Google Maps in Elliot Park
Recently, I had coffee with a Director of a lot of things Minneapolis. We chatted about many things downtown including the different neighborhoods, board openings for the downtown council and East Town. I haven’t heard that term before and it’s a combination of Downtown East and Elliott Park. Later in the day I decided to take a zig-zag 6 mile #mspwalk to learn more about the area, businesses, schools and areas of attraction.
First, a familiar sighting that takes you pretty much at the border of Downtown East and Elliot Park.
A block away is the Minneapolis Armory. Home from 1947 – 1960, they were a dynasty in their own right. Nowadays, the Armory sits mostly vacant although that’s about to change. A pop-up club named Club Nomadic is making plans for that space during the Super Bowl. They promise to have top grade concerts, bars and entertainment.
Google Maps shows Club Nomadic as permanently closed. It makes sense. It’s a pop-up club that travels to big NFL events, namely the Super Bowl last year in Houston. It had the same pop-up concept last year in with mixed reviews, the biggest complaint is something that could possibly happen here. Parking and driving. Uber’s service helped but many still waited over an hour for the service. We know parking is an issue here, and hopefully the councils that be are on it, or patrons have already booked a hotel like the Radisson Red a block away. No word on who the musical acts are yet, either. We’re hoping this announcement comes soon.
My big questions is what are they going to do with the Armory once the Super Bowl is done? They say they plan to have events like weddings, car shows, and boxing events. Again, we’ll see what the councils that be have planned or are on top of it.
Nov 6 Update: Mystic Lake Casino is now added as a 2nd pop-up venue with one act already booked. No word from Nomadic yet on what their plans are now for the Armory location.
Jan 12 Update: The Armory events for Super Bowl Week now include Pink and Imagine Dragons and the Mystic Lake location is now cancelled. The shows themselves aren’t cancelled like Club Nomadic implies. They’ve been moved to inside Mystic Lake Casino as Star Tribune and Liz Sawyer Tweets.
In my opinion, this is what happens when Club Nomadic puts all of their own wants and needs first and the local Prior Lake community last, but I digress.
The Portland Tower is a new luxury condo complex with as of this writing, over half being sold or reserved. The location was probably thought out very well being right by downtown skyway access and easy access to 35 and 94. It fits in for gentrification well, too. It’s right by the House of Charity and turn-of-the-century residential apartments and to my knowledge, they’re not going anywhere.
I’m glad to see the House of Charity standing right next door to the Portland Tower. It has some mixed reviews on Google, which is expected. It’s a place dedicated to help the homeless with the goal to help them gain more independence. Places like this are golden opportunities. I know a few folks who have successfully lived in places like this and then proactively went on to bigger and better things.
Elliot Recreation Center has a collegiate sized field with a fantastic view of downtown Minneapolis. Opened in 2015, the field’s a partnership between the North Central University Rams and the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation. It only has a few, mixed Google reviews, but they keep it pristine during the season and is available for rental through the city of Minneapolis. They even use it for the North Central Wellness department.
I’ve been by the Hinkle-Murphy house many times and never gave it a second thought. It’s a historical landmark built in 1887 first lived in by a leading flour producer, now to multi-commercial tenants including Fay & Associates, injury attorneys at law. It’s pristine and right on the southern edge of downtown in Elliot Park. See for yourself.
What can you say about the Band Box Diner? It’s delicious greasy breakfast burger and fries, and that’s about it. The positive reviews say it all and to top it off, they have a good sense of humor.
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