Although MNDoT is not releasing details, it seems that a replacement bridge design has been selected by state officials.
Public comments on the proposal will start this week, with a very aggressive opening of the bridge planned for the end of next year.
With roughly 44 cars retrieved out of the estimated 100 from the river bottom and several tons of debris, there are only 9 identified fatalities from the disaster on August 1st.
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts has recently benefited from a donation of the Frederick B Scheel collection of photographs. The collection consists of more than 600 photos, and will be displayed in two parts.
The photos range from the late 1800’s to the 1960’s and some of his own work. The first part of the exhibit titled “The Search to See” runs through November 4th, with the second part opening on December 1st, running through March 30th of next year.
Via: Huliq - Frederick B. Scheel Photographs At Minneapolis Institute
Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Frederick B Scheel Collection
The National Transportation Safety Board issued an update yesterday on the ongoing investigation of the collapse of the I35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis. Interesting information, I’ve never really read an NTSB bulletin or update before.
Anyway, the update indicates that they have found a potential issue with the gusset plates that tie the beams together. They are further investigating the materials used in the plates, along with testing the loads and stresses placed upon them. Interesting, but it’s too early to know if this is the cause, or a contributing factor, or simply not related to the tragedy.
The NTSB also talks about how their using the stunning video we’ve all seen to help investigators onsite look for problems. Also they’re working with the construction company, trying to understand what equipment was placed on the bridge at the time, it’s weight and so on.
Overall, an interesting update - I’ll be following these NTSB updates mostly out of curiosity on how the board communicates and what their findings are.
Photo credit: photog37
Gosh, I can’t wait much longer, it’s only 15 days until the start of the Minnesota State Fair. You can find fair information online here: http://www.mnstatefair.org/
I was going to point out how funny this was on the fair website, but what’s funnier is that they haven’t updated it for today yet.
Last Wednesday’s tragic bridge failure of I35W crossing the Mississippi River in Minneapolis was an example of how the Internet has become the most instantaneous information transmission platform in history. Within minutes of the collapse, bloggers were posting information, pictures and updates about what was happening.
As with the recent steam pipe explosion in New York, the fastest conduit for news and information is Twitter. 
Twitter is a micro-blogging platform that limits posts to 140 characters, but forwards the posts to cell phones, instant message tools, and web pages. Using Twitter, the news of the collapse traveled around the world in minutes - faster than any “breaking news” story on your favorite mainstream media outlet could ever dream of.
If you’re interested, here is my Twitter link, feel free to follow me.
Via: TwinCities.com - Internet becomes lifeline, record
Twitter, Micro Blogging, I35W Bridge, Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
The Christian Science Monitor has a nice story that shows the level of professional volunteers in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. The many people who showed up on-scene so quickly helped in the immediate crisis, and the follow-on recovery work.
With so many types of businesses located in the Twin Cities, it is no surprise that we have the equipment and supplies to get started on the clean-up phase so quickly and help finish up looking for the last of the victims of this disaster.
The best part of the number of willing, helpful, trained individuals located in our city is that the loss of life was kept to a minimum in this tragedy. We own them all a big thank you for helping our friends and our families when it matters most. This is what it means to be a Minnesotan.
Via: Christian Science Monitor - Minneapolis shows why it’s rated No. 1 in volunteerism
Photo credit: Diversey on Flickr
Volunteers, Volunteerism, I35W Bridge, Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
That phrase is being uttered by most everyone. So many people use that bridge, and specifically 35W to commute to many destinations in the city that it literally could have been any of us.
We’ve so many bridges in the Minneapolis metro area that we tend to forget that they are high in the air, crossing rivers, crossing rail tracks, over all sorts of things. We’ve a number of rivers, creeks and other natural features that require bridging, and we use them daily. It could have been any bridge, it could have been anyone, our roadways are that ubiquitous to modern life that they just blend in.
Jeremy Hernandez was one of the adults on that school bus that many of us saw on the I35W bridge collapse. We all wondered if the kids were alright, did they get to safety. Yes they did, and it is directly because of the actions of this 20 year old community center gym coordinator. I hope you’ll go and read the article that Scott Seroka has posted at the KARE11 site.
There will be many people who helped, reacted instead of run, and looked out for others before themselves. Jeremy Hernandez is one of these people.
Photo credit: KARE11
VIA: KARE11 - Young man credited with saving dozens of kids
This year’s conference is being held in Minneapolis this week. The four day event will end on Wednesday, and costs $600 for non-members. The 40 year old organization works to spread the ideas of what positive benefits we could see in the future and works towards solutions instead of fantasies.
Topics for the conference surround medicine, technology, transportation, family, business, immigration and such. Overall, the group tries to push the boundaries of solutions for problems. Come up with new ideas, even if they don’t seem feasible today, the technology and knowledge will get there in time… in the future. 
The conference is being held at the Minneapolis Hilton, called “The World Future Society’s Annual Conference WorldFuture 2007: Fostering Hope and Vision for the 21st Century”.
As a note, when I wrote this post the above link did not work. However, there is quite a bit of detail at the Minnesota Futurists chapter of the organization - which claims to be the first chapter of The World Future Society.
Via: Star Tribune - Crystal ball has a rosy tint, experts on the future say
Picture credit to Minnesota Futurists
While this blog is about Minneapolis, MN, the reality is that it’s history and culture are intertwined with the city of St. Paul. Of course the two cities have grown, shared infrastructure, competed for businesses, built rivalries and commonalities.
The Twin Cities metropolitan area has expanded and engulfed many nearby small towns, melding them into the sprawling metropolis that you see today. Whether this is good/bad is not something I’m pursuing in this series of posts, but the flavor, culture, and history of many of these areas is as interesting as the city center itself.
Many of these suburbs and towns have attempted to maintain their own feel, and I’ll be trying to capture some of that here. So check back from time to time as I’ll be posting stories in this series over the next few weeks.
With the police department about $6 million over budget, it seems to some that the city is trying to make that up in traffic tickets. While a few may grump about the activity or getting a ticket themselves, I wonder if the increased activity isn’t about the traffic itself.
Driver behavior patterns, in my opinion, have deteriorated severely. To the point where more a third world driving style with little regard for our driving rules and posted speed limits. The problem is real, so is the increased police traffic activity a monetary consideration, or finally a reaction to the speeding traffic on city streets?
Via: WCCO.com - Mpls. Police Issuing Tickets To Fill Budget Void
If you’ve never crossed the Stone Arch Bridge, you surely have seen it. A prominent part of the Minneapolis Mississippi Riverfront, was originally the bridge used by the Great Northern Railway in and out of Minneapolis. Trains coming out of the Minneapolis Great Northern Depot would cross on their way east, including Great Northern’s Empire Builder.
Today the bridge is restricted to bicycle and pedestrian traffic, where you can get a good view of the river and St. Anthony Falls. The bridge is also part of the city’s park system, making up part of the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail. Recent lighting additions give it a very dramatic and beautiful appearance at night.
Photo Credit: chrisdeba2004
July 19th through the 22nd are the dates for Stillwater’s Lumberjack Days. Hosted in Lowell Park on the St. Croix River, many shows and events can be found throughout the downtown area.
Lumberjack Days hosts “one of the largest musically choreographed fireworks shows in the United States”. There is free admission to Lumberjack Days, so don’t hold back on having fun.
A full schedule of events can be found here, with a list of highlights for Friday the 20th below.
So head on out there and join in the fun - be sure not to miss the fireworks on Sunday!
Official Website: Stillwater Lumberjack Days
Stillwater, Stillwater Lumberjack Days, Pro Log Rolling, Pro Boom Running
The 68th annual Minneapolis Aquatennial Torchlight Parade is tonight! The parade kicks off at 8:30pm tonight and will follow this route ending around 10:30pm.
From it’s starting point around the Basilica of St. Mary to it’s end near 5th street, the parade will make it’s way down Hennepin Avenue.
With emcees John Hines & Donna Valentine, this 68th annual event is sure to be a great time. This also marks the 7th year that CenterPoint Energy has sponsored the parade.
Click here to print out the Parade Route! (courtesy of CenterPoint Energy)
The city of Minnetonka is starting a program to preserve and promote the section of Minnehaha Creek that runs through its boundaries. The creek runs the entire width of this suburb of Minneapolis, and offers a natural setting for many to enjoy a quiet moment or two.
In the plan, the city will be restoring several portions of the shoreline that have been altered over the years, returning it to natural banks. The city plans to remove four homes along the creek to increase visibility of the creek and make room for walking & access trails. Also talked about is adding more canoe access points and possible shuttle service for canoeists.
While the plan is not shared with neighboring communities, there are already a number of parks and access points to the creek between Minnetonka and Minneapolis. The entire stretch from its source at Lake Minnetonka, to the Mississippi River in Minneapolis is 22 miles.
Via: Star Tribune - Minnetonka opening up a treasured creek
Minnehaha Creek, Minnetonka, Lake Minnetonka, Mississippi River
This blog, "Minneapolis, MN", will try to capture some of what Minneapolis is known for - it's hospitality (well, that and the cold!). We'll be looking at cultural, civic, and entertainment events. We'll cover the interesting quirks that make Minneapolis what it is and the longtime rivalry with St. Paul. Of course, we'll also investigate why Minneapolis can make a great place to visit, with rich history, diverse population, interesting places, and good food - any time of the year!
Minneapolis, MN Author(s)
» Rick-Mahn
