The Twin Cities' flourishing and distinctive urban neighborhood.
Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
Property Listings - For Lease or For Sale
Whittier Commercial Corridors in blue
The Whittier neighborhood supports vibrant commercial
corridors along Nicollet Ave, 26th St, Franklin and Lyndale
Avenues. Nicollet Ave serves as our "Main Street" and has long
been known as Eat Street while 26th St., Franklin and Lyndale
Avenues contribute the character and rhythm that make Whittier
a great place to do business. The area is supported by both
loyal residents and metro wide patrons who appreciate the
neighborhood setting and support family owned business.
The Whittier neighborhood invites new businesses to consider
being part of the independent retail and commercial spirit of
Whittier. We offer a variety of pedestrian friendly storefront
spaces that are unique, adaptable, and affordable. Businesses
also have the support of the Whittier Business Assn. and the
Whittier Alliance neighborhood organization.
As you review the locations available for lease or sale,
please note the potential uses. The Whittier neighborhood has
done significant work identifying development goals and gaps in
our commercial, retail and service areas. We have room for more
ethnic restaurants not currently represented, new neighborhood
serving businesses, entrepreneurial businesses, businesses with
performing, visual or media arts focus, businesses that serve
children or families.
Call the Whittier
Alliance for further details and information about the
Whittier neighborhood. Please refer to the following documents
as you explore your leasing/sale options:
Since 1996, Eat Street promotes Nicollet Avenue as a
destination hub for international food. All Twin Citians know
about Eat Street. Downtown and Uptown visitors are just minutes
away by car, taxi, or high-frequency service by Metro Transit
18 and 17. Bicyclists arrive from the Nicollet exit off the
Midtown Greenway.
New retailers and restaurants should note the following
city code and ordinances in effect for this area.
The Nicollet Franklin Pedestrian
Overlay which, among several requirements,
disallows drive-throughs, new curb cuts, and
specifies setbacks (551.155)
No "off-sale" liquor licenses can be issued, as all
available distances are now occupied (362.40).
Commercial Design Guidelines
Neighborhood Amenities
High density
High pedestrian, bike, transit and auto
traffic
Easy access
Metro, state and international destinations
(MIA, CTC, VE)
Encourage
Independent or family owned businesses
Creative storefronts
Environmentally sustainable businesses and
business practices
Structured parking/building contained
parking
Discourage
Big box
Chain or franchise stores
Retail storefronts occupied by
non-commercial uses such as non-profit or
social service organizations
The C1 Neighborhood
Commercial District is established to provide a convenient
shopping environment of small scale retail sales and commercial
services that are compatible with adjacent residential uses. In
addition to commercial uses, residential uses, institutional
and public uses, parking facilities, limited production and
processing and public services and utilities are allowed.
The C2
Neighborhood Corridor Commercial District is established to
provide an environment of retail sales and commercial services
that are larger in scale than allowed in the C1 District and to
allow a broader range of automobile related uses. In addition
to commercial uses, residential uses, institutional and public
uses, parking facilities, limited production and processing and
public services and utilities are allowed.
The C3A
Community Activity Center District is established to provide
for the development of major urban activity and entertainment
centers with neighborhood scale retail sales and services. In
addition to entertainment and commercial uses, residential
uses, institutional and public uses, parking facilities,
limited production and processing and public services and
utilities are allowed.
The C4 General
Commercial District is established to provide for a wide range
of commercial development allowing a mix of retail, business
services and limited industrial uses. In addition to these
uses, residential uses, institutional and public uses, parking
facilities, and public services and utilities are
allowed.
The I1 Light Industrial
District is established to provide clean, attractive locations
for low impact and technology-based light industrial uses,
research and development, and similar uses which produce little
or no noise, odor, vibration, glare or other objectionable
influences, and have little or no adverse effect on surrounding
properties.
The R2B Two-family District is
established to provide for an environment of predominantly low
density, single and two-family dwellings and cluster
developments. In addition to residential uses, institutional
and public uses and public services and utilities may be
allowed.
The OR3
Institutional Office Residence District is established to
provide a mixed use environment of very high density dwellings,
large office uses, and major institutions, with additional
small scale retail sales and services uses designed to serve
the immediate surroundings. This district may serve
freestanding institutions and employment centers or as a
transition between downtown and surrounding moderate to low
density residential neighborhoods.
The PO
Pedestrian Overlay district is established to preserve and
encourage the pedestrian character of commercial areas and to
promote street life and activity by regulating building
orientation and design and accessory parking facilities, and by
prohibiting certain high impact and automobile-oriented uses.
As noted in the introduction, please review the additional
overlay rules for
Nicollet-Franklin Area
OR2/High Density Office Residence District
The OR2 High
Density Office Residence District is established to provide a
mixed use environment of moderate to high density dwellings and
large office uses, with additional small scale retail sales and
services uses designed to serve the immediate surroundings.
This district may serve as a transition between downtown and
surrounding moderate to low density residential
neighborhoods.
