A meeting will be held on Thurs., July 30, 7:00 p.m. at the Northeast Library, 2200 Central Ave. NE, on the progress of the Central Avenue Bicycle Study. Attendees will be able to provide input and feedback about bicycle lanes on Central, between 37th Ave. NE and the Mississippi River. Public Works staff will review proposed designs for segments between 37th Ave. NE and the Mississippi River. This study was federally funded by a grant to the Transit for Livable Communities organization. Everyone is welcome to attend.

On June 8, the City's Planning Commission approved a site plan for a three-story, 30-unit apartment building on the north side of Lowry Avenue between Central Avenue and Polk Street. The project, known as Audubon Crossing, will include 26 affordable, workforce units and 4 units available homeless families. The developer, MetroPlains Development, intends to provide a mixture of unit types in a green building. MetroPlains intends to break ground later this year.

Renderings of the revised site plan and elevations are available below. The project meets the goals and policies of the Audubon Park Neighborhood Master Plan adopted by the neighborhood in 2008.

Join your neighbors and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board staff to discuss park and recreation needs in the Upper Northeast community. The meeting's goal is to help Park Board staff understand how it can best meet the park and recreation needs of your household. We hope you can attend.

Thursday, June 25
6:30 pm
Windom Recreation Center
2251 Hayes St. NE

The Canadian Pacific Railroad is seeking development proposals for two properties it owns in Northeast Minneapolis: a 17.9 acre site along Central Avenue 28th Avenue NE and 30th Avenue NE and an 18.5 acre property along the south side of St. Anthony Parkway, west of Central Avenue. Proposals are due on June 1. CP is interested in disposing of the properties if qualified developers are interested in developing projects that are compatible with the railroad's existing operations. The proposed use of the Central Avenue site is commercial, industrial, or mixed-use and the proposed use of the St. Anthony Parkway site is primarily residential. More detailed information on these two requests for proposals (RFP) may be found at this page:
http://www8.cpr.ca/cms/English/Suppliers/Proposal/default.htm

Metro Plains Development has proposed modifications to a proposed development at Lowry Avenue and Polk Street. In February, the City's Planning Commission approved plans for a four-story mixed use building on the north side of Lowry Avenue between Central Avenue and Polk Street. The proposal included a four story building with 6,500 square feet of commercial space and 31 dwelling units on the upper floors. The developer is currently revising the plans, which are subject to the City's approval process, to eliminate the commercial component and reduce the building's height from four stories to three.

Renderings of the revised site plan and elevations are available below.

The ANA Land Use Committee met on February 17th, 2009.

29th Ave Streetscape:
Members of the Committee attended a meeting of the several government stakeholders on February 10th. The meeting was coordinated by Councilmember Ostrow. A brief summary of the plan and our talking points for the meeting are attached below.

In late 2008, ANA engaged a group of University of Minnesota students to explore various options for including bicycle facilites along the 29th Avenue corridor. The final report, "Audubon Park: Improving Neighborhood Bicycle Amenities" (.pdf) has been completed. Since the City's Bikeway Master Plan indicates 29th Avenue as a future bikeway, this study offers recommendations on adding bike lanes, chevrons, and signage.

On December 19th, the City’s Problem Properties Unit demolished a blighted duplex at 2632-34 Polk Street. To see this “urban renewal” in action, visit the photo gallery posted at the Eastside Defender.

Metro Plains received the go ahead from the City Council this past Friday for their new development on Lowry Avenue. This is the latest drawing for the apartments, which will continue to change until construction starts - estimated to be in Spring 2009.

The Audubon Park neighborhood has adopted a plan to transform its namesake park into a showcase of urban ecology and a haven for birds and birdwatchers. The plan envisions a multi-phase, multi-year implementation to establish Audubon Park as a place where people “Bring Nature Home.”