The Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District today released the 5th annual Greening and Public Realm Awards’ summer finalists. Winners will be decided by an online vote at through Sept. 19, and the winning organizations will be announced announced on Sept. 24.
The Greening Awards are an effort by the DID to inspire local businesses and organizations to help make the downtown area greener and more vibrant. In adding greening efforts in the downtown area, the organization hopes to foster a safer and more scenic Downtown Minneapolis.
Through an online vote, located at MinneapolisDID.com/greeningawards, residents, workers and visitors of downtown are encouraged to vote for their favorite areas of downtown—which are broken down into specific categories.
“We’re excited to honor our area businesses and parks that help advance our goal of a greener Minneapolis,” said Steve Cramer, President & CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Downtown Improvement District, in a released statement. “Helping Downtown Minneapolis become greener is one of the initiatives of the Downtown Council’s 2025 Plan, and these finalists showcase not only beautiful displays but also serve as an example about the merits of producing a green community.”
Submissions were compiled through Aug. 13 through online and social media submissions. Mail-in entries were also accepted. Those submissions were reviewed and visited by the DID, then divided into categories based on the type of greening initiative. The DID selected the finalists that appear in the categories below. Their criteria, according to their news release, were based on aesthetics, care/maintenance and expansion/improvements.
This year’s finalists include:
Best Large Green Space Activation
- Convention Center Plaza
- Target Field Station
- Loring Greenway
- Peavey Plaza
Best Small Green Space Activation
- The PARKLOT
- Piazza on the Plaza
Best Large Green Space
- Triangle Park
- 333 7th Street
- Cancer Survivor’s Park
- University of St. Thomas Law School
Best Small Green Space
- Target Plaza South Entry
- Assisi on 9th Park
- WCCO-TV
Best Outdoor Café
- Fulton Taproom
- The Local
- Brit’s & Vincent
Best Streetscape Green Infrastructure
- American Academy of Neurology
- Lunds Hennepin
- Westminster Presbyterian
Best Streetscape Greening
- International Design Center Building
- 222 Hennepin
- Target Commons
- Rock Island Lofts
Best Open Space Green Infrastructure
- Target Field Station
- MCTC
Best Façade Greening
- Seven Event Destination
- Soo Line
- TCF Tower
- Kenosha Building
Best Entryway Greening
- JB Hudson Jewelers
- Gluek’s
- Symphony Place Apartments
- Valspar
Best Public Realm Improvement
- 333 South Seventh Street
- American Academy of Neurology
- Convention Center Plaza
- Peavey Plaza
- Spoonriver
- Target Commons
- Target Field Station
- The PARKLOT
- Triangle Park