Minus a TV, a temporary bus shelter at S. 6th Street and the Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis has most of the cozy comforts of your living room: pillows, books, board games, a clock, a rug and string lighting.
Some nights, it even has live entertainment.
Called the "Living Room Station — Your Home Before You Get Home," the shelter is the product of a partnership between the Downtown Improvement District and Metro Transit, designed to enliven downtown spaces and improve the experience of bus riders, said Ben Shardlow, district director of public realm initiatives.
The Living Room — at the busiest stop in downtown that does not have a permanent shelter — came about partly in response to a survey used to enhance safety, cleanliness and greening downtown, Shardlow said. This year's survey is now open for comment at www.minneapolisdid.com.
High-traffic bus stops can be flash points for safety concerns, and projects like Living Room Station represent an opportunity to bring in creative thinkers and builders to improve the experiences for riders, passersby and neighbors, he said.
The installation created by the Musicant Group and the north Minneapolis bicycle manufacturer Onyx Cycles has been met with surprise and positive feedback, he said.
The Living Room is scheduled to come down on Friday, but the next experimental station will be on 6th Street between 2nd and 3rd avenues S. Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Living Room offers music and apple cider from 3:30 to 5 p.m. On Friday, visitors can trick or treat.
Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768
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