Provide Feedback on the Lyndale Avenue Re-Striping by March 31

Hennepin County, along with the City of Minneapolis, Metro Transit and other partners, continues to work on improving safety for all users on Lyndale Avenue South (County Road 22) between Franklin Avenue and 31st Street. The county implemented a 4- 3-lane pilot project on Lyndale Avenue in July 2022 and is now taking time to observe how the restriping impacts people who walk, bike, take transit and drive this segment of road. The information collected will be important in helping inform the county on the future vision of the corridor.

Hennepin County wants to hear from you and welcomes all feedback. Tell them how the changes have impacted you by visiting their interactive map and comment board by March 31, 2023: bit.ly/PinLyndale

For more information or to sign up for email updates: hennepin.us/lyndale-avenue-safety Or contact: Josh Potter, project manager, 612-596-0820 josh.potter@hennepin.us

Join us for Happy Hour on Thu, March 23!

South Uptown Happy Hour at Granada Theater

Thursday, March 23, 5-8PM

Granada Theater- 3022 Hennepin Avenue

Join your neighbors for happy hour at the beautifully restored Granada Theater. South Uptown will provide free appetizers with attendees obtaining their own beverages. This is a great opportunity to check out the theater, meet some new friends and learn about the South Uptown Neighborhood Association. Please join us!

B Line Rapid Bus Service Coming to the Lake Street Corridor in 2024!

Metro Transit has firmed up plans to construct the next rapid bus route in their system, the “B-Line”. It will run along the Lake Street corridor in Minneapolis from West Lake Station across the River and into downtown St. Paul. The B-Line will feature upgraded stations with shelters, heat, ticket machines and security cameras. These stations are spaced further apart to speed up service, which is a priority considering the current #21 bus along Lake Street is the slowest in the system.

Representatives from Metro Transit, Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis presented plans at a recent South Uptown meeting to highlight the changes scheduled for 2023 and 2024. Check out the presentation here. Stations serving South Uptown are planned at Lyndale & Lake and at Hennepin at Lake and Lagoon. The Lake and Lagoon one-way pairs will be reconfigured to include a dedicated bus lane and two general traffic lanes. East of Dupont Avenue, Lake Street will be re-striped converting four general lanes to one lane in each direction plus a center turn lane to improve safety and reduce traffic speeds. This design allows for the addition of a dedicated, westbound bus lane in many locations on Lake Street. Bump-outs are planned at many intersections along the route to improve the visibility of walkers and reduce crossing distances.

Construction of stations east of I35W begins later in 2023 with construction west of the freeway starting in 2024. The B-Line service is expected to start in 2024.

B Line - Lyndale

Welcome New South Uptown Board Members!

The South Uptown Board of Directors appointed Alex Bissen and Haakon Gisvold to fill two Board vacancies during the February 21 meeting. They will fill out the remaining six-month terms of Board Members who recently resigned due to personal reasons. Thank you Alex and Haakon for stepping up to serve your community!

Haakon Gisvold

Alex Bissen

Consider Becoming a South Uptown Board Member!

The South Uptown Neighborhood Association is seeking candidates to fill vacancies on the 9-Member Board of Directors starting in February 2023. The Board will appoint neighbors to fill out the remainder of two Board terms that expire in September 2023.

The organization is especially interested in recruiting people of color, renters and women to join the Board to better reflect the neighborhood population. Candidates with experience in fundraising, events organizing, social media and urban planning are also highly desired.

All South Uptown residents (including renters), business owners, and property owners 18+ are eligible to participate on the South Uptown Board of Directors. Visit this application form for more info and to apply: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1vQi1kK8Lc5Jj152_kUW5HmkjTANpyg00L5gLEnZMbsc/edit

Luminary Skating Party Rescheduled to February 4, 2023

January 2022 Luminary event at Bryant Square Park

Luminary Skating Party

Saturday, February 4, 2023 (rescheduled from January 21, 2023)

5-7 PM at Bryant Square Park

3101 Bryant Avenue S.

Warm temperatures in mid-January caused the Bryant Square ice rink to melt forcing the postponement of the Luminary Skating Party. Conditions look great for this Saturday with warmer temperatures and good ice conditions expected. It should be a beautiful evening…

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Celebrates Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on MLK Day, January 16

A view of the 2019 MLK Day Celebration

Join the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) for its annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Monday, January 16 from 6:30-8:00 pm at Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center, 4055 Nicollet Ave. S.

This year the keynote speaker is Larry McKenzie, author, educator, motivational speaker, basketball coach, radio host, and 2018 Bush Fellow; and guest speaker is Mary Merrill, Superintendent Emeritus of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

Enjoy a musical performances by Ray Covington, spoken word performance by Jamyah Trueblood, presentation from participants in the MPRB Youthline program, and The Sanneh Foundation will be presented with the 2023 Living the Dream Award.

This powerful and uplifting annual event is emceed by Chad Jackson, Senior Manager of Brand Partnership with the Minnesota Twins. More information at minneapolisparks.org/mlk. Please share the event flyer linked below with anyone who may be interested in the event.

The celebration will also mark the 13th annual “Feeding the Dream” Food Drive. People are encouraged to drop off non-perishable food items at their local MPRB Recreation Center through January 16.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate. Refreshments will be available following the program.

NRP Plan Modification Considered at 1/17 South Uptown Meeting

During the January 17 South Uptown Neighborhood Meeting, the Board will consider a Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) Plan Modification. The change would reallocate $8,146 from Strategy 4.3.1 Improve Pedestrian Routes to three other projects that are running out of funding. About $5,000 would be directed to Strategy 8.1.1 Livability Committee Events to support committee activities to engage neighbors. Both Strategy 6.1.1 Boulevard Trees and 7.1.1 Clean Neighborhood would get $1,500 to treat ash trees at Bryant Square Park and support clean neighborhood programs. After many years of trying to work with Public Works, it was agreed to repurpose the funds due to their unwillingness to partner with the neighborhood association. The Plan Modification was first announced during the November 15, 2022 South Uptown Neighborhood Meeting and will receive a community vote at the next meeting in January.

Business Feature: Pilates Underground

Pilates Underground, located at 3153 Hennepin Ave S (above Black Walnut Bakery) was founded in 2015 and moved to its current location in South Uptown in  2019. After training and apprenticing in New York, Megan Cairns moved to Minneapolis and began working at a physical therapy studio, helping people with chronic pain, injuries and surgeries recover, reform, and reclaim their bodies. She then founded Pilates Underground in 2015 to take her passion for body work to the next level. 

Pilates Underground, is not a gym or a fitness studio; they are a small band of well trained, highly experienced body mechanics and consultants whose aim is to subvert the physical status quo in order to help engineer smarter, better bodies. They use primarily Pilates, but don’t limit themselves to a single method in the quest to help people navigate their best lives in their best bodies.

What is pilates, you ask? Pilates exercises focus on strengthening the core muscles (the abdomen, back and pelvic girdle) through smooth, continuous motion and powerful, muscular breath. The focus is on quality of  movement rather than quantity of repetitions, which helps to train the body more efficiently and effectively, leaving you feeling invigorated and energized after your practice.

Megan says that since moving to South Uptown, business is better than ever. "The enthusiasm and energy that our neighbors bring with them to the studio is inspiring. We have the best jobs ever—working with fascinating, curious, dynamic people surrounded by lakes, trees, and community. As much as I love New York, this special, unique studio never could have happened there.” 

Interested in more information? Check out their website at https://www.pilates-underground.com/

Brand new and experienced students are always welcome at Pilates Underground, where they celebrate diversity, one body at a time.

Get Your South Uptown Swag Today!

Did you know you can get your very own South Uptown baseball cap and t-shirt? The caps come in two colors and there are a variety of t-shirt options available. All items are $15, and we accept cash, checks made out to “South Uptown” and PayPal. Check out this order form for more info: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/125mT3GutPC9LGx-Au4ptgNkdeaMjMdPcYeao51Rrfks/edit#responses

Meet Up with the South Uptown President

Saturday, November 12, 10:00AM- 12:00PM

Lake & Bryant Cafe - 821 W. Lake St.

South Uptown President, Katy Briggs, will be setting aside "office hours" each month to meet with neighbors. Stop by anytime that morning to chat about the neighborhood, your concerns and ideas to improve the South Uptown area. This is a good opportunity to connect with South Uptown Neighborhood Association leadership in an informal and semi-private setting…

Suds for South Uptown is November 10

Give to the Max Today to Support the South Uptown Neighborhood Association!

Early giving has begun for the Give to the Max Day fundraiser on Thursday, November 17. Please consider contributing $25, $50 or more to the South Uptown Neighborhood Association to support our work. We hope to raise $5,000 through the fundraiser to partially make up for loss of funding from the City of Minneapolis. 

Donate here https://www.givemn.org/organization/South-Uptown-Neighborhood-Association/welcome 

Plus, KRC Apartments has generously contributed a $500 matching grant to double the impact of your donation…

The only way our neighborhood will recover and heal from the challenges of the last few years is by coming together. So, South Uptown will invest funds raised during Give to the Max Day in community-building initiatives like SUNA’s Luminary Skating Party event, public safety projects, Bryant Square Park, home improvement loans and more. 

Thanks for your neighborhood support! 

South Uptown President Office Hours

South Uptown President Office Hours
Sat, November 12, 10AM- 12PM
Lake & Bryant Cafe 821 W. Lake St.

South Uptown President, Katy Briggs, will be setting aside "office hours" each month to meet with neighbors. Stop by anytime that morning to chat about the neighborhood, your concerns and ideas to improve the South Uptown area. This is a good opportunity to connect with South Uptown Neighborhood Association leadership in an informal and semi-private setting…

Fall Street Sweeping is Underway

Minneapolis Public Works started fall street sweeping this week, and it will continue for about four more weeks. Crews will sweep more than 1,100 miles of Minneapolis streets from curb to curb keeping debris out of waterways. Watch for “No Parking” signs on your block that go up at least 24 hours prior to street sweeping. Parking restrictions run from 7:30AM- 4:30PM with signs coming down soon after sweeping is complete. Cars that are out of compliance will be ticketed and towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot, so watch carefully for the signs.

Check out the City’s Street Sweeping Locater Map to determine which week your street will be swept. https://www.minneapolismn.gov/getting-around/parking-driving/street-sweep/street-sweep-map/?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

South Uptown Board Chooses Leadership Roles

The South Uptown Board of Directors met this week and selected officers for the organization. Katy Briggs is the new President and Scott Moss has taken on the role of Vice President. Newly-elected Board Members will fill other leadership roles. Gretchen Sieger is the Secretary, Joel Chechik is the Treasurer and Rachel Starcher is the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion officer. Attend the next South Uptown Neighborhood Meeting on October 18 to meet the new Board.

Fall Clean Up is Saturday, October 8

South Uptown Fall Clean Up

Saturday, October 8, 10AM- Noon

Bryant Square Park- 3101 Bryant Ave S.

Come out to help your neighbors pick up litter around the community ensuring it doesn’t end up in our lakes and rivers. Stop by the park anytime that morning to pick up gloves and trash bags and get an assigned area to pick up trash. This is an easy way to make a difference and the more people involved the bigger impact we have. Bring your friends and family for a morning of community service!!

Welcome 2022/ 2023 South Uptown Board of Directors

The South Uptown Board election has ended and the results are in… Welcome to the following new Board Members:

• Jerome Chateau

• Joel Chechik

• Jenna Egan

• Phil Qualy

• Gretchen Sieger

• Rachel Starcher

They will be joining Board Members Katy Briggs, Hannah Friel and Scott Moss who are finishing out the remainder of their 2-year terms. The new Board will meet in the coming weeks to select officers for the upcoming year and get acquainted.

Jerome Chateau

Joel Chechik

Jenna Egan

Phil Qualy

Gretchen Sieger

Rachel Starcher

Vote for the South Uptown Board of Directors

It’s that time of year again to vote for representatives to serve on the South Uptown Neighborhood Association Board of Directors. The online election begins about 7PM on Tuesday, September 20 during the South Uptown Annual Meeting. Email info@southuptown.org to get the Zoom meeting link for the Annual Meeting where each candidate will introduce themselves. The online election closes at Noon on Wednesday, September 21.

• View the Candidate Profile document: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59e133d3f7e0ab03b64d8616/t/6323c27eac85bf0169b2842d/1663287937959/BoardCandidateProfiles+2022.pages.pdf

• Vote here using the online ballot (* This link will become active around 7PM on September 20): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1F490w8xkjSveJ9GmcuwYiMic25-d-fEdVdx7BS-6shA/closedform

Meet the 2022 South Uptown Board of Director Candidates

Seven neighbors have put themselves forward as candidates for the South Uptown Board of Directors. There are six open Board seats, so an election will take place starting about 7PM on Tuesday, September 20 during the South Uptown Annual Meeting. Additional candidates will have the opportunity to be nominated and added to the ballot during that meeting. The election will then be open through 12:00PM on Wednesday, September 21. Check out the list of candidates and more information in this Candidate Profile document.

Consider Running for the South Uptown Board of Directors

The South Uptown Annual Meeting is coming up on Tuesday, September 20, and there will be 6 open Board seats up for election. Consider becoming a candidate to get more involved with the community. Board Members oversee the South Uptown nonprofit, work on improvement projects and attend meetings to address neighborhood issues. The South Uptown organization is especially keen to recruit people of color, renters and women to the Board in order to reflect the demographics of the neighborhood. If interested, please fill out this short Application Form that will be used to create a Candidate Profile document for the election.