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

Ward with one of her KidWind projects, Bucket Charger Race Cars, photo by Bre McGee

Artist/Educator Asia Ward: Creating the Unexpected Through a Singular Blend of Art and Science

Ann Klefstad Wednesday, June 18, 2014

The third in our series on Twin Cities artists who build community: Asia Ward integrates the arts and sciences in her public workshops, classes, interactive installations, presentations and artwork, to create the unexpected.

Arts and Culture, Creative Leadership, Entrepreneurship

Downtown/Lowertown

One of Seeyond's innovative enclosures, courtesy Seeyond

Design Tech: Why MSP is a Hotbed of Manufacturing and Fabrication Innovation

John Comazzi Wednesday, June 18, 2014

The Twin Cities metro is a hotbed of manufacturers and fabricators innovating and growing their businesses to provide easier, faster, less expensive solutions for design and construction challenges.

Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Design, Emerging Technologies, Emerging Technology, Entrepreneurship

Downtown, Southwest, Northeast

Unloading plants at the Tiny Diner, courtesy EcoMetro Tour

IMG Roundup: DT's Wind Economy, MSP's Solar Initiatives, TO's Silicon Valley

Lee Chilcote Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Issue Media Group publications such as The Line in Minneapolis-St. Paul, 83 Degrees in Tampa, Confluence in Denver and Model D in Detroit cover "what's next" for urban centers. In this recurring feature, we highlight the top stories in urban innovation from all across our national network.

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

Anne Lopez and Kylie Walker of Romeo Delivers at AlphaLab

The Battle for Talent: What Cities Are Doing to Attract Urban Professionals

Lee Chilcote Wednesday, June 04, 2014

For today's top talent, the job market is only one thing to consider when choosing where to live. They also want a vibrant city to plug into, a creative place where they can network with other smart people, and a dynamic place where they can find their next job.

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

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

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

IMG Roundup: MSP's incubator kitchens, DC's "High Line," Denver's Downtown

Lee Chilcote Wednesday, May 14, 2014

A roundup of top innovation stories across the Issue Media Group network, including incubator kitchens, a new "High Line" and housing.

Connecting to the cities by bus, photo by Kyle Mianulli

Car Free and Carefree in MSP: Why Ali Lozoff Kicked Car Ownership to the Curb

Kyle Mianulli Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Welcome to a new series on Twin Cities' residents who live car-free by walking, bicycling and using Metro Transit. Ali Lozoff: "If I can navigate this city all hours of the day and night on a bus, then anyone can do it.”

Energy, Transportation

Uptown/Lyn Lake, 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