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Mayor Frey's Administration has recommended an Elections and Voter Services Center in the former Third Precinct Building, a warehouse, and some community space.
I want to ground us in the reality that this is not a regular corner and that our neighbors deserve justice, resources, and the cleanup of this blighted site. A worldwide racial reckoning occurred when the Minneapolis Police Department murdered George Floyd.
During the Committee of the Whole meeting this week (April 8, 2024), I asked the City Administration how many total square feet this location has and how much would be set aside for community-use.
Many of you have shared that this place could help establish a Black Cultural Center, a memorial space and museum to acknowledge those who have been killed by police violence, youth activities and programs, overdose prevention programs, and resources that will help our unhoused neighbors and make the Light Rail safer. I don't see how this is possible with the current direction the Mayor's Administration is heading in.
The proposed total space is a little over 34,000 sq. feet and only 8,000 sq. feet of that would be set aside for programed space for the community (the size of a CVS or Walgreens). The Administration has said they have no intention or plan to do community engagement on the warehouse and elections component of the plan that could help change course. They will have an informational session, but it will have no influence on changing direction.
During my briefing in December 2023, we were told that it was a courtesy to even have a briefing and that no council approval would be necessary. I pushed back on this because at some point zoning changes and funding would require council action.
On March 29, 2024, I received another briefing where I was told that the City Administration would be recommending this site as an Election and Voter Services Center and that we would be voting on this at the Committee of the Whole meeting on April 8, 2024. I postponed that action until the next Committee of the Whole meeting, which will be on April 23, 2024.
I also brought forward a Legislative Directive with Council Member Wonsley regarding 3000 Minnehaha that is asking information from the Administration. We will also vote on this at the next Committee of the Whole meeting which will be on April 23, 2024.
- A summary of the Truth and Reconciliation engagement sessions. Any engagement information, data, community reports, or feedback regarding 3000 Minnehaha provided to the city related to potential uses.
- An overview of past projects involving city land or former city property that have or are in the process of being developed into community-centered projects.
- A summary of all potential options related to 3000 Minnehaha that could lead to a full community-centered development with the city retaining ownership of the land.
- Data and information, including fiscal considerations, related to the city’s pop-up voting centers, including opportunities to scale up size and frequency. And Potential suitable locations for future sites as well as organizational partners.
- A fiscal overview on how elections and voter services could be integrated within other city-owned properties.
I would appreciate hearing your feedback on the current plan. I will have Community Office Hours on April 19, 2024 to hear your perspective in person.
 Come join our next community office hours! I want to hear your thoughts about 3000 Minnehaha and other issues you would like to discuss.
When? April 19, 2024 (Friday)
Where? Wildflyer Coffee, 3262 Minnehaha Ave South
Time? 8:00AM - 10:00AM
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The State Legislature ends on May 20, 2024. There is still time to ensure that Smith Foundry is shut down and that there is a just transition for the workers.
I am growing increasingly nervous that session will end and that Smith Foundry will not be held accountable by Governor Walz and the State Legislature.
Here is an update on the Minnesota OSHA Investigation
OSHA is working with Smith Foundry to address health and safety violations stemming from a Dec. 4, 2023, onsite inspection of the facility located in Minneapolis’ East Phillips neighborhood. Minnesota OSHA issued the citations to Smith Foundry on March 7, 2024. Penalties for the citations totaled $15,300. The Minnesota OSHA case is separate from an ongoing U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigation into potential air quality violations by Smith Foundry.
Minnesota OSHA issued citations for multiple violations of its occupational safety and health standards, including:
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An inadequate respiratory protection program for employees exposed to carbon monoxide and respirable crystalline silica.
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Overexposure of employees to carbon monoxide (exceeding permissible limits).
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Overexposure of employees to respirable crystalline silica (exceeding permissible limits).
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Failure to provide employees with baseline medical examinations within 30 days of assignment and adequate training regarding their exposure to respirable crystalline silica.
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Failure to provide adequate initial training for all new employees, routinely exposed to workplace hazardous substances including, but not limited to, respirable crystalline silica and carbon monoxide.
In addition to issuing the $15,300 penalty, Minnesota OSHA has required Smith Foundry to correct the violations and will require progress reports to be filed documenting the steps taken to abate the hazards.
Smith Foundry contested the citations on March 29. The next step is an informal conference that will be scheduled between the company and Minnesota OSHA representatives to discuss their concerns with the citations.
About Minnesota OSHA investigations
Minnesota OSHA conducts inspections of workplaces when it receives reports of complaints or referrals that involve an employee. The inspections are onsite and involve interviews with affected employees and employer representatives, when applicable, as well as a walkaround of the facility for hazards that are covered by the Minnesota OSHA standards.
If the investigator finds a violation of Minnesota OSHA standards, the investigator will document the violations and issue citations. A citation contains a severity level, a penalty amount and calendar date for the employer to correct the hazard. Minnesota OSHA penalties are based on the severity and probability of injury that is likely to result from an employee being exposed to the cited hazard. For more information about MNOSHA standards, regulations, and inspections, visit the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s website.
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About this project
There will a reconstruction of the intersection of Hwy 55/Hiawatha Ave and Lake Street for a more pedestrian and bike friendly layout with accessible sidewalks, ramps, and curbs. When the work is finished, the new intersection will be safer and easier for pedestrians and bikers to navigate and use.
Summary of work
- Reconstruct the Hiawatha Ave. and Lake St. intersection
- Add new signal systems at Snelling Ave./Lake St. and 22nd Ave./Lake St. intersections
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Improve accessibility for pedestrians, bikers, and transit riders
- Reconstruct ramps to/from Hiawatha Ave. and Lake St.
Lane closures - Wednesday, April 17 through October
- E. Lake St. is reduced to one lane in both directions between 21st Ave. S. and Snelling Ave.
Ramp closures - Wednesday, April 17 through October
- The ramps to/from Hiawatha Ave. and Lake St. are closed
Do you have questions?
 Construction in 2024 will be between France Avenue and 22nd Avenue.
Questions or concerns? Call Metro Transit's construction hotline: 651-356-6995
More info and translated material: metrotransit.org/b-line-project
What to expect from construction
- Work in the corridor includes station construction, utility work, pavement and intersection improvements, and traffic signal changes.
- Lane closures will be implemented on Lake Street in stages, with one side of the street being worked on at a time. At least one driving lane in each direction will be open throughout construction.
- Sidewalks will remain open on at least one side of the street, and access will be maintained to homes and businesses. Parking may be restricted during construction.
 Public Works crews are gearing up to start the City’s comprehensive street sweeping program to clear away what has accumulated in the streets over the winter. The City has scheduled Tuesday, April 16, for the first day of sweeping. Beginning Monday, April 15, drivers should watch for hot pink temporary “No Parking” signs to avoid a ticket and tow.
Starting April 16 for approximately four weeks, sweeping crews will take care of more than 1,000 miles of city streets. To make sure the crews can do the most complete job possible, temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance to make sure streets are clear of parked vehicles. Drivers need to follow street sweeping parking rules or they may have their cars ticketed and towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot.
Find your street on the schedule
You can see when your street is scheduled to be swept by visiting the interactive street sweeping map. It will go live Friday, April 12, with this year’s schedule.
Learn more about street sweeping.
City staff have been meeting with the south Minneapolis community about the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center and the Lake Street Community Safety Center. They’ve held public meetings and are also talking to people on the street about the two community safety centers. The information will help decide on what services could be in the community safety centers.
Here are some upcoming events for people in south Minneapolis:
- Talking with South High School students April 19.
- Talking with people who identify as Southeast Asian April 20.
- Talking with people who identify as Latino April 20.
- Talking with people who identify as African American April 25.
- Talking with older adults April 26 and May 6.
See information presented to the City Council about the Lake Street Community Center.
Check out the City’s website for more information.
 Join us for National Public Health Week at our annual resource fair and Local Public Health Heroes award ceremony April 17.
Resource fair
Come learn about the Health Department at our resource fair. We’ll have interactive booths with demonstrations including:
Local Public Health Heroes
The Local Public Health Heroes Awards recognize the vital role community members have in making Minneapolis a healthier place to live, work, and play. We’ll recognize this year’s heroes during our award ceremony for their inspiring work in our department’s goal areas.
Award recipients
- Ann Hill, Twin Cities Food Justice
- Derek Johnson-Dean, Mpox Taskforce
- Clarence Jones, HueMan Partnership
- Liz Mullen, Chowgirls Catering
- Roxxanne O’Brien, environmental justice activist and community organizer
- Mark Sander, Hennepin County and Minneapolis Public Schools
- Lori Wilson, Turning Point
Local Public Health Week celebration 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 Resource fair: 11 a.m. to noon Award ceremony: Noon to 1 p.m. Public Service Building, 505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 100 A free light lunch will be provided.
Give your input on the capital budget at an upcoming listening session. Every neighborhood in the city is affected by capital projects such as streets, sidewalks, parks and much more. Each year, the Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee, an advisory committee made up of residents appointed by the mayor and City Council, makes recommendations about which capital projects to fund in the next year’s budget. The committee would like to know your priorities.
Join a listening session or send an email
You can share your priorities in person or by email.
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Northeast Minneapolis public listening session 6 p.m. Thursday, April 18 Audubon Recreation Center, 1320 29th Ave. NE, Multipurpose Room
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South Minneapolis public listening session 6:15 p.m. Thursday, May 2 Lynnhurst Recreation Center, 1345 W. Minnehaha Parkway, Multipurpose Room
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Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee/Planning Commission joint public hearing 6 p.m. Thursday, May 9 Public Service Building, 505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 100
See the proposed capital budget requests up for consideration this year.
The City would like your input on the accessibility of its programs and services. Please take the survey by April 30 on resident perceptions about the City’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and accessibility more broadly.
You can take the survey in English, Spanish, Somali, Hmong or Oromo. Please share the survey with your neighbors.
Your feedback will help as the City updates its ADA Action Plan.
We will also hold community engagement sessions in May and June. Watch the City website and future newsletters for more details and ways to participate.
For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact the Neighborhood and Community Relations Department at 612-673-3737. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-263-6850. Para asistencia, llame al 311. Rau kev pab 311. Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 311.
 The Minnesota Department of Transportation is repairing the Stone Arch Bridge over the next two years. Starting at 5 a.m. Monday, April 15, the St. Anthony Main side of the Stone Arch Bridge will close through spring 2025 to allow construction crews to begin preservation work. The downtown side of the bridge will stay open until spring 2025.
During the closure, people can walk or bike across the Mississippi River on the new protected pathways on the Third Avenue Bridge. See the MnDOT website for detour details.
More about this project
Crews will repair and replace stone, replace the mortar on the entire bridge, and make other repairs as needed. Stone repair and mortar replacement will slow deterioration and improve the condition of the bridge. Construction is anticipated to be complete by spring 2026.
For more information, visit the MnDOT project webpage. If you have questions or concerns regarding the Stone Arch Bridge project, please contact the MnDOT project team.
Sign up for the City of Minneapolis’ new alert system. You can get text alerts, create a full profile if you’d like alerts on specific subjects, and even download the mobile app to your phone.
Alert topics
The City of Minneapolis will use the new system, Smart911, to send alerts on many topics including:
- Snow emergencies.
- Severe weather.
- Public safety incidents.
- Major infrastructure issues.
- Major special event impacts.
Smart911 replaces the City’s former alert system, Swiftreach. If you were subscribed to Swiftreach, you'll get alerts in the new system. We encourage you to create a Smart911 profile for more precise alerts.
Sign up for alerts
To subscribe, text MPLSAlerts to 77295 or create a full Smart911 profile online.
Read more about the new alert system on the City website.
Contact the Ward 9 Office
Email: jason.chavez@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2209
We've moved while work is being done in City Hall. Our office is in:
Room 100, Public Service Center
450 South 4th St.
Get directions
For reasonable accommodations or alternative format please contact 311. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-263-6850. Para asistencia, llame al 311. Rau kev pab 311. Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 311. |
