Minneapolis Armory

Downtown - North Loop - Mill District - Elliot Park - Loring Park
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Andrew_F
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Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby Andrew_F » May 15th, 2013, 9:00 am

These platforms would likely be long and go between DTE and Gov't Center station with the heavy rail station connecting to both LRT stations, which would actually allow for vertical circulation at the armory.
That would be really cool-- having one entrance/exit from the main station emerge on Government Plaza and the other emerge into a Midtown Market-esque Armoury.

mattaudio
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Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby mattaudio » May 15th, 2013, 9:13 am

So, how long until we see adaptive reuse of the armory? Has the owner just been waiting for this moment to cash in? How could this play out over the next few years?

nickmgray
Union Depot
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Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby nickmgray » May 17th, 2013, 10:33 am

Has anyone ever checked out Eataly in NYC? Something on that end would be great here.

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&gs_ ... 9gTtuoG4Dw
I was actually there in February. It's a nice combination of boutique grocery store and restaurants. It's essentially Cossetta on a much larger scale. I'd love it if we could get something like that in downtown Minneapolis, but the Armory wouldn't be an ideal location of facility for it.

I like the idea of converting the ceiling to glass. If done right, you could pull something like this off.

http://carolkiecker.files.wordpress.com ... 500431.jpg

It would be used as a meeting space, museum for special exhibits, farmers market, sports facility and much more.

If developers can find a way to convert there structures, I'm sure we can find a use for the Armory. http://dornob.com/giant-industrial-gasw ... z2TZKA8jot

Minneboy
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Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby Minneboy » May 17th, 2013, 11:00 am

The obvious problem would be to find a developer who has the pockets to pay for something like this and most likely not make his money back much less a profit for years to come. I see public subsidy.

mattaudio
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Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby mattaudio » May 17th, 2013, 12:34 pm

Welp, that didn't take long...
http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/b ... boost.html
"He's working on a $16 million project to convert the Armory into a multi-use event center that integrates some parking with an open flexible central space that can be used for a wide range of events, such as music, entertainment and sports."

(older rendering)
armory-vikings-2_304.jpg

Aville_37
Union Depot
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Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby Aville_37 » May 18th, 2013, 2:09 am

Has anyone ever checked out Eataly in NYC? Something on that end would be great here.

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&gs_ ... 9gTtuoG4Dw
I was actually there in February. It's a nice combination of boutique grocery store and restaurants. It's essentially Cossetta on a much larger scale. I'd love it if we could get something like that in downtown Minneapolis, but the Armory wouldn't be an ideal location of facility for it.

I like the idea of converting the ceiling to glass. If done right, you could pull something like this off.

http://carolkiecker.files.wordpress.com ... 500431.jpg

It would be used as a meeting space, museum for special exhibits, farmers market, sports facility and much more.

If developers can find a way to convert there structures, I'm sure we can find a use for the Armory. http://dornob.com/giant-industrial-gasw ... z2TZKA8jot
Beautiful!!

stp1980
Metrodome
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Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby stp1980 » May 18th, 2013, 9:36 am

Some greenery would be nice too along with the glass. Could be nice place to go when the winter gets a little long and would complement the park well.

Mdcastle
Wells Fargo Center
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Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby Mdcastle » May 18th, 2013, 11:13 am

I still think we could use a world class indoor waterpark. The armory has a lot of room, but you'd probably want something taller and with a glass roof.

612transplant
Nicollet Mall
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Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby 612transplant » May 18th, 2013, 2:19 pm

Meh. We have Waterpark of America, already. I know it's not downtown, but I don't think I'd like a waterpark downtown, anyway. Just my opinion.

I like the idea of a public market, ala Lexington Market or Findlay Market. As long as it focuses on hot food, I think. Produce and such can be bought at the farmers' markets we already have downtown. Although, I guess part of the advantage is that the Armory would be able to stay open year round-- when the outdoor farmers' markets can't-- so there is that, I guess.

Whatever it is, I just want it to feel "authentic" and for the renovation to do honor to the building...

Mdcastle
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Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby Mdcastle » May 18th, 2013, 2:23 pm

I did say "world class' which the Waterpark of America is not. I'd have suggested at Mall of America Phase II so they'd have a setup similar to Edmonton, but they don't seem interested. Valleyfair is easily one of the worst Cedar Fair parks too, but that's a different story.

612transplant
Nicollet Mall
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Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby 612transplant » May 18th, 2013, 2:28 pm

Well....I guess I don't know what the benefit is of having a "world class" waterpark, particularly downtown. And besides, is the Armory large enough to accommodate a world class waterpark?

RailBaronYarr
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Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby RailBaronYarr » May 18th, 2013, 3:45 pm

I think we need to stop trying gimmicky things and focus on uses for buildings and spaces that enhance the businesses and residents in the area. A water park is mostly a gimmick in that it is a blatant tourist draw and not an everyday amenity for anyone living there. Challenges:

1) Turning the Armory in to a waterpark would be pretty expensive if we want it to be "world class" - is the ceiling high enough, the space big enough, etc.
2) like the WP of America or not, it is already considered a pretty good indoor water park by American standards. Searching "best indoor water parks" on Google yields: http://themeparks.about.com/od/themepar ... arks_5.htm http://www.complex.com/city-guide/2012/ ... he-world#9 http://www.familyvacationcritic.com/10- ... sorts/art/

I don't see many water parks, indoor or outdoor, in "world class" cities, my take it to build stuff that makes Mpls a better place to live and work first.

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FISHMANPET
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Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby FISHMANPET » May 18th, 2013, 4:40 pm

Downtown already has a waterpark, at The Depot.

uptowncarag

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby uptowncarag » May 18th, 2013, 7:44 pm

No water park. There is a vacant one on 694/81 in Brooklyn Park.

seanrichardryan
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Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby seanrichardryan » May 18th, 2013, 10:46 pm

There was. Demolished for a car dealership.
Q. What, what? A. In da butt.

Wedgeguy
Capella Tower
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Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby Wedgeguy » May 19th, 2013, 12:05 pm

No water park. There is a vacant one on 694/81 in Brooklyn Park.
I believe that piece of property is being redeveloped and is will be leveled and a start from scratch.

Snelbian
Rice Park
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Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby Snelbian » May 19th, 2013, 1:40 pm

I think we need to stop trying gimmicky things and focus on uses for buildings and spaces that enhance the businesses and residents in the area. A water park is mostly a gimmick in that it is a blatant tourist draw and not an everyday amenity for anyone living there. Challenges:

1) Turning the Armory in to a waterpark would be pretty expensive if we want it to be "world class" - is the ceiling high enough, the space big enough, etc.
2) like the WP of America or not, it is already considered a pretty good indoor water park by American standards. Searching "best indoor water parks" on Google yields: http://themeparks.about.com/od/themepar ... arks_5.htm http://www.complex.com/city-guide/2012/ ... he-world#9 http://www.familyvacationcritic.com/10- ... sorts/art/

I don't see many water parks, indoor or outdoor, in "world class" cities, my take it to build stuff that makes Mpls a better place to live and work first.
This. When I go to Istanbul or Barcelona or Paris, it's not because of water parks. I don't think I've ever walked around a healthy city center and said to myself, "Wow, the shopping here is fantastic, the sidewalks are beautiful, there are people everywhere. Now if only there was a water park it would be perfect!"

On a similar note, we really don't need MORE convention centers and concert venues. In fact, that's probably the last thing downtown needs more of (water parks aside).

A permanent year round market would be great, with both local and non local produce. Or just convert it to a shopping center, dividing up the interior into several shops but keeping the key architectural features intact the way Barcelona converted their bull ring.

uptowncarag

Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby uptowncarag » May 19th, 2013, 2:42 pm

No water park. There is a vacant one on 694/81 in Brooklyn Park.
I believe that piece of property is being redeveloped and is will be leveled and a start from scratch.
I know there was property leveled at Brooklyn Blvd. and 694 but I am talking about 81 and 694. You could be right.

RailBaronYarr
Capella Tower
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Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby RailBaronYarr » May 19th, 2013, 3:41 pm

If the market could look anything like the Borough Market in London, I would be ecstatic. Obviously that is something built under RR tracks and is a little different, but it's such a natural part of the neighborhood just south of the Thames - multiple entry points from the street, adjacent to other eating/drinking/shopping options, access to transit, etc. http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/

Mdcastle
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Re: Minneapolis Armory

Postby Mdcastle » May 19th, 2013, 3:49 pm

The one in Brooklyn Park was the Grand Rios, which was 45,000 square feet, (Waterpark of America is 70,000 and W Edmonton is 217,000. Kalahari, where people around here seem to go in the winter for a waterpark is 125,000. I just wish Southwest flew to Canada so I could visit the Edmonton one without breaking the bank). I heard a figure for the Amory of 58,000 square feet, although that's just the main floor it probably really is too small.

Besides being small even compared to the Waterpark of America, the problem with Grand Rios was that it was built by an old existing hotel that continued to deteriorate, and combined with allegedly rude lifeguards and a guest fatality it developed a bad reputation. Grand Rios was at 81 and 694.


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