Paul, the Metropolitan Council and a coalition of foundations dubbed the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative have generated criticism, but not without rebuttal. A $4 million “forgivable loan” grant fund, a parking fund and other outreach and compensation efforts by the city of St. “In projected sales, we probably lost another $3,000…each month,” she said.įor businesses that feel they’re barely surviving, there’s the thorny question of mitigation. She estimates her July sales were down $6,000 compared to the previous year. “Business is still somewhat down from last year at this time,” she said. “We’re happy.”ĭespite seeing a sunny future, Biaggio’s Breed remains worried about the now. “We went into this and we thought, we can bring something to the party here, regardless of what was going on with the corridor,” Prestangen said. The coffee shop sells Fair Trade and organic, shade-grown coffee from Africa and Latin America. The Central Corridor offices are just above their ceiling. Rather than flee the train, they’re catering to its construction workers, planners and outreach coordinators. Julie Peck, a grant writer, and Corey Prestangen, a 3M business manager, bucked the common logic and opened the Lucy Coffee Cafe in the Griggs-Midway building at University and Fairview avenues in June. Some businesses, like Porky’s Drive-in and Chocolat Celeste, have already fled the corridor, for reasons that are at least partially attributable to construction. Whether or not the Central Corridor will be a boon or a bust for business depends not only upon whom you ask but also on where they are in the construction schedule, which is simultaneously tackling sections of the University of Minnesota campus, University Avenue, the Capitol complex and downtown St. “Foot traffic has probably decreased 35 to 40 percent.” “The drop was visible almost immediately after construction started, and it got worse when it moved to our side of the street,” said Tia Siehndel, manager of Twin Cities Reptile on University Avenue near Raymond. Sharrett’s Liquors, the Edge Coffee House and dozens of other businesses on the north side of University Avenue will have to bear what Biaggio has already faced. But, as work crossed from the south side of University Avenue between Hampden Avenue and Emerald Street to the north side, other businesses were locked in. Three years before it’s scheduled to carry its first passenger down University Avenue to the Raymond Avenue transit station half a block away, construction for the train is revealing some of the promise of what’s to come, despite ongoing skepticism.Ĭonstruction on the line turned a major corner last month, freeing Biaggio from its unsightly chain-link prison.
It won’t hurt us,” said Biaggio co-owner Shari Breed. “I don’t know if people will ride the train to lunch. And the stretch of the avenue in front of the Italian-American eatery is smoother than it has been in a decade.Īfter coping with dirt, dust and tepid restaurant sales, Biaggio’s owners are cautiously optimistic they’ll benefit from the installation of the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit line. Still, the end of July felt like a reopening, thanks to a fresh, brick paver sidewalk and a new streetlight straight out of a Charles Dickens novel. They coordinate services for seniors living in Southeast Minneapolis so that they may live well at home.Caffe Biaggio never closed during the five months that a chain-link fence fronted its University Avenue entrance, even when work crews gutted the street beyond its patio. This community event is a fundraiser for Southeast Seniors. Reserve them online and pay at the door or when you check out at the end of the auction.
At the Southeast Seniors office, 2828 SE University Ave, Suite 200, or This year Southeast residents Ann Munt and Kate Donahue will be honored.Īll proceeds support Southeast Seniors. Food has been donated by Burrito Loco, Caffe Biaggio, Espresso Royale, Gardens of Salonica, Jimmy John's, Kafe 421, Kramarczuk's, Loring Pasta, New French Bakery, Profile Event Center, Vescio's, Zakia Deli and more!Ģ - 3 pm - Program honoring individuals and programs in Southeast
Sample delicious food from area restaurants while shopping the silent auction! Listen to music by Jan Stroup and Michael Hauser.
Noon - 2 pm - Food buffet and and Silent Auction Taste of Southeast and Silent Auction, Noon-2 p.m. Celebrate Southeast with a taste of Southeast (5th Annual)
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