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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Happy New Year! Best wishes for the year ahead.
Going into last year’s presidential election, we knew that regardless of outcome there would be change in Washington DC. With the newly inaugurated administration many are feeling uncertainty and fear, especially immigrants and trans residents. I want to state right up front that I remain committed to every resident’s right to safely live, work, play, and go to school in Hennepin County, as their most authentic selves, without fear of violence or deportation without due process.
My work will continue to center residents’ access to healthcare, stable housing, and economic opportunity, in ways that reduce disparities. In addition to this resident-centered work, I will continue to advance regionalism, and long-term transformative projects in transit, infrastructure, greening and the environment, all in partnership with state and federal leaders and colleagues. Please read on for highlights from the last year, and what’s ahead in 2025.
In 2024, Hennepin County capitalized on the momentum the county board created as we emerged from the pandemic. We fortified existing programming, accelerated newly implemented programming that is showing results, and continued to emphasize serving residents where they are at.
Housing
Hennepin County has effectively ended homelessness among veterans in our community. This has been acknowledged by federal agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs. They have formally recognized that in Hennepin County veterans experiencing homelessness are quickly identified, sheltered, and rehoused.
Kickstarted by federal funding during the pandemic, in 2024 the county awarded $19.5 million in capital funding to create or preserve affordable housing (compared to $5.3 million in 2019). Funding supported:
- 23 projects with 1,493 affordable rental units — 38% of new rental units will be affordable to households at or below 30% area median income (AMI)
- Construction financing or homebuyer assistance for 83 affordable home ownership opportunities
- Rental assistance for qualifying residents who are at <30% AMI, one-time emergency rental assistance,
and housing stability support, and,
- Health and safety improvements on 236 homes, including removing lead hazards and mitigating radon
Expanding Voter Access
In 2023, the legislature restored voting rights for approximately 55,000 Minnesotans on probation or parole, about 16,000 of whom live in Hennepin County. Since 2024 was the first election for these newly eligible voters, we worked extra hard to connect with them and other marginalized voters:
- Hosted or participated in over 110 voter engagement events across the county
- Contracted with 34 community organizations, who had 20,000 one-on-one conversations directly with voters about the importance of voting, focusing on communities who face the highest barriers to the election process
- Piloted new accessible voting technology at early voting locations for people with disabilities. This new technology will roll out more broadly next year
Transit
Quality transit not only complements, but is integral to economic mobility, improved health, climate resiliency, and community and commercial connectivity.
Construction continues on the Green Line Light Rail Extension, reaching nearly 85% completion. In 2024, the project employed 4,938 workers; and since the project broke ground, has sparked over $3.1 billion in residential, commercial, public, and industrial development along the extension’s route.
2024 was a significant year in advancing the Blue Line Light Rail Extension (BLE) project. The project continues to be well positioned for future federal funding. Big milestones:
- Successful municipal consent process, receiving local approval of Preliminary Design from 33 of 38 city and county elected officials along the corridor
- Project partners worked with the community on nation-leading work to support residents and prevent displacement along the BLE corridor
Climate and Infrastructure
As outlined in the county’s Climate Action Plan, regional work continues to reduce carbon footprints and waste, and increase environmental sustainability, restoration, and resilience.
Accelerating a zero-waste future
Hennepin County’s advocacy was crucial to passage of Minnesota’s Packaging Reduction Act, which underpins our plans to achieve zero waste. We also launched the “Trash or Cash” food waste prevention and “Recycling Exists” campaigns.
Improving the tree canopy
The county implemented a $10 million U.S. Forest Service grant to remove and replace diseased trees for residents with lower incomes. We also planted more than 21,000 trees, including a project with St. Louis Park in Westwood Hills Nature Center.
Promoting environmental stewardship
Hennepin county awarded 27 Green Partners environmental education grants that expanded the Watershed Connections program for students. We won a Mighty Mississippi Cleanup Challenge among all the MN counties along the Mississippi River.
Investing in District 3 Infrastructure
Minnetonka Boulevard
Reconstruction of this important road, between Lake Street and Highway 100, is underway. The design will create a safer, calmer street for residents through a 4- to 3-lane conversion and a redesigned intersection at Minnetonka Boulevard and County Road 25. Reconstruction will also replace aging utilities, meet ADA requirements, and improve access to transit.
Franklin Avenue
Similar improvements are planned for Franklin Avenue between Lyndale and Chicago Avenues. Construction is set to start this year.
Lyndale Avenue
Since August 2023, the county has engaged people who live, work and play along Lyndale Avenue South about the upcoming reconstruction project. Thank you for the community interest in this project. During the first two rounds of engagement, we had more than 21,700 points of contact with the community. Construction is currently scheduled to begin in 2027.
This coming year, I’ll focus on transportation and infrastructure, immigration, and community engagement. I’ll continue to champion existing Hennepin County programming that’s achieving results, and put forward new services as their needs become clear. I will also be at the state capital in pursuit of legislation that improves the lives of county residents, and strengthens our region.
Advancing the common good requires collaboration with many stakeholders, jurisdictions, advocacy groups, and the District 3 community. My work is impossible without you, and I am grateful for your input as we work together to improve the lives of Hennepin County residents, present and future.
Please continue to be in touch with your views, priorities, hopes, and aspirations for our region.
It is a privilege to serve you.
Contact us
Marion Greene
Commissioner, 3rd District
612-348-7883
Elie Farhat
Principal Aide
612-348-7125
Laura Hoffman
District Aide
612-348-0863
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