Minneapolis’ Urban Groundwater Heat Island Effect
Hydrogeologist Greg Brick discovered that the groundwater under downtown Minneapolis is way warmer than it should be. Let’s dig into why it’s important.
Category: Downtowns
METRO Gold Line Opens to Fun and Fanfare
Hop aboard the METRO Gold Line for a ride through opening day celebrations, community voices and the start of a new regional connection.
Minneapolis’ Skyway System Deserves Another Look
Though the skyway system has plenty of critics, its unique and often underrated qualities make it a signature of the city worth celebrating.
Nicollet Mall, Vibrancy and Public Transit
Will removing buses from Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis make transit more efficient — or leave riders behind?
Rethink the Endless War on Street Art
Criminalizing and policing street art not only fails to reduce crime, it actively detracts from the fostering of beautiful, culturally unique and community-driven spaces.
The Underrated, Captivating Museum Downtown
The author’s bike exploration of Saint Paul continues with hidden gems and unique views.
Street Views: A Glimpse of the Past
A survey of 20th-century promotional videos for Minneapolis reveals a very different and at times problematic city.
Debriefing the Anoka Social District
Join us for a field trip to downtown Anoka, where the state legislature allowed a pilot program of a “social district.”
Optimism About Minneapolis for the New Year, and Beyond
No, Minneapolis is not Oslo or Vienna. And it lacks some vibrant traits of Boston and Montreal. But it is forward-looking and embracing progress.
National Links: Lessons from the Pandemic
In this week’s National Links: pandemic-era changes to work and commutes, designing with autism in mind and the gradual death of the “starter car.”