 Photo of a building with a "rental assistance" sign located in front of the building
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.
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 license fee relief, financial support for public events in commercial areas, cultural market grants and additional resources. 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: This year, 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. This is supported by the City covering common event permit fees for 2026 public events. Read more about which permits are covered.
If you have questions about Fee-Free Events, email the Small Business Team or call them at 612-673-2499.
Funding opportunities
Existing business support programs are getting a boost this year thanks to monies from the Resiliency Fund. These programs will provide direct and indirect support for small businesses across the city in 2026.
Cultural business weeks: Organizations can apply now to host events during Black Business Week, scheduled for July 27-Aug. 2. Applications are due by 4 p.m. April 27. A separate request for proposals will be issued later this year for Latino Business Week events.
Business Technical Assistance Program (BTAP): Funding is available for organizations that can provide consulting services and training for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Both nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses may apply. Proposals from service providers are due by 4 p.m. April 27.
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.
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 will be notified in the next few weeks.
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.
Curious what happens inside Minneapolis City Hall? During Doors Open Minneapolis, you’re invited to take a look.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 9-10, this free event offers behind-the-scenes access to spaces that shape our city , and the people who keep it running.
At City Hall and Hennepin County Courthouse, don’t miss your first chance to see the newly updated City Council Chambers and other renovated spaces. Staff will be on hand to share how their work serves the community.
Doors Open is about more than buildings — it’s about helping people feel connected to their city. By opening these spaces, we make civic life more approachable and invite everyone to better understand, and care for, the place they call home.
You can also explore City sites like Fire Station 1, the Minneapolis Traffic Management Center and other spaces that shape our city.
Plan your visit on the Doors Open Minneapolis website.
No tickets are required, just bring your curiosity.
At a public listening session coming up April 23, the Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee and the Planning Commission will discuss the projects currently under review for the Minneapolis 2027-2032 Capital Improvement Plan.
The committee invites public participation for a deeper understanding of community perspectives, to incorporate public input into discussions with City departments, and to share information about the committee’s role in shaping the City’s long-range capital planning.
Public listening session on capital projects 6 p.m. Thursday, April 23 Elliot Park multipurpose room 118 1000 E. 14th St.
The Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee
The Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee is a group of residents and business leaders who advise the City of Minneapolis on its six-year Capital Improvement Plan. They share recommendations through an annual report and project ratings system. The committee will meet until the end of June.
See upcoming committee meetings and events on the calendar or look at previous meeting agendas and minutes.
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.
 Fley for Rusty and the Crew Community Clean Up including details about the event.
There’s something powerful about a community that shows up for itself.
Right now, across the Northside, we are doing the work, on our blocks, in our homes, in our relationships, and in the systems that shape our daily lives. We are cleaning up in more ways than one. And this event reflects that shared commitment: when we take pride in where we live, we strengthen who we are.
We often say, how we do anything is how we do everything. This is our moment to live that out, side by side, neighbor by neighbor, by rolling up our sleeves and caring for the place we call home.
You’re invited to join Rusty & The Crew Community Cleanup, a morning dedicated to action, connection, and community pride.
Event Details:
What: Community Cleanup (Waste Pickup, Lunch, and Networking)
When: Saturday, April 25th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Who: Open to the public — all are welcome
Starting Locations:
2900 Emerson Avenue North
2126 West Broadway Avenue North
(Please arrive promptly at 10:00 AM)
What to Expect:
- Organized neighborhood waste pickup
- Opportunities to connect with neighbors and local partners
- Lunch provided
- BBQ to follow at Jordan Park
This is more than a cleanup, it’s a chance to stand in unity and take ownership of our shared spaces. Every piece of trash picked up, every conversation had, every connection made is part of a larger movement toward a healthier, stronger Northside!
For more information, please contact:
jacexecutivedirector@gmail.com
or call 612-529-3879
We don’t wait for change, we create it. Let’s get out, get busy, and continue building the Northside we deserve.
 Graphic for the Block Takeover event, including all details of the event.
The Northside is alive with energy, and this is what it looks like when community shows up in full color.
As we continue doing the work to strengthen our neighborhoods, cleaning, restoring, and building, there is also space for joy. Space to laugh, to connect, and to create memories with one another. The Block Takeover is a reminder that community isn’t just about the work we do, but also about the moments we share.
When we invest in our young people, our families, and our connections, we are shaping the future in real time. This is what it means to build a healthy, thriving Northside.
You’re invited to join us for an afternoon of fun, connection, and celebration.
Event Details:
What: Block Takeover Community Event
When: Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Where: Jordan Park (30th Avenue North and Irving Avenue North, Minneapolis)
What to Expect:
- Food and refreshments
- Games and activities for all ages
- Face painting
- Bouncy houses and more
This event is designed for families, neighbors, and community members to come together in a positive, welcoming space. It’s about creating safe, joyful environments where everyone, especially our youth, can simply be, connect, and feel a sense of belonging.
For more information, please contact:
Farji.Shaheer@gmail.com
We are building something meaningful on the Northside, together. Join us, bring your family, and be part of the energy that continues to move our community forward.
Strong communities don’t happen by chance—they are built through connection, consistency, and people who are willing to show up.
Hawthorne Community Day is a reflection of what it looks like when neighbors, partners, and organizations come together with a shared purpose: to support, uplift, and invest in one another. These moments matter. They create opportunities for families to access resources, for young people to feel seen, and for relationships to grow stronger across our community.
When we show up, we’re not just attending an event—we’re reinforcing the idea that we are here for each other.
You’re invited to be part of that.
 Flyer/ graphic Hawthorne Neighborhood Community Day.
Event Details:
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What: Hawthorne Neighborhood Council Community Day
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When: Saturday, May 2nd, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
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Where: HNC Office, 2944 Emerson Avenue North
What to Expect:
- Giveaways and community resources
- Backpacks (child must be present to receive one)
- Limited clothing distribution
- Goodie bags
- Face painting and family-friendly activities
- Opportunities for connection and conversation
Special Guests:
Hawthorne residents will also have the opportunity to enter their name on May 2nd for a chance to win a ticket to the June 21, 2026 Minnesota Lynx game. (Please note: transportation is not provided.)
This is a space for families, neighbors, and community members to come together in a meaningful way—whether that’s accessing resources, enjoying time with your children, or simply connecting with someone new.
Events like this remind us that community is not just about where we live, but how we show up for one another within it. Every conversation, every shared moment, every act of support contributes to something bigger.
Let’s continue building that together.
 Graphic with the Prince Celebration Block Party details that includes a picture of Prince.
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.
 flyer with details of the "Passing the Torch" event.
There are moments in a community that remind us just how important it is to show up, not just for events, but for each other.
On the Northside, we are in a season of transition, growth, and transformation. That kind of movement requires connection. It requires us to be present, to witness change, and to support the people and institutions that help shape our future. When we show up for one another, we strengthen the foundation that everything else is built on.
“Passing the Torch” is more than an event, it’s a reflection of legacy, leadership, and what it means to carry something forward while making space for what’s next.
After 25 years, the ownership of Homewood Studios is transitioning to Peyton Scott Russell, Founder and Artistic Director of SPRAYFiNGER. A lifelong Northsider, Peyton is a respected and accomplished artist, graffiti writer, teacher, and visionary whose work has already left a lasting impact on the community.
This moment is about honoring the past while embracing the future, and inviting the community to be part of that transition.
Event Details:
What: Passing the Torch – Community Celebration
When: Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Where: North 2400 Building, 2400 Plymouth Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411
What to Expect:
- Live painting
- Arts activities
- Community resources
- Music
- Food
This gathering is an opportunity to connect with neighbors, artists, and community leaders, while also being introduced to the changes happening within one of our creative spaces. It’s a chance to celebrate legacy while stepping into a future that is being shaped by new energy, new ideas, and continued commitment to the Northside.
For more information, please contact:
info@robertsgallerympls.com
We all have a role to play in what comes next. Showing up matters. Being present matters. And moments like this remind us that community is not just something we talk about—it’s something we actively build, together.
 Celebrate with your neighbors at Neighborhood Day Saturday, May 2.
Neighborhood Day is an annual day set across the city to increase resident participation in local civic engagement through one of the city’s 67 recognized neighborhood organizations. It’s a chance to come together in community, find the neighborhood organization that represents you and get to know your neighbors.
Neighborhood organizations host their own events, ranging from board elections to family-friendly activities. This year, select neighborhood events will include a bike tour, bean bag tournament and duck race. No matter your neighborhood, there’s something for everyone.
Use this map to find information about your nearest Neighborhood Day events.
Your voice is important
Neighborhood organizations are the most local, smallest form of government. It’s an easy way for residents to be involved at the most grassroots level in their own neighborhood, on their own street.
Find information about your neighborhood organization.
 Graphic stating Highway 280 will be closed in April
MnDOT is making significant bridge and pavement improvements to Highway 280 from I-94 in Saint Paul to Highway 36/I-35W in Roseville.
Northbound lanes closed April 13, with southbound lanes fully closing on April 29. Highway 280 will reopen before the State Fair in late August.
The ramps to both directions of I-94 from Franklin Avenue and the ramps to University Avenue from both directions of I-94 will be closed. Cross streets will remain open except Broadway Street.
Please visit the project webpage to see a full list of ramp and lane closures and sign up for construction email updates.
A pink "STREET SWEEPING" graphic with times of parking and a nunmber listed to contact local officials to gather information about Street Sweeping
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.
Through the Neighborhood Traffic Calming program, Minneapolis Public Works is finding ways to make your neighborhood streets safer and reduce risky driving. We have identified several areas for traffic calming projects in 2026.
We want to hear your concerns about traffic safety near the projects. You can provide feedback in several ways.
Tell us about traffic safety concerns in your neighborhood
Use the project feedback map to tell us about safety concerns you experience near the projects.
Complete a short survey by May 1 to share more of your thoughts.
 Picture of a dog with a bandana on its neck.
The City’s animal shelter has plenty of four-legged friends available for adoption, and there are no adoption fees April 30-May 1.
Normally Minneapolis residents pay no adoption fees for cats or adult dogs but $250 for dogs 6 months and younger. Non-residents normally pay an adoption fee up to $250 plus tax for any of the pets.
The City provides daily care, shelter and adoption services for animals in Minneapolis. We have about 65 animals in our care right now. Every adoption creates space for another animal in need. We’re open six days a week for adoptions and have a constantly changing selection of pets rescued in your community, cared for by your City.
Adoptable cats and dogs are already spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Licensing fees may still apply.
No adoption fee event Take the time to meet and fall in love with the pet that’s right for you. 1-5 p.m. Thursday, April 30, and Friday, May 1
Find adoptable pets on the City website.
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.
 photo of yard waste buckets and bags.
Yard waste season began the week of April 6. During yard waste season, we pick up yard waste every week on your garbage pickup day. There is no extra charge for us to collect properly prepared yard waste.
We accept leaves, brush and other yard trimmings. You should prepare yard waste and set it at your alley or curb next to your garbage cart by 6 a.m. on your garbage pickup day.
You can set yard waste out in reusable containers, compostable bags (paper or BPI certified compostable plastic) or bundles secured with string or twine.
Learn how to prepare your yard waste for pickup.
Contact us
Online: minneapolismn.gov/ward5
Email: pearll.warren@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2205
City Hall
350 S. Fifth St., Room 370
Minneapolis, MN 55415
For reasonable accommodations or alternative format please contact 311. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. Para ayuda, llame al 311. Rau kev pab, hu 311. Hadii aad caawimaad u baahantahay, wac 311.
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