Uptown, Minneapolis
Encyclopedia
Uptown is a popular commercial district in southwestern Minneapolis, Minnesota
, centered at the Uptown Theater (the former Lagoon) at the intersection of Hennepin Avenue
and Lagoon Avenue. It has traditionally spanned the corners of four neighborhoods, Lowry Hill East, ECCO, CARAG and East Isles neighborhoods, within the Calhoun Isles community
. According to the Uptown Association, a group of business owners and landlords, the boundaries of Uptown are Lake Calhoun
to the west, Dupont Avenue to the east, 31st Street to the south, and 28th Street to the north.
. Lake Harriet, and Lake of the Isles
became popular in the 1880s as vacation cottages, hotels, and boating recreation became available by streetcar. As Minneapolis expanded south, housing construction boomed through the 1920s. A commercial district began forming just east of the Lakes Area. At the intersection of Hennepin Avenue and Lagoon Avenue, the Lagoon Theatre was built, a multi-function vaudeville theater. When the Lagoon burnt down in 1939, owners sought to rebuild and the business community took the opportunity to rebrand the area. Following the success of Chicago's Uptown District, the Minneapolis Tribune announced the new Uptown District of Minneapolis centered on the newly renamed Uptown Theatre.
Through the 20th century, Uptown was primarily a family area centered on nearby West High School at Hennepin and 28th Street West. Modest housing along Lowry Hill met the mansions of Kenwood to the west and around the lakes. Hennepin flourished as a commercial corridor and route from downtown to residential homes, while Uptown served also as an important streetcar route from Uptown to the vacation homes of Lake Minnetonka
. White flight
via the freeway system after World War II and demolition of West High School signaled a demographic shift in the area. Blight and crime began moving into Lowry Hill though were kept at bay by the Kenwood area. Neighborhood associations and formal borders were designated in the 1970s as each section of Uptown began addressing domestic problems.
During this time, Uptown developed an artist culture. The history of this culture is preserved in the annual Uptown Art Fair. In 1980, Minneapolis musician Prince
, a graduate of Central High School, released his seminal recording Dirty Mind
, which contained his paean to these artists, appropriately titled "Uptown
". In the 1990s he later owned a store at 1408 West Lake Street called New Power Generation. A retail renaissance of the area occurred in the 1980s when Calhoun Square
was developed. Combining a half block of existing storefront buildings, the renovation turned the area into a competitive retail draw from Downtown and from the suburban dales (malls). As the popularity of Uptown as a residential district grew again, the definition of the area expanded.
individuals. Much more numerous are the young professionals, also known as yuppies, from throughout the Twin Cities area who frequent this district at night, especially on the weekends, in order to visit local restaurants and bars.
, during the first full weekend of August. Local, national, and world artists converge to exhibit and sell their fine art. Art media include paintings, sculptures, clothing, pottery, jewelry, glass, and mixed media. Art cost ranges from $6 (USD), for prints, and up into the hundreds or thousands of USD for paintings. The Art Fair SourceBook has rated the Uptown Art Fair highly in past years for fine art festivals.
, one of the most important bicycle races in the country. The Uptown race will be a criterium
, a spectator-friendly race on a short circuit that allows spectators to watch the entire race from start to finish, with the racers passing by every minute or so. The event is volunteer-run with all proceeds donated to the pediatric hospice at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
.
housing units of which 75% are renter occupied while 3% of housing units were vacant. Social characteristics showed 40.08% of population completed a Bachelor's degree or higher while 84.9% had completed a high school degree or higher. The median household income is $34,216.00, the median family income is $38,634.00.
. This has caused an increase in property value
and in property taxes.
Businesses in Uptown include many restaurants, bars (such as Aura, Williams Pub, Duplex, Roat Osha, Sushi Tango, Stellas, Chino Latino and Meggies), book stores, music stores, cafés, clothing stores, furniture and housewares stores, two indie movie theaters, an improv comedy theater, and several specialty stores. The Walker Community Library
is underground beneath a small park located at Hennepin Avenue
and Lagoon Avenue. It is denoted by large metal letters: "L-I-B-R-A-R-Y".
buses 6, 12, 17, 21, 23, 53, 114 and 115. The station also has a change machine
, a heated interior, binoculars, bike lockers and posts, and a workers lounge and office area. The Midtown Greenway
, a former railway cutting which now hosts a bike path, bisects Uptown roughly a block north of Lake Street
(where 29th Street would otherwise have been located). To improve the ease of transportation in a community that is currently pedestrian heavy, Hennepin County is considering the addition of the Light Rail Transit. A final decision is still in progress and if approved would not be completed for some time.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
, centered at the Uptown Theater (the former Lagoon) at the intersection of Hennepin Avenue
Hennepin Avenue
Hennepin Avenue is a major street in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. It runs from Lakewood Cemetery , north through the Uptown District of Southwest Minneapolis, through the former "Bottleneck" area west of Loring Park, through the North Loop in the city center, to Northeast Minneapolis and...
and Lagoon Avenue. It has traditionally spanned the corners of four neighborhoods, Lowry Hill East, ECCO, CARAG and East Isles neighborhoods, within the Calhoun Isles community
Calhoun Isles, Minneapolis
Calhoun-Isles is one of the official communities of Minneapolis, Minnesota. It contains the Uptown business district and the name "Uptown" is frequently used to refer to the entire community...
. According to the Uptown Association, a group of business owners and landlords, the boundaries of Uptown are Lake Calhoun
Lake Calhoun
Lake Calhoun is the biggest lake in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and part of the city's Chain of Lakes. Surrounded by city park land and circled by bike and walking trails, it is popular for many outdoor activities...
to the west, Dupont Avenue to the east, 31st Street to the south, and 28th Street to the north.
History
The Lakes Area of Lake CalhounLake Calhoun
Lake Calhoun is the biggest lake in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and part of the city's Chain of Lakes. Surrounded by city park land and circled by bike and walking trails, it is popular for many outdoor activities...
. Lake Harriet, and Lake of the Isles
Lake of the Isles
Lake of the Isles is a lake in Minneapolis, Minnesota connected to Cedar Lake and Lake Calhoun. It is home to winter ice skating and hockey, as well as a New Year's Eve celebration featuring roasted marshmallows and hot chocolate...
became popular in the 1880s as vacation cottages, hotels, and boating recreation became available by streetcar. As Minneapolis expanded south, housing construction boomed through the 1920s. A commercial district began forming just east of the Lakes Area. At the intersection of Hennepin Avenue and Lagoon Avenue, the Lagoon Theatre was built, a multi-function vaudeville theater. When the Lagoon burnt down in 1939, owners sought to rebuild and the business community took the opportunity to rebrand the area. Following the success of Chicago's Uptown District, the Minneapolis Tribune announced the new Uptown District of Minneapolis centered on the newly renamed Uptown Theatre.
Through the 20th century, Uptown was primarily a family area centered on nearby West High School at Hennepin and 28th Street West. Modest housing along Lowry Hill met the mansions of Kenwood to the west and around the lakes. Hennepin flourished as a commercial corridor and route from downtown to residential homes, while Uptown served also as an important streetcar route from Uptown to the vacation homes of Lake Minnetonka
Lake Minnetonka
Lake Minnetonka is a lake in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Throughout its recorded history, the lake has been a resort destination. It is located west-southwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The lake is an irregular shape with numerous bays and islands which make up about of shoreline...
. White flight
White flight
White flight has been a term that originated in the United States, starting in the mid-20th century, and applied to the large-scale migration of whites of various European ancestries from racially mixed urban regions to more racially homogeneous suburban or exurban regions. It was first seen as...
via the freeway system after World War II and demolition of West High School signaled a demographic shift in the area. Blight and crime began moving into Lowry Hill though were kept at bay by the Kenwood area. Neighborhood associations and formal borders were designated in the 1970s as each section of Uptown began addressing domestic problems.
During this time, Uptown developed an artist culture. The history of this culture is preserved in the annual Uptown Art Fair. In 1980, Minneapolis musician Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
, a graduate of Central High School, released his seminal recording Dirty Mind
Dirty Mind
Dirty Mind is the third studio album by American musician Prince, released October 8, 1980 on Warner Bros. Records. Produced, arranged and composed primarily by Prince, it contains prominently sexual lyrics and incorporates musical elements of funk, dance and rock music. The album debuted at number...
, which contained his paean to these artists, appropriately titled "Uptown
Uptown (song)
"Uptown" was the lead single in the U.S. to Prince's third album, Dirty Mind. Beginning with a lone drum intro, the track explodes into the keyboards of the chorus. The verses feature a more prominent funk guitar. The song breaks down to a more instrumental section toward the end that is mainly...
". In the 1990s he later owned a store at 1408 West Lake Street called New Power Generation. A retail renaissance of the area occurred in the 1980s when Calhoun Square
Calhoun Square
Calhoun Square is an indoor shopping mall located in the Uptown district of Minneapolis, Minnesota.-History:The mall was built at the southeast corner of Hennepin Avenue and West Lake Street in the early 1980s. Neighborhood activists opposed to the project started the "Dump Updale" campaign...
was developed. Combining a half block of existing storefront buildings, the renovation turned the area into a competitive retail draw from Downtown and from the suburban dales (malls). As the popularity of Uptown as a residential district grew again, the definition of the area expanded.
Culture
Uptown is a mix of various cultural strains and is considered an area for young people to live and shop. It's known as a vibrant center for artists and musicians, hipsters, hippies, and a welcoming community for LGBTLGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
individuals. Much more numerous are the young professionals, also known as yuppies, from throughout the Twin Cities area who frequent this district at night, especially on the weekends, in order to visit local restaurants and bars.
Uptown Art Fair
Uptown annually hosts the Uptown Art FairUptown Art Fair
The Uptown Art Fair is the largest art fair of its kind held in Minnesota. The three-day-long fair is held every year, always during the first full weekend in August and always in Uptown, an eclectic neighborhood in south Minneapolis. The fair features artists in 12 media including sculpture,...
, during the first full weekend of August. Local, national, and world artists converge to exhibit and sell their fine art. Art media include paintings, sculptures, clothing, pottery, jewelry, glass, and mixed media. Art cost ranges from $6 (USD), for prints, and up into the hundreds or thousands of USD for paintings. The Art Fair SourceBook has rated the Uptown Art Fair highly in past years for fine art festivals.
Uptown bike race
On June 12, Uptown will host a stage of the 2009 Nature Valley Grand PrixNature Valley Grand Prix
Nature Valley Grand Prix is a men's and women's road bicycle racing stage race held each June in Minnesota, United States, as part of the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival. An event was added in Menomonie, Wisconsin in 2010...
, one of the most important bicycle races in the country. The Uptown race will be a criterium
Criterium
A criterium, or crit, is a bike race held on a short course , often run on closed-off city center streets....
, a spectator-friendly race on a short circuit that allows spectators to watch the entire race from start to finish, with the racers passing by every minute or so. The event is volunteer-run with all proceeds donated to the pediatric hospice at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota is one of the largest children’s health care organization in the U.S.A, with 326 staffed beds at its two hospital campuses in St. Paul and Minneapolis...
.
Demographics
As of 2000 the current population for Uptown Minneapolis was 30,564 of which 15,947 are male and 14,617 are female. The population consists of 19,314 caucasians, 4,930 blacks, 4,729 hispanics, 1,630 asians, 514 native americans, and 32 native hawaiian. Less than 3,600 of this population are children under 5 and citizens over the age of 65. The median age is 29 years old. The majority age of this area is people 18 years and older. The average household size is 2.05 while the average family size is 3.19. Uptown Minneapolis has a total of 15,033housing units of which 75% are renter occupied while 3% of housing units were vacant. Social characteristics showed 40.08% of population completed a Bachelor's degree or higher while 84.9% had completed a high school degree or higher. The median household income is $34,216.00, the median family income is $38,634.00.
Crime statistics
Reported crimes for the 5th Precinct of the City of Minneapolis from 1/1/2009 through 11/9/2009. Homicide 2, rape 44, robbery 226, aggravated assault 243, burglary 828, larceny 2,358, auto theft 273, arson 15, property crimes 3,474.Economy
The neighborhoods surrounding Uptown have seen a recent surge in gentrificationGentrification
Gentrification and urban gentrification refer to the changes that result when wealthier people acquire or rent property in low income and working class communities. Urban gentrification is associated with movement. Consequent to gentrification, the average income increases and average family size...
. This has caused an increase in property value
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
and in property taxes.
Business and public buildings
Walker Community Library
The Walker Branch Library is a branch of the Hennepin County Library system in the East Isles neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is located on Hennepin Avenue one block north of Lake Street.-Original building:...
is underground beneath a small park located at Hennepin Avenue
Hennepin Avenue
Hennepin Avenue is a major street in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. It runs from Lakewood Cemetery , north through the Uptown District of Southwest Minneapolis, through the former "Bottleneck" area west of Loring Park, through the North Loop in the city center, to Northeast Minneapolis and...
and Lagoon Avenue. It is denoted by large metal letters: "L-I-B-R-A-R-Y".
Community action
Uptown is in the 5th Precinct of the City of Minneapolis. The 5th Precinct boundaries are Interstate 94 on the North, Interstate 35 W on the East and the city limits to the West and South.Transportation
The Uptown Transit Station is located on Hennepin Avenue over the 29th Street Greenway and serves Metro TransitMetro Transit (Minnesota)
Metro Transit is the transit division of the Metropolitan Council, a regional governmental agency in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Metro Transit is the largest operator of bus services in the seven-county region surrounding Minneapolis and St...
buses 6, 12, 17, 21, 23, 53, 114 and 115. The station also has a change machine
Change machine
A change machine is a machine that accepts large denominations of currency and returns an equal amount of currency in smaller bills or coins. Typically these machines are used to provide coins in exchange for paper currency, in which case they are also often known as bill changers.In the US, these...
, a heated interior, binoculars, bike lockers and posts, and a workers lounge and office area. The Midtown Greenway
Midtown Greenway
The Midtown Greenway is a rail trail in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is considered under segregated cycle facilities.Used both recreationally and for commuting, the partially below-grade Greenway runs east-west about one block north of Lake Street...
, a former railway cutting which now hosts a bike path, bisects Uptown roughly a block north of Lake Street
Lake Street
Lake Street may refer to:*Lake Street *Lake Street...
(where 29th Street would otherwise have been located). To improve the ease of transportation in a community that is currently pedestrian heavy, Hennepin County is considering the addition of the Light Rail Transit. A final decision is still in progress and if approved would not be completed for some time.