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This week proved how fragile our public safety system is. I want to update you all on the short term solutions to the gun violence and shooting fireworks at pedestrians and homes.
On the 4th of July 300-400 people gathered at Boom Island and became a chaotic scene of people launching fireworks at each other. culminated in over 100 gunshots being fired and 7 teens getting shot. When first responders tried to render aid to the victims, they were met with fireworks being shot at them. A plan is being discussed to install a temporary gate at the entry to Boom Island Park.
On the East side of the Stone Arch Bridge, the 4th of July brought a night of street racing and shooting large fireworks at homes until 4am. The cul-de-sac on 6th Ave has had metal plates installed to prevent cars from doing donuts and temporary speed bumps on Main are being planned.
The Mill District was also subject to gunfire and large fireworks being used to target pedestrians and homes. When the police responded, they were forced to back away in the face of large rockets fired at them. Traffic barriers have now been placed along 2nd St S to prevent further street racing. Increased nighttime patrols have begun and I will host a public safety forum with 1st Precinct Inspector Billy Peterson in the coming weeks.
On Wednesday night I was at the state capitol with 2 of the UofM regents, 5 state Reps., and over 100 parents to discuss the ongoing crime in Dinkytown.
Tomorrow I will meet with Dr. Cedric Alexander, the nominee for Minneapolis Commissioner of Public Safety. I look forward to learning more from him regarding his plans for increasing safety for all residents of Minneapolis.
Your neighbor,
Michael
Minneapolis has many places to get local, affordable or free emergency food.
Emergency food
For emergency food in Minneapolis, explore the map and hours of food shelves and food distribution pop-ups.
Find information about NorthPoint’s Free Fresh Food Fridays this summer at 612-767-9500 or online.
Free food boxes for all youths
Kids (18 and under) can find free nutritious meals and snacks from Minneapolis Public Schools while school is out this summer. Children do not need to attend Minneapolis Public Schools to participate. They can pick up food at parks, libraries, other community spaces, the Minneapolis Public Schools food truck and the food bus.
For locations and more information, use the Free Meals for Kids mobile app or visit the Minneapolis Public Schools summer food webpage.
Farmers markets
Find a map and schedule for farmers markets. Nearly all accept SNAP-EBT benefits.
As the project to re-envision the intersection design at 38th and Chicago moves into the “community visioning” phase, the project team wants to know the community’s priorities. Through conversations and events, staff will gather input on which infrastructure needs are most important to the community such as pedestrian space, transit access, art and memorials, trees, parking and vehicle access. This will help the project team develop design concepts to share publicly this fall.
Share your thoughts through:
- Community conversations (virtual office hours): Email 38thandchicago@minneapolismn.gov to schedule a time 2-4 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m.-noon Thursdays.
- Focus groups: If you live or work around 38th and Chicago, email the project team at 38thandchicago@minneapolismn.gov to join in.
- Pop-up engagement events: Stop by with your questions and priorities for the intersection design 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, July 16, at Onyx Coffeehouse (formerly FORREAL Coffeehouse), 3740 Chicago Ave. S.
- Invite us to your events to learn information about the project and give feedback. If you or an organization are hosting an event this summer, you can invite the project team at 38thandchicago@minneapolismn.gov.
- Learning tables: The project team will conduct monthly learning tables to dive in to the topics of social justice, public safety, economic vitality and infrastructure. (To be scheduled later in the summer.)
- Open house: The project team will host another round of virtual and in-person public meetings to highlight summer engagement activities and collect community input on intersection design priorities. (To be scheduled later in the summer.)
See a summary of engagement held in the spring and a project timeline on the City website.
Sign up for project updates
Stay updated on the project by signing up for the 38th and Chicago project newsletter.
Please also visit the City website for more information.
After the explosion on the University of Minnesota campus June 30, the Metropolitan Council is warning residents, businesses and industries not to put gas or other flammable materials down the sewer.
Metropolitan Council crews were on the scene of the explosion to help assess what caused it and find the source of what is believed to be a release of gasoline into the sanitary sewer system.
There were no serious injuries in that explosion, but it’s a stark reminder that flammable liquids should never go down the drain or be flushed down the toilet. The only thing that should go down the sewer besides human waste is toilet paper.
Find more guidance on what not to flush on the Metropolitan Council website.
Although hazardous materials incidents do not happen often, understanding the risks and impacts of a hazardous materials incident is an important part of home preparedness.
Preparing for a hazmat incident
A hazmat incident may require you to evacuate an area quickly or to stay where you are for an extended time.
You can take steps to make your home preparedness plan more useful:
- Know how to stay informed, including signing up for government alerts on your smart phone.
- Include plastic sheeting and duct tape in your kit in case you need to seal windows.
- Include personal protective equipment in your kit.
- Plan a couple evacuation routes out of your community.
- Decide where you will go if you have to evacuate for a couple days.
- Learn how your home ventilation system works, and how to minimize the intake of air from outside.
During a hazmat incident
Authorities may ask you to evacuate an area. If this is the case, do so immediately.
You may be instructed to “shelter in place.” If so, bring pets indoors and check in with official information sources and loved ones.
After a hazmat incident
Stay informed about the situation by following local news, the City website and government alerts on your phone.
Check in with official sources for information on decontamination if that is a concern.
You can find many more resources and tips on the federal ready.gov website.
Minneapolis-based small creative businesses, and arts and cultural nonprofit organizations affected by the pandemic can now apply for two of three City of Minneapolis Business Support Funds for Creatives. These grant opportunities will support rebuilding and improving organizational capacity to return to business, improve business outcomes and plan for the future. The City is committed to supporting the development and growth of the creative sector, and especially creatives who are women and Black, Indigenous and people of color.
The creative apprenticeships grants and the artist-driven marketing grants are now open for applications due Aug. 1. A third grant, to support workspaces, will open for applications Aug. 2.
Applications now open
Creative apprenticeship grants offer $18,000 for creative businesses and entrepreneurs, and arts and cultural nonprofit organizations to build capacity and create jobs and employment. Funding will support grantees in designing a new apprenticeship program to onboard an apprentice into their business or organization for six months. Springboard for the Arts will offer professional counseling services in designing the apprenticeship program.
Artist-driven marketing grants offer $7,500 for arts and cultural nonprofit organizations to design a marketing plan and implement initial elements of the plan. Springboard for the Arts will offer professional counseling services in developing a marketing plan. Juxtaposition Arts will offer professional marketing services for implementation.
Zoom information sessions
1-3 p.m. July 11
2-4 p.m. July 20
RSVP for a webinar link.
Applicants can learn more about these two grants online and in a Zoom information session and apply on the City website.
A third grant, to support creative workspaces, will be open for applications Aug. 2-Sept. 6. It will offer $5,000 to small creative businesses and entrepreneurs, and arts and cultural nonprofit organizations for capacity-building workspace planning and sustainability. Those interested can sign up for the Arts, Culture & Creative Economy newsletter or watch the website for more information.
These grants are a program of the City of Minneapolis’ Office of Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy.
The City of Minneapolis is seeking proposals from organizations to administer the Façade Improvement Matching Grant Program in the eligible program areas.
Organizations must email their proposal, using the Proposal Submittal Form, on or before Thursday, August 11, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. to Judy Moses. Proposals will not be accepted after the deadline.
The Notice of Funding Availability and Proposal Submittal form can be found at the link below, under the “Development” section.
https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/doing-business-with-the-city/community-planning-development-rfps/
Eligible areas map is linked below. Please click on the legend to view the categories:
Great Streets - City of Minneapolis (minneapolismn.gov)
YWCA Minneapolis Yoga on the Plaza Tuesday, July 12 from 5:30-6:30pm
Flow into summer with FREE yoga classes at Peavey Plaza (weather permitting). Bring a water, mat and towel. Members and nonmembers are welcome to attend. Nonmembers that attend receive a FREE three-day trial fitness pass to any of our three fitness locations. Plus, join YWCA Minneapolis as a member for just $15! Registration recommended: greenminneapolis.org/event/ywca-minneapolis-yoga-on-the-plaza-9/
Minnesota Orchestra: Summer at Orchestra Hall Friday, July 15 from 6:45-7:45pm
Summer at Orchestra Hall is a new take on the Minnesota Orchestra’s traditional summer festival, celebrating the Orchestra’s home in the city and its proximity to the revitalized Peavey Plaza. The community is invited to participate in special food experiences and free entertainment by outstanding local performers at Peavey Plaza. For a complete list of upcoming performances, visit minnesotaorchestra.org/summer.
Children’s Theatre Company Story Theatre Saturday, July 16 at 12-12:30 & 12:30-1pm
Join Children’s Theatre Company for summertime fun at Peavey Plaza! Through imaginative play, collaborative storytelling, music, and family engagement, we’ll explore beloved children’s books together. Laugh, dance, and discover along with your family and friends.
Minnesota Orchestra: Day of Music Saturday, July 16 from 12-11pm
The International Day of Music features performances on multiple stages in and around Orchestra Hall, celebrating many genres of music for all ages and featuring a free outdoor performance by the Minnesota Orchestra led by Chia-Hsuan Lin on Peavey Plaza at 8:30 p.m., hosted by Summer at Orchestra Hall Creative Partner Jon Kimura Parker. Learn more at: minnesotaorchestra.org/summer.
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