Metro briefs: Robbinsdale's Terrace Theater qualifies to be listed on national registry

The 1,300-seat theater, which has been a landmark since 1951 but closed in 1999, was deemed eligible in 2004 but the designation lapsed after 10 years. Residents who recently renewed the effort to save the building completed the "determination of eligibility" process again. Denis Gardner, the National Register historian for the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office, said the theater is "one of the most distinctive buildings in Robbinsdale," a culmination of Minnesota architects Liebenberg and Kaplan's "considerable theater-design experience and talents."

The group is trying to preserve and reopen the theater. In July, the Save the Historic Terrace Theatre group presented a petition with nearly 2,200 signatures to the Robbinsdale City Council. There's been no actual notice of any plans to demolish the theater, but preservationists don't want to leave the theater's future up to its corporate owner in New York. The next steps in the process include a feasibility study. For more details, go to savetheterrace.org.

KELLY SMITH

Patrick Seeb, who has led the St. Paul Riverfront Corp. for 20 years, is stepping down in September to take a position in economic development in Rochester.

Seeb was named executive director in 1995 of the Riverfront Corp., a nonprofit founded during Mayor Norm Coleman's tenure to spearhead downtown redevelopment. Many of St. Paul's projects along the river, whether public or private, have been managed, designed or partly funded by the Riverfront Corp., which also has worked on projects in other parts of the city and Wayzata.

"St. Paul is truly a better place thanks to Patrick's leadership," Mayor Chris Coleman said. "Patrick and the Riverfront Corp. have been instrumental in the revitalization of St. Paul."

Before the Riverfront Corp., Seeb, 57, was an aide to Coleman and a health care manager in Minneapolis and Fargo, N.D. He will become director of economic development and place-making with Destination Medical Center in Rochester starting Sept. 8. The Riverfront Corp. board will announce a transition plan at the end of September.

KEVIN DUCHSCHERE

Hennepin County is beginning a restriping of Washington Avenue N. in the North Loop area of downtown that will add an odd-lane design, plus a combo of fat and narrow bike lanes.

That's west of Hennepin Avenue to Plymouth Avenue N. But the county's promised redo of Washington for five blocks east of Hennepin is stalled for a year after earlier plans to start this summer. That plan features the city's first true cycle track — a one-way bicycle lane on each side of the street that's raised up on the boulevard.

The design between Hennepin and Plymouth generally converts the street to five or three lanes, with the center lane representing one of the growing number of continuous left turn lanes in Minneapolis.

The county plans to begin work by installing temporary lane stripes in the two blocks where the number of lanes changes. Permanent stripes are due to be installed on Wednesday.

Steve Brandt

Scott and Carver counties are joining forces to teach residents how to be experts in recycling and composting.

A workshop will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Sept. 15 to Oct. 27 where residents can learn about home and business recycling, reuse opportunities and how to ­motivate others to reduce waste.

The cost of the workshop is $30. When participants complete the course and commit to do 30 hours of volunteering, they will be named Master Recycler/Composters. Registration deadline is Aug. 31. To sign up, call 952-361-1823. For more information, go to www.carverscottmrc.org.

Staff report