It's About Time.

Apparently on October 10, both Hennepin and First Avenues will become two way streets, which will make getting around downtown a whole lot easier. Sometimes I think the suburban chubbies who planned Minneapolis were all hopped up on bundt cake and cheese curds because a lot of things about this city just don't make any sense, ie The Metrodome, Block E, the plethora of chain restaurants that have failed miserably, random assortment of ghetto strip clubs, bulldozing the outdoor U of M Gophers Football Stadium that was on campus to build a parking lot, making the Gophers play football at the horrendous Dome for 20 years, etc. But luckily there seem to be some people with brains now planning this place - they've rebuilt the outdoor Gophers stadium on campus and it looks pretty sweet, the new outdoor Twins stadium is coming along nicely and next week I will be stuffing my face with the delicious pastas of Bar La Grassa from the owners of 112 Eatery and La Belle Vie that will literally be about 10 steps from my front door. Now I just need some peeps to bring the following to the North Loop to make it complete: A fab bakery a la Salty Tart, Tum Rup Thai, Los Ocampos, Barrio or some other Mexican restaurant, Azia or another Thom Pham restaurant, Sebastian Joe's, a few more swanky bars - we have enough beer places with The Loop and Club Jager thanks - preferrably one with a roof deck, some local clothing boutiques, a sassy shoe store, a nail salon and for the friggin Whole Foods to finally go in on Washington and Hennepin. Can somebody please get on it?? I love my loft and need some new places within walking distance, please.

In the meantime, here is what the city is saying about their new 2 way streets: 

Depiction of Hennepin Avenue after the two-way conversion

This fall, two major one-way streets in downtown Minneapolis will be switching to two-way streets. The conversion of Hennepin and First avenues will help make Downtown more accessible for many folks.

• This change is a key step in revitalizing Hennepin and First avenues and making them even more vibrant “main streets” for Minneapolis that showcase what’s best about our city.
• Two-way streets give drivers better, more direct access to their destinations, leading to fewer “around the block” trips.
• Bicyclists and pedestrians will see important enhancements that make biking and walking Downtown a better option than ever.