Update on the Midway

 Lately I've begun to think of myself as a "Midway Old-TImer."   After all, I was born in Midway hospital, and used to shop at the old Montgomery Wards store when I was little - both places are long gone.   Baptized and married in Jehovah Lutheran Church on Snelling, which is still there.  Attended kindergarten at Hancock Elementary, still there too.  As I get older I appreciate my long term connections even more. Update has many tenants that have leased from us for over 20 years - Midwest Sound, Midtown Chiropractic, Saunders Therapy Centers, Total Music, One Ninety Commons, Deneen Pottery, Forecast Public Art. We have many contractors and suppliers we have worked with for 20+ years as well. J.O. Thompson Paint and Carpet, Metzger Building Supply, Dorglass, Viking Industrial,  Midwest Chemical. And of course, our neighborhood institutions - Keys Restaurant, Hampden Park Co-op and the Midway Chamber of Commerce.   In a world where things seem...

After many years of planning and construction it's great to have an opening day set for the Green Line light rail.   I am excited to help plan the opening day celebration at the Raymond Station.  Rides will be free throughout the Twin Cities on buses and the blue line all day Saturday and Sunday.  First trains on University Avenue will start about 10:00.   There will be a celebration at the Raymond Station starting around 9:00 a.m. and lasting until about 4:00 p.m.  We will help host the Raymond event, which will include food and presentations. And knowing our neighborhood we will have a lot of cool creative things going on all day!!     

Lydia's Place is the newest tenant at 2300 Myrtle Avenue.   A co-working space with a special twist, Lydia's Place is a new ELCA ministry grounded in Word and Sacrament. The idea of working together, creating community and sharing talents and gifts is sometimes not part of the usual business model, but I think it is a unique opportunity. Although the suite is only a small one to start, I feel co-working is a growing trend.   I especially like the combination of a desire to "do good" while "doing business".    Scott Simmons, who is a Lutheran minister, is one of the founders.  He brings a real enthusiasm to this project and has already brought a number of co-workers together. I wouldn't be surprised if they need a larger space down the road.  

2014 is going to be a positive year.  As I talk to people in our creative enterprise zone and the Midway business community I get a definite feeling of optimism.   Here are some things I feel are going to be great in 2014: The Green Line will open in the summer.  I think we will see lots of people using LRT and finding it convenient to use .Development will continue to grow along University Ave. as people will want to locate close by.  Craft brewing will continue to grow.  Urban Growler will open in the spring, Surly will work on its new campus.  St. Paul will start to catch up with Minneapolis's head start. Collaborative working will expand.  I sense a real interest in social innovation by working collaboratively.  I think there's  potential for new ideas and partnerships to come from new ways of working. I think we will see some of that happen in the creative enterprise zone. The Raymond station area will continue to grow as...

This is a cool video someone shot of the whole green line.  They walked the whole thing and took photos. http://t.co/ihRG0ZtIZS

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.

It seems like microbreweries are all the rage, and now there will be two in the Creative Enterprise Zone. First Bang Brewery built their building on Capp Road, next Urban Growler Brewing has leased space at 2325 Endicott and will start a microbrewery there.  We are excited to help Jill and Deb fulfill their dream of opening a microbrewery with a tasting room and a patio. We will keep you informed of their progress.