Featured Stories

Make the Switch from Car to Bike Commute This Winter: Here's How

Brian Martucci Tuesday, December 08, 2015

Imagine a day in a bike commuter’s boots. How does he or she prepare before walking out the door? How do they stay comfortable behind Arctic fronts and snow curtains — even the dreaded polar vortex. Here's how.

Entrepreneurship, Shopping, Sustainability, Transportation

Holiday Shopping on the Green Line: A Selection of Locally Owned Shops by Stop

Brian Martucci Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Now that the holiday shopping season is upon us, Metro Transit riders in search of the perfect gifts can ride the 11-mile-long Green Line for an adventurous day that includes stops at dozens of locally owned stores. Here's a guide to get you started.

Arts and Culture, Central Corridor, Creative Economy, diversity, Entrepreneurship, Shopping, Strong Local Economy, Transit Oriented Development, Transportation

Midway, Saint Anthony Park, West Seventh, Downtown/Lowertown, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown, Warehouse/North Loop

Nostalgia in November: Our Monthly Arts/Culture Picks

David Rue Tuesday, November 17, 2015

This month’s feature highlighting arts, entertainment and culture not to be missed in MSP brings into focus the region’s most notable dance company, photographic visions of Minneapolis’ past and an art sale for all to enjoy.

Arts and Culture, Coordination/Collaboration, diversity, Entrepreneurship

Greater East Side, Macalester - Groveland, Midway, Saint Anthony Park

Urban Agriculture in MSP: Growing, Diversifying, Sustainable

Brian Martucci Tuesday, August 18, 2015

As the rapid proliferation of urban farms, CSAs, community gardens, hyper-local farmers’ market stalls and farm-to-fork restaurants shows, MSP’s urban agriculture ecosystem is only getting stronger.

Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Entrepreneurship, Green Jobs, Shopping, Strong Local Economy, Sustainability

Greater East Side, Midway, North Side, West Seventh, Downtown/Lowertown, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown

The Sounds of Summer: August Arts and Culture In MSP

David Rue Tuesday, August 11, 2015

In this month’s feature highlights arts, entertainment and culture not to be missed in MSP by focusing on music, festivals and fashion.

Arts and Culture, Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Entrepreneurship, Nightlife, Shopping

Riverfront/Mill District, Como Park, Midway

The Centennial Chromagraph, fabricated in the DigiFab Lab to celebrate the U of M School of Architecture's history

Why MSP is Leading the New DigiFab (Third Industrial) Revolution

Brian Martucci Tuesday, February 24, 2015

We're experiencing the third industrial revolution in which MSP’s digital fabricators are innovatively building the future, one pixel at a time.

Arts and Culture, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Design, Emerging Technologies, Emerging Technology, Entrepreneurship, High Technology, Higher Education, Strong Local Economy

University, Midway, Saint Anthony Park, Southwest, Powderhorn, Northeast

10 Independent Bookstores To Get Cozy With This Winter

Gina Dewink Tuesday, February 03, 2015

Searching for a book to get lost in? Ditch your computer and mobile devices, and plan a day trip exploring these distinct and community-minded local bookstores, many of which are celebrating decade birthdays in 2015.

Arts and Culture, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Reuse / Rebuild, Shopping, Strong Local Economy

Macalester - Groveland, Midway, Saint Anthony Park, Lake Street, Southwest, Uptown/Lyn Lake, Summit Hill and Crocus Hill

Forget Midwest. We Are North: Repositioning MSP's National Identity for the 21st Century

Camille LeFevre Wednesday, December 03, 2014

According to a recent panel discussion, we need to own our cold climate and our ingenuity in order to attract new talent, continue fueling the innovation at the heart of our economy, and create a new and authentic national identity. Shall we call ourselves the North?

Arts and Culture, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Leadership, Design, diversity, Regionalism, Strong Local Economy, Talent Dividend

The crowd for the Replacements at Midway stadium, photo by Nate Ryan, MPR

We On Some Nonstop! Why We're the Cities of Music

Ira Brooker Wednesday, December 03, 2014

From a fan's perspective, the Minnesota music scene feels like a uniquely supportive community. But he wanted to see if that's a viewpoint shared by artists who have come here from other environs. It is, despite the cold.

Arts and Culture, Creative Leadership, diversity, Entrepreneurship, Nightlife

Midway, Downtown

A performer at Little Africa's launch party, courtesy AEDS

Small Business Development Equals Big Growth in Three TC Neighborhoods

Gayle Thorsen Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Creative collaborations on St. Paul’s East Side, throughout Little Africa in St. Paul and along West Broadway in North Minneapolis are helping small businesses thrive while sparking economic vitality and community pride.

Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Entrepreneurship, Reuse / Rebuild, Shopping, Strong Local Economy, Talent Dividend, Transit Oriented Development

Greater East Side, Midway, North Side

Cycling in the Cities: Seven New Local Inventions for Bike Enthusiasts Here and Around the Globe

Brian Martucci Wednesday, October 22, 2014

The Twin Cities is a leader in bicycle use and a major innovator in bicycle design and technology. The seven inventions profiled here have, or will have, an impact on the local and global cycling industry. And the pace of innovation shows no sign of slowing down.

Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Design, Emerging Technologies, Emerging Technology, Entrepreneurship, Strong Local Economy, Sustainability, Transportation

Shawn Combs Walding, photo by Brian Martucci

Q+A: Shawn Combs Walding, MnDOT's Transit Advantages Coordinator

Brian Martucci Wednesday, October 15, 2014

We recently sat down with Shawn Combs Walding, MnDOT’s Transit Advantages Coordinator for the Twin Cities Metro District to discuss alternative transportation in the Twin Cities, what local entities can do to promote transit use, and how easy it really is to be car-free.

Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Sustainability, Transit Oriented Development, Transportation

Nancy Fischer and Lars Christiansen, photo by Brian Martucci

How Being "Car Ownership Free" Led to Healthy Living, Community Organizing and Embracing Transit

Brian Martucci Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Two years ago, Lars Christiansen and Nancy Fischer sold their car and plunged into the Twin Cities’ rich network of public and alternative modes of transportation, which led to a healthier lifestyle and innovating the Friendly Streets Initiative.

Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Leadership, Sustainability, Transportation

Midway, Cedar - Riverside/West Bank, Seward, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown

Urban Organics produce at the Lund's Penfield, courtesy Urban Organics

Urban Farm to Urban Table: Growing and Sourcing Hyper-Local Food in the Twin Cities

Brian Martucci Wednesday, August 13, 2014

The Twin Cities is emerging as a hotbed of innovative agricultural activity. An ambitious group of producers and retailers aims to redefine what it means to be local, and give retaurants and consumers more control over what they eat and drink.

Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Green Jobs, Shopping, Strong Local Economy, Sustainability

Riverfront/Mill District, Midway, Downtown, Lake Street, Southwest, Seward, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown, Northeast

Planners attribute $2.5 billion in new development to the Green Line, photo by Kyle Mianulli

Beyond the Rails: Mapping the Development, Cultural and Community Impact of the New Green Line

Kyle Mianulli Wednesday, June 11, 2014

More than providing a convenient, environmentally friendly transit option, the $957 million Green Line light-rail project down the Central Corridor is proving a catalyst for rejuvenating the once vibrant, 11-mile spine connecting the Twin Cities.

Affordable Housing, Central Corridor, diversity, Shopping, Transit Oriented Development, Transportation

Union Park, University, Macalester - Groveland, Midway, Cedar - Riverside/West Bank, Saint Anthony Park, Downtown/Lowertown, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown, Summit - University