part in the event that focused on Equitable Development in East Downtown. The event included speakers and walking tour that focused on equity in our neighborhoods and communities.

The day began with speeches from Dr. Mindy Thompson Fullilove, a psychiatrist and author of books regarding equity, as well as Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee Vice President of Business Connect and Corporate Affairs Alex Tittle.

The event included a walking tour, led by Minneapolis DID Director of Public Realm Initiatives Ben Shardlow, that brought the group throughout the East Town area, beginning with the opening remarks at First Covenant Church. From there, the group walked along the new U.S. Bank Stadium and overlooked the Commons Park, then went to Samatar Crossing east of the stadium, the Elliot Park Soccer Field, the Hennepin County Medical Center Ambulatory Clinic construction site and the House of Charity proposed site.

During the walk, there was an overlap with where the 2015 placemaking event took place, most noticeably the 2015 stops just outside the Wells Fargo Towers and the Commons in East Town. A year ago, the exterior of the towers was being worked on, and as part of the Placemaking event the group had a picnic on the lawn of what would be the new Commons—which also included a narrowing of Portland Avenue to showcase what the road might look like should that part of the project become reality.

Today, as the group passed by U.S. Bank Stadium, they were able to see the Commons in full bloom—literally—as the concrete is being poured, the narrowing of Portland Avenue is complete and the trees surrounding the Park are being placed.

The overall message of the event focused on how our community can come together to create an equitable opportunity for everyone. Check out the photos above for a few images of the day’s events.