By Deborah Ervin
Deb at Open Streets Franklin 2014 photo: Jared Hanks.
Open Streets Minneapolis is an initiative of the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition supported by the City of Minneapolis, and presented by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Center for Prevention.
Last year Seward and Phillips neighborhoods were invited to participate for the first time since Open Streets began in Minnesota in 2011, and we’ve been invited to participate again this year on Sunday, August 16th from 11 am to 5 pm. Our event stretches along East Franklin Avenue from 28th Ave S in Seward to Portland Avenue in Ventura Village/Phillips.
In my role as an organizer, hired by the Seward Civic and Commerce Association, it’s a pleasure to meet with business owners in the months leading up to the event. The process of community planning is as important as the magic of the big day itself.
The idea behind Open Streets is to allow us to enjoy each other and our community spaces in new ways; it’s so special to bike/skate/walk freely down the middle of Franklin Avenue, surrounded by music, food, and activities. Last year Pizza Lucé was a favorite spot for bringing in Open Eye Figure Theatre and hosting puppet shows. Soberfish Thai Sushi had a dunk tank. ArtiCulture offered face painting. Addis Market presented an Ethiopian coffee ceremony and handed out free samples. Bedlam Theatre ‘Rolled Franklin’ and pushed a living room down Franklin from Seward to Hope Community on Franklin & Portland. Fire Station No. 7 opened their doors and had a fire truck on the street to climb on.
I’m so excited to see what creative and fun ideas return this year, and what Seward’s new businesses bring to the table. It’s going to be a blast! Contact me with questions at deborah@articulture.org. More information can also be found online at www.openstreetsmpls.org. Our next organizing and informational meeting open to all interested businesses and organizations is coming up!
Open Streets Franklin Planning Meeting
Wednesday, June 10 – 9:00-10:30 am
Location: Pizza Lucé – 2220 East Franklin Avenue
