Featured Stories

Why MSP is the Once, Current and Future Internet of Things (IoT) Alley

Brian Martucci Tuesday, April 14, 2015

There’s a movement afoot to rebrand MSP as “IoT Alley” in recognition of its historical and current innovations in the field of Internet to cloud devices. MSP startups, in fact, are leading current growth in the field.

Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Design, Emerging Technology, Entrepreneurship, High Technology, Strong Local Economy

University, Downtown, Downtown/Lowertown, Warehouse/North Loop, Northeast

The City as Your Living Room: Will Micro-Apts Go Macro in MSP?

Camille LeFevre Tuesday, April 07, 2015

Interest in micro-apartments is growing in MSP because of their affordability and design, the community spaces within the building and the city itself as the living room.

Affordable Housing, Creative Economy, Design, Entrepreneurship, Transit Oriented Development

University, Cedar - Riverside/West Bank, Downtown, Uptown/Lyn Lake, Warehouse/North Loop

An L.A. Native and Her Husband Embrace the Pedal-Powered Lifestyle

Brian Martucci Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Janis LaDouceur relocated to The North in the late 1980s and began a two-decade process of disengaging from car culture.Today, LaDouceur and her husband, Sean Burns, live an almost totally car-free lifestyle.

Coordination/Collaboration, Design, Sustainability, Transportation

University, Warehouse/North Loop

Water Works Park, rendering courtesy of SCAPE

10 Development Projects That Will Transform MSP in 2015

Phillip Koski Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Enjoy this roundup of 10 exciting architectural and development additions to Minneapolis and St. Paul that promise to transform neighborhoods, enrich our quality of life and add to the roster of “must see” attractions for out-of-town guests.

Affordable Housing, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Design, Reuse / Rebuild, Strong Local Economy, Transit Oriented Development

Phillips, University, Downtown, Lake Street, Downtown/Lowertown, Warehouse/North Loop, Northeast

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

How a Car-Free Lifestyle Led to a More Experience-Based Life

Brian Martucci Wednesday, November 19, 2014

A transit user and cyclist explains why he traded the conveniences of car ownership for an “experience-based lifestyle.”

Sustainability, Transportation

Seward, Warehouse/North Loop

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

No Braking in Sight: Six New Twin Cities' Food Trucks You Need To Try

Kyle Mianulli Wednesday, August 20, 2014

During these coveted warm months, wherever the people go, an army of gourmet and artisan food trucks are sure to follow. Here are six new food trucks hitting Twin Cities' streets that you might have missed. Get out and try something delicious.

Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Nightlife, Strong Local Economy

Central Avenue, Downtown, Downtown/Lowertown, Warehouse/North Loop, Northeast

The Lunds next to Chute Square in Minneapolis, courtesy Steve/sdate

The Complete City: Why Density and Amenities Are Essential to Everyday Urban Living

Camille LeFevre Wednesday, July 09, 2014

After decades of population loss, many cities are now growing faster than the rest of their metro areas. Urban living is now the new normal. What amenities are necessary to sustain a dense and vibrant city? The answers might surprise you.

Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Nightlife, Reuse / Rebuild, Shopping, Strong Local Economy, Sustainability, Transit Oriented Development, Transportation

Riverfront/Mill District, Downtown, Warehouse/North Loop, Northeast

10 Local Apps for Mobilizing Summer in the Cities

Dan Heilman Wednesday, July 09, 2014

Summer in Minneapolis-St. Paul is all about getting out and about. Here are 10 homegrown apps to help you make the most of your summer in the cities.

Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Leadership, Design, Emerging Technology, Entrepreneurship, Nightlife, Transportation

Riverfront/Mill District, Central Avenue, Downtown, Lake Street, Uptown/Lyn Lake, West Seventh, Longfellow, Downtown/Lowertown, Warehouse/North Loop, Northeast

Food trucks line Mears Park in St. Paul, courtesy Visit St. Paul

Moveable Feasts: MSP's Food Truck Boom Inspires Appetites, Community, Culinary Startups

Julie Kendrick Wednesday, June 04, 2014

What turns a pint at the local microbrewery into a feast? Transforms ho-hum lunch hours into culinary adventures? Generates curbside communities? Tests an entrepreneur's appetite for a new business? Twin Cities food trucks!

Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Shopping

Central Avenue, Downtown, Saint Anthony Park, Lake Street, Southwest, Downtown/Lowertown, Warehouse/North Loop

Revelers do the brew at Dangerous Man, courtesy Dangerous Man Brewing

Twin Cities Brew Boom Taps Into Placemaking, Entrepreneurship, Neighborhood Synergies

Brian Martucci Wednesday, May 07, 2014

Since the passage of the Surly Bill 2012, craft-beer entrepreneurs have rapidly opened breweries with taprooms in neighborhoods throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul. All are doing their part to turn neighborhoods into top-of-mind destinations.

Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Entrepreneurship, Nightlife, Strong Local Economy, Transit Oriented Development

Central Avenue, Midway, Saint Anthony Park, Lake Street, Southwest, Downtown/Lowertown, Warehouse/North Loop, Northeast

Beer, Breweries, Bees, Bikes: The Line's Top Stories of 2013

Camille LeFevre Wednesday, January 08, 2014

The Line buzzed in 2013 with articles—many of them in the top 10 most-read of the year—on topics starting with a “b”: beer and architect-designed breweries, beekeeping and bike entrepreneurs among them.

Arts and Culture, Central Corridor, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Strong Local Economy, Sustainability

Greater East Side, University, Payne - Phalen, Warehouse/North Loop

The New North Loop: Both Cool and Comfortable

Anna Pratt Wednesday, January 30, 2013

The bars and restaurants in this uber-trendy corner of downtown Minneapolis draw national attention. Meanwhile, developers, community groups, and residents are turning the surrounding neighborhood into a pleasantly dense, lively, and livable urban village.

Arts and Culture, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Reuse / Rebuild, Shopping, Strong Local Economy, Sustainability, Transit Oriented Development

Warehouse/North Loop

A Line or Two: Of Cold Ramen and Rice Balls

Jon Spayde Wednesday, August 08, 2012

In A Line or Two, I share some of my discoveries and enthusiasms as I make my way around the Twin Cities. Call it an editor's note as blog entry. This week: a lunchtime celebration of local Japanese food.

Arts and Culture, Creative Economy, Entrepreneurship, Nightlife, Strong Local Economy

Riverfront/Mill District, University, Lake Street, Uptown/Lyn Lake, Downtown/Lowertown, Summit Hill and Crocus Hill, Warehouse/North Loop