iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 29/09/2026

A Saint Paul boy never travels without his Nut Rolls. @scoopsstp.bsky.social

James jokingly hiding behind his hand while Pearson’s Salted Nut Rolls stick out of his backpack on a train platform in Brussels, Belgium.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 23/08/2026

I even saw my first other Kyoot Rolly Polly in the wild on the Lowertown DJ Ride! It’s a fun bike to zip around with 😁

Brian holding his light purple Kyoot RollyPolly bike with a green Kyoot RollyPolly leading against a fence in front of it

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 04/08/2026

It’s the best way to see the city and get a feel for the neighborhoods! I’m trying to ride every street in the city, it’s fun with friends if you ever want to join for some of North and NE.

Map of Minneapolis and some surrounding area, showing 84.47% of streets in Minneapolis ridden by bike

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 20/07/2026

I saw a train on the greenway tonight! I'm declaring that if you bike past a train on the greenway, you'll have good luck for the week.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 22/06/2026

Perpetual callout to how nice the Sabo Bridge is. Minnesota's first cable stay bridge and a great place to see a sunset (or sunrise)!

Looking towards downtown Minneapolis at sunset from the eastern approach of the Sabo Bridge

Looking towards the mast of the Sabo Bridge with the cables splaying around the camera

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 18/06/2026

I got to the Pillsbury Ave bridge demolition a little earlier this evening. The piers look cool with the rebar fanning out of the tops. I think the piers will remain in place and get capped over (like the 10th Ave bridge replacement)?

Looking east to the norther set of piers with 3-5 feet of rebar coming up from the broken concrete bases, several feet over the base of the rubble pile from the bridge deck below.

The north abutment and piers stand with a pile of concrete from the demolished bridge deck lying between them. An excavator is parked on the rubble to the south.

The south abutment and piers stand amidst concrete rubble, two excavators, and a crane.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 17/06/2026

Bridge down! The Pillsbury Ave S bridge over the Midtown Greenway started demolition today.

Looking west from Blaisdell Ave into the Midtown Greenway trench at night. Dumpsters, a lone pier, and rubble from the Pillsbury Ave bridge deck are lying across the bike trail.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 10/06/2026

This is the second heavy rain and hailstorm I've had to take shelter under a tree for in the last few years. I found a better tree this time!#mnwx

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 27/05/2026

It looks like the ramp from the Midtown Greenway to 1st Ave is starting to be installed. There is a concrete footing and a couple layers so far of concrete "Lego" bricks. The first two photos are from 5/21 and the second two from 5/26.

A concrete footing sits in the Greenway trench with wooden forms on the sides up to the north abutment of the 1st Ave bridge

Another angle of a concrete footing looking west towards Nicollet Avenue with wooden forms on the sides

Looking down into the Greenway trench with the 1st Ave bridge to the left and a couple layers of concrete bricks sacked up at the bottom of the slope, parallel to the trench

In the Greenway trench, looking to the west at dusk. A crane towers in the distance at Nicollet Avenue, and a row of concrete bricks extends along the trail on the north side of the trench.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 15/05/2026

The bump outs in The Wedge are making good progress! The sidewalks are open at 26th St at Dupont and Emerson Aves.

Fresh sidewalk and bump out with many construction cones and signs at 26th St and Dupont Ave

Fresh sidewalk and bump out with many construction cones and signs at 26th St and Emerson Ave

Construction fences and cones block fresh curbs and dirt patches for the future bump out at 28th St and Emerson Ave

Construction fences and cones block fresh curbs and dirt patches for the future bump out at 28th St and Dupont Ave

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 17/04/2026

The West Lake Street Station, opening next year for the Green Line extension, is looking real nice tonight.

Looking south at the W. Lake St. station. The lights from the station are illuminating the freight rail track that is extending towards the camera.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 15/03/2026

Lagoon Cinema is closed today, don'tcha know. #mnwx

A sign hung in the window that says “The Lagoon Cinema is Closed Today, Sun 3/15/26, due to, ya know, the blizzard.”

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 15/03/2026

The Midtown Greenway is getting plowed right now! The Bryant Ave bike trail looks recently cleared too.

City of Minneapolis pickup truck with a snow plow is moving the snow on the Greenway. A person walking their dog is using the recently plowed section of the trail.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 14/03/2026

This display at the Minneapolis Central Library is so good. "Who's mentioned in the Epstein Files? Find them here."

Library book display with a sign saying “Who’s mentioned in the Epstein Files? Find them here.” The display features books about Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Elon Musk, Bill Cosby, Bill Gates, and others.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 13/03/2026

The Midtown Greenway is open again at 10th Ave as all parts over the trail were demolished. We have a new tunnel for the time being, I'm hoping this will mean limited closures this summer.

Looking east at a protective cover over the trail and remaining bridge peers of the 10th Ave Bridge

Protective trail cover from falling debris over the Greenway Trail

Freestanding bridge piers amidst a pile of rubble

A piece of concrete hangs off of a piece of rebar against brick inside of a bridge pier

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 12/03/2026

The 10th Ave Bridge over the Midtown Greenway had the deck removed yesterday, and the span removal making progress today. The first two photos are from around 6:30 PM on March 11, and the latter two from 3:45 PM on March 12.

March 11: Looking at the bridge from the north west corner, showing no deck with rebar and bits of concrete making a rough edge on the spans that remain.

March 11: From the ground on the north east corner of the bridge, spans remain with piles of concrete and rebar on the ground.

March 12: From the northwest corner, the entire northern spans have been removed, leaving a single pier standing, with partially removed spans behind.

March 12: From the ground on the north eastern side, a loan pier stands, with crews removing spans on the southern spans.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 09/03/2026

I find it a little amusing that the 12 ton limit sign is still posted next to the crumbling and very much closed bridge (for a few years now).

A sign saying “Weight limit 12 tons” is posted in front of the closed 10th Ave bridge with a crumbling deck.

Multiple signs indicating road closed, followed by two layers of fences close off the 10th Ave bridge on the north side

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 09/03/2026

I checked out the area yesterday. The former railroad loading bay of the Sears, Roebuck and Co building had its door removed, I've always wanted to look inside! The 10th Ave and Elliot Ave bridges were modified in 1928 when the building was constructed to be incorporated into the loading bay.

A construction sign sits in front of the worksite around the 10th Ave Bridge saying “Trail closed begins March 11”

Looking into the former loading bay underneath the southernmost span of the 10th Ave Bridge. There’s a cinderblock wall at the far end of the unlit room. The Sears, Roebuck and Co. building towers behind.

Looking east up at the 10th Ave Bridge. The westernmost sidewalk of the deck is gone. Each column of the piers is supported by a steel rod connected to concrete blocks on the ground.

A wide angle view shows part of the old loading bay and the peers on the eastern side of the 10th Ave Bridge

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 15/02/2026

This is so Minneapolis core. Linking to word_on_the_street on Instagram. Seen on the Kenilworth Trail near the river.

A vinyl sign saying “If you were a train you’d be on track by now.” Crediting to “BDSM Railway” and a QR code linking to word_on_the_street on Instagram

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 01/02/2026

You can hear the sea of people chanting “ICE out” as the ride was leaving Washburn Fair Oaks Park.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 01/02/2026

The Alex Pretti Memorial Ride in Minneapolis today was massive and so powerful to be a part of. I've seen estimates of 3-5 thousand riders, taking up to an hour for the ride to pass through an intersection.

Thousands of cyclists ride south on Nicollet Ave at W 26th St

Thousands of cyclists ride south on Portland Ave at E 46th St

Thousands of cyclists ride on Minnehaha Parkway at Cedar Avenue

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 24/01/2026

It was awe-inspiring to see so many people out in the cold (-10ºF) fighting against ICE and fascism at the #ICEProtest in #Minneapolis today. Alex Kormann from The Minnesota Star Tribune got a photo that included me and some friends.

Protesters join the "ICE Out" rally in downtown Minneapolis on Jan. 23.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 01/01/2026

Yesterday, I picked up an 8-gal keg and transported it via the bus! Our last bus driver was quite supportive of us 😆 Happy New Year!

Brian sitting in the bus holding a leg tap and his hand on the leg sitting on the floor next to him

Brian and friend crouch with the keg in front of a bus shelter

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 22/11/2025

The three solar powered lights put up by @mplsalex.bsky.social are still up too!

The midtown Greenway path with a line of lit street lamps. The closest three have separate installed LED lamps hanging off of them.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 22/11/2025

The lights are fixed!!! The Midtown Greenway is now lit up from the river all the way to Uptown!

The eastern end of the Midtown Greenway at night, with an arc of lit up street lamps as the trail curves

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 17/11/2025

I visited the Upper Harbor Terminal late this afternoon now that a new path is completed. The site offers some incredible views, new access to the river, and I think is going to be a popular spot! www.mwmo.org/projects/upper-h...

Wide view of a double track railroad, old grain elevators, and a new road, with the Minneapolis skyline at sunset in the background.

A zoomed in view of a double track railroad and power lines, with the Minneapolis skyline at sunset in the background.

A zoomed in view along the bike/pedestrian path with old industrial structures standing in front of the Minneapolis skyline at sunset.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 12/11/2025

The Midtown Greenway has never looked so good with the northern lights and recently repairs lights.

Midtown greenway at night, looking from Bryant Ave towards the east, lit up and surrounded my buildings, with a red and green aurora borealis in the sky above.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 12/11/2025

More northern lights photos from Minneapolis (Lyndale neighborhood)!

Red and green aurora borealis twisting around a center point

Red and green aurora borealis framed behind a view up a utility pole with wires coming off it

Red aurora borealis with a vertical streak with a tree in front

A bright horizontal green aurora borealis stripe spans the bottom with a blob of red above

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 12/11/2025

Woah, great northern lights tonight!

A red spike and green northern lights are in the sky above a Minneapolis street at night

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 11/11/2025

Asphalt was laid out today at the West Lake Street Station at the junction of the Midtown Greenway and Kenilworth Trail! The concrete curbs are partially covered, but there's a bike roundabout in there!

Looking west from the Midtown, Greenway, a trail closed sign stands in front of a fence with fresh asphalt behind it.

Looking southwest onto fresh pavement next to the West Lake St., Station.

Looking north towards the Kenilworth Trail with fresh pavement and construction workers on it.

Looking northeast along the West Lake St., Station with fresh pavement next to it.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 08/11/2025

The elevator was built in 1929 and demolished in 1987 after being vacant since 1976 following a series of accidents and one death. I know there was at least an elevator there as early as 1914, which may be the same and was added on to, or one that was replaced with the larger structure.

Sheffield Elevator Company elevator under construction in 1914. Several railroad tracks in the 29th St corridor are below.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 08/11/2025

I found a bunch of cool photos from the Hennepin County Library (Whittier Alliance Records collection) of the old Sheffield Elevator Company grain elevator. It stood between Harriet and Garfield Avenues along the 29th Street railroad (Midtown Greenway), now occupied by the Soo Line Garden.

Aerial photo of the Whittier Neighborhood Looking Northwest in the winter. The Sheffield Elevator Company grain elevator towers next to the railroad tracks and neighborhood in the lower left of the image.

Sheffield Elevator Company grain elevator Being Demolished. A crane looms next to a towering and partially demolished concrete grain elevator.

Unused Grain Elevator in South Minneapolis Being Demolished. A crane sits next to a pile of concrete and rebar rubble. A house stands behind.

Former Sheffield Elevator Site. A field of dirt sits with buildings in the background. In the corner are railroad tracks.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 18/10/2025

Here's another Nicollet Ave bridge over the Midtown Greenway demolition update. I caught the crew ending their day just after 6 PM this evening.

Amidst a pile of dirt and some concrete rubble, one excavator sits a top rubble, while another scales the hill out of the trench.

A partially braced hole of dirt shows where the north end of the bridge once stood.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 16/10/2025

Nice, the Flux Apartments building on Girard Ave and the Greenway is draining their pool directly into the pedestrian path.

A stream of water is arching through the air about 1.5 feet into the sidewalk. A pump and hose is coming out of the pool behind the fence in the background.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 15/10/2025

The Nicollet Ave bridge over the Midtown Greenway is just rubble at this point. They work fast! Photos from around 1 PM today.

Four excavators work on breaking up and sorting bridge rubble, breaking up the south abutment, and moving dirt.

From the 1st Ave bridge, two excavators are sitting on rubble and removing rebar.

From the Blaisdell Ave bridge, two excavators are sorting rubble. Two Lime e-bikes sit nearby on the edge of the closed trail and access ramp.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 14/10/2025

Demolition of the Nicollet Ave bridge over the Midtown Greenway began today.

An excavator with a concrete breaking tip, sits on top of the bridge while demolishing it at the same time

An excavator breaks up the north abundant concrete

Looking east from 1st Ave bridge, rebar and concrete drape over the Midtown Greenway as an excavator sits on top continuing to break it up

Looking west from Blaisdell Ave bridge, an excavator sits on the bridge demolishing it. Rebar and concrete drape across the greenway.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 14/10/2025

Today was the final day of the Midtown Greenway being open with the old Nicollet Ave Bridge in place. The path is going to be removed and replaced with a new one at 1st Ave next year after the new Nicollet Ave bridge is almost complete. Demolition starts tomorrow.

Nicollet Ave greenway access ramp with a Road Closed sign and fencing, and a spray pained "remove ramp" marked on the ground.

Looking East, the Nicollet Ave Bridge spans over the Midtown Greenway. The access ramp towers to the left.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 09/10/2025

The Nicollet Ave Bridge over the Midtown Greenway is really on its last days now.

The entire north side bridge abutment is visible with a large dirt hole. Utilities and streetcar tracks hang over the edge of the bridge.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 07/10/2025

With postings that the Greenway is closed starting October 14, it seems that the Nicollet Ave bridge over the Midtown Greenway is on its last week of life. Major progress in removal of the surrounding dirt.

Looking south from Nicolette Avenue, showing bricks, railroad ties, and other rubble in a pile

Looking southwest showing the exposed western half of the north bridge abutment, with steel and wooden shoring to prevent collapse into the hole

Looking south during the exposed western half of the north bridge abutment. Some street car rail, Leys at the edge of the bridge at the lip of the hole.

The north end of the shoring, with a pile of rubble to the right, and construction equipment behind

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 26/09/2025

I'm heading to Chicago on the Borealis today. The Empire Builder was running late so I got to see both trains at Saint Paul Union Depot at the same time! The Borealis departed first.

Looking east on the SPUD platform with the Empire Builder on the right and the Borealis on the left. People are queuing to board the Borealis.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 20/09/2025

Yes, you too can bike with friends to drop off hazardous waste (sixth annual [but my first]) to the South Hennepin Recycling and Problem Waste Drop-Off Center. Next door to Nine Mile Brewing!

Selfie of Brian and co at the bike rack at Nine Mile Brewing

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 11/09/2025

That big bump on the west side of the Wave Bridge that connects Bryant Ave S to the Lorning Greenway was removed and fixed! The bushes are cut back too. Don't worry, the framed painting of a pheasant is still there.

Looking south, a fresh strip of asphalt spans the bike path. A framed painting of a pheasant hangs on a tree over the railing on the west side.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 18/08/2025

I went out exploring some of the progress on the Green Line extension this evening. I zig-zagged around to look at W Lake St station and 21st St station. The Kenilworth Trail has some pavement down in places, but is most definitely not open at all.

West Lake Street station from the east, with dirt next to it, and the Lake St bridge behind it.

Looking north from the Lake St bridge at West Lake St station. The tunnel portal is in view, with the TC&W railroad track on the left, and puddles and dirt on the right, where the bike path will be. Grain silos turned condos are in the background.

Looking south from the Burnham Road bridge. There is new grass down, pavement for the Kenilworth Trail, tracks for the Green Line, and tracks for the TC&W. Boxes for utilities and foundations for catenary are amidst the Green Line tracks.

21st St station showing the mostly completed platform, dirt where the Kenilworth Trail will be, and some partially installed catenary masts.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 02/08/2025

Yesterday was a new bike day for me! I'll be calling this Colonel Mustard, it's a fun All-City Super Professional set up as a single speed, some wider tires, and with a front basket. It'll be a great fair weather commuter bike. (Yes it's my second Super Pro, it's a great bike!)

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 27/07/2025

On Friday, some friends and I took the Northstar and Northstar Link to St. Cloud, went to a restaurant and other night life, then stayed the night in a hotel, and took the Amtrak Empire Builder home the next morning. The Amtrak train was 3 hours late, which was perfect so we could sleep in!

A Northstar train sits in the Target Field station

In Northstar Link bus is at the station in Big Lake

Brian is taking a selfie with five friends sitting at a table at White Horse restaurant in St. Cloud

Brian is taking a selfie with four friends in front of the Amtrak Empire builder at St. Cloud Station

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 25/07/2025

Twin Cities, quote post your All-City bikes! Here’s my beloved Super Pro commuter.

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 09/07/2025

We took the Northstar train to Anoka to have a beer and some local tourism! Bike 🤝🏻 train🤝🏻 bus. We were inspired by a recent @streets.mn article streets.mn/2025/06/10/northst... @strongthany.bsky.social

Selfie of Brian, Parker, and Jenn with their bikes at the Target Field Northstar station in downtown Minneapolis

Selfie of the group and some beers at 10K Brewing in Anoka

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Brian Mitchell @brianmitchl.com · 30/06/2025

The bike path under Plymouth Ave between Boom Island and Graco Park is coming along!

From the Boom Island side, a dirt path leads to the closed new approach bridge with the Plymouth Ave bridge partially destructed where the trail will be. A crane holding an outhouse towers above.

Looking SE at Plymouth Ave bridge showing the cut in the bridge with piles of dirt around where the trail will go through. A crane holds outhouses in the air above.

The new bike path abruptly ends in Graco Park looking at the Plymouth Ave bridge work in ahead of the path.

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