 Mayor Jacob Frey and the City of Minneapolis are investing over $750,000 in local artists and creative entrepreneurs as part of the second year of the Vibrant Storefronts initiative—a bold effort to turn empty retail spaces into beautiful cultural hubs across the city.
“What do you do with an empty storefront? You could let it sit. Or—if you’re Minneapolis—you hand it over to artists, and watch it come to life,” said Mayor Frey.
Lead by the City's Arts & Cultural Affairs Department, this year’s expansion will fund eight new creative projects in neighborhoods from Uptown to Downtown. The program subsidizes rent for artists and arts organizations, empowering them to grow their businesses while bringing vibrancy and connection to Minneapolis streets.
This year's awardees include audio studios, immersive theater projects, folk schools, fashion incubators, and art-centered coffee spaces—all designed to inspire creativity and strengthen community ties.
This innovative program, which began as a recommendation from the Mayor’s Downtown Storefronts Workgroup, reflects a key goal in the Minneapolis 2040 plan: revitalizing neighborhoods through art, culture, and local talent.
 On Thursday night, Mayor Frey joined over 2,000 residents for a truly unforgettable evening: Dinner du Nord, the first community dinner of its kind in Minneapolis and the longest dining table in state history.
Stretching across seven blocks of Nicollet Mall, Dinner du Nord brought together neighbors, families, and friends to share a meal and celebrate what makes Minneapolis unique.
“This is what it looks like when a city comes together,” said Mayor Frey. “We’re still rebuilding, still learning—but look around. This is joy, this is connection, and this is downtown coming alive again.”
The event featured food from over 40 local restaurants and food trucks, including sambusas, bánh mì, Minnesota walleye sliders, and more—offering a true taste of Minneapolis.
A portion of proceeds supports the Help the House Foundation, which advocates for and supports hospitality workers across the industry. A huge shout out to Scott Mayer and all the people who made the event possible!
 Breaking ground on Biochar facility in Minneapolis
Minneapolis is taking the national stage on climate action as it prepares to host the North American Biochar Conference, Sept. 15–18 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The conference brings together hundreds of industry leaders, scientists, and innovators—and Minneapolis is leading by example.
“As the first city in North America to build and operate our own biochar facility, there’s no better place to host this conference,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “We’re proud to show how local innovation can drive global climate solutions.”
The Minneapolis Biochar Facility, set to begin production this winter, will process over 3,000 tons of wood waste each year, producing 500+ tons of biochar and removing the equivalent of nearly 3,700 tons of CO₂—like taking 789 cars off the road.
Biochar is a powerful climate tool that transforms organic waste into a stable, carbon-rich material used to enrich soil, filter water, and reduce emissions.
 This week, Mayor Jacob Frey officially launched the Mayoral Dashboard—an innovative public tool giving residents a clear, interactive view of how Minneapolis is advancing on key priorities like crime, climate, homelessness, economic recovery, and more.
“People deserve to know how their government is working for them—and this dashboard puts that information at their fingertips,” said Mayor Frey. “We’re tying our work to real goals and sharing our progress in real time—because transparency builds trust.”
Built in partnership with the City’s Performance Management & Innovation (PMI) Department, the dashboard is the first of its kind in Minneapolis. It offers regularly updated metrics in six key areas:
- Community Safety – Crime trends, 911 response times, and incident maps
- Recruitment & Retention – City workforce vacancy rates and equitable hiring
- Climate Action – Emissions reduction, renewable energy use, and program participation
- Opioid Response – Narcan distribution and overdose prevention efforts
- Downtown Economic Recovery – Office vacancy rates and local tax trends
- Homelessness Response – Outreach efforts, 311 data, and individual outcomes
This interactive tool is built for all residents. With clear visuals and real-time updates, it brings transparency, accountability, and accessibility to city government like never before.
 Open Streets on West Broadway
Open Streets Minneapolis has already transformed three neighborhoods this season — and we’re not done yet! From the energetic crowds on Lyndale Ave. to a vibrant celebration on Nicollet, and most recently, a dynamic day on West Broadway -- each event has brought thousands of people together to walk, bike, roll, and explore our city streets, car-free.
Mayor Frey has joined the community at this year's events, celebrating local businesses, artists, and neighborhood spirit alongside residents. These events highlight the power of reclaiming our public spaces — even for just one day — to connect and explore the city in a new way.
Mark your calendar: September 20: Open Streets Hennepin Ave.
From 26th to 36th Streets, enjoy live performances, family activities, food trucks, and more. This event is put on in coordination with the Uptown Association.
 Smorgie's grand opening Downtown
 Mayor Frey and his daughter at the Monarch Festival
 The Taco Tour on Lake Street
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