State Fair Reminders
Annual Minnesota State Fair
"The Great Minnesota Get-Together"
Thursday, August 24 - Monday, September 4, 2023
Every late August, the Minnesota State Fair is revived next door to our co-op — flourishing with butter sculptures, animals, food, rides, shows, things we've never seen and things we do every year. The Minnesota State Fair is the second largest in the nation (trailing only the State Fair of Texas, which generally runs twice as long) with around two million people attending the two week event annually.
The fair brings many exciting things and opportunities to the ~good folks~ of Minnesota, attracting people from every inch of the state. For CTC, the State Fair also brings a little more, however. Please read the critical reminders below to ensure the safety of your property.
TOPICS BELOW
- Increased Parking Enforcement: Don't Get Towed!
- Security: Lock It Up + Report Crime
- Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Help Keep CTC Safe and Clean
Increased Parking Enforcement
With the State Fair starting soon, we want to remind you of the increased parking enforcement at CTC. The parking requirements stated here are mandatory and enforced year-round. Yet, there is increased parking enforcement at CTC during the State Fair, and all vehicles in violation of CTC’s parking policy will be towed without warning.
Accurate Vehicle Info
Ensure the office has accurate description for your vehicle: make, model, color, and license plate number.
Park in Assigned Area
Residents and visitors must park in respective, designated spaces. Never block sidewalks, dumpsters, or violate policies.
Visible Parking Permit
Residents must have their parking permits and visitors must have their validated visitor permits visible at all times on CTC grounds.
Resident Vehicles
- You must have a properly displayed resident in your vehicle at all times that it is on CTC property. Properly displayed means hanging from the rear view mirror or taped to the dashboard.
- Any spaces NOT designated for staff, child care, visitors or handicap, are available for residents to park in.
- Avoid any chance of getting towed by parking in the appropriate designated spaces, updating any changes in your car information with the office*, and properly displaying your parking permit at all times.
* Check what vehicle information is currently on file via your RentCafe account > Profile > Vehicle Information
Visitor Vehicles
- CTC visitors must have a valid and properly displayed visitors parking permit in the vehicle at all times that it is on CTC property.
- Visitors can only park in visitor parking spaces.
- Households are not limited to the amount of visitor passes they can receive during this time, in which the visitor spaces will be first come, first serve. If your visitor finds that all the visitor spaces full, they will need to park off CTC property.
- Residents can self-administer Visitor Parking Permits online, as needed, through their RentCafe account under menu option 'Resident Resources.' Visitor parking permits are also available in CTC's office during in-person business hours.
Tow Risk at Owner's Expense
All vehicles in violation of CTC’s parking policy will be towed without warning at the owner's expense - including resident, visitor, and unidentified vehicles. Avoid any chance of getting towed by parking in the appropriate designated spaces, updating any changes in your car information with the office, and properly displaying your parking permit at all times.
All vehicles will be towed to Cedar Towing and the owner must pay the towing company their associated fees:
Resident Vehicles:
- Cedar Towing Rates (Aug. 2024): $280, plus an additional $36.00 per day that the vehicle is stored in their lot (starting at mid-night).
- To receive the reduced towing rate for resident vehicles, inform them that you are a CTC resident and provide them with a supporting document, such as your lease (leases are available to view via your RentCafe account > Documents)
Visitor Vehicles and Unidentified Vehicles: All other vehicles — visitor vehicles, improperly registered/identified resident vehicles, or unidentifiable vehicles.
- Cedar Towing Rates (Aug. 2024): $305.00, plus an additional $36.00 per day that the vehicle is stored in their lot (starting at mid-night).
Security
Remember that with the increased traffic (on foot and otherwise) in the area during the Fair that it is crucial to lock your cars, keep your homes secure, and not leave any toys, bikes, etc., unattended and available for theft.
Hide Valuables
Never leave valuables in your car. If you must, hide your valuables where passersby cannot see them, such as in the trunk or under the seats.
Lock Homes, Bikes, Cars
Close and lock windows and doors of your cars and homes after entering or leaving to avoid the chance of a unwanted entry. Secure bikes with a U-lock.
Report Crime
Report any criminal or illegal activity to the police. Call 9-1-1 or the non-emergency line (612-624-2677) if you see or experience anything.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Join CTC's State Fair Patrol
Help keep our community clean and safe by picking up a patrol shift during the State Fair! In exchange, our volunteer team is rewarded with free tickets to the fair. Sign-up here!
Community Action Against Crime
While there is a Patrol Team organized by CTC Management, we need all eyes and ears. By working together we can make sure our community stays a safe and clean place to live and work.
As an individual, please keep a look out and report any criminal activity whenever and wherever you can. The police need the eyes and ears of all our community members; working together is most effective in keeping our community safe, secure, and ready to respond.
Neighborhood Watch
Neighborhood Watch programs and individual efforts help reduce crime by enhancing police detection through increased flow of useful information from the public to the police, as well as reduce opportunities for crime to occur.
Neighborhood Watch groups typically focus on observation and awareness as a means of preventing crime and employ strategies that range from simply promoting social interaction and "watching out for each other" to active patrols by groups of citizens (contact the Board if you want to help get this started at CTC!).
Keep a Distance + Stay Safe
Reminder: Community members only serve as the extra “eyes and ears” and should report their observations of suspicious activities to their local law enforcement. Do not take any personal risk to prevent a crime or make an arrest. Your safety and well-being is most important.
Report Crime
Report crime by calling 911 or the non-emergency line at 612-624-2677. More on reporting criminal activity.
Help Clean up Litter/Garbage:
We'd greatly appreciate if you picked up and disposed of any garbage/recycling you find while walking around the co-op grounds, helping keep our community clean.
Impacts on Metro and Campus Transportation
Review key impacts and more information here.
Park & Drive:
High Impact
The area is open to traffic, but drivers should expect large delays. We advise planning an alternate route when possible.
Transit
High Impact
Transit is still operating but may be on detour. View rider alerts from Metro Transit and Campus Transit. Expect route delays.
Contact the Office
Feel free to contact the office for any and all of your questions, and we are happy to elaborate further on State Fair season at the co-op!