 Today, Tuesday, March 5 is Super Tuesday across the U.S. Here in Minnesota, you can cast your Presidential Primary ballot. Polls are open today until 8 p.m. across Minneapolis. Find your polling place here.
Mayor Frey and Frida got out early this morning to vote! Frida especially enjoyed the OmniBallot — the accessible machine in every polling place that’s there to assist voters who need help marking their ballot.
A big thank you to all Minneapolis election judges who are working today and helping their neighbors vote. More information on voting in Minneapolis can be found at the Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services website.
 Last week, Mayor Frey was joined by City Council President Elliott Payne, Council Member Jeremiah Ellison, Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette, Director of Neighborhood Safety Luana Nelson-Brown, and Canopy Roots leaders and staff to highlight the success of the Behavioral Crisis Response Program (BCR).
The BCR Program provides unarmed staff who are trained to support people in crises. The program helps deliver services to Minneapolis residents including crisis intervention, counseling, and referrals and connections to other support services. The City of Minneapolis funds the BCR program and contracts with Canopy Roots, a local black-owned mental health organization.
In his 2023-2024 biennial budget, Mayor Frey expanded the BCR program with ongoing funding of $1.45 million each year, resulting in an additional $2.9 million of annual, ongoing funding for the program. The total annual contract for BCR is $5.9 million.
“If you've got a fire, you want a firefighter, a robbery means a police officer, if you've got a water main that breaks, you probably want a public works professional," says Frey. "And yes, if you have a mental health emergency you want someone to be able to provide the counseling and mental health expertise that you wouldn't otherwise get."
 Recently, Mayor Frey visited Wenrich Construction Co, owned by CEO Wendy Sullivan – to discuss the importance of amplifying and empowering BIPOC-owned businesses year-round and building generational wealth. As part of Black History Month, the mayor highlighted the importance of supporting Minneapolis’ Black businesses like Wenrich Construction Co.
In 2022, the City of Minneapolis granted Wenrich $600,000 through the Ownership and Opportunity Fund (OOF), formerly known as the Commercial Property Development Fund. In his 2024 budget, Mayor Frey allocated an additional $3 million to the Fund.
“This month we’re celebrating the incredible Black-0wned businesses that we have throughout our city, that should be celebrated not just during the month of February, but year-round,” said Frey at Wenrich Construction, located in small but vibrant Greystone building in the North Loop neighborhood.
“It changed the trajectory of my business,” CEO Wendy Sullivan said. “To be able to own my space, to have equity and plant my roots, and know that I’m able to stay here.”
Mayor Frey recently spoke with CBS New York’s Ali Bauman about Minneapolis’ efforts to convert unused office space into residential properties. In the last five years, Minneapolis has added 12% to its housing stock – which has helped keep rent increases to just 1% (compared to 14% nationwide) according to Pew Charitable Trusts. Mayor Frey attributes some of the city’s housing success to changing zoning laws under the Minneapolis 2040 Plan.
"Increasing the supply of housing has undoubtedly helped the city," Mayor Frey said. "It has helped us create more sustainable housing for people who need it. It has helped us to provide deeply affordable housing and it has added to our tax base.”
 Mayor Frey had a blast showing support for the Minneapolis Titans Hockey at the District 1 Festival tournament recently! Not only do the Titans have some really good hockey players, they also provide inclusive and affordable programs to youth living north of 94/394.
Last week, Minneapolis officially opened the doors to the state’s first all women’s sports bar! A Bar of Their Own is located on Franklin Avenue E. – and will highlight women’s sports, including the Big Ten’s women’s basketball tournament, which is being held at the Target Center in early March.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome A Bar of Their Own to Minneapolis,” said Mayor Frey. “For a city that loves and embraces women’s sports… I am confident they will be right at home!”
 The City of Minneapolis will update community members March 7 on new concepts for the New Nicollet Redevelopment Project. The concepts address the road and the public spaces. A once-in-a-generation opportunity, this project can help reshape the site for a better quality of life in the area.
The City plans to reconnect Nicollet Avenue between Lake Street and Cecil Newman Lane. We’ll work in partnership to develop the rest of the site into a walkable area with housing and retail. In November 2023, the City demolished the former Kmart building.
Based on community input, City policies and project goals, the project team selected concepts for the site. City staff will first present the recommended selections to the community.
New Nicollet Redevelopment Project Open House:
Thursday, March 7
5-7 p.m.
Abyssinia Cultural Center, 322 W. Lake St.
The open house will be a fun, family-friendly event to see the design concepts and talk with staff. Community engagement on the development is expected to start in summer 2024.
Learn more about the New Nicollet Redevelopment Project and how to stay up to date on the project.
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