Update on the Midway

One of Update Company's long time tenants is awarded a Bush Fellowship.  Dave Anderson, from All Parks Alliance for Change is one of the 2020 Bush Fellows, 24 visionary leaders who are thinking big about how to solve problems and shape a better future for their communities. The Bush Fellowship is an investment in individual leaders. It provides Fellows with up to $100,000 over 12 to 24 months to pursue formal and informal learning experiences that help them develop the skills, attributes and relationships they need to become more effective, equitable leaders who can drive change in their communities and region as a whole. The Fellowship is distinctive in its flexibility, allowing Fellows to articulate what they need to become more effective and agile leaders. 

Sometimes its hard to believe the transformation we have made, even when we worked on it ! Here's a photo from around 1980 when we first purchased the building at 2325 Endicott St.   We removed the addition that was on the right, later we put windows back in the blocked up openings.   In 2013 the Urban Growler did the rest.

We are excited to welcome our newest tenant: READING PARTNERS Reading Partners is a nation wide nonprofit organization that pairs volunteers with low-income students  to help increase student reading skills. Please visit their site   www.readingpartners.org   for more information They are located at 2300 Myrtle Avenue

We are excited that the American Civil Liberties Union - Minnesota Foundation has renewed its lease with us. I did a little research and the ACLU has been around since the early 1920's and the Minnesota branch was  founded in 1952 as the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union.  The ACLU protects the civil liberties of all Minnesotans through litigation, public education, and lobbying.  They do not accept government funding and they are nonpartisan.   So thanks ACLU for the business and thanks also for being civil rights supporters. 

Making New Friends :  I am excited that we have a new tenant moving into Midtown Commons.  In Site Architects will be moving into our building in the next month from their current location in Minneapolis. The Creative Enterprise Zone is a perfect place for them to be. http://www.insitearchitect.com/ Keeping the Old:   We are pleased to report that we have a number of tenants that renewed their leases this month: All Parks Alliance for Change Midwest Financial Search Alt-Kie Computer Consultants Total Music Systems

Welcome to Minnesota Center for Psychology - our newest tenant at Midtown Commons - 2324 University Avenue.   Many different services are provided for adults, adolescents and children.  A beautiful suite painted in restful colors has both private therapy rooms and larger training/group rooms.  The clinic has been in the neighborhood already - they are moving from the US Bank building at Raymond/University. We think they will be a great addition to the Midtown Commons campus.

Update has been proud to work with WomenVenture for over 20 years!  WomenVenture has been an anchor tenant at Midtown Commons since we developed the site in 1990.  They have a long tradition of helping women to start their own business, transition to a new career or improve in their current job.  We would like to welcome new executive director Elaine Wyatt to the building and wish her success in leading WomenVenture to continued success.

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.

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.

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

Minnesota 2020, http://www.mn2020.org/   one of our tenants at Midtown Commons has put together a time lapse video of LRT progress on University Avenue from the  rooftop at 2324 University Avenue. This is pretty cool to watch.

So let's see...We are a thriving creative community, but it's been a while since we have celebrated that fact.  To celebrate the completion of light rail in our neighborhood, I think we should put together some creative artwork to showcase our thriving area and welcome the many new developments that have arrived. A sculpture in the grassy area of the Carleton Lofts A mural about reading for the Minnesota Literacy Council An interactive artwork for the Avalon school students A collaborative outdoor place for the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits staff to sit Planters, banners, yarn bombing?  Who knows. Gets you thinking doesn't it?  Send me your ideas.

Improving Organizations that Impact the World The Impact Group assists organizations that do great things in areas of health, human services, education, the arts and criminal justice. They help organizations define the real worth of what they do and enable them to communicate that value to others. We are excited that they are moving into the neighborhood, where there are many possibilities for collaboration with many other groups here. http://www.theimprovegroup.com/    The Impact Group is moving their office from Mendota Heights.  Welcome!!

Choosing Paint Colors How do you find inspiration for choosing office colors? Do you choose a color you like from home? Match your office partitions? Hire a decorator? Sherwin Williams has trend spotters working to find trends in lifestyle and decorating. Here are ideas for today's trends in colors: http:// www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/paint_colors/ideas/palettes/todays_colors/

Feel like you get more phone books than you can use? The Phone book industry has put together (finally) a site where you can opt out of receiving a printed phone book: www.donttrashthephonebook.org An article I read this week in Finance and Commerce stated that 85% of all phone books are thrown away, which is against Minnesota law. All of Update's buildings have co-mingled recycling, so our tenants can dispose of phone books the "green" way. But the best way to deal with the big yellow books is to only get them if you want them.

CodeWeavers Creative Office Space This 4050 sq. ft. space has a loft area and a mix of private and open space. Creative color scheme and exposed brick make this a unique space. Many windows (that actually open) and lush landscaping make this a great place for employees to work. Update worked with CodeWeavers to incorporate their needs and designs into the suite. Our great subcontractors really helped to come up with creative solutions in lighting, railings, windows and flooring. We're really excited about how this space turned out.

Here's a look at the inside of The Foundry at Raymond. The big iron trusses are so cool and the light from all the windows is amazing. These photos are with the lights off!

Update Co. is pleased to welcome Minnesota Women's Press to our building at 970 Raymond Avenue. We are excited that the staff at Minnesota Women's Press has decided office with Update. A long-time fixture in the St. Anthony Park neighborhood, they are moving up Raymond about 4 blocks from their former space near Keys Restaurant. Sharing stories by women and about women, the Women's Press makes a difference in the lives of women in our state. Please check their website http://www.womenspress.com/ You can find classified ads for women-owned businesses, arts and entertainment, and book reviews.

My new favorite website is http://www.thelinemedia.com/ It has great news about innovation, development and creativity in the twin cities area. A nice interview with Jack Becker from Forecast Public Art is featured. Forecast has been a tenant at Midtown Commons since 1992. We are pleased to see their organization grow. http://www.thelinemedia.com/features/forecastbecker062310.aspx I also read a great article about the new development The Lyric apartments - They are wonderful apartments just opened in the MidCity area, the neighborhood around the proposed LRT station at Raymond. http://www.thelinemedia.com/devnews/TheLyric.aspx I am excited to be a part of the growing "MidCity" area.