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6/2/2025
Hello Ward 6 Neighbors,
Happy Monday,
Changes Coming to Bus Stops in Ward 6
Metro Transit has announced new changes to bus stops across Minneapolis, including several in Ward 6. These updates are part of their 2025 Better Bus Stops plan, which aims to improve safety, comfort, and access for riders.
Here’s what’s planned for our ward:
Bus stops that will be receiving Upgrades:
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26th Ave S & Seward Tower West – Lighting will be added to improve visibility and safety.
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Nicollet Ave S & 18th St E – This stop will get both lighting and heating for more comfort during cold weather.
Bus stops that will be Removed:
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Chicago Ave S & 18th St E – The shelter at this stop will be removed due to low ridership.
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Chicago Ave S & 8th St S – This shelter will also be removed for the same reason.
While the upgrades are welcome, we know that removing shelters can make waiting for the bus harder—especially for seniors, people with disabilities, and families.
We encourage you to share your thoughts. Let’s make sure our transit system works for everyone in Ward 6.
If you have feedback or questions, please get in touch with Metro Transit directly at comments@metrotransit.org or visit their website to learn more: Better Bus Stops - Metro Transit
Thank you - CM Jamal Osman
 Development is underway at the future home of the Minneapolis Democracy Center. Crews have made significant progress this year in preparing the former 3rd Precinct building at 3000 Minnehaha Ave. to become the heart of early voting and engagement in Minneapolis.
The City’s community engagement efforts found 70% of respondents living within the 3rd Precinct support plans to create the Minneapolis Democracy Center. This facility will include the Early Vote Center, offices for election staff, and flexible space for election-related equipment and supplies.
Cleanup
Crews have continued working on cleanup and repair. This includes HVAC and electrical work continues on the interior, along with window, door, frame and skylight replacements. With the demolition of the vestibule, exterior improvements are more visible. Also on the exterior, bunker blocks have been removed from the building’s entry and new windows are being installed. New signage and fencing has also been placed around the site with more information about its future as the Minneapolis Democracy Center.
Barbara O'Brien, Director of Property Services, recently guided City Operations Officer Margaret Anderson Kelliher and City Clerk Casey Carl on a tour of the site. We captured that tour on video so the community could also see the work being done inside the building and our vision for its future. Watch the video.
Community use space
In addition to Elections & Voter Services, the Minneapolis Democracy Center will house a large, 8,000 square foot, ground-floor space for community use. In December, the City issued an request for proposals for a tenant to program the community space in the building. Three proposals were received. Currently, staff are reviewing the applicants who submitted proposals.
Next steps
The design process for the Democracy Center will begin this summer and will incorporate community engagement that will be announced in the coming weeks. A conceptual design presentation will be made to the City Council later this year. The project is anticipated to move into construction in 2026.
The City will direct $1 million from its contingency funds to address street lighting outages caused by copper wire theft. The funding will allow the City to hire more seasonal electricians, use more rental equipment and buy more material for repairs.
Public Works estimates 450 streetlights throughout the city are out because of wire theft.
Replacing copper wiring with aluminum has made progress in deterring theft. Aluminum wiring is about 75% less expensive to buy and resell.
Read more on the City website.
A new report from an independent evaluator shows that the City is making strong progress in police reform. The report from Effective Law Enforcement For All (ELEFA) comes in as Minneapolis approaches five years since George Floyd’s murder. According to ELEFA, the City has made more progress in the first year of monitoring than most other cities have under similar agreements.
The report highlights better policies, more effective training plans, stronger officer wellness programs, and a near elimination of complaint backlogs.
Key progress includes:
- Near elimination of OPCR and IA historical misconduct complaint backlog – all are now in process with 30 complaints closed as of March 31.
- Completing a comprehensive training needs assessment and developing a highly regarded annual training plan that ELEFA notes could serve as a model for other law enforcement agencies.
- Developing and updating key policies around Use of Force, mission/vision/values/goals, crisis intervention, and other areas.
- Incorporating significant resident feedback and input into new and revised policies.
- Expanding officer training programs.
- Laying groundwork for improvements to facilities and data systems.
- Designating 21 officers to serve as peer support members, providing mentorship, outreach and emotional support to officers who may need assistance.
The report evaluates the work done by the City and Minneapolis Police Department from October 2024 through March 2025. It marks ELEFA’s first full-year review of how Minneapolis is following the court-ordered settlement agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, signed in 2023.
ELEFA will continue to hold regular community meetings to update residents on progress. You can find more information on ELEFA’s website.
A new City opioid treatment program has begun for our community members with opioid use disorder. This pilot offers free prescription injections, treatment, and connections to services and support. That also includes insurance coverage help for longer-term treatment.
Read more about the opioid treatment program on the City website.
 Minneapolis now has a Narcan vending machine on the North Side. This life-saving resource expands access to the drug, naloxone, that reverses opioid overdoses.
Located at Fire Station 14, this is the second vending machine in the city. The vending machine:
- Provides 24-hour access.
- Contains more than 100 boxes of naloxone, each holding two doses.
- Is free to community members with no barriers.
Fire Station 14 also serves as the city’s safe station. This is a space where people struggling with addiction and substance misuse can connect with resources and support.
Learn more about naloxone and support for substance use disorder.
 The Lake Street Safety Center now offers a new service. Residents and community members can file a non-emergency police report in person.
City staff are available to help file report incidents including:
You can file reports in person until one hour before the safety center closes.
You can also file non-emergency reports by calling 311 or filling out a form online.
Learn more about the services and resources at the safety center on the City’s website.
What can the safety center do for you? Whether you're a resident or worker or connected to a local business, learn about what the Lake Street Safety Center offers Tuesday, June 10. Meet the community service providers who work out of the center. Learn about the helpful services and resources available – right here in the East Lake Street neighborhood.
At the center
The Lake Steet Safety Center serves as a collaborative space of government and community-based services and resources. It offers services including:
- K-12 school enrollment and education-related resources.
- Resources for victims or survivors of crimes.
- Help with safety concerns or resolving conflicts.
- Housing services, like rental help or rapid rehousing.
- Support recovering from substance use disorder.
- Resources for the area’s businesses and property owners, like help with graffiti issues, lighting concerns, and registering security cameras.
- Connecting to social services and case managers.
- Free naloxone and fentanyl test strips are always available at the safety center – no questions asked. Pick up these resources to protect yourself and others.
We’ll have tables set up outside the center so you can stop by, ask questions, and find out how to connect with these services during regular office hours.
At the open house
- Learn how you can file non-emergency police reports at the center.
- Find out more about the City’s brand new Community Safety Ambassador pilot program in the Lake Street area.
- Learn about other walk-in support services and readily available resources at the center.
Lake Street Safety Center open house 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, June 10 2228 E. Lake St.
Learn more about the Lake Street Safety Center on the City’s website.
The City of Minneapolis has received the prestigious Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association. This accolade is a testament to our City's dedication to financial excellence, transparency and responsible planning. Earning this recognition places Minneapolis among a select group of municipalities across North America committed to the highest standards in budgeting. It reflects the hard work and commitment of the Minneapolis Budget Division to serve our community with integrity and excellence.
Read more about the award.
Stay up to date on the Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee
The Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee is a group of residents and businesses advising the City of Minneapolis on its six-year Capital Improvement Plan. The committee shares recommendations through an annual report and is currently refining its project ratings. The committee will meet until the end of June.
Want to stay in the loop? See the calendar of upcoming committee meetings or previous agendas and minutes.
 As cookout season kicks off, keep food safety in mind. Warm weather is great for grilling – and for harmful bacteria to grow. Foodborne illnesses are caused by harmful bacteria, viruses and other agents that get into food.
Five key food safety practices
- Washing your hands before preparing food or when changing tasks.
- Keeping food at the correct temperature (hot or cold).
- Cooking food to the right temperature.
- Keeping raw and cooked foods separate.
- Using safe sources for food.
Read more food safety instructions on the City website.
The State of Minnesota offers a list of doulas in the state with search features that make it easier than ever to find a doula. Doulas provide physical, emotional and nonmedical support for parents before, during and after the birth of a baby.
The site includes a map for finding doulas with filter options such as for home birth services, cultural or religious practices, and payment options.
Doula support is especially important for people in communities facing disparities. A doula can help families feel safer, more empowered to make decisions about their body and baby, and more connected socially. Research shows that the support of a doula can:
- Reduce the length of labor.
- Reduce the likelihood of cesarean section birth.
- Provide nonmedical pain relief techniques.
- Reduce stress and anxiety.
- Support the partner or spouse.
- Result in babies often born with better heart rates and breathing.
Read more about finding a doula on the State of Minnesota website.
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