 Mayor Jacob Frey joined Sen. Champion, Rep. Lee, Council Member Vetaw, and local community leaders to officially sign the Community Performing Arts Center agreement—marking a major milestone for the Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment on the Northside.
The 8,000-seat venue will be run by First Avenue and the Minnesota Orchestra, with $3 from every ticket reinvested directly into the neighborhood through a partnership with the African American Community Development Corporation (AACDC).
“Imagine a warm summer night in Minneapolis, sitting by the river, watching your favorite band play live at a state-of-the-art venue—that’s what we’re delivering to the Northside,” said Mayor Frey. “The Community Performing Arts Center is a generational investment. Not only does it bring jobs and tourism to the community, with our partners at First Avenue and the Minnesota Orchestra committed to reinvesting revenue back into North Minneapolis, it brings real change.”
In addition to world-class musical acts, the amphitheater will host year-round community programming in public spaces, with a strong focus on including Northside residents, businesses and organizations. Construction of the Community Performing Arts Center will create more than 500 jobs, and once completed, amphitheater operations will employ more than 250 people.
The amphitheater will begin hosting events for the 2027 concert season.
 Photo credit: Star Tribune
The iconic Stone Arch Bridge is officially back open—months ahead of schedule! On Monday, Mayor Frey joined Governor Walz and leaders from MnDOT, the Park Board, and the City’s Public Works department to celebrate the reopening of one of Minneapolis’s most beloved landmarks.
“Whether you're walking, biking, or taking in the view, there’s no place that captures Minneapolis summer quite like it,” said Mayor Frey.
Originally built over 140 years ago to carry railroad traffic, the bridge has served as a pedestrian and bike crossing since 1994. Restoration work began in 2024 to preserve its structure and ensure it remains a key connector between Northeast and Downtown for generations to come.
 Mayor Jacob Frey has officially proclaimed July 24–31 as Black Business Week in Minneapolis, marking five years of uplifting Black-owned businesses and advancing inclusive economic growth. Kicking off at George Floyd Square, the week features pop-ups, panels, and resource fairs designed to connect entrepreneurs with tools to grow and thrive.
“From Northside corner stores to Lake Street startups, Black Business Week lifts up the innovators shaping Minneapolis’s future,” said Mayor Frey. “When we invest in Black-owned businesses, we’re building a stronger, more equitable city.”
The City’s continued investment in Black Business Week is part of a broader commitment to inclusive economic development. In Mayor Frey’s 2025 budget, over $3.1 million was dedicated to economic equity initiatives.
The week-long celebration leads into Black Business Month in August. Full event details are available on the City’s website.
 Affordable homes change lives—and Emerson Village is proof. This new development brings 40 deeply affordable family homes to the Near North neighborhood, including units specifically for families exiting homelessness and residents with disabilities.
With a $1.5 million investment from the City and strong support from partners like Beacon Interfaith, Hennepin County, Project for Pride in Living, Northside Achievement Zone, Minnesota Housing, and the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, Emerson Village is another step forward in our commitment to housing stability and equity.
“We’re not just building housing—we’re building opportunity,” said Mayor Frey. “These homes give families a real shot at stability, safety, and success.”
The City of Minneapolis is currently producing 8.5 times the amount of deeply affordable housing than prior to 2018.
 Thanks to Mayor Frey’s Downtown Action Council, Nicollet Mall is about to be filled with fire trucks, snowplows, semis, and more for the City’s first “Minneapolis Moves: The Big Honking Truck Parade” on July 31. Designed to bring families and energy back into the heart of downtown, this new event is the latest effort to make Nicollet Mall a fun destination for residents of all ages.
“From fire engines to snowplows, residents of all ages know that Minneapolis is the best trucking city ever!” said Mayor Frey. “So, we thought, ‘Why not bring them all together for a big parade downtown?’ It’s a fun way for families to connect with the people and equipment that keeps our city trucking. And it’s one more way we're bringing Nicollet Mall to life."
The parade, which kicks off at 5:30 p.m., will feature City vehicles and heavy machinery from local businesses, with a vendor market and food offerings along the Mall from 4–8 p.m.
One of the best parts of summer in Minneapolis is back—Open Streets kicks off Saturday, August 2!
Each event turns a city street into a car-free community celebration where folks can walk, bike, roll, and connect with neighbors. From music and art to food and small businesses, Open Streets puts the spotlight on what makes each neighborhood unique.
Here’s where you’ll find us:
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Aug. 2 – Central Ave (Lowry to 14th Ave) | Hosted by Audubon Neighborhood Association
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Aug. 17 – Cedar & Riverside Aves | Hosted by West Bank Business Association
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Sept. 6 – West Broadway (Logan to Lyndale) | Hosted by West Broadway Business & Area Coalition
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Sept. 20 – Hennepin Ave (26th to 36th St) | Hosted by the Uptown Association
Come for the fun, stay for the community. See you in the streets!
 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.
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