Update on the Midway

We are pleased to welcome Banks Brothers Construction to our Midtown Commons campus of buildings. Already part of the west Midway neighborhood, Banks Brothers specializes in construction and remodeling of retail spaces in the Twin Cities.

Here's a comparison of The Foundry before and after renovation. What a difference!

I enjoyed this article about unusual items along the central corridor LRT route. We definitely have a little of everything here! If you haven't checked out www.thelinemedia.com site, you should! They post some really cool articles. http://www.thelinemedia.com/features/funkytreasures072110.aspx

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.

Tuesday morning Jack McCann was outside 700 Raymond talking to one of our contractors when he noticed what appeared to be an immature bald eagle taking a quick dip in the storm water pond on the south side of the building. It flew off shortly after, when it was being scolded by a number of smaller birds. It hasn't taken long for wildlife to find our little pond, a number of birds use it for bathing, and a mallard duck has been sighted there too.

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.

Originally the building at 700 Raymond had two trees in front, and a box elder tree in the back, now the building will have an assortment of around 20 trees - maples, birch, honey locust and crab apples. In addition to a storm water pond and a variety of bushes and flowers will be planted. And of course, no ash trees! Update Company is proud to have established over 70 trees at the dozen or so buildings we have developed. O ur tenants love the beautiful flower planters at Midtown Commons. Oldtimers (like me) remember when there was no grass in the MidCity (Raymond & University) area, except for occaisional weeds. We are excited to see other developments like the Carleton Lofts adding green to the area. Take a walk or bike ride down to 700 Raymond and see watch our new building grow!