 Photo Credit: Lane Pelovsky, courtesy of Meet Minneapolis
Three important community events are happening next week that I would encourage you to participate in if they pertain to you: (1) our rescheduled Ward 7 Community Conversations event about renter’s rights and protections, (2) a Round Table discussion about expanding the Downtown Improvement District (DID) taxing assessments to residential properties, and (3) free MPD trespass training for property and business owners. Please find additional details about these events below.
In addition to community meetings, I have an important multi-jurisdictional meeting about Uptown at the 5th Precinct this coming week. I have also had meetings with the mayor’s aides, COO Margaret Anderson Kelliher, and Public Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette, where I have reiterated the immediate need in Uptown. I know community efforts are underway as well, and thank you to the great many people who attended the Uptown United meeting yesterday.
Next week I will also be spending many hours in committee and council meetings. Some of the projects we will be voting on will most likely have consensus, like construction of a new public safety center for the Third Precinct, and funding for another bridge replacement over the Midtown Greenway.
The council will also weigh in on purchasing land for the proposed new first-responder safety training center in south Minneapolis. If you missed it, the details of this purchase and plan were described in a previous Ward 7 newsletter. Basically, what will happen this week is hopefully authorizing the $6 million needed to buy the land. This action will also communicate to state leaders that we have the match available for our state bonding request to build this facility. The need for this space is real, as MPD is currently training mostly out of an old MPS public school in a North Minneapolis residential neighborhood. We will also be voting on sustaining or overriding the mayor’s veto of the pre-eviction notice resolution, along with two proposals to provide additional rental assistance funds to Hennepin County.
Lastly, we see issues being brought forward that I believe do not belong on the Minneapolis City Council agenda. Members of the city council have spent time, energy and city resources to bring forward resolutions (1) calling for the normalization of relations with Cuba; (2) urging unspecified European financial institutions to divest from companies that “enable ICE”; and, (3) instructing the University of Minnesota to end a labor standoff. I feel like such resolutions distract from the business of actually running the city and – as is the case with the University resolution – could actually interfere with the ability of a coordinate unit of government to do its own job. Minneapolis needs municipal leaders focused on Minneapolis.
The full Committee of the Whole agenda – including these items – should be posted today on the public LIMS website.
Thank you,
 We’re hosting our next Ward 7 Community Conversations event on Saturday, March 28th from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church (511 Groveland Ave.) in Koinonia Hall. This event was originally scheduled for March 15th, and postponed due to weather. You'll hear from city staff, a local tenants union, and Legal Aid about your rights as a renter and how to handle issues when they arise. We have several buildings in our ward dealing with renter’s right issues right now so I am hopeful this team of resources will provide valuable information.
The event is free and open to the public. Parking is available in the church lot.
 If you live downtown within the footprint of the DID taxing boundaries, please attend this important and timely opportunity to weigh in on the future of your neighborhood.
The Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District (DID) is hosting a series of small residential roundtables this Tuesday and Wednesday to gather input from downtown residents on services and priorities. The DID funds the Ambassador patrols, sidewalk cleaning, greening, and community programming you see throughout downtown.
Until recently, those services were funded exclusively by commercial properties. A change in state law now allows residential buildings to be taxed with a special assessment to participate as well, and the DID is exploring whether to expand its boundary to include such residential properties. There will be discussion around what expanded services DID may be able to provide residents if this potential assessment moves forward.
The roundtables are a chance to hear what’s being proposed, and to share your perspective. Please participate and help spread the word to other residents who may interested.
Sessions for residents are at the Young Quinlan Building, 81 S. 9th St.:
- Tuesday, March 24 | Noon to 1:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 24 | 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 25 | 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.
A separate session for residential property owners and managers is at The Larking, 615 S. 8th St.:
- Wednesday, March 25 | Noon to 1:00 p.m.
RSVP: https://events.humanitix.com/mpls-did-residential-round-table-conversation-session-1
If you own or manage property, run a business, or work in security in downtown, Loring Park, Stevens Square, or Uptown or other areas of Ward 7, we hope you take advantage of this small-group training with 1st Precinct leaders.
Minneapolis Police Department's 1st Precinct is hosting a trespass training on Tuesday, March 25 at 1:30 p.m. at the new 1st Precinct building at 330 S. 12th Street (just north of the Convention Center).
The session will help property owners, property managers, security staff, and businesses better understand how trespass laws work and how to use them effectively.
Trainers include Matthew Hartung, former 1st Precinct Community Prosecutor; Renee Allen, Community Crime Prevention Specialist; and Mary Rockwood, the new 1st Precinct Community Prosecutor.
Knowing the process matters. Done right, trespass enforcement is one of the cleaner tools property owners have for maintaining safe, welcoming spaces. This training walks you through how to do it by the book.
RSVP to Renee Allen at Renee.Allen@minneapolismn.gov.
 Mayor Frey and Meet Minneapolis sent out a call this week to encourage visitors from across the country to come to Minneapolis and support local restaurants, shops, and small businesses.
“Minneapolis residents have shown the world their heroism. Now it’s time for visitors to experience Minneapolis, witness our city’s unbreakable spirit, and enjoy amazing food by a lake, in a park, or anywhere in our city,” said Mayor Frey. “Once you experience Minneapolis, like me, you may just want to move here forever.”
The push comes in direct response to the economic impact of Operation Metro Surge. In January alone, the city saw an estimated $203 million in losses, including more than $80 million in lost revenue for small businesses and $5 million in hotel cancellations per week. Many of the hardest-hit businesses are immigrant-owned and operated and are central to the neighborhoods and dining scene that make Minneapolis worth visiting.
The city released a short video this week featuring Mayor Frey lacing up his running shoes on the steps of City Hall and jogging through the city, highlighting the river, lakes, cultural corridors, and nightlife that make Minneapolis a great place to visit in any season.
Ward 7 has no shortage of reasons to visit as you can see in the video, including Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska, First Avenue, the Sculpture Garden, the Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge, and City Hall.
Tourism and local spending are among the most tangible ways people outside Minneapolis can show support right now. We’ve shown the world what a strong community we are, and we want people to come and experience it for themselves.
If you have friends or family thinking about a trip, point them this way. For trip planning and local business listings, visit minneapolis.org.
 Hennepin County, in coordination with the City of Minneapolis, is making improvements to travel on Franklin Avenue (County Road 5) in South Minneapolis. Starting next week, the county will begin construction on the north side of Franklin Avenue. Here’s what you can expect:
Starting Monday, March 23
If you are visiting the area, plan ahead, follow signage, and be aware of the following:
- Westbound Franklin Avenue will be closed between Lyndale and LaSalle/Blaisdell avenues, and between First and Chicago avenues
- Eastbound Franklin Avenue will be reduced to a single lane for local access only.
Using Franklin Avenue during construction
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If you are visiting a business, call ahead or check their website to see if there is a change in business access or where to park.
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If you drive or bike, you can use one of our detour routes below:
- Through traffic detour: Lyndale Avenue South, 26th Street (westbound) or 28th Street (eastbound) and Chicago Avenue
- Local detour: Nicollet Avenue, 15th and 16th streets, and Chicago Avenue
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If you walk or roll, you will have access to Franklin Avenue. There will be one side of Franklin Avenue open (the opposite side of where construction is taking place)
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If you use transit, some transit stops will be temporarily closed or relocated as work moves through the construction area. For information on affected stops, contact Metro Transit or visit their rider alerts website
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If your home or business is directly on the project area, you will still be able to access your entrance. Contact the project team with any specific concerns
 Minneapolis is looking for people who want to make an impact. Serve on a board or commission to help shape policies, improve daily life and collaborate with fellow residents who care about the city’s future. Applications are open now through March 31st!
Boards and commissions recruiting now
- Community Commission on Police Oversight: Ensure accountability, transparency and trust in policing.
- Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council: Grow and strengthen the local food system.
- Minneapolis Arts Commission: Guide public art across all neighborhoods.
- Minneapolis Workforce Development Board: Connect people to jobs and strengthen the local workforce.
- Safe and Thriving Communities Work Group: Advise on community safety and support restorative, non-police solutions.
- Advisory committees on aging, bicycling, housing, pedestrians, people with disabilities and public health: Help shape City policies that improve daily life.
Serving on a board or commission is a unique opportunity to make a difference in your community, bring your expertise and ideas to City leadership and collaborate with fellow residents who care about the future of Minneapolis.
Video: You can watch a short video about serving on a City board or commission.
Learn more and apply March 1-31 on the City website.
Do you know someone who might be a great fit? Please share this opportunity with friends, neighbors or colleagues who care about community safety, arts and the future of Minneapolis. |
