Well, this is going to bum out many a Twin Cities freelancer: Minnesota Monthly editor Andrew Putz will be leaving his local job July 17 to take over Boston Magazine, the Boston Globe reports.

Since arriving in 2007, Putz has won a lot of respect from local writers for maintaining and enhancing MnMo's commitment to features beyond lists and charticles. Top-notch locals such as Michael Tortorello, Dara Moskowitz, Beth Hawkins, Britt Robson — yes, a City Pages alumni club, but others have benefited as well — found a welcoming home under Putz.

"Andy's the greatest editor... I'm so happy for him of course, but sad for me," Moskowitz says. "The first thing I said was 'Congratulations, you jerk.'"

[Update: Long-time Greenspring Media Group President Steve Fox agrees, saying Putz "has clearly been our best — and nicest — editor." Fox's memo is reprinted below.]

Moskowitz, an award-winning food writer, says when Putz lured her from City Pages, he promised her a commitment to "service journalism with integrity, passion and excitement. He has an amazing sense of what makes a great city, but he's fun to work for, real open if you have a crazy idea."

Boston Magazine is one of nation's best monthlies, in a much bigger city, and Putz's former boss at Philadelphia magazine, Larry Platt, is now editorial director in the Beantown shop. As the magazine's release notes, Putz has helmed MnMo as newsstand sales have climbed.

I haven't had a chance to connect with Putz, but I worked for him a little before taking this gig, and found he and managing editor Joel Hoekstra a terrific team who carried through on wedging civic affairs into a feature book. I'm not sure if Joel wants to move up — he's disdained it in the past — but I'll try to find out more in a bit.

Here's Greenspring Media Group President Steve Fox's memo:

To the Staff:

While I share this news with many regrets, I am pleased to announce that Andy has been selected editor of Boston magazine, one of the largest and better city-regional magazines in the country. Without question, he will make it better, as he has made Minnesota Monthly magazine vastly better over the last two and a half years he has been here. We were fortunate to bring Andy back to the Twin Cities from his previous position with Philadelphia magazine (a sister title to Boston, both owned by Metrocorp publishing) and benefited from the experiences he gained from working on other publications in Cleveland, Indianapolis and Philly.

In my 21 years with the company, he has clearly been our best — and nicest — editor. I am disappointed to lose him but extremely proud that peers in the industry appreciate the quality of work he and his team produce.

His departure, set for July 17, will, of course, lead to the resignation of Kylie, who will be relocating with Andy sometime later this summer.

As senior account executive, Kylie has been a terrific revenue producer for the magazine since joining the company in 2005. She is full of natural talent and enthusiasm, traits which will ensure she will enjoy even more success in another professional sales opportunity out east.

It is truly disappointing to lose them both, even while being excited for their future as a couple and the unlimited prospects they have before them in what is surely the most exciting stage of their lives.

Join me in wishing them all the very best!

Steve