Featured Stories

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

An enthusiastic cyclist at work during a Grease Rag event, photo courtesy Grease Rag

Grrl Power: Initiatives in the Twin Cities Getting More Women on Bicycles

Brian Martucci Wednesday, November 12, 2014

With momentum on multiple fronts, a number of women-led initiatives are expanding the future of cycling to create a healthier, safer, more opportunity-rich Twin Cities for female cyclists.

Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Sustainability, Transportation

Downtown, Lake Street, North Side, Uptown/Lyn Lake, Downtown/Lowertown, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown, Powderhorn

Ayan Hussein, employment and financial coach, with a resident

MSP's Financial Opportunity Centers: Bundling Services for Economic Stability

Jay Walljasper Wednesday, November 05, 2014

CommonBond, an innovative non-profit organization that operates 95 housing developments throughout the Upper Midwest, also offers residents classes and one-on-one counseling about school, employment, finances, and health and wellness.

Affordable Housing, Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Reuse / Rebuild, Strong Local Economy, Talent Dividend

Union Park

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

Equity, Empowerment: How Community-Driven TOD is Transforming Green Line Neighborhoods

Brian Martucci Wednesday, October 01, 2014

Four neighborhood initiatives along the Green Line demonstrate how the Central Corridor is becoming a local and national model for equitable and empowering community-driven transit-oriented development (TOD).

Affordable Housing, Arts and Culture, Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Leadership, diversity, Entrepreneurship, Strong Local Economy, Transit Oriented Development

University, Cedar - Riverside/West Bank, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown

The Real-World Impacts of Creative Placemaking in MSP

Sheila Regan Wednesday, September 10, 2014

NEA, ArtPlace and others have poured millions of dollars toward creative placemaking projects in the Twin Cities in recent years. What are the street-level results of those investments?

Arts and Culture, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Transportation

University, Lake Street, North Side, Uptown/Lyn Lake, Seward, Longfellow, Powderhorn

Ta-coumba Aiken's Public Art Heals the Heart and Soul

Nicole Rupersburg Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Aiken is a painter, an illustrator, a graphic artist, a muralist, a lecturer, a curator, an arts advocate, and a community collaborator. This article is republished from Creative Exchange.

Arts and Culture, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Leadership, diversity

North Side, Downtown/Lowertown

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

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

Installing the Boyces' array, courtesy EcoMetro Tour

Solar Twin Cities: Where Urban Farming, Social Justice, Green Tech and Sustainable Living Meet

Camille LeFevre Wednesday, May 21, 2014

A sneak peek at the solar initiatives of a Twin Cities homeowner, nonprofit and entrepreneurial restaurant/farm featured during the EcoMetro Sustainable Living Tour on May 31 sponsored by the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society.

Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Leadership, Design, diversity, Emerging Technologies, Emerging Technology, Energy, Entrepreneurship, Green Jobs, Strong Local Economy, Sustainability, Transit Oriented Development

University, Saint Anthony Park, Southwest, North Side, Downtown/Lowertown

Photo by Phillip Hussong RedWire Creative for JXTA, courtesy of JXTA

JXTA + North Minneapolis Youth = Community and Futures

Sheila Regan Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Since 2010, JXTA has been providing paid opportunities for young people to gain skills in art and design. These youth make an hourly wage, between minimum wage and $10 per hour, while being trained in areas like graphic design and contemporary art.

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

North Side

Call and Answer Project, courtesy Walker Art Center

St. Paul City Artist Amanda Lovelee Inspires Joyful Connections

Brian Martucci Wednesday, April 23, 2014

The second in our series on Twin Cities artists who build community: Amanda Lovelee, a St. Paul City Artist in Residence, uses big tables, wildflowers, square dancing and love stories to convert people to the power of interpersonal connection through public art.

Arts and Culture, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Leadership, diversity

Calhoun - Isles, Downtown/Lowertown, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown

The young women of Little Mekong, courtesy Little Mekong

Cultural Districts + LRT Stops: A Guide to the Central Corridor's Arts and Culture Hotspots

Jay Walljasper Wednesday, April 16, 2014

The Central Corridor is becoming the Twin Cities' new cultural hotspot showcasing local diversity, bringing communities closer together, and boosting economic opportunities.