Featured Stories

A Place People Call Their Own: Community Partnerships That Foster Community Health

Jay Walljasper Wednesday, December 10, 2014

The 2014 Minnesota Healthy Communities Conference introduced participants to innovative community health projects that explore links between community development and the health of low-income people.

Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Leadership, diversity, Healthcare, Philanthropy, Strong Local Economy

Greater East Side, Phillips, Southwest, North Side

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

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

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

TC Solar Entrepreneurship Powers Economic Development

Lee Egerstrom Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Minnesota's rapid spread and development of solar energy generation is sparking Twin Cities entrepreneurship.

Creative Leadership, Emerging Technologies, Emerging Technology, Energy, Entrepreneurship, Green Jobs

Longfellow, Summit - University

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

Want to Get People Back to Work? Fill the Basic Skills Gap

Lee Chilcote Wednesday, November 05, 2014

Low-income workers like Tawnee McCluskey often lack the basic skills needed to find a good job. To bridge the gap, experts says it's essential to invest in training. Yet despite millions of people out of work, programs are hard to find.

Outside Nic on Fifth, courtesy Nic on Fifth

The Two Towers: New Minneapolis Highrises Are Poised to Change Downtown Living

Chris Dall Wednesday, November 05, 2014

Architects, developers and city officials hope that two new apartment towers, which are changing the skyline of downtown Minneapolis, will transform street life and commerce with an influx of new residents and new businesses.

Creative Economy, Nightlife, Reuse / Rebuild, Shopping, Sustainability, Transit Oriented Development, Transportation

Downtown

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

VIDEO: New Ideas for Cities at Inaugural Urban Innovation Exchange

Iron Coast Wednesday, October 22, 2014

In September, innovators from around the country convened in Detroit to exchange their ideas for building better cities and stronger communities. For three days, Detroit was transformed into a marketplace for ideas for cities.

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

Rail~Volution Recap: The Power of Millennials and Transit Planning in the Twin Cities

Brian Martucci and Kyle Mianulli Wednesday, October 15, 2014

The message of this year's Rail~Volution conference in the Twin Cities was clear: To attract and retain top talent in the coming decades, cities must meet Millennials' preferences for effective transit options.

Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Emerging Technologies, Regionalism, Strong Local Economy, Sustainability, Transit Oriented Development, Transportation

Downtown, Downtown/Lowertown