American Academy of Neurology breaks ground for new headquarters, donates 1,000 children's bike helmets

The American Academy of Neurology will provide 1,000 free bike helmets for children who attend one of the many Bike Fests in north Minneapolis this summer, beginning with the first Bike Fest this Saturday, May 21, 2011. The donation coincides with today's groundbreaking ceremony for the Academy's new headquarters in Minneapolis, across from the Guthrie Theater. The five-story, 62,000 square foot building is the first substantial office building to be constructed in downtown Minneapolis in the past 10 years.

"This is an opportunity for us to give back to the city which has been incredibly welcoming and supportive of bringing the Academy headquarters to Minneapolis and of our mission to provide the best care possible for people with neurologic disorders, including the prevention of brain injuries," said Catherine M. Rydell, CAE, Executive Director and CEO of the American Academy of Neurology, the world's largest professional association of neurologists with more than 24,000 members. The Academy is also the largest trade association in the Twin Cities.

The free bike helmets for children will be distributed at the first of six Bike Fests being presented by the Webber-Camden Neighborhood Organization from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at the Minneapolis Police Department's Special Operations Center at 4119 Dupont Avenue North in north Minneapolis.

The American Academy of Neurology is building its new headquarters at 201 Chicago Avenue South with the help of Mortenson Construction, ESG architects and 20 Below Studio. The Academy employs 140 people and plans to bring in nearly 1,000 physicians from around the world each year for meetings. The building should be ready for occupancy in spring of 2012.

The Academy's new building was funded using City of Minneapolis Recovery Zone Facility Bonds, which are designed to encourage capital investment and are funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The balance was provided from Academy reserves.

"The Academy is already a great new citizen in Minneapolis, just as the Academy's building will be a great new addition in the Mill District," said R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis. "I thank them for their commitment to our city and welcome them as a member of Minneapolis' vibrant medical and nonprofit communities."

"We are excited that this new headquarters building will bring 140 professional jobs into the Mill District and over 1,000 visiting neurologists annually," said City Council Member Lisa Goodman, Chair of the Community Development Committee. "These visitors and association employees will want to live, eat out and play right across the street from where they work, the perfect complement to our growing riverfront neighborhood."