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Hello to all my 3rd Ward neighbors,
This week I held several meetings with staff and downtown building owners to plan the approach to passing a tax credit at the State Legislature for converting commercial properties into housing. Not only does Minneapolis have a big opportunity to create new, affordable housing. Think of the opportunities in the empty buildings in the Warehouse District, or the former Honeywell headquarters on 26th Ave South next to 35W. Every city in Minnesota has buildings that can be converted into housing.
With new residential construction, materials are 70% of the cost and the remaining 30% is labor. With a building conversion, materials are 30% of the cost and labor is 70%. A state-wide tax credit will not only create housing, it will create numerous jobs.
Tuesday, August 6th is National Night Out. This is a great way to meet your neighbors and build community. In the 3rd Ward there will be three large block parties:
- Chute Square on University Ave SE and Central Ave SE from 5:30 to 7:30.
- Commons Park new to US Bank Stadium from 5pm to 8pm.
- North Loop Green with a picnic at 6pm and the Barbie movie at 7pm.
On Monday of this week I attended the Lower Northeast Neighborhoods Association festival at Northeast Park. It was a great evening to connect with residents and community groups.
Council President Payne and Council Member Rainville at the Lower Northeast Neighborhoods Association festival
This weekend, the Summer of Fun continues in Ward 3. This Friday and Saturday, the Basilica Block Party is being held at Boom Island Park. For all you foodies, the old Dangerous Man Brewery on 13th Ave NE and 2nd St NE has been re-purposed by James Beard Award nominee, Yia Vang. Please stop in for a wonderful meal and beverage at the new Vinai. Welcome to the 3rd Ward, Yia.
As always, Henry, Patrick, and I are here to serve you. We can be reached at ward3@minneapolismn.gov. Please report all issues to 311 before contacting us so there is a paper trail and staff are already aware of the issue when we speak with them. You can contact 311 by simply dialing 311, email them at Minneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov or by submitting a 311 Contact Form.
Your neighbor,
Michael
With Minnesota's primary election in less than two weeks, the Early Vote Center is extending its hours. Anyone who can vote in Minneapolis on Election Day can vote early at the Early Vote Center, 980 E. Hennepin Ave. See the extended hours on the City website.
Return your mail ballot
All mail-in ballots need to be received by Aug. 13 to count. Many Minneapolis voters have received a mail-in ballot but have not yet returned it. After Aug. 6, the City recommends returning mail ballots in person to avoid a late delivery. Ballots can be dropped off during regular business hours at Minneapolis Election & Voter Services, 980 E. Hennepin Ave., or at the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 Sixth St. S. On Election Day, Aug. 13, completed mail ballots will be accepted until 8 p.m.
Confirm your polling place
Everyone planning to cast their ballots on Election Day, Aug. 13, should check the location of their polling place. Find your polling place on the Minnesota secretary of state website.
See tips to save time voting and read more on the City website.
Minneapolis Animal Care & Control encourages pet adoptions to help more animals find their forever homes and make room in its shelter. Visitors through Aug. 3 will pair up with a staff member or volunteer to help find the right pet for them.
Staff is seeing a spike in animals at the shelter this summer. Just last week, 130 animals were in its care. Staff say that increasing vet care costs and housing insecurity are likely causing more community members to surrender their pets. This increase in surrenders, combined with a lagging adoption rate, have left the shelter full.
Animal Care & Control is open for adoptions:
- 1-5 p.m. Monday-Wednesdays
- 1-7 p.m. Thursdays
- 1-5 p.m. Fridays
- 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays
Minneapolis residents are not charged adoption fees for cats or adult dogs; they just need to pay for a City license. Puppies younger than six months are $250 regardless of residence. Adoptable cats and dogs are already spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated.
Read more on the City website. |
