 On Monday, Mayor Frey joined City and community leaders to announce the upcoming transfer of federal land near the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam to Owámniyomni Okhódayapi—a Dakota-led organization working in partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) to create a community space that features Indigenous vegetation, restored water flow, and a renewed connection to the river.
“I’m proud to stand before you today to announce this historic milestone ten years in the making,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “Under the stewardship of Owámniyomni Okhódayapi and the guidance of the Dakota nations, the riverfront near the Lock and Dam will be transformed into a community gathering space that honors our shared past and looks toward an inclusive future. Thank you to all our City, government, and community partners for their unwavering vision and perseverance in bringing this project to life.”
The historic transfer—which places sacred Dakota land back under Dakota stewardship—reflects nearly a decade of collaboration between the City of Minneapolis, federal leaders, Owámniyomni Okhódayapi, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the MPRB, the four Dakota tribes of Minnesota, and numerous community stakeholders.
This transformational project will restore and honor a site of deep cultural significance for Dakota peoples in Minnesota and across the country.
Mayor Jacob Frey and MPD Chief Brian O’Hara are highlighting a significant and encouraging decline in both shootings and homicides during the first quarter of 2025. According to recent data, the number of gunshot wound victims has dropped below pre-pandemic levels, and homicides are on par with first-quarter figures from 2019—continuing a positive trend that began following a peak in 2022.
Notably, based on current data, the City of Minneapolis has not recorded a homicide since February 15, 2025. The last time the city saw such a stretch was in early 2017.
“We’re seeing positive change in our city,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “Gun violence and shootings are down, and it’s thanks to the hard work of our police, community partners, and everyday Minneapolis residents. This is a strong start, but our work is far from over. We’ll continue our efforts to make Minneapolis a safer place for everyone.”
The MPD credits this progress to several key strategies, including focused enforcement in high-crime areas, targeting high-impact offenders, community collaboration, the Juvenile Curfew Taskforce, and efforts to prevent the re-establishment of homeless encampments.
Despite this promising trend, the City and MPD recognize there’s still more work ahead. As we head into the summer months, public safety remains a top priority across the entire enterprise.
 Building healthier communities takes the dedication of residents committed to improving the well-being of our city. To recognize those contributions, Mayor Frey joined the Minneapolis Health Department at its annual Local Public Health Heroes award ceremony and resource fair—a department tradition since 2011.
“From reducing opioid-related deaths to feeding the community, every single day Minneapolis residents are working to improve the health and well-being of their neighbors,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “Our Public Health Heroes are making a difference in the community, and their work inspires us and strengthens our commitment toward building a healthier future. We are extremely grateful for the contributions of this year’s recipients, and we are proud to recognize their selfless accomplishments.”
The awards and ceremony are one way the department honors the vital role community members play in advancing public health and supporting the department’s vision.
2025 Local Public Health Heroes
Recipients are selected based on the excellence and impact of their work in one or more of the Health Department’s priority areas:
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A Healthy Start to Life and Learning, Thriving Youth and Young Adults
Marcus Kar, Director of North Minneapolis Programs at Youth Farm
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A Resilient Public Health Infrastructure
Matt Toburen, Executive Director at Aliveness Project
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Health Equity
Sue Abderholden, Executive Director for NAMI Minnesota
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Healthy Living and Healthy Food Systems
BrightSide Produce
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Substance Use and Opioid Response
Avivo Street Outreach Team
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Sustainability, Healthy Homes, and Environment
Nazir Khan, Executive Director of the Minnesota Environmental Justice Table
Colectiva Bilingüe, Minneapolis Bilingual Education Collective
 This weekend, Mayor Frey joined community members, local leaders, and longtime supporters to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center (PWCC) in North Minneapolis.
For a century, PWCC has been more than just a building—it’s been a cornerstone of the community. From providing youth programs and educational support to fostering leadership and strengthening families, the center has played a vital role in empowering generations of Minneapolis residents.
“Phyllis Wheatley Community Center has been a lifeline for so many,” said Mayor Frey. “Its impact can be felt in every corner of our city—from the youth it’s mentored to the leaders it’s helped shape. Minneapolis is a stronger, more connected, and more compassionate city because of PWCC.”
As PWCC looks to its next chapter, its legacy of service, empowerment, and resilience continues to inspire. Here’s to the next 100 years!
 Doors Open 2023 event
Save the Date! Doors Open Minneapolis is back on May 17 and 18. Doors Open is a unique, free event offering behind-the-scenes access to some of the city’s most iconic and hidden buildings, from historic landmarks to modern architectural gems. It's a celebration of all things Minneapolis, where visitors can learn from building owners, community leaders, and guides about the spaces that shape our city.
Watch the mayor's Doors Open PSA!
 Open Streets 2024
The City of Minneapolis has selected four organizations to host the street fairs for the 2025 Open Streets season, which is slated to kick off Aug. 2. Selected vendors will be considered for approval by the Minneapolis City Council in its next cycle.
The following routes, dates, and organizers have been selected through a request for proposals (RFP) process conducted earlier this year:
- Aug. 2, 2025 - Central Ave. between 26th Ave. and 14th Ave. - Hosted by the Audubon Neighborhood Assocation.
- Aug. 17, 2025 - Cedar Ave. between 15th Ave. and 6th St., and Riverside Ave. between Cedar Ave. and 19th Ave. - Hosted by the West Bank Business Assocation
- Sept. 6, 2025 - West Broadway, between Logan and Lyndale Avenues - Hosted by the West Broadway Business & Area Coalition
- Sept. 20, 2025 - Hennepin Ave., between W. 26th and 36th Streets - Hosted by the Uptown Assocation
In 2024, the City co-hosted three successful Open Streets events, partnering with the Uptown Association on Lyndale Ave., the West Broadway Business Coalition on W. Broadway, and the Lyndale Neighborhood Association on Nicollet Ave, with an estimated 75,000 attendees across all three events.
The 2025 City of Minneapolis Trans Equity Summit has been scheduled for Monday, August 11 at the McNamara Alumni Center. The theme for this year’s event is “Trans Equity and Intergenerational Power: Strengthening the Future by Honoring Our Past.”
The City of Minneapolis is partnering with community members to organize and plan the all-day, free event that provides space to connect on social, legal and health issues important to the trans and gender non-conforming community. The summit will include breakout sessions, a job and resource fair, and healing offerings.
 As the saying goes... better late than never! Mayor Frey is officially on Bluesky. Follow him at @mayorjacobfrey to stay up to date on all things Minneapolis.
 Celebrating Passover with the Frey family
 People of Color Career Fair
 Visiting WCCO Radio and Chad Hartman
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