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May 15th, 2026
Happy Friday! I hope you’ve all had a chance to get outside and enjoy the beautiful May weather this week. We love seeing Southside finally turning green again! A quick reminder that spring street sweeping is still underway across the city, so please keep an eye out for those bright pink no-parking signs so you don't get a ticket.
 Before we get into this week's city updates, I want to send a massive thank you to everyone who took the time to join us for our Ward 11 town hall on Tuesday. Hearing directly from you is the foundation of the work we do at City Hall, and I always walk away from these events feeling incredibly lucky to represent you.
 It was a packed room: so if you didn’t have the opportunity to ask your question or want additional context on anything that was discussed, please don’t hesitate to email us at or leave us a voicemail at 612-673-2211.
Check out the rest of the newsletter below for a recap of what the City’s been working on this week, and don’t miss the Washburn girls flag football team taking on South and Roosevelt this Sunday, May 17th at 4pm and 5pm respectively, at Washburn High School. Go Millers!!
With gratitude,
As always, I am excited to share our office's scorecard for the previous City Council Meeting on May 7th, 2026.
Scorecards are documents drafted by our office after every council meeting and include agendas of the meeting, how I voted, explanations of why I voted the way I did, and the final outcome of those votes. My goal is to offer complete transparency about how I am voting and why. You can find all of our Ward 11 council scorecards on our City Webpage.
If you have any questions about our scorecards or how I voted, please email my Office at ward11@minneapolismn.gov.
The Minneapolis City Council unanimously approved one of the strongest municipal gun reform ordinances ever proposed in Minnesota on Thursday, with Mayor Jacob Frey signing the new law immediately afterward. While current state preemption laws limit the City's authority to regulate firearms, the ordinance demonstrates Minneapolis’ readiness to act should the state legislature authorize local action.
The ordinance bans assault weapons, ghost guns and high-capacity magazines in the City of Minneapolis, and would immediately go into effect following a change in state law.
Council Member Whiting was honored to co-lead this effort alongside his fellow Council Members, our Annunciation families, and gun reform advocates, and urgently calls on the Minnesota State Legislature to take immediate action to give Minneapolis the power to remove weapons of war from our streets.
This week, the City announced that City staff are moving forward a recommendation of Minnesota Agape Movement as the City’s development partner for the Peoples’ Way. The selection would mark a major step toward a community-centered future for the former gas station at 3744 Chicago Ave. at George Floyd Square.
The recommendation is based on criteria established by the City and community to identify a partner who will oversee the site’s reuse, including relevant experience, financial qualifications and a commitment to a community-centered approach. Community feedback helped inform the selection and will continue to guide future planning and design work. The selection now moves to the City Council for approval.
Agape’s recommendation follows years of planning and community engagement, reflecting both the complexity of the site and the City’s commitment to advancing a shared vision through ongoing collaboration and planning for the Peoples’ Way.
Construction starts June 8 — what to expect
Construction at George Floyd Square begins June 8, guided by a plan that was shaped by years of community input, conversations and care.
Over the next two years, this project will bring major infrastructure and street improvements designed to make the area safer, more accessible and more welcoming for neighbors, businesses and visitors.
Planned work includes a raised intersection and crossings designed to calm traffic and improve pedestrian safety, upgraded transit stops with restored bus service on Chicago Avenue, new bikeways, added green space and dedicated areas for memorials, art and community gathering.
Honoring memorials and community expression
Stewardship of artwork and memorials at George Floyd Square has been a key part of construction planning.
We have been engaging with artists, gardeners and community members to plan for the temporary relocation of memorials to nearby locations during construction, with the goal of protecting them while maintaining public access throughout the project.
Continue to visit and support local businesses
Construction will happen in phases to help maintain access for residents, visitors and local businesses. Community members are encouraged to continue supporting restaurants, shops and small businesses along the corridor during construction.Learn more about the City's efforts at George Floyd Square
Community, City and State leaders, alongside members of the Twin Cities music and arts scene, gathered to break ground on the Community Performing Arts Center in north Minneapolis, launching construction of a new amphitheater on the Mississippi River.
Set to open in summer 2027, the 8,000-seat outdoor concert venue will bring live music and community programming to the riverfront, hosting approximately 50 ticketed shows each year from May through October. A portion of ticket revenue will be reinvested directly into the community through a partnership with the African American Community Development Corporation.
The amphitheater will be operated by the Port of Minneapolis, a collaboration between First Avenue and the Minnesota Orchestra, bringing together local expertise in live music and performance.
The amphitheater is part of the Upper Harbor, a 48-acre riverfront site being transformed by the City of Minneapolis in partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and local developers.
Learn more about the Community Performing Arts Center on the City website.
The City has rolled out a new dispatch service to better connect the community with Community Safety Ambassadors in the East Lake Street and East Franklin Avenue cultural districts. Community members, business owners and visitors can now call or email dispatch to request support within the Ambassadors’ scope of services, making it easier to get timely, non-emergency help in the corridor.
Community Safety Ambassadors wear bright blue uniforms and provide a friendly, non-law-enforcement presence in the neighborhood.
Safety Ambassadors provide:
- Safety escorts
- Wellness checks in public areas
- Help filing police and 311 reports
- Connections to City resources and services
- Support for businesses
- Basic first aid such as CPR and NARCAN
The new dispatch system helps ensure requests are routed quickly and efficiently, strengthening coordination and improving access to support for people who live, work and visit the area. Safety Ambassadors provide services five days per week, typically during daylight hours.
To request an Ambassador:
Learn more about the Community Safety Ambassadors program.
Bushes, branches and tall grass that hangs into the alley are a safety hazard for our collection crews and your neighbors. It reduces visibility for driving and scratches people and vehicles. That’s why we need your help keeping brush and branches along the alley trimmed.
Check your property for these other common nuisance violations too. They can be fire hazards and attract rodents.
- Garbage, litter, junk in yards
- Piles of brush and branches
If a City inspector sees a violation, they’ll send a notice to the property owner. We typically give owners about a week to address an issue. If it’s not resolved by the due date, contractors will correct the violation, and the City will charge the owner a fee for the work.
If you receive a violation notice and have questions, call 311 and ask to leave a message for the inspector.
Read more about property maintenance on the City website.
While the City of Minneapolis does not observe “No Mow May,” you can still help pollinators by:
- Waiting until nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees to rake your yard
- Setting your mower to a higher level
- Using grass seed mixes that include flowering plants such as Dutch white clover and creeping thyme
- Choosing native plants for your garden to feed pollinators all season
- Delaying yard cleanup until temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees
- Using less — or no — pesticides
Everyone deserves to breathe clean air. Some neighborhoods — especially lower-income areas and communities of color — are more affected by pollution.
In 2021, the Minneapolis Health Department started the Community Air Monitoring Project. It has a network of 55 PurpleAir air sensors placed throughout Minneapolis. The sensors:
- Help us understand overall air quality in Minneapolis and how it may vary by location
- Are installed outside of homes, schools and businesses
- Report air quality in real time
The City recently purchased 80 new PurpleAir sensors and is looking for people to host them in their neighborhoods.
Learn how to host a PurpleAir sensor in your neighborhood.
Sign up to receive air quality alerts.
Join us for “From Rain to River: A Community Conversation,” a public learning and feedback event about stormwater and water quality.
Learn how stormwater affects our lakes, rivers and neighborhoods — and how we can work together to protect water quality. Talk with City staff, visit information tables, ask questions and share feedback to help improve programs and future projects.
We’ll also recognize Adopt-a-Drain and storm drain stenciling volunteers who help keep storm drains clear and protect our waterways.
Event details
5-6:30 p.m. May 19
Northeast Recreation Center, 1530 Johnson St. NE
A presentation will begin at 5:15 p.m. Volunteer recognition will begin at 5:45 p.m.
Questions? Email waterresources@minneapolismn.gov.
National Night Out is a beloved Minneapolis tradition — a chance for neighbors to connect, celebrate summer and strengthen community ties. Many blocks host cookouts, games and activities while kids enjoy playing freely in the closed street.
National Night Out takes place every year on the first Tuesday in August. This year’s National Night Out is August 4.
The event is sponsored by the City of Minneapolis and organized through the Minneapolis Police Department.
Learn more about National Night Out on the City website.
Register your block
National Night Out event registration is now open. Make a plan for your neighborhood and sign up early to receive digital flyers and information about our National Night Out Pop-Ups, where registered hosts can receive supplies for their National Night Out neighborhood events.
Register your block’s National Night Out event by July 28.
The City of Minneapolis offers free use of Aira, an app that connects people with blindness or low vision to a live agent for navigation assistance.
Aira can be used for free at:
- Minneapolis City Hall and Hennepin County Courthouse
- Public Service Center
- Public Service Building
- Nicollet Mall
- Minneapolis Convention Center
- Target Center
Aira is also available across the entire Metro Transit service area, including the METRO Blue and Green lines, and at the MSP Airport.
Learn more about using Aira across the city.
Mayor Jacob Frey announced the City of Minneapolis is awarding $1 million in grants to 34 community-based organizations across every ward to help revitalize neighborhood business districts and support small businesses impacted by Operation Metro Surge.
Funded through the Great Streets Business District Support program — with an additional $350,000 from the Small Business Resiliency Fund — this program supports business districts with marketing campaigns, public events and direct outreach to businesses.
Throughout 2026, grant recipients will activate storefronts, promote neighborhood businesses and host community events. The goal is to bring more people into commercial areas, boost visibility and help the local economy build more social capital.
Operation Metro Surge had a devastating impact on local businesses, causing an estimated $400 million in losses. To support these businesses, the City has approved a total of $7 million in funding to support business owners, assist their employees and help keep doors open. This funding is a part of that broader effort.
See the list of grant recipients on the City website.
Building healthier communities requires the dedication of people who are committed to improving the well-being of our city. To recognize those contributions, the Minneapolis Health Department held its annual Local Public Health Heroes award ceremony April 29.
The awards and ceremony are one way the Health Department recognizes the vital role community members play in building healthier communities and supporting the department’s vision. Healthy lives, health equity and healthy environments are the foundations of a vibrant Minneapolis now and into the future.
The committee selects recipients based on the excellence and impact of their work that aligns with one or more of the Health Department’s goal areas. Congratulations to these Local Public Health Heroes award winners:
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A Healthy Start to Life and Learning, Thriving Youth and Young Adults: Birth Justice Collaborative
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A Resilient Public Health Infrastructure: Portland House
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Health Equity: Miguel Fiol
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Healthy Living and Healthy Food Systems: Akhmiri Sekhr-Ra, Camila Valenzuela-Panza and Sierra Leone’ Williams
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Safe Places to Eat, Swim, and Stay: Healthy Roots Institute
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Substance Use and Opioid Response: Gaebriel Lyrek
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Sustainability, Healthy Homes and Environment: Sabathani Community Center
Learn more about this year’s winners on the City website.
Starting June 1, credit card payments will have a 2.35% processing fee. For example, a $100 utility bill would have a $2.35 credit card fee.
In the past, the City covered this cost. Like many other cities and utilities, we’re now passing that fee on to customers. The City does not keep the fee.
Easy ways to avoid the fee
You can avoid credit card fees by using other payment options. To avoid the fee, switch before June 1.
No-fee payment options
- Checks: electronic/online, mailed or in person
- Automatic checking or savings account payments
- Cash in person at the Public Service Building or retail partners
For more information, visit the City website.
Questions? Email Utility Billing customer service or call 612-673-1114.
The draft 2026 Minneapolis Consolidated Plan describes the City’s housing and community development strategies for residents with low and moderate incomes. The plan is posted for public comments April 27-May 27.
The goals of the Minneapolis Consolidated Plan are to:
- Provide decent affordable housing
- Develop housing and services for people experiencing homelessness
- Provide special needs housing
- Expand economic opportunities
- Improve neighborhood conditions
See the draft plan and learn more on the City website.
Find out how to participate in a public hearing on the City website or call 311.
You can send written comments by May 27 to Rachel Kennedy at rachel.kennedy@minneapolismn.gov.
The City of Minneapolis is developing the vision and goals for its 2SLGBTQIA+ equity work and wants your feedback. 2SLGBTQIA+ stands for Two-Spirit (2S), lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual. We use a plus (+) at the end for the many identities and experiences that can fit within.
The City’s Neighborhood and Community Relations department created a draft of the vision and goals for the City’s 2SLGBTQIA+ equity work after having conversations with community organization leaders, City staff, community members and Minneapolis residents between fall 2025 and spring 2026.
Read the draft of the vision and goals, then share your feedback by:
We welcome and encourage you to share feedback by May 20. The City will share an updated draft of the vision and goals in June.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was honored April 28 with the McCall-Pierpaoli Humanitarian Award from Refugees International for the city’s response to Operation Metro Surge earlier this year. The annual Advocacy Awards in Washington, D.C. celebrate people and organizations that make a more welcoming world for and enforce the rights of all refugees around the country.
Mayor Frey received the award for his leadership and “significant contributions” during Operation Metro Surge, when the federal government sent swarms of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to Minneapolis earlier this year. Refugees International says recipients of this award help “advance the rights and safety of displaced people” and make a difference in the world.
Resiliency in progress
The City prides itself on being a Welcoming City, where all neighbors have the right to feel safe and accepted in Minneapolis. Still, estimates show that approximately 76,000 people — mostly immigrants, refugees, American Indian/Native American and Black/African American and People of Color — need urgent assistance. Since the Surge ended, the City of Minneapolis has begun working on resiliency efforts:
- The Mayor and City Council worked together to provide $3.8 million in rent relief, including a $3 million match from the Wilson Foundation.
Mayor Frey and the City of Minneapolis recognize there is still more work to be done, and they will continue working with neighbors and businesses who have been impacted by Operation Metro Surge.
Learn more about the humanitarian award on the City website.
Adults and caregivers are often in a place to check in and guide youth in their mental health journey. It’s common for everyone, especially teenagers, to experience a wide range of emotions — sadness, anxiety, anger — but when it begins to affect their daily life, that is when adults should take note and seek professional help.
Recognizing behavioral changes can be a sign your child or loved one needs support. Signs include:
- Changes in daily functioning: Sleeping too much or not at all, not eating, changes in weight or a lack of energy
- Major emotional and behavioral changes: Extreme mood swings or noticeable withdrawal from friends or other activities they used to enjoy
- Verbal cues: Talking or joking about death or suicide or expressing unbearable emotional pain
- Risky or concerning behaviors: Self-harm behaviors, increased use of drugs or alcohol or giving away important belongings or saying goodbye in a final way
Youth may need professional support if they are showing any of these changes.
Supporting youth
There are many ways to support youth and keep them safe, especially when their mental health is at risk.
- Talk to them directly and ask open-ended questions (“Tell me about … ”, “I’m really glad you told me … ”).
- Stay with them if they seem at immediate risk.
- Tell all adults who need to be informed if there is an immediate risk.
Resources
- For a crisis team to come to you, call the Hennepin County COPE line at 612-596-1223.
- For immediate help, call 911 and ask for a crisis intervention team.
- Call or text 988 to speak with a counselor. Your conversations are free and confidential.
![People cross a city street at a crosswalk. Streetlights glow in the background.]](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/MPLS/2026/05/13700680/minneapolis-streetlights_original.png)
City crews have replaced the wiring in more than 700 streetlights over the last year. Streetlights that went dark from copper wire theft now shine through less expensive – and less likely to be stolen – aluminum wiring.
Last year an investment of funds to the Public Works Traffic Division allowed the City to hire more seasonal electricians, use more rental equipment and buy more material for the repairs.
Read more about streetlights on the City website.
The City of Minneapolis continues to support renters and promote housing stability. Following Operation Metro Surge, the City has committed funds to emergency rental assistance. This investment will:
- Help renters at greatest risk of homelessness
- Prevent evictions before they happen
- Connect residents to these resources through community-based partners
Minneapolis residents having difficulty paying rent may be eligible for this assistance if:
- Their household earns no more than 30% of area median income
- They have received a 30-day pre-eviction filing notice from their landlord
We’re partnering with Hennepin County to distribute the money through Rent Help Hennepin and their network of community-based partners. Minneapolis households seeking this emergency rental assistance can reach out to one of these organizations to get help starting an application.
We’ve created a flyer with detailed instructions about how to access this funding. It’s available in English, Arabic, Dari, French, Hmong, Pashto, Somali and Spanish. Download the flyers.
Read more about emergency rental assistance on the City website.
Last month, City leaders joined community members in the heart of Uptown to highlight the coordinated, comprehensive response to community safety in the area. The City has been working with numerous partners, including local businesses, to better address livability and safety issues.
Dedicated police patrols
Last December, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara dedicated a Fifth Precinct patrol unit to curbing nuisance behavior in Uptown and Stephen’s Square. It’s part of the department’s commitment to proactive crime prevention work, interrupting criminal behavior by being a presence in the neighborhood. Since March 1, officers have issued 120 misdemeanor trespassing citations and made 60 arrests, many involving people with outstanding warrants.
Community involvement
Local businesses and community members have also assisted with the coordinated response by providing physical spaces for law enforcement agencies to stop in, write reports, use a restroom and act as a physical presence and deterrent.
Expanding Community Safety Ambassadors
Starting in November, the City is expanding the Community Safety Ambassador Program to Uptown, dedicating eight Ambassadors to the area. The expansion comes after the pilot program launched last summer, which showed success on East Franklin Avenue and East Lake Street. Engagement will take place over the coming months to determine the best use of the program in Uptown while ambassadors are hired and trained.
Learn more about the City's response to community safety in Uptown.
As temperatures rise and the air becomes drier, the risk of fires increases. Recently, the Minneapolis Fire Department responded to a large grass fire that spread quickly. Gathering around a bonfire is a great way to enjoy time with family and friends, but always remember to keep your backyard fires safe and legal in the city.
- Fires must be no more than 3 feet wide and 2 feet high, kept at least 25 feet away from buildings and enclosed by a nonflammable barrier.
- Recreational fires are allowed only between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m.
- Use only natural, cut wood — never trash — and always supervise your fire.
- Avoid lighting fires on windy days or when smoke blows directly toward a neighbor’s house.
- Be considerate — don’t burn if your neighbor has health concerns.
- Burn only when the wind is below 10 mph and do not burn during air pollution advisories.
Find more advice and resources about bonfires and other recreational fires on the City website.
On April 15, the City of Minneapolis highlighted the work already in progress for a busy 2026 construction season with more than $323.1 million in planned infrastructure improvements that reach every corner of the city. These projects were selected using data that helps drive a balance between community infrastructure needs and financial stewardship to maximize impact and sustainability. Led by the City’s Public Works department, the 37 construction projects getting underway this year represent a major investment in safer streets, more reliable utilities and more vibrant neighborhoods.
Statistics for the 2026 construction season include:
- 6 miles of street resurfaced
- 8 miles of street reconstructed
- 3 Greenway bridges will be restored
- 1,827 lead water service lines replaced
- 5 miles of water main rehabilitated
To keep the community informed about work that is in progress, many projects offer weekly stakeholder meetings and/or regular newsletters with updates on project timelines, traffic impacts and key milestones. You can also search for Public Works capital projects and visit the City construction and road closure maps by using the City‘s online construction dashboard.
As work proceeds, City planners appreciate residents’ patience and encourage those traveling through construction zones to be mindful of workers, detours and roadside hazards.
Visit the City website to learn about notable projects taking place during the 2026 construction season.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to announce a free, all-ages community experience: the Prince Sing-Along. This event will be a one-time-only signature addition to the Prince Celebration Block Party from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on June 6.
This outdoor event will take place near the downtown Prince mural by Hiero Veiga at 101 N. Ninth St., on the day before what would have been the Purple One’s 68th birthday.
Led by acclaimed Musical Director Sanford Moore of Moore by Four and a Minneapolis-based mass choir of 100 vocalists, the crowd will be guided through a selection of Prince’s greatest hits including “Purple Rain,” “When Doves Cry” and “Sometimes it Snows in April.” The event is expected to reflect upon the spontaneous outpouring of love outside First Avenue following Prince’s passing a decade ago.
Learn more about the Prince Sing-Along and the Prince Celebration Block Party.
Find out more about Prince Celebration 2026.
This past winter, the world witnessed small businesses in Minneapolis stepping up for our community in remarkable ways, even as they experienced significant negative impacts from Operation Metro Surge. We created the Minneapolis Small Business Resiliency Fund to help them recover from losses, promote community gatherings and drive customers to our vital commercial districts.
The Minneapolis Small Business Resiliency Fund provides $7 million for:
- Financial support for public events in commercial areas
- Expansion of existing business support programs
Staff in the department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) designed the fund to get money out to businesses quickly and without too many hurdles.
Immediate relief
License fee relief: We are excited to share that over 2,000 food and hospitality businesses are already receiving license fee relief. Eligible businesses have been contacted. Business Licensing staff is processing refunds for businesses that paid for their eligible 2026 license before the fund was announced.
Fee-free events: The City is covering the cost of many common permits that are required for public events. You can look forward to events throughout the city that bring our community together in celebration — recognizing all we’ve been through and helping to uplift and energize our small businesses. Read more about which permits are covered.
Funding opportunities
Existing business support programs are getting a boost this year thanks to the Resiliency Fund. These programs will provide direct and indirect support for small businesses across the city in 2026.
Cultural market grants: The Cultural Market Small Business Support program is currently accepting applications for grants to cultural mall operators for activities that benefit all tenants and customers, such as security, marketing and physical improvements to common spaces. Applications are due by 4 p.m. May 13.
Business Technical Assistance Program (BTAP): Funding is available for organizations that can provide consulting services and training for entrepreneurs and small businesses. The application period has closed and funded applicants will be notified in the coming weeks.
Cultural business weeks: Funding is available for organizations that want to host events during cultural business weeks. The application period for Black Business Week events has closed and funded applicants will be notified in the coming weeks. A separate request for proposals will be issued later this year for Latino Business Week events.
Great Streets Business District Support (BDS): BDS awards money to not-for-profit organizations to enhance the vitality of existing commercial districts in Minneapolis. The application period has closed and funded applicants were notified last week.
Learn more about these and other funding opportunities.
More to come
And — there is more to come. Additional information for venue and music activation, as well as the creative marketing activation, will be available later this spring as the City’s Arts and Cultural Affairs department solidifies details with partners.
To receive future updates about funding opportunities, sign up for Plan. Launch. Grow., the monthly newsletter from our Small Business Team.
Learn more about the Small Business Resiliency Fund.
Public Works crews started the City’s comprehensive street sweeping program April 21 to clear away what accumulated in the streets over the winter. Drivers should watch for hot pink temporary “No Parking” signs to avoid a ticket and tow.
For approximately four weeks, sweeping crews will take care of more than 1,100 miles of city streets and nearly 400 miles of alleys. To make sure the crews can do the most complete job possible, temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance to make sure streets are clear of parked vehicles. Drivers need to follow street sweeping parking rules or they may have their cars ticketed and towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot.
Find your street on the schedule
You can see when your street is scheduled to be swept by visiting the interactive street sweeping map.
Learn more about street sweeping.
The City of Minneapolis is assessing whether a new indoor playground and multi-use family play space downtown would be feasible and beneficial. We’re gathering input from parents and caregivers through a public survey. This survey includes questions about:
- Family recreation habits
- Desired amenities for an indoor playground
- How frequently you visit downtown Minneapolis
The survey takes about 8-10 minutes to complete. Responses are anonymous. You may opt in at the end if you’re interested in participating in a future focus group.
Take the survey in English, Spanish or Somali.
We hope this survey will help us understand whether to move forward, and if so, how to ensure any potential future space meets the needs of both kids and adults. Your feedback may be used to guide possible locations, programming and amenities such as food and beverages, so the space works well for families.
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