Free “Doors Open” Event Will Include Many Downtown Buildings
The popular event Doors Open Minneapolis is back for 2023, offering the chance to explore 100+ buildings that “tell the City’s story” on Saturday, May 13th and Sunday, May 14th. And they include six in the North Loop:
Ford Center, 409 5th Avenue North: Now a center for design and advertising, the Ford Center was formerly a vertical assembly factory that built Model Ts. The vehicle parts were delivered by train and distributed throughout the building — assembly started at the top floor and was completed at street level to then be displayed for sale in the lobby. Many of the former architectural elements can still be seen in the renovated Model T showroom.
Star Tribune printing plant, 800 North 1st Street: The Star Tribune’s state of the art Heritage production facility is located in an historic North Loop district just one block from the banks of the Mississippi River. Explore the 500,000 sq feet printing facility and learn how the 150-year-old newspaper is produced and distributed in a world dominated by digital media.
Federal Reserve, 90 Hennepin Avenue: The Minneapolis Fed is one of 12 regional banks that, along with the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, D.C., form the nation’s central bank. We monitor the regional economy, examine area banks, distribute U.S. currency, process electronic payments, and conduct world-class economic research. A fixture of downtown Minneapolis since our incorporation in 1914, we’ve spent the last 25 years situated along the Mississippi River overlooking the Hennepin Avenue Bridge. Join us for a self-guided experience to learn how we maintain the nation’s currency supply, discover the security features of money, and take a photo with $4.6 million. Free parking available for visitors at the corner of Second Avenue and Azine Alley.
Minneapolis Iron Store Building, 200 North 2nd Street: At the center of the North Loop’s 19th century historic district, The Minneapolis Iron Store has had various uses since being built in 1897. Currently under construction to provide lofts and retail to the North Loop, the building displays both 19th and 20th century construction due to a storied past.
Hennepin Energy Recovery Center, 505 North 6th Avenue: This Hennepin County facility operates 24/7 to convert Minneapolis’ trash into energy, which provides electricity to 25,000 homes and heat to Target Field and downtown buildings. Learn how HERC works and discover actions you can take to reduce waste. Closed-toe shoes are required (no sandals) to participate in the portion of the tour to see the waste pit and claw that feeds trash into the furnace. No parking available on-site. Limited fee parking nearby. Access via Target Field Station Plaza – the visitor entrance door is inside the Target Field Station Parking Ramp. Open Saturday only.
YouthLink, 41 North 12th Street: YouthLink and Downtown View apartments are places of safe refuge for young people experiencing homelessness. Tour the beautiful, welcoming Drop In and Youth Opportunity Centers, as well as the connected lobby of Downtown View Apartments (Project for Pride in Living) to see and feel where lives are changed every day.
For a full list of the other sites, click here.