‍New Apartment Complex Planned for 50th & Lyndale 50th and Lyndale

Note: Our article previously reported that the apartment building was to be on the City’s Planning Commission’s Committee of the Whole agenda in April, but was pulled at the last minute. The building plan is back on the agenda for May 11.

I live in a nearby neighborhood and walk, bike and occasionally drive this intersection.  It is a very busy residential intersection. Having a building of the proposed scale would be out of line with both the design of the neighborhood and the added impact upon the already difficult to navigate intersection. Although I applaud the concept of underground parking (I wish Minneapolis had required off-street parking for all new construction) it will also add delays and a potential hazard concerning the traffic. I would recommend nearby the businesses clustered around 50th and Bryant Ave. instead. -Marianna, Southwest resident

This new apartment building is located in an area with easy access to amenities and alternative modes of transportation. Being on a bus line with frequent headways and having a planned [bus rapid transit] route in the future can make it easy for residents to get around the city without relying on a car. Additionally, being located only two blocks from an all-ages protected bikeway is a great feature for residents who enjoy biking or want to incorporate more physical activity into their daily routines. Encouraging active transportation can also help to improve health outcomes and reduce carbon emissions. Overall, it sounds like the new apartment building will offer residents a convenient and sustainable lifestyle and will bring more customers to local businesses. -Stephen, area resident

This is way too large of a building in the middle of a residential neighborhood. 19 apartments? Is this already through or is it still under consideration? -Stacy

Editor’s note: This building plan is being discussed at this week’s Planning Commission’s Committee of the Whole but will not be voted on. We will let you know when there is a public hearing on the building plan.

Absolutely not! This will destroy the neighborhood, the aesthetics of the area and add to the already congested streets. This would be an abomination to 50th & Lyndale and destroy existing home values. -Liz, Southwest resident

I am a homeowner nearby.  This is a bad idea.  The plot is not big enough to accommodate a building or additional population of that size and number of people.  The entire area is residential with the largest dwellings being duplexes. Even with underground parking, there would be increased use of street parking that is already difficult due to the current design of Lyndale parking. As a taxpayer and homeowner I am against this plan. In addition, the traffic on the corner of 50th and Lyndale is already very heavy with a very high percentage of left turns. Access to driveways and alleys is very difficult during peak hours. -A concerned neighbor

Thanks so much for covering this issue! We would love to see new construction be like the Solar Arts Building on Nicolette/Blaisdell and 38th street. Gray water system, geothermal heat pump, solar panels, R32 insulation to keep the building passively heated and passively cooled more effectively.  I wish that more buildings would develop with environmental cooling and heating in place to keep the amount of CO2 emitted from burning natural gas to heat the building to a minimum! -Rikki, nearby neighbor

Yes! I live nearby and am happy to see more housing options in the area. However, please respect the immediate neighbors' input -T, nearby neighbor

As a Tangletown resident, I am worried that four stories is too big. I would like to see the plan revised to three stories with parking for each unit. I am okay with multiple family dwellings in the neighborhood, but this is just too big for that spot. -Patty, Tangletown resident

A neighbor forwarded this article to me and I am so sad to see this is happening in the middle of a neighborhood of homes and one-story businesses. I used to live next door, 5009 Lyndale Ave. S., and it is devastating to think of what this building will do to that house and every other home in the area. No one, including the builder, would want a four-story apartment building built within feet of their century-old home. The 2040 plan was first mentioned a few years ago and several of us attended meetings to prevent this from happening, or in the least, have builders be mindful of where these buildings make sense. The intersection of 50th and Lyndale is not where it makes sense, perhaps a duplex or a four-unit building. This will not provide homeowners with any sort of positive impact on their home, their home's potential re-sale and I'm almost positive it will not provide affordable options for families to move into the neighborhood, which was the argument for the 2040 plan. I'm disappointed in the greed and thoughtlessness of our city and Christian Dean Architecture.  - Leah, Southwest resident

Please advise as to compensation that will be paid to homeowners whose property value will be impacted by the proposed four story 19-unit structure. These homeowners should not be burdened with decreased property values for the economic benefit of others. -Anna, Tangletown resident

I am pro-development and density to provide greater diversity of housing options, but as someone who drives through this intersection almost daily, I find the building out of context and scale with the surroundings. Creating a more residential feeling streetscape and stepping back the building at level one or two could provide some interest and better fit within the neighborhood. We can do better than this! -Sarah, design professional, neighborhood resident

Where is the entrance/exit?  This is already a very busy intersection.  Will there be 30 or more underground parking spaces? [Editor’s note: 32 spots are planned underground] Lyndale is a snow emergency route and the city is already limiting parking. This is a bad idea. -Daniel, nearby resident

We own a duplex on 50th and Lyndale and the tenants already have difficulty finding parking on Lyndale. Even though there is underground parking, it will definitely impact Lyndale parking. We are opposed to this development in a residential neighborhood. -Jeanne

I also read, in regard to this project, that since the building will only have 19 units, it isn't required to have affordable unit(s). Once a building has 20 units, it must include affordable housing. -Kristin  

Editor’s note: Kristin is correct. You can read more about the City’s inclusionary zoning here.

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Lake Bandshell Blue is Getting Bluer

Greetings! I live a block away and I work in residential design. I specify exterior color frequently. In my opinion these blues are not dark enough. All colors are much lighter outside, and a small amount of hue or chroma goes a very long way. To me, the lighter blues appear suburban, or at best perhaps coastal. But this is the Midwest. Personally I would like to see the bandshell and all related buildings painted the deep dark brown that’s been on the old bathrooms for the last several years. This would be stunning on the bandshell and related buildings, fitting into and enhancing the landscape and park in a cohesive way, with integrity and graciousness.  Please look to Olmstead and the past on this one, dark brown with green roof would really compliment the park and lake in a fresh exciting way. That said, if you have to stay closer to the existing colors/tones, then darken and complicate the color some so as not to be too light/vivid. If you’d like assistance I’d be happy to help with some specific color suggestions! - Nancy, Lake Harriet neighbor

The new color looks pretty good. How does it take a long time to pick a new color?  Half an hour at Hirshfields should do it.. -Mark, former remodeling contractor.

The blue on the right in the mockup looks good. Any blue that looks blue would be fine! -Cheryl, Fulton resident

Love the new blue! -Catherine

I grew up at 49th and Morgan seeing the bandshell as blue like the new-new-blue. I’m glad that people spoke up! -Barb

New choice is nice! -Sarah

Love the old-new color and the fact that SWV broke the news. Thank you, thank you for your great work! -Sandra

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Bryant Construction Begins Amid Quick Changes

I'm worried about the details of the last-minute Bryant Ave revisions. It's the smallest details that make bike lanes functional or useless. Which individual at which agency is responsible for ensuring there aren't sign posts or fire hydrants or other "street furniture" in the middle of the bike lane, as happened along Hennepin/Lyndale at Glenwood, or on Park/Portland downtown? -A 26-year-old, year-round, Minneapolis bike commuter

If it is a well known fact that fire trucks require a 20 foot right of way, why did the section from 50th to 42nd Street not get built with that in mind?  Did that question come up in any of the recent meetings? What is Public Works going to do to remedy the problem on this section? -Cathy, Kingfield resident

Going to Lake Harriet Vet Clinic yesterday, I was dismayed looking north and south on Bryant Avenue. The negative impact on the residents, the local businesses, and the school, is disturbing...all on behalf of bike paths. Snow removal of our sidewalks and streets is already lacking, causing safety hazards. Who is responsible for snow removal of the bike paths? [Editor’s note: the Public Works Department] It appears the Public Safety Department has its own agenda, with disregard to the overall needs and safety of a majority of the residents. -Anna, South Minneapolis resident

I live in East Harriet on Bryant Ave. find using my neighborhood association to subvert the transparent, public-driven design process to be unacceptable. Setting aside the actual street design changes (for which there are many valid, and competing priorities), the behind-the-scenes nature of these changes evidences anti-democratic choices made by the EHNA leadership and Minneapolis Public Works. -Jack, East Harriet

As my father would have said, “If something ain’t broken why fix it?” I know trends change & we have more people who enjoy bike riding. But before our city planners decide to “improve” livability, do they ever think if the general public will notice these “improved” changes? -Eric, Southwest resident

I think it will create a very chaotic traffic situation at that intersection. Also, this is a family neighborhood with schools very close, which is why I don’t support this proposal for 19 rental units in a residential area. -Matt, neighborhood resident

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An interview with Ward 11 City Council candidate Rebecca Donley

Given her focus on the costs of housing, how does she feel about property tax assessments skyrocketing in the last few years? Should those be limited to no more than 3% annual increases as well? -Ward 10 resident

I can’t imagine a Ward 11 candidate more attuned to the skillful cultivation of care between neighbors and importantly, across our city’s systems of health, housing, transportation and safety. So thrilled Rebecca Donley is running for Minneapolis City Council. -Bryon, Ward 11 neighbor, small business owner, member of Ward 11 Allied Voices for Equity

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City boards up nuisance property, 2621 Pillsbury

I worked for David George in the early 90’s helping with maintenance in the buildings. He was a very nice guy, paid me well, treated me with respect and at that time was on top of all the maintenance issues in the building. I enjoyed working for him. -Anonymous

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Birchbark Books opens event space in Loring Corners to showcase Native authors

What does the exterior of the performance space look like? Inside is nice to see, but if I can't picture the location without an exterior view, how do I find it without using a GPS app? Landmarks in a neighborhood are important subliminal guide points. -Bruce

Editor’s Note: Thanks, Bruce. We are adding some photos to the story, due to your feedback. Loring Corners can be tricky to navigate from the outside, so your feedback was especially astute.