This weekend, you might have noticed groups of well-dressed people with nametags wandering Minneapolis and Saint Paul, looking at trains and apartment buildings with keen eyes. I spotted a LRT tour during University Avenue’s Open Streets yesterday, and then again found a nametag’d couple looking for a cab in downtown Saint Paul last night. (Ha!)
They asked me, “Are there any restaurants in downtown Saint Paul, or should we go back to Minneapolis?”
It was a Sunday night and Tanpopo was closed. I had to be honest, and told them to head West. (I’m not a sadist.)
Anyway, the annual Railvolution conference has over a thousand attendees who specialize in TOD and urban design. The conference organizers reached out to the streets.mn board a while back to ask us to organize a session. So, if you happen to be at the conference this week, consider stopping by to see some of the streets.mn writers discuss three of our most divisive local planning topics.
The streets.mn session is this Tuesday at 2:00 at the Hyatt (though I can’t find a room number on the website).
Here’s the panel description:
Bloggers x 3: Let the Debates Begin! AICP CM 1.5
Listen and learn as local transit bloggers go head to head over three issues specific to the Twin Cities: Hear the pros and cons of Minneapolis’ famous Skyway system. Weigh the ins and outs of regional transit expansion. Explore streetcar growth in the region. Three informative and vigorous debates moderated by Minneapolis TOD director David Frank. Bring your questions and get ready for provocative answers!
Moderator: David Frank, Director of Transit Development, City of Minneapolis, Minnesota
Janne K. Flisrand, Principal, Flisrand Consulting, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Nick Magrino, Blogger, streets.mn, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Sam Newberg, Urbanist, Joe-Urban.com, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Bill Lindeke, Blogger, streets.mn, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Alex Cecchini, Blogger, streets.mn, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Cameron Conway, Blogger, streets.mn, Minneapolis, Minnesota
(Also, David Levinson is also participating in a session earlier that day. If you’re going to be at the conference, stop by, or add your session in the comments below.)
Will these be recorded? Can we see them if we cannot attend in any way? (Minutes even?)
I’m going to try and get them recorded for a future streets.mn podcast.
Didn’t tell them about Micky’s Diner, Bill? I’m disappointed. :o)
Bill, they have you listed as from Minneapolis. The horror.
That will be my first debate point.
Bedlam Lowertown is across from Union Depot with a great menu and full bar with decent beer list. Open until 2 a.m.
http://bedlamtheatre.org/bedlam-lowertown-hours/
Oh I know. I was there last night and it was kinda empty, and I didn’t think it was what these folks were looking for. I shoulda told them to go up to Mears Park, and I wish there was a more pleasant stroll from the Depot up to St. Peter. 4th Street is as good as it gets, and it’s not that great.
Yeah, you have to navigate parking garages or skyways to get to Señor Wong’s.
Actually, that’s the only restaurant/business that IS on 4th street. I usually go in the entrance off 4th that is kinda awkward by the kinda awkward patio.
Congrats Bill,
Is this open to the public or for conference registrants only?
no, it’s very expensive. sorry. that’s the nature of things today…