Neighborhood news - Nov 2, 2023

Duluth author Linda LeGarde Grover will be celebrating the publication of her newest novel, “A Song over Miskwaa Rapids” with Birchbark Books at their new downtown Minneapolis event space, Birchbark Bizhew (1629 Hennepin Avenue #275, Minneapolis) on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023 at 7 p.m. Beginning with her award-winning debut story collection “The Dance Boots” and continuing with her novels “The Road Back to Sweetgrass” and “In the Night of Memory,” both published by University of Minnesota Press, Grover has created and explored the imaginary Mozhay Point Ojibwe Reservation in northern Minnesota. 

 

On Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 6:30 p.m., St. John’s Episcopal Church in Linden Hills will host a conversation between the Right Reverend Craig Loya, 10th Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, and the Right Reverend Mariann Budde, 9th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, about Budde’s new book, “How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith.” The conversation will be hosted by R.T. Rybak, President of the Minneapolis Foundation and former mayor of Minneapolis. The conversation will center around the themes in Budde’s book: finding and leaning into the decisive moments in our lives when we’re called on to push past our fears and act with strength. Budde’s book teaches people to respond with clarity and grace even in the toughest times. Being brave is not a singular occurrence; it’s a journey that people can choose to undertake every day. The event is free and open to the public, and will be livestreamed. Register at episcopalmn.org/brave.

 

The city of Minneapolis will be reconstructing Hennepin Ave S from Lake Street W to Douglas Ave. The street reconstruction project will begin in 2024. In advance of the street reconstruction project, utility work has begun along the corridor. Public works will hold monthly virtual construction stakeholder meetings on Nov. 14 and Dec. 13 at 6 p.m.The purpose for the monthly meetings will be to provide construction updates as well as answer questions and concerns. Browse the project website page or contact Project Engineer Adam Hayow: (612) 673.2172; adam.hayow@minneapolismn.gov.

 

Hennepin County, in coordination with the city of Minneapolis, has developed a proposed design for Franklin Avenue (County Road 5) between Lyndale (CountyRoad 22) and Chicago avenues. The plan includes: 

• Three-lane design with center turn lanes and possible medians

• Removal of parking

• Sidewalk and bike or shared used path on both sides

• Boulevards with green space

Work will be done in 2025. Learn more about the project at the project website page or by contacting at nathan.ellingson@hennepin.us.

Lake Harriet Bandshell roof 

The Lake Harriet Bandshell roof is being repaired in sections this fall and winter. In September, workers successfully tested the new cedar shingles on a trial section of the roof. Now they are in the process of hand-dipping approximately 75,000 cedar shingles in a special coating at an offsite location so that the shingles match the blue sidewalls painted earlier this year and are able to last longer than the previous shingles. The east side of the Bandshell roof is currently being replaced and work will continue in sections, clockwise around the building throughout fall and early winter. The refectory building is expected to be reroofed over the winter. Bread and Pickle closed for the season on Oct.15.