Featured Stories

MSP's Sharing Economy Hits the Road: The Scoop on Lyft, Uber, Car2Go and HourCar

Brian Martucci Wednesday, July 16, 2014

CoCo's coworking spaces, NiceRide's ubiquitous bikes and incubator kitchens were just the beginning. The sharing economy storming the Twin Cities also includes a burgeoning ridesharing (or carsharing) phenomenon.

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

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

Garvis and Wiese lead a cohort at the Hill Library, courtesy Studio/E

Studio/E: Exploring the Meaning and Mindset of Entrepreneurship

Chris Dall Wednesday, June 04, 2014

Navigation and exploration are at the heart of Studio/E, a Twin Cities-based entrepreneurial experience. In collaboration with the James J. Hill Library and Babson College, Studio/E brings 24 participants together for four days of exploration into the meaning and the mindset of entrepreneurship.

Coordination/Collaboration, Entrepreneurship

Southwest, Downtown/Lowertown

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

The Future of 4th Street activity, courtesy Musicant Group

14 Steps to Greatness: Penalosa's To-Do List for MSP

Jay Walljasper Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Gil Penalosa—former Parks Commissioner in Bogota, Colombia, and now president of the 8-80 Cities think tank—toured the Twin Cities speaking at 17 events from the East Side to Wayzata as part of the Third Annual Placemaking Residency.

Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Leadership

Downtown/Lowertown

Bryant Avenue Mosaic created by Twin Cities artist Sharra Frank

Polar/Hydro Vortexes? The Twin Cities' Perfect Climate for Biking

Conrad deFiebre Wednesday, May 07, 2014

While it's true that climate has an influence on the extent of nonmotorized transportation from place to place, it's probably not the way you assume. Across the nation, cold-weather locales like ours are nearly indistinguishable from the rest.

Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Leadership, Regionalism, Sustainability, Transportation

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

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

Marking alleys, courtesy Andy Sturdevant

Alley Activation: Pathways to Urban Revitalization

Eric Peterson Wednesday, April 23, 2014

From Seattle to Washington D.C., alleys are being reinvented as people-friendly spaces. Often perceived as dirty and dangerous, alleys are moving beyond garbage and garages to become havens for pedestrians, public art and small business.

Arts and Culture, Coordination/Collaboration

Central Avenue, Phillips, University, Cedar - Riverside/West Bank, Downtown, Lake Street, Southwest, North Side, Uptown/Lyn Lake, Seward, Nokomis, Longfellow, Calhoun - Isles, Powderhorn

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.

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

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

Creative CityMaking: Minneapolis' Model for Diversity in Placemaking

Brian Martucci Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Creative CityMaking, Intermedia Arts’ bold placemaking, problem-solving collaboration with the City of Minneapolis, recently received a three-year grant that promises to deepen the initiative’s reach in previously unimaginable ways.

Arts and Culture, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Philanthropy, Transit Oriented Development

University, North Side, Uptown/Lyn Lake