 ICE still remains an urgent concern, but the city council spent the majority of its time this week starting to plan for the city’s economic recovery. As you may recall from last week’s newsletter, the city’s preliminary assessment is that the ICE invasion cost Minneapolis $203 million in January alone, much of which fell on the backs of residents and local businesses. I would encourage you to skim the Office of Emergency Management’s Preliminary Impact Assessment Report and Relief Needs Overview, which provides greater detail around this number. This will be an important tool for our city’s Intergovernmental Relations team to be able to circulate with state lawmakers as we seek recovery aid this session. The recovery process could take a long time, particularly with no federal aid on the horizon, but it will happen and – with your help – we’re starting now.
Yesterday the council unanimously passed a resolution allocating $7 million for small business aid. The next step will be for the planning and economic development staff to come back to council with their recommended options and ideas for high-impact deployment within our small business community. Staff will be exploring a range of ideas, including leveraging funds for additional state aid, creating a forgivable loan program, investing in activation programs within commercial corridors, and expanding the scope of current business support programs in the city. While this won’t come close to meeting the full needs of our struggling business community, and I don’t love the funding source (the Downtown Assets Fund), it’s a start.
The council also renewed liquor licenses for two downtown hotels by a 8-5 vote, which I was happy to support. Some council members were interested in withholding these liquor licenses because they allegedly housed ICE agents (even though this was against direct legal advice from the city attorney). We need to communicate we are a stable regulatory environment for investment.
In other news:
 Earlier this week, I met with members of the city’s emergency response team, and one of their messages was that if we want to get direct aid to local businesses quickly, one of the best things we can do is encourage residents to visit them. It’s immediate, it’s effective, and it’s what they’re all about anyway. So… if your budget and your time permits, please consider patronizing local businesses! And please bring your friends!
That idea is at the heart of MPLS for MPLS, a new initiative from Meet Minneapolis encouraging residents to intentionally engage with neighborhood businesses and workers during a challenging moment for the city. Their slogan is “Go. Gift. Give.” Go – visit and support Minneapolis’ local small businesses; Gift – purchase a gift card from a local business; and Give – to the Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund which aids restaurant workers and owners impacted by this crisis.
The effort also provides practical information about which businesses are open and what may look different right now, including modified hours and knock-for-entry policies.
Small businesses are the heartbeat of Minneapolis neighborhoods. They help shape the character of each block, create welcoming places for residents and visitors to gather, and provide livelihoods for thousands of workers and families. When those businesses struggle, the ripple effects are felt across the community and throughout the city’s economy.
Read more on the Meet Minneapolis website. Scroll to the bottom for a fun tour and restaurant guide: “Taste Your Way Through Minneapolis Cultural Districts.”
Yesterday the council approved my appointment to the board of directors and executive committee for Meet Minneapolis.. Some of you may ask, “What’s Meet Minneapolis?” The short answer is that it’s the city’s tourism bureau, and one of the city’s key economic engines. Meet Minneapolis plays a crucial role in managing city-owned assets, including the convention center, Target Center, Peavey Plaza, and the Cowles Center. Each year, Meet Minneapolis attracts 600-700+ conventions, groups, conferences, and sporting events (including the 2026 World Wrestling Entertainment’s Summer Slam at US Bank Stadium…think Super Bowl-like crowds) to the city, which generate millions of dollars in revenue, creates much-needed jobs, and helps defray some of the tax pressure on individual residents (property tax increases and affordability are top concerns!).
Historically, Ward 7 has always had a seat on the Meet Minneapolis executive committee. This is because the Convention Center, Target Center and most of downtown fall within Ward 7. In prior years, this was not controversial, but this year it was, and I’m grateful to the majority of my fellow council members who voted to keep this important representation. I’m excited to get to work, and I look forward to representing the entirety of Minneapolis in this important role!
 On Wednesday I attended the ribbon cutting for the beautiful new retail shop Moon & Stars Children’s Boutique on the skyway level of City Center. If you are a grandparent or parent looking for cute children’s clothing, Daovone has cultivated a welcoming space for families right in the heart of downtown. It was also great to hear from Mayor Frey about how Minneapolis is working to revitalize and reimagine our downtown core. Even though it’s largely for kids, I picked out a coat for myself among some limited women’s clothing.
Moon & Stars was made possible through the Downtown Council’s Chameleon Program, which connects local BIPOC and women entrepreneurs with business development support and retail space in downtown Minneapolis.
Ward 7 is open for business!
 Roughly once a month, the Ward 7 office will be planning an opportunity to gather in community, most likely in a variety of places and times of day. This Sunday, we are holding our very first Community Conversation event focused on Ward 7 public schools. We will hear directly from school leaders about the impact of ICE on their communities and how neighbors have stepped up in support. We will reflect on what has been achieved, and acknowledge the challenges and needs that remain ahead.
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When: Sunday, February 22, 2026
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Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
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Where: Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall
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Address: 2020 W Lake of the Isles Parkway (enter on 21st Street)
Questions? Reach out to the Ward 7 office at Ward7@minneapolismn.gov.
 Another reminder: this Sunday, February 22 the work on westbound I-394 and the Penn Avenue bridge will begin. The weekend after, February 27-March 1, I-394 will be completely closed both directions.
Thank you to the community members who submitted traffic calming ideas for the detour route! This week I heard back from MnDOT that they will be implementing one of those ideas immediately - a new stop sign for eastbound traffic on N. Wayzata Blvd at Upton Ave. MNDOT may add additional measures as they monitor traffic patterns.
Full project details are available on the I-394 project website. Also, consider signing up for email updates and visit www.511mn.org for real-time traffic and travel information.
Along with membership on the Meet Minneapolis board, I’ve also been appointed to seats on the Minnehaha Creek Watershed Policy Advisory Committee, the Minneapolis Tree Advisory Committee, and the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board.
All three of these positions align with my prior work as your park board commissioner. I’ve served previously on both the Watershed Committee and the St. Anthony Falls board. As you know, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) plays a key role in protecting the water quality of our city lakes and creeks, as stormwater flows from St. Louis Park into Cedar Lake, makes its way through the Chain of Lakes, down Minnehaha Creek, and out to the Mississippi River. Several targeted pilot projects along the creek have started in south Minneapolis, and hopefully Cedar Lake will join these pilots soon.
St. Anthony Falls is also doing great work promoting initiatives around the Mississippi River downtown, including monitoring research on the cutoff wall beneath the river. We all know how important the Mississippi, Chain of Lakes and Minnehaha Creek are to life in Minneapolis, and I am happy to serve in this capacity.
Likewise, I spent considerable energy over the last few years working to protect our urban tree canopy. Hennepin Avenue was a recent area of focus, where – with your help – we were able to preserve over 70 trees during this major reconstruction project. Prioritizing healthy boulevard trees in all our street redesigns is key to maturing our urban canopy. I am excited to be a new member of the Minneapolis Tree Advisory Committee and support their work.
In closing, thanks to all of you who have taken time to write and call since I took office. You’re my eyes and ears – I learn about what’s happening in all corners of the ward, and your input plays a major role in determining how my time is best spent. Thank you for your commitment to your neighbors and to the betterment of our city.
Elizabeth Shaffer
Ward 7 City Councilmember |
