Update on the Midway

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday and A peaceful and prosperous New Year!    

SUCCESS!! We had a great turn out of our first ever Electronic Recycling Day.  Our tenants recycled 4500 pounds of old electronics - Two Tons!     That's a lot of old computers and printers that were sitting in closets and office corners.   Feedback was good, so I think we will try it again next year.

We are thankful for quite a lot this year, as always.  We have great tenants. In a great neighborhood. In a great city, state and country. Experiencing great weather, The completion of light rail construction (almost) A steady economic rebound for the neighborhood, And lots of new opportunities coming up!   As a family business, we appreciate our extended family helps us keep our business running. I'm thankful this year for my sister-in-law Amy who has come to work at Update. A great addition to our office. Happy Thanksgiving!

Nice Article on Bang Brewery by The Park Bugle We're excited to have Bang Brewery as a neighbor. http://www.parkbugle.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1742%3Abrewery&catid=13%3Aarticles

BANG! BREWERY is making progress on their new building on Capp Road.  It looks too short right now, but I hear they put the roof part on, then it gets moved up and they add more to the sides.  Both the building and the beer will be made in a sustainable manner.  We're excited for our new neighbors.

Bang Brewery has broken ground on their microbrewery at 2320 Capp Road.  We are excited to have them as a neighbor.   Right now there's just empty ground, but soon there will be a unique round brewery that looks like a grain silo.  The Creative Enterprise Zone is really growing!

Last week tenants at Midtown Commons got together for a building safety and security meeting to review steps to take to prevent theft from offices.  Highlights: Keep purses in locked drawer or cabinet Don't leave laptops unattended If you see someone who doesn't seem to belong, ask them if you can help them Use your security alarm every night, also use the door chime feature Get to know your neighbors We have a security checklist in the FAQ section on our website www.updatecompany.com Thank you Jacob Wetterling Resource Center for hosting.

  The Raymond Station Area in 1988      What an amazing difference!

After 13 years, our office manager Judy is retiring. We're going to miss her friendly voice and excellent bookkeeping!  Thanks to the many tenants that stopped by and emailed to say goodbye. I think she enjoyed our fun last day together.

I decided to walk out to the Raymond Station rail platform.  It is really looking good.  Some of the signs are installed and wiring is there for the ticket machines etc.  I think that it will be pretty easy to get out to the platform. This is looking west from the platform. This is looking at 2314 University from the platform.

Creative Enterprise Zone - Raymond/University Area Update Company is excited to help host our creative "pop-up" happy hour this Thursday at the corner of Raymond and University Avenues.   It is really the center of our creative district that includes everything from software developers, artists, graphic design firms and nonprofits that support the arts.  This creative synergy has helped to keep this neighborhood strong while we waited out the poor economy and LRT construction.  Come mingle and hear what we're all about Thursday April 19, form 5:00 to 7:00 in the Miller Photography building at the southwest corner of Raymond/University.

BUSINESS IS BOOMING!! We have had a busy spring at Update Company.  We signed new leases for Revolution Fuels, Vertebrae Medical, American Alternative Power,Brite LLC and New Living Care. Whew! I think we can say that the Raymond-University area is really seeing A LOT of activity. Is it the early spring?  Is it the improved economy?  Is it light rail?  Hard to say, but I love it. We still have room for a few more tenants, so let me know if you have contacts that may need office space.  We have a few single offices left in our executive office suite.

The Improve Group - one of our newest tenants at The Foundry - 700 Raymond is holding a food drive during the month of March.  The food will be donated to Neighborhood House, the largest food shelf in Ramsey County.  They distribute 2500 lbs. of food every day that they're open! That makes a huge difference in our community. Please consider stopping by and making a donation.  www.neighb.org/MarchFoodDrive If you have any questions regarding the food drive, please contact susanm@theimprovegroup.com

Check this out - It's in Hampden Park, across from the Hampden Park Co-op!  Cute! We have such creative people in this neighborhood.

Not too many people know this but in   1994-1995 The Coen brothers rented a warehouse from us at 2313 Wycliff St. as their filming headquarters for the movie "Fargo".   The building was used for office and set-building.  It was nominated for best film in 1996 and Frances McDormand won the Oscar for best actress in the film. The police cars used in the movie were stored in our building at 2304 University, which was torn down to build 2314 University, the home of Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and MAP for Nonprofits.  Jack and Jim McCann from our office actually got to drive the cars when we had to move them. Chuck McCann, my father, worked with the the filming office and actually worked out a deal making him an extra for the day in exchange for putting in some outlets for them.  He was in the cafeteria scene, but was later edited out.   It was a real thrill to be a small part of the movie making business, and we were even invited to the mo...

WomenVenture has been a tenant at Midtown Commons for 23 years!  It's about time we put their name on the building. Looks great, don't you think?  WomenVenture does a great job helping entrepreneurial women grow their business. We like to think Update Company does too.  Check our WomenVenture at www.womenventure.org   They have great classes for business beginners and for seasoned professionals who may need an inspirational boost. Budget Sign, a local company did the sign for us.  www.budgetsignshop.com

Here's the view out the window at Midtown Commons 2324 University Avenue.  The Raymond Ave. station is really taking shape. We have a beautiful suite available overlooking the station - 3,000 sq. ft. with 5 private offices, a conference room, kitchen, store room, and lots of open work space.