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Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: May 22nd, 2013, 7:39 pm
by thatchio
Just to make it clear, the venue has been vacant or poorly used for the last ten years or so because the owner was undercapitalized and then lost the property and the bank wanted too much for years.

Just because a deal comes along, it doesn't make it the right idea. But without more information on the proposal, I'm not suggesting that it is a bad deal. Just sad. And I think if the rules were less restrictive, an entertainment use (as part of an upgrade to the building) could be very viable.

Keep in mind also that other venue music venues in Uptown have the 60/40 rule, making it difficult to operate a true music venue.

Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: May 23rd, 2013, 3:13 am
by John
^^^ Well, it's been a helluva lot longer than 10 years this theater has languished! Quite frankly, I've lived in MN for 35 years and I can't ever recall a time it was really in use for more than a brief period, and most of the time it's been vacant. We need a fresh approach to reusing this building. I realize we don't have much info yet on who and what kind of retail is interested in this site, but I think we should at least have an open mind and give it a chance.

Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: May 23rd, 2013, 7:47 am
by MNdible
That's just not true. It was operating as a first run theater at least into the late 1990's.

Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: May 23rd, 2013, 7:59 am
by seanrichardryan
Tuthill and Schiff are hoping to change it to a 50/50 rule, correct?

Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: May 23rd, 2013, 8:31 am
by gpete
Yes, that was the idea they floated... Would 50/50 make THAT much of a difference for a music venue? I feel like that would still be really hard to comply with...

Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: May 23rd, 2013, 8:47 am
by FISHMANPET
Nobody goes to a concert to buy food. Why not just get rid of the requirement in Uptown.

Is the 60/40 rule the reason the Varsity Theater and Loring Pasta Bar operate together?

Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: May 23rd, 2013, 8:51 am
by John
That's just not true. It was operating as a first run theater at least into the late 1990's.
Really? Maybe I'm getting senile, but it always seemed to run on and off (mostly off) when I was young. I went to some special event movies there a couple times in the 80's , but after the event, it would close down for long periods of time. Anyways, I think converting this theater into a retail store is just fine, and reinforces Uptown's trend as a growing retail center. A music venue like the old Uptown bar etc. would be better around Lyn-Lake or 26th and Nicollet IMO.

Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: May 25th, 2013, 7:21 pm
by thatchio
I saw a variety of new releases at the Suburban World in the 1990s when it was operated by Mann. I recall seeing Titanic there and I know I caught a few others. As a teenager who wasn't into architecture, I still remember thinking it was super cool with the twinkles above and the soft lights lighting up the walls during the film.

50/50 won't make it viable either, in my opinion. And I disagree with John that since Uptown is strengthening its retail scene (say, from the mid-1990s until now, as it was stronger in the 80s some would say), that it's reason to say other districts should get music venues.

I'd also like to point out that Minneapolis, including Uptown, used to have lots of 3.2 bars that played music back in the day.

One thought I'd propose is allowing live entertainment, with license, with no sales restrictions if in higher intensity zoning districts (at least C2 or greater) at establishments that serve strong wine/beer. I think there'd have to be some way to address noise created within the venue that spills out, but again, I think we can work through that. In addition, I think perhaps at even greater zoning intensities and perhaps just at Activity Centers, we could allow unrestricted sales on hard liquor as well but I think there'd have to be some care given to making sure you don't just end up with a bunch of new 100% bars that don't really have entertainment. I'm unsure if that'd be a desirable outcome either. I've been to cities where non-CBD biz districts have seen massive shifts to entertainment where the streets are dead at all other times. So some care would need to be given to make sure we don't screw up the dynamics either.

And I know some of you free market folks will disagree with that, but I don't buy that complete free market land use will get a strong community, though I'd also agree that over regulation like we've had in the past have been bad for good urbanism as well.

Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: June 17th, 2013, 10:19 am
by lordmoke
According to the HPC agenda for tomorrow, the application for the Granada has been withdrawn:
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/meetings/hpc/WCMS1P-109333

For those of you who are more familiar with this process, does that mean it won't be discussed at all tomorrow? I don't want to leave work early if I don't have to.

Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: June 17th, 2013, 8:42 pm
by twincitizen
I think they just changed the thing they were applying for. They are now just seeking a "Certificate of Appropriateness" instead of whatever they were seeking before. I don't think it means the project is on hold or anything like that. Check back in a few weeks for the next meeting cycle.

Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: July 13th, 2013, 10:27 pm
by seanrichardryan
Thatcher has details on the Granada:

http://www.ouruptown.com/2013/07/the-su ... er-reborn/

Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: July 13th, 2013, 11:13 pm
by ECtransplant
Hopefully not another furniture store. I could see a high end jeweler doing well in that spot.

Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: July 14th, 2013, 9:25 am
by twincitizen
This probably won't be a popular sentiment, but I selfishly want it to be Express. They'd fit in well with the neighbors and I think they'd do really well considering the demographic of the neighborhood. I think it would be successful and have staying power, rather than something quirky that would go out of business or change stores every year. They actually had a store in Calhoun Square a while back before the big remodel. For me it would mean never going to a suburban mall again.

Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: July 14th, 2013, 11:49 am
by Wedgeguy
I believe that Express was the tenant where most of the H&M is now located. Don't know why they would come back if they did not make it before. Also, why have more of the same that you can go to at Southdale or Mall of America. I'd like to see something more along the line of places and stores like 50th and France. Not by price point, but stores that there are not layered all over town with.

Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: July 14th, 2013, 1:13 pm
by John
Also, why have more of the same that you can go to at Southdale or Mall of America. I'd like to see something more along the line of places and stores like 50th and France. Not by price point, but stores that there are not layered all over town with.
Yes, or at least a chain store (maybe even from Europe or Asia) that is geared towards hipsters and unique to the Twin Cities. Something you might see in NYC along Broadway in SOHO, or in downtown San Francisco.

Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: July 14th, 2013, 3:46 pm
by twincitizen
I would die if Uptown got a Brooklyn Industries. To my knowledge they only have stores in Brooklyn, Chicago (Wicker Park), and Portland.

http://www.brooklynindustries.com/

Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: July 14th, 2013, 4:13 pm
by Nick
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Minneapolis
Early on the community tried several names, rejecting Albion, All Saints, Lowell, Brooklyn, Addiseville and Winona.[...]

Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: July 14th, 2013, 4:23 pm
by NickP
Uniqlo would be amazing in Uptown. :)

Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: July 15th, 2013, 3:56 am
by stock345
Second. ^

Re: Vacant Historic Theaters in Uptown/LynLake

Posted: July 15th, 2013, 9:42 am
by John
NickP and Twincitizen, you should be retail consultants for developers! Both Uniqlo and Brooklyn Industries are excellent choices for Uptown and would thrive there. The area has the perfect demographics. It will be interesting to see who locates in the Suburban World. Would be great to see something out of the ordinary.