Do you have a favorite Uptown destination for glasses, sunglasses, contacts, or any optometry needs?

The charge is nothing new.  You know the drill: Uptown might as well be Eden Prairie. The only people who visit Uptown are suburbanites (who presumably all SUV-driving yuppies, have no taste in music, and think TGI Friday’s is the epitome of fine dining), Uptown is just one big mall, and those earlier-mentioned evil suburbanites have sucked the soul out of the old neighborhood.  The argument has been around forever, seems to be recycled every generation, or, rather, every generation if measured by the life span of, say, the late Il Gatto.  (Ever notice how even young 20-somethings are talking about the “good old days”? )

Despite having heard versions of this argument for years, it still never fails to drive me crazy. Forget about the fact that the “Uptown is suburban” critics are also unfairly maligning local suburbs — there’s such a huge range of local suburbs (and an accompany diversity of residents, businesses, and built environments) that it’s clearly unfair to lump all together into one broad “suburban” label.  The “Uptown is suburban” crowd, if I’m understanding them right, generally seems to throw out the following items as evidence that Uptown is one big suburb, and therefore (of course) worthy of scorn and derision.  And while I shouldn’t care (don’t live or visit Uptown if you don’t like it — it’s the easy solution!), it’s never fails to irk me.

Uptown has chain stores

Uptown has a Victoria’s Secret. So does Southdale. Southdale is a mall. Therefore, Uptown must be a mall. Make sense? Didn’t think so.

Uptown DOES have chain stores, and like many others, I prefer the independent businesses. But guess what? Uptown has those, too! And if you don’t like the chains, try to pump your money towards the local options.  How to support our local independent stores is certainly something we should be discussing, but the mere existence of chain stores does not in itself make Uptown “suburban.” Most of those chains exist in the hearts of major national and international cities, and in some cases, are located ONLY in urban neighborhoods — CB2, for example.

Uptown has expensive apartments and (even worse!) CONDOS

People with money to burn on housing undoubtedly have plenty of options in Uptown. And some of the advertisements for some of the newer developments can be incredibly annoying. Take Flux, for example:

“Welcome to your life. Your world is in a perpetual state of motion. While others seek stasis, you’re looking for the next restaurant, the next band, the perfect afternoon. These are pinnacle years to look back on with a wide grin. The only thing left to do is to set up your base camp.”  Not the most annoying I’ve seen, but a bit cringe-worthy. Then again, I am obviously not their target demographic. (“While others seek statis, you’re looking for an affordable preschool with an opening, the next free family event, the perfect playground.” Although I DO hope to look back on these years with a wide grin!)

Spend time perusing Craigslist and you’ll see plenty of other advertisements encouraging would-be renters to enjoy the “Uptown lifestyle,” a lifestyle that in most of these ads seems to be geared exclusively towards the young, the single, and the wealthy. And yes, there are young, single, and rich (or at least people with disposable income) living in Uptown. And you know what? I think that’s fine. What’s wrong with young singles with money to burn? I’m not one of them, but they help support local businesses and restaurants, and I appreciate that the neighborhood has a range of residents. Because once you take a look beyond the slick new buildings, you’ll find a neighborhood that has a diverse array of housing options and residents. It’s a neighborhood that can truly support people at all ages and from all backgrounds. There is certainly a need for increased affordable housing options, but that’s not an Uptown-specific problem. And in the meantime, if you’re willing to forego the in-building gym and upscale amenities it is still possible to find a fairly affordable place in Uptown.

As for condos? That’s a whole other rant, but I have never understood the venom against condos. I can understand the ire when rental buildings were being converted into condos — inevitably some residents WERE forced out. But ultimately condos are simply a form of ownership. And given that in this city there is an incredibly strong social pressure to buy, not rent, condos offer more opportunities for would-be homeowners to purchase a little bit of property in Uptown. Some are incredibly affordable, while others (the Edgewater, say) are… not. That’s fine, too. People who can and want to buy property in Uptown have more options, while those who prefer to rent can still do that. And while my family does not have the means to purchase an upscale new condo (or upscale vintage condo, for that matter) in Uptown, I don’t resent those who can. I’d also like to think that the new housing construction and resulting expanded housing units will mean that Uptown doesn’t experience housing shortages. As someone who has recently gone through apartment searches in both the Manhattan and San Francisco markets, I hope to NEVER have to deal with that here in Minneapolis. If someone wants to move to this neighborhood, whether they’re young or old (or in-between), rich or poor, married, single, with or without kids, hipster,  yuppie,  or plain old working stiff, I hope we can provide them with a place to live.

People from the suburbs visit Uptown

This one really bugs me. So what? Yes, Uptown is a regional destination. It has been so for more than 100 years, so we should be used to that by now. No, it’s not a quaint little neighborhood commercial node supported only by the residents from the surrounding few blocks. And guess what? I think that’s also just fine. Minneapolis is not a dense city; the fact that Uptown attracts visitors from all over allows it to offer far more businesses and amenities to its residents than locals could support by ourselves. Those visitors pour money into our local economy and support businesses that in turn provide jobs and give back to the local economy. I think there are ways in which we could harness some of that money (lots of technical issues, but will save that for another post), and yes, obviously being a regional destination brings with it some of its own problems,  but overall I think this is a good thing. And if someone prefers a quieter neighborhood with fewer visitors, the city has plenty of those, too. Or enjoy the best of both worlds and live somewhere like CARAG, where you can enjoy the mostly local scene at 36th and Bryant, yet still walk to the main commercial core of Uptown.

What am I missing? Do you think Uptown is “suburban”? Does it matter if it is?

There was an ad for “New Spring Millinery” at “Hennepin Ladies’ Toggery” at 3011 ½ Hennepin. “Featuring the latest styles and colors to suit the needs of matron and maid | fashionable shades in the Newport hosiery at special prices.”

PARENTS HAD MOVED

Augusta Norton, 12 years of age, arrived in the city yesterday from Wilson, Wis., expecting to join her parents, whose address was given to her as 3201 Colfax avenue south. The girl went to the number as directed, but found that her parents had moved a week ago. Alone in a strange city, she was at a loss what to do, but she was taken in charge by the poor department, who will care for her until her relatives have been found. Her father’s name is Mark Norton.

Controversies over adult-oriented businesses pop up from time to time. Do you think stores of this type are appropriate for the greater Uptown area? Does location matter? Do you have a favorite local store?

“Chapman’s open new department”
Chapman’s, located at 2923 Hennepin, added a candy deptartment. They manufacture candy, such as candy roses, flowers, and candy baskets. Chapman’s also sell ice cream.

Commercial property facing Hennepin Avenue, 1907 (photo courtesy MHS)

From the Minneapolis Tribune:

IN ARMS: HENNEPIN AVENUE RESIDENTS WILL PROCEED LEGALLY TO SECURE THEIR RIGHTS

The residents living on Hennepin boulevard, as well as those owning adjoining property, are not only up in arms at last, but are well organized and financed for the purpose of making a fight against the park board for what they term is the slipshod way in which that thoroughfare has been taken care of.

A mammoth meeting of residents was held Wednesday evening in the Grace church, Twenty-eight and Humboldt avenue, and there was some strong talk as to what should be done and what must be done. The park board has given the street to the city, which has not accepted it, and residents are facing a summer with no sprinkling and years to come with no improvements. They have secured Judges Fish and Lancaster, two men well up in the law of corporations and municipal bodies, and these authorities have assured them that they have a ground for action that will come out in their favor.

It was decided to assess each property owner 10 cents a foot on Hennepin avenue for a fund to fight their battle. This will raise a large fund in itself, but this will be increased by the addition of contributions from others who live nearby.

C. A. Smith headed the list of those living near the boulevard, by stating that he was ready to make a contribution equal to that made by those who lived on Hennepin avenue, and others are ready to follow. Proceedings will be begun at once to compel the park board by mandamus to assume control of the street again and keep it.

In the discussion held it was claimed that the park board was a useless body that never half did anything. Even the restricting of travel on the boulevards, it was stated, could have been accomplished by any body of men with push and energy. But the park board had laid down after a supreme court decision was reached after the case had brought poorly and fought in a half-hearted way.

It was claimed that the same points had been decided in other states in favor of park boards. It was also claimed that it would be a very easy matter to secure legislation that would give certain streets for driving purposes, but the park board had always turned a cold shoulder at an offer of such legislation for the very reason that they wanted to get rid of the boulevards in order to have more money to spend on buying new park property. The suggestion was made that boulevards connecting parks reserved for certain kinds of driving was the best proposition a city could have and that to do away with them was little less than a crime, and a direct blow to the prestige of the city.

The meeting was very much in earnest and the attorneys were instructed to begin operations at once.

SpringHouse transformed the existing Salem church by demolishing a 1950s wing and selling that land along with a parking lot to Brighton Development who built affordable housing on the corner of Lyndale Avenue and 28th Street called The Greenleaf. SpringHouse then was able to renovate their building by splitting the large worship hall into two worship halls with a common space in the middle, along with renovating the garden level to create a well-lit worship hall, meeting room area, and youth wing.

In my opinion, the space was well designed and constructed well. The shared youth wing has a large community room with rooms coming off of it for art, drama, and more. According to one congregant, sound management was taken into great consideration during the design and the groups can not hear each other while in the various worship halls.

Interestingly, the three groups plan to rotate through the different worship halls.

Here are a few photos:

The completely renovated SpringHouse Ministry Center at 28th Street and Garfield Avenue

The common space between worship halls on the main level features lots of stained glass from the original worship hall.

The South Worship Hall is the most traditional of the worship halls.

The North Worship Hall is more contempory but features high ceilings and a three-dimensional cross that slowly rotates overhead.

The Suburban World Theater in Uptown Minneapolis is for sale.

Remember the sign on the outside of the theater not long ago about the Suburban World Theater being closed for renovations? Well, sources indicate that the renovation was required by the City, such as roof repairs. The property is now owned by the bank, presumably because the previous owner couldn’t make the required payments on the mortgage.

Now the Jesse Olson Group of Coldwell Banker Burnet has it listed for sale at $899,000. The listing says: “A truly unique venue. Built in classic Granada Style, with Spanish facades and original stars still illuminate from the ceiling. NOW BANK OWNED. Many Updates, including roof, electrical, plumbing and more.”

The building, located at 3022 Hennepin Avenue, has changed hands numerous times over the last 15 years or so. I remember when it was a Mann Theater, and yes, even saw Titanic there. After Mann closed, it has been a Cinema Grille and a random event house that the most recent owner operated. The interior is on the historic registry due to its Mediterranean-inspired walls and star-studded ceiling. The lighting inside is terrible for anything other than movie-watching but with the right operator, the space could be fantatic.

My dream would be for it to become an event center and concert hall like the Varsity Theater has become. Uptown could use more live music and performance, and the Suburban World Theater presents that opportunity.

Street canvassers for a variety of causes have become a regular feature at the corner of Hennepin and Lake.  What do you think of their presence in the neighborhood? Do you donate to corner canvassers?