Bike Walk Week Block Party!
The Minneapolis Bike Coalition is sponsoring a great event May 4-11 – Bike Walk Week. Our own SPOKES is working with other Seward Commons businesses (Growing Lots, Cheeriup!, Aesthetic Apparatus, Fun City Dogs and Beez Kneez) to host a block party for Small Business day, which is Saturday the 10th from 3-8pm. The event will be great, and you have the opportunity to participate in the fun by creating a bike-related promotion (i.e. $1 off a beverage purchase if you’re wearing a helmet, etc). If you want to participate, let SCCA know by next Friday, April 18th, and we’ll put together a flier with everyone’s deal listed to hand out at the block party. This is a well attended city-wide event. Check out more info here.
Franklin Bridge Construction Delayed
According to the Hennepin County manager of the Franklin Bridge project, the expected full closure of the bridge is expected to last closer to 4 months than the original 3 months they were hoping for. At the same time, they have delayed construction on the project 1 year. Work will begin on the structure of the bridge in 2015, and the deck replacement that requires the bridge to close will be in the summer of 2016, with a goal of being re-opened by Labor Day 2016. We will keep you posted as we hear more.
Regulatory Services Q & A for Small Business
Does the city’s regulatory services department feel inaccessible to you? Lake Street Council has helped to maintain ongoing quarterly meetings for business association staff and business owners over the past few years, but it’s been awhile since we’ve had a more heavily promoted event for businesses to connect with inspectors and policy makers at Reg Services.
A great upcoming meeting on May 14 at the Sheraton Midtown Hotel will provide a unique forum for discussions of important issues ranging from food vs. liquor sales to expansion of premises to customer service at Reg Services. Join us at 2901 Chicago Ave from 2:00-4:00 on May 14 to learn about what this department is doing and ask any burning questions you might have. Please let us know at info@sewardbusiness.org if you plan to attend of if you have questions. FYI, future meetings area also planned for August 13 and November 12, and we’d love to have some SCCA members attend if you’re interested.
A free tree for Minneapolis businesses
Minneapolis businesses are eligible for a free tree planted on their property. Tree Trust will help choose, place and plant the tree. The business owner’s only obligation is to care for the tree over the years.
To qualify businesses:
1. Pay a pollution control annual bill (a “PCAB” or pollution registration for equipment such as air conditioning units, public restrooms, restaurant hoods, etc.)
2. Have enough green space to accommodate a tree
3. Maintain and water the tree (especially the first two years).
See why getting a tree on your property is so important.
Please clink on the links below to see the trees available for the spring and fall 2014 planting. Each planting season will be first-come, first-served. Tell us your season preference if you have one.
Tree choices for Spring planting
Tree choices for Fall planting
Contact Margaret Tyler at 612-673-5815 or margaret.tyler@minneapolismn.gov for more information or to reserve a tree or two.
15th Annual SADBOC Government Procurement Fair
Small businesses interested in doing business with government agencies and prime contractors are encouraged to attend this Trade Fair. Coupling education with marketing strategies, this event will provide small businesses an opportunity to meet with representatives from Federal, State and local departments, commercial/prime contractors, and nonprofit organizations.
Date: April 30th, 2014
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Where: 6155 Earle Brown Drive, Brooklyn Center, MN
RSVP here: Registration
Open Streets Officially Confirmed – August 17th, 2014
Planning is commencing for the Franklin Avenue Open Streets event slated for this summer. If you are interested in participating in the planning process, please let us know. Much more information will be coming out about this big event in the coming months.
