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Hello to all my 3rd Ward neighbors,
The last few weeks as I was out and about in the 3rd Ward, a few residents teased me by suggesting I do not actually write this newsletter... Believe me, I do. It is my responsibility to communicate my thoughts and activities as I work for the success of residents and businesses in the 3rd Ward and entire city. Here are my latest activities:
- On Sunday I had an outreach table at the 5th annual North Loop Food Truck Festival. I want to give a big shoutout and thank you to the all-volunteer North Loop Neighborhood Association for organizing this wonderful community event. Neighborhood associations are the "secret to success" in the 3rd Ward.
- On Monday I attended the Budget Committee as prepare to receive presentations from the City's 22 departments. The budget has to reflect the cost of basic city services to you, the taxpayers. All duplication of services that are also provided by the State and County must be re-analyzed by the City Council during the amendment process. All renters and homeowners in Minneapolis stretched in their budgets and as a city we have to tighten our belt too.
- On Tuesday I joined Senator Klobuchar, State Senator Clark, Commissioner Conley, Mayor Frey, and Minneapolis Public Housing Executive Director Abdi Warsame as we broke ground on a $78 million renovation of two public housing high-rises on Spring St. NE. Not only will 221 units be completely renovated, 15 new units of housing are going to be built to allow seniors to age in place.
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- On Wednesday, Representative Sydney Jordan and Senator Doron Clark were kind enough to join me and staff from Public Works at a community meeting about the future reconstruction of 13th Ave NE. We discussed the timeline for the project and how all of the storm and sanitary sewer infrastructure will need to be replaced. The sanitary sewer hasn't been touched since the late 1800s! The Sheridan Neighborhood Organization helped our office flyer the neighborhood and over 60 attendees learned of the work being done, the key data being gathered, and everyone had the chance to ask questions. A big thank you to Rep. Jordan and Sen. Clark for advocating for state bonding money to help reduce the cost to the City for this project.
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- On Wednesday afternoon I joined in the ceremony to rename the Sibley Triangle Public Housing high rise, located in the St. Anthony West Neighborhood, in honor of longtime resident Alice Geronsin. This 35 unit apartment, on the site of the former Our Lady of Lourdes Grade School. Alice lived here for 37 years, was a pillar of this wonderful residential community, and was a tireless advocated for the rights and dignity of all residents. Many members of her large family were able to join in celebrating her memory.
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- Thursday was a full Council meting. Both Whitey's and Mac's Industrial were put in a tough spot with their pull tab licenses and I worked with our staff to hear the license requests at committee. We passed the licenses at the Council meeting. Perhaps small issues, but important to the customers of the restaurants. Both are located on East Hennepin and 4th St.
- Today I am answering constituent correspondence with Henry and Patrick. We also planned two community office hours for next week:
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Tuesday, August 26th at 10am in Chute Square. Bring your children as the Ard Godfrey House, the oldest home in Minneapolis, will be open.
- Wednesday, August 27th at 10am at the North Loop Playground located on West River Road and 4th St. N.
There are no Council meetings next week so I will not be sending out a newsletter. 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
The City is responding to a widespread rash of vehicle damage and theft over the last month with more than 580 vehicles damaged or rummaged through. The most recent occurred overnight Tuesday affecting 118 vehicles across the city. Together, these crimes have caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage.
The City’s focus is on disrupting and ending these crimes and arresting the people responsible for them. With 911 calls reporting the suspicious activity and officers patrolling impacted areas, the Police Department realized a crime wave was happening on Tuesday and took an all-hands-on-deck approach. Officers have so far recovered two vehicles believed to be involved in some of the recent damage and arrested three people, who are booked for auto theft. Two dozen community service officers were assigned to affected neighborhoods to gather evidence, speak with residents and help victims complete police reports.
What you can do
The City asks our community to stay vigilant and keep calling 911 immediately for suspicious activity. Provide details if you can: describe the clothing, direction of travel, vehicles and license plates. And share video evidence if you have it. Report damage on your vehicle if you have it. Community reports are helping make the difference.
Under the City’s expanded Civil Rights Ordinance, anyone living, working or visiting Minneapolis will enjoy new civil rights protections - an important step forward in the City’s continuous efforts to strengthen equitable access to opportunity and improve quality of life across our community.
Under the amended Civil Rights Ordinance, it’s now illegal to be discriminated against because of your:
- housing status
- justice-impacted status (having a criminal record or history)
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or your height or weight
Approved unanimously by City Council and signed by Mayor Jacob Frey in May, the updated law also strengthens enforcement of civil rights protections and makes the discrimination complaint and investigation process simpler and easier. A protected class refers to elements of a person’s identity they cannot or should not be asked to change, such as race, religion and gender.
In addition to the new protected classes, the amended Civil Rights Ordinance also expands the definition of race, familial status, and disability; and increases protections for pregnant workers and people’s religious observances.
The City is currently evaluating the feasibility of a pedestrian mall concept layout along Chicago Avenue between 37th and 38th streets. The proposed layout would restrict through traffic and create a cul-de-sac and public plaza near 3744 Chicago Ave. (also known as The Peoples’ Way).
See the concept and renderings for the potential pedestrian mall alternative on the City website.
Next steps
The engagement feedback and findings of this evaluation will be presented to the City Council’s Climate and Infrastructure Committee to consider Dec. 4.
To learn more about the City's efforts at George Floyd Square, visit the program webpage.
Nearly 400 people came together in community for the 2025 Trans Equity Summit Aug. 11. This year’s theme was Trans Equity and Intergenerational Power: Strengthening the Future by Honoring Our Past. The City of Minneapolis partnered with community members to organize and plan the all-day, free event that provided space to connect on social, legal and health issues important to the trans and gender non-conforming community.
The sold-out 10th Trans Equity Summit featured the keynote speaker Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, iconic transgender activist and veteran of the 1969 Stonewall riots. The summit also included breakout sessions, performances, a career and resource fair and onsite community health and wellness resources.
The Trans Equity Summit organizing team would like to thank the guests, partners, volunteers, and organizing team and looks forward to seeing everyone again in 2026.
Watch the event recap
See the Instagram reel.
Watch on YouTube.
The inaugural Bridge Fund for Dance will support 41 projects across three funding categories. The fund invests in Minneapolis and Minnesota-based choreographers, dance companies, event producers, and performing arts organizations to create new and existing dance and choreography projects in and around downtown Minneapolis.
The funding was created largely in response to the temporary closure of the Cowles Center and the growing demand for financial support. It builds on last month's announcement of a new collaboration to operate the Cowles Center, and represents another direct investment in the City’s creative future – building stronger communities, a more vibrant downtown, and better quality of life for all through culture and creativity.
Read about the dance projects supported by the Bridge Fund for Dance on the City website.
Neighbors across Minneapolis joined together this month to celebrate the city’s National Night Out events. Almost 1,200 official events had registered across the city.
Block parties and gatherings throughout the city connected community members with each other and with MPD officers, community service officers, Hennepin County social workers, Metro Transit PD, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department, Park Police, the Minneapolis Fire Department and City elected officials. Together they enjoyed a night of community, and of food, fun and conversation.
National Night Out promotes community policing and enhances relationships between residents and officers. The City of Minneapolis wants to thank the communities that participated, welcomed us and helped make the event a success.
Looking forward to next year, National Night Out – always the first Tuesday in August – falls on Aug. 4. Event registration opens April 1, 2026.
Read more about National Night Out on the City website.
Police Chief Brian O’Hara has been honored with the 2025 International Citizen Award, presented by the LaJune Thomas Lange International Leadership Institute.
The prestigious award recognizes people who demonstrate exceptional leadership in promoting understanding, cooperation, friendship and development across international and community boundaries.
Chief O’Hara was selected for his commitment to building meaningful relationships both in Minneapolis and beyond, as well as his efforts to foster trust and transparency in law.
For the second year in a row, all three bond rating agencies have assigned the highest credit rating possible to the City of Minneapolis. The AAA rating by S&P Global, Fitch Ratings and Moody’s is yet another sign that the state of the City’s finances, credit standing and revenue recovery are on solid footing.
The AAA ratings affirm Minneapolis’ position at the center of a strong and diverse regional economy, low long-term liability and a sound financial profile. In fact, only a handful of cities and towns across the country maintain the top ratings for several years in a row.
Read more about the City’s credit ratings on the City website. |
