Google Earth UPDATES Minneapolis/Saint Paul area!

If you've opened Google Earth in the last week, you'll have noticed the long awaited triangle mesh update has finally hit the Minneapolis / Saint Paul area.
A few of us 3D model makers whom liked to publish on the old platform, have had plenty of time to lament the end of our contributions. No longer is the 3D imagery created by humans, but rather generated from high resolution photogrametry. I'm glad to report the new method was worth the wait. You can now see every building, bridge, tree and even cars in the 3D mesh.

The updated region is huge. Bordered by highway 494 in the south. France Avenue in the South West. Up through Wirth Parkway into Robinsdale and Brooklyn Center in the West/Northwest. Along the northern extent of the update, the cities of Fridley, New Brighton, Shoreview, Arden Hills, Vadneis Heights. The east side of the update region includes Little Canada, half of Lake Phalen, Downtown Saint Paul to the edge of the Saint Paul Airport, then roughly down the Lafayette Freeway back to 494.

I'll post more fun gems of the new imagery soon. But, for now, go explore for yourself! :)

Google for Entrepreneurs, Minneapolis Partnership with CoCo / Project Skyway!

Google for Entrepreneurs has discovered Minneapolis! They recently announced a partnership with CoCo / Project Skyway technology incubator in the Minneapolis Grain Exchange building.
When the Grain Exchange floor ceased trading, it was converted to a public space for tech company incubation and acceleration. Innovative start-ups can find peers, collaborators and angels there in.
Now we have a powerful and welcomed new partner! Google For Entrepreneurs is going to hang around for two years and be a part of the Minneapolis Magic.
I'll let the videos and press coverage posted below do the talking. But hey, now that Oculas Rift is shipping, and Google is here, listening, maybe it's time for me to start up the New Technology Entertainment Company envisioned here, hmmm? :)
P.S. I heard a rumor that Google is making Minnesota the first "FIBER STATE"! As in, not just one city, but Fiber Optic Internet statewide.. Probably taking advantage of Fiber Optic infrastructure that was installed along with the Central Corridor light rail from Minneapolis to Saint Paul. Exciting times! Stay tuned.
 http://www.google.com/entrepreneurs/initiatives/coco-minneapolis.html

 Here is where the space is located:
 And here's what's happening there:

Google+ Hangout on Air with Mayor RT Ryback:



  Press Coverage of the event. 

http://cocomsp.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/GFE-Press-Release_2-20_final.pdf

North Minneapolis Tornado Path Visible in Google Earth Imagery Update!!

I opened my Google Earth tonight, and am possibly the first to notice a fresh imagery update has just been published for Minneapolis. To my surprise, you can make out THE PATH OF THE TORNADO! A scuff mark across the north-side is unmistakable. And within the scuff zone, you can see many homes with blue tarp roofs. From Wirth Park, through Wilard-Hay, Jordan, Fowell, Weber-Camden, you can see the tornadoes path because the trees were destroyed and the foliage is less dense. On average, the tornado path appears to be 4 blocks wide, traveling diagonally to the north-east.

A few buildings are seen destroyed. Notable among them, the Broadway Liquor Store, which was recently torn down.

UPDATE: Google MAPS has new imagery too, showing even more dramatic views. HUNDREDS of blue tarp roofs and missing trees. Dumpsters parked in yards for clean up. Pan around the map below, or click it's link to view larger.

View Larger Map

^West Broadway Liquor Store



Compared to what was previously available, the new imagery is stunning. In addition to the tornado damage, you can see new construction which was not depicted until now. The new Lowry Bridge, The Twins Stadium, Gophers Stadium. I'm sure I'll be exploring all night. I recommend you open up Google Earth and take a look!

Google Boss Eric Schmidt Visits Minneapolis. Meets with RT Rybak And Tours Our Tech Incubator!

As recently as my last post here, I had promoted my city as a Creative Technology superpower. Comically, I mentioned Google was missing out by not having an office here. Today, as if responding to my thoughts, or predicting my search terms, the Chairman himself showed up! He wasn't planning a MPLS division (that I know of) but he was promoting the idea that Google can help create vitality within the innovative small businesses we create.
Eric Schmidt met with Mayor RT Rybak, toured the former Grain Exchange trading floor, now a hyper innovative technology think tank, and spoke at the University of Minnesotas Humphrey School of Public Affairs. He delivered a speech called "The Future of the High-Tech Economy: How Technology is Changing Business, Education and Government." The speech is getting good national coverage because ES was hyper critical of proposed draconian federal controls of the previously free internet. And I've FOUND the recording! yeah!

Watch live streaming video from umntv at livestream.com

I will post here, as much media as I can find from today's Minneapolis Google event.
FULL COVERAGE





VERY cool video here http://www.startribune.com/business/134780358.html

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/11/30/google-eric-schmidt-minneapolis/

http://www.startribune.com/business/134780358.html

New NorthEast Minneapolis in Google Earth

I though I was doing a fair job creating a handful of models here and there... But a new geo-modeler has stepped on stage. "JCorySharp" is single handedly getting it done! Every day I check, he has numerous new, extremely high quality models done for landmark buildings in Northeast. In the last week alone he has produced 30 new buildings to be showing up soon in Google Earth. Sniping out a few of my attempts.. I don't know what the guys story is.. is this all he does? All I know is he does it well! So look for JCorySharp models showing up live in Google Earth in time for Halloween.

Minneapolis West Broadway! Coming soon to Google Earth!

What West Broadway CURRENTLY looks like in Google Earth

After focusing on Broadway Ave, east of the Mississippi, I've noticed some new imagery has become available for West Broadway! So I'm now able to create 3d Models for buildings and shops along the North sides "main street".
 I'd previously had models for the old IRVS Bar, and the large blue building next to the lot where White Castle was demolished and the YMCA development is planned...
 As I model these buildings, I'm doing light research on them to determine accurate content. To this end, I'll probably do a few posts in the future, focusing on individual locations. Some have videos, websites, news clips and all kinds of content, that will not fit in a simple description box. So, without further explanation,
NEW ADDITIONS TO NORTH SIDE WEST BROADWAY GOOGLE EARTH:

EMERGE w/ Bean Scene Coffee Shop

Friedmans Shoe Store                                  notice Farview Park Hill in the background..

Gods Prayer Center

I've found kids can be taught these geo-graphical arts, and they actually love learning to. It's allot of fun. So if anyone wants a quick class in it, I'm available..

Coming Soon to Google Earth. Northeast Minneapolis Preview..

In recent days I have been recruited by Fitz66, a prolific 3d model maker, to help continue the construction of Google Earth buildings in Northeast Minneapolis. He has started an Arts District Collection (found here).

I'd previously built most all of the models for the Galleries on 13th Ave. 331 Club, Modern Cafe, Ritz Theater, Atrujillo, Grain Belt Bottling House Offices... Noreast Bank, Elsie's, The McDonald's and the Super America at Broadway & University, Modern Roadways, the 1029 Bar and the Yacth Club Bar, Uncle Frankies Hotdogs.. I'd built the Waterbury Building and the old Minneapolis Public School Board Building, as well as the whole raised intersection of Central Ave and Broadway!
It's a fair hobby. I enjoy it. Northeast Minneapolis is looking pretty good as it fills in.

Other notable contributions have been made by "AdamD" and Fitz66" and a few others.

Well now, I add to this list, my recently modeled buildings. They are not yet "live" in Google Earth. The acceptance process takes 2 weeks. But, you can preview them by visiting my 3D warehouse profile.
I hope my community appreciates these models (and associated BUSINESS LISTINGS!) as a good gift.

New Northeast MPLS Google Earth Additions:


The Anchor Fish & Chips
"Spinario" Design Gallery
Erte Restaurant and Peacock Lounge
Movable Type Building
Frank Stone Gallery
Emily's Lebanese Deli
Friendly Manor Apartments
Children's Dental Services Headquarters

Central Avenue Bridge in Google Earth, Preview!

Another completely wonderful work from artist Beryl Reid has been created. The 3rd avenue (Central ave, if you're from Northeast) bridge will soon be in Google Earths 3d buildings layer. But if you can't wait for Google to review it, you can load it manually from 3d warehouse.