Spring has arrived and I want to share some of the excitement and momentum we are seeing downtown.
There were two exciting announcements downtown this week. The Dayton’s Project announced a major tenant, Ernst & Young LLP, will be moving into the building. Over at RBC Gateway, it was announced chef Gavin Kaysen will create two restaurants for the new Four Seasons 5-star hotel. RBC Gateway is scheduled to open in spring 2022. We are thrilled about these two announcements and look forward to enjoying what The Dayton’s Project and RBC Gateway adds to Nicollet in the years ahead.
I wanted to share some of the work being done by a community-based group called Minneapolis Together. Take a look at this flyer to learn a bit more. Minneapolis Together is a non-partisan coalition of community leaders, business owners, and residents that believe Minneapolis can be a safe, just and prosperous city for all.
The City of Minneapolis announced yesterday it will be commemorating one year of COVID-19 and remembering those lost through a few actions this week. The City Hall/Courthouse bells will play a song and toll 40 times starting noon on Friday to mourn and honor the 400 lives lost to COVID in Minneapolis. On Friday evening, the I-35W Bridge will be lit in blue and yellow to remember those lost to COVID over the past year. In addition, the DID will be lighting Nicollet and Meet Minneapolis will be lighting the Minneapolis Convention Center domes on Friday night. Hennepin County is lighting the Lowry Avenue Bridge for six nights this week in memory of the 6,000+ Hennepin County lives lost. The color blue is for Minneapolis and Hennepin County, and the color yellow is for remembrance.
MnDOT announced a few updates related to construction near downtown. Closures are upcoming for 3rd Street to westbound I-94 and eastbound I-94 to 4th Street, though those closures will not happen at the same time. The 3rd Avenue Bridge remains closed through November 2022. For more information, visit MnDOT’s I94 at 35W project page. The City of Minneapolis is also reconstructing 4th Street South between 2nd Avenue North and 4th Avenue South, which will include new pavement, wider sidewalks, improved crossings, a new bi-directional off-street bike path, lighting, street trees, and planting beds. Learn more about the 4th Street reconstruction project here.
We continue to monitor updates on the State of Minnesota vs. Derek Chauvin trial, which is in recess until Monday at 9 a.m., and we’ll continue to provide you with trial-related emails when new information arises. Our www.mplsdowntown.com/trial resource page is available with information as well.
Looking ahead, we are continuing our work to help downtown reanimate and are excited about upcoming in-person events, including the Twins being able to host 10,000 fans at their upcoming home games. Below are resources and information about our upcoming programming. We look forward to connecting with you soon.
Thank you for your continued support and efforts to keep downtown extraordinary.
steve cramer
president & ceo, mpls downtown council
