[Lyndale_e-news] Fischer Grocery Fire Update

[Mark Hinds]

I wanted to send out a quick update on the Fischer Grocery fire that took
place last Wednesday.  The following is a short statement that we put
together from the Walldogs that relates to the fire and the loss of the
Fischer Grocery Mural.

At Monday's General Membership meeting we've set aside time to provide an
update on what we're hearing about the fires and to start talking about
what the neighborhood would like to have happen at the site.

The February General Membership Meeting is on Monday, February 25th from
7:00 to 9:00 pm at Painter Park.  As a part of our General Membership
meetings LNA offers Leonardo's at Lyndale, a fun class for kids from 4 to
12 years old.

We have also posted the full statement with pictures on the Walldogs'
website www.walldogs.lyndale.org.  The Walldogs' website also includes a
link to a short video that shows the mural being painted.

Please let me know if you have any questions or any information about the
fires,

Thanks,

Mark

Mark Hinds
Executive Director
Lyndale Neighborhood Association
612.824.9402 ext 16
mark at lyndale.org

Walldogs Moving Ahead After Fire

(Minneapolis, MN)  The Walldogs on Nicollet project is committed to moving
forward in the face of the tragic fires at 3345 and 3341 Nicollet Avenue
on February 20th that completely destroyed the Fischer Grocery Building
and Mural.

“We’re very saddened by the loss of the building and our hearts go out to
the residents, business owners, and property owners who lost so much in
the fires,” said LNA President Holly Reckel.  “As a neighborhood we are
committed to working with everyone to help them get back on their feet.”

On Wednesday, February 20th three different fires broke out on the corner
of 34th and Nicollet in the Lyndale Neighborhood.  The second fire of the
day destroyed the Fischer Grocery building (3345 Nicollet) and with it the
Fischer Grocery Mural.

“The Fischer Grocery Mural represented what was best about South
Minneapolis.  Hundreds of community members coming together to make their
neighborhood a better place to live,” said Mark Hinds, the Executive
Director of the Lyndale Neighborhood Association (LNA).  “Last fall we had
hundreds of community members turn out to help paint the mural and get the
Walldogs on Nicollet project off to a great start.”

“This tragedy highlights the importance of having strong neighborhood
organizations working in partnership to revitalize Nicollet Avenue. 
Losing the Fischer Grocery mural has only deepened our resolve to making
this summerÂ’s Walldog Meet a watershed event in South MinneapolisÂ’
history,” said Hinds.  “We will move on from this loss, bring the
community together, and focus on bringing Nicollet to life this July when
we paint the full set of murals.”

The Fischer Grocery Mural was designed by local artist Carole Bersin and
was painted during the Walldogs on Nicollet Kick-Off Weekend, September
14th - 16th, 2007.  As a part of the Walldogs on Nicollet Project the
Lyndale and Kingfield Neighborhoods invested hundreds of hours of
volunteer time and thousands of dollars into the design and painting of
the mural.  A short two-minute video of the muralÂ’s creation can be seen
at www.walldogs.lyndale.org.

The Walldogs on Nicollet is a joint-project of the Lyndale (LNA) and
Kingfield Neighborhood Associations (KFNA) Neighborhood Associations.  The
project will involve local and national artists coming together to paint
6-10 murals along Nicollet Avenue from Lake Street to 46th Street from
July 24th to 27th, 2008.

The projectÂ’s purpose is to use the creation of public art to build
community, capture/preserve/initiate neighborhood history, spur economic
development and create a safer environment along the Nicollet Avenue
Corridor from Lake Street to 46th Street in South Minneapolis.  The
Walldogs on Nicollet Meet will be the first urban Walldogs Meet and one of
the largest creations of public art in MinneapolisÂ’ history.