 As we move further into spring, I’m excited to share updates on the incredible work happening across our community; from the groundbreaking of the new Community Performing Arts Center at the Upper Harbor, to important public health and safety resources, neighborhood clean-up efforts, mental health awareness, and opportunities to stay connected with City services and one another. This month’s newsletter reflects the many ways we are continuing to invest in a healthier, safer, and more vibrant Ward 4 for everyone.
I’m also especially looking forward to hosting a new PurpleAir air quality sensor at my home as part of the City’s Community Air Monitoring Project. Clean air and environmental health matter deeply to the quality of life in our neighborhoods, and better local data helps us better understand the challenges our community faces. I encourage residents, businesses, and community organizations to consider hosting a sensor as well so we can continue building a stronger picture of air quality across Ward 4 and advocate for healthier outcomes for all.
As always, thank you for staying engaged, supporting one another, and helping make Ward 4 such a strong and caring community. I hope to see many of you at our Friday office hours or out in the neighborhood soon!
— Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw
 Community, City and State leaders, alongside members of the Twin Cities music and arts scene, gathered to break ground on the Community Performing Arts Center in north Minneapolis, launching construction of a new amphitheater on the Mississippi River.
Set to open in summer 2027, the 8,000-seat outdoor concert venue will bring live music and community programming to the riverfront, hosting approximately 50 ticketed shows each year from May through October. A portion of ticket revenue will be reinvested directly into the community through a partnership with the African American Community Development Corporation.
The amphitheater will be operated by the Port of Minneapolis, a collaboration between First Avenue and the Minnesota Orchestra, bringing together local expertise in live music and performance.
The amphitheater is part of the Upper Harbor, a 48-acre riverfront site being transformed by the City of Minneapolis in partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and local developers.
The City has rolled out a new dispatch service to better connect the community with Community Safety Ambassadors in the East Lake Street and East Franklin Avenue cultural districts. Community members, business owners and visitors can now call or email dispatch to request support within the Ambassadors’ scope of services, making it easier to get timely, non-emergency help in the corridor.
Community Safety Ambassadors wear bright blue uniforms and provide a friendly, non-law-enforcement presence in the neighborhood.
Safety Ambassadors provide:
· Safety escorts
· Wellness checks in public areas
· Help filing police and 311 reports
· Connections to City resources and services
· Support for businesses
· Basic first aid such as CPR and NARCAN
The new dispatch system helps ensure requests are routed quickly and efficiently, strengthening coordination and improving access to support for people who live, work and visit the area. Safety Ambassadors provide services five days per week, typically during daylight hours.
To request an Ambassador:
· Call: 612-673-5392
· Email: safetyambassador@minneapolismn.gov
Learn more about the Community Safety Ambassadors program.
Bushes, branches and tall grass that hangs into the alley are a safety hazard for our collection crews and your neighbors. It reduces visibility for driving and scratches people and vehicles. That’s why we need your help keeping brush and branches along the alley trimmed.
Check your property for these other common nuisance violations too. They can be fire hazards and attract rodents.
· Tall grass and weeds
· Garbage, litter, junk in yards
· Inoperable vehicles
· Piles of brush and branches
If a City inspector sees a violation, they’ll send a notice to the property owner. We typically give owners about a week to address an issue. If it’s not resolved by the due date, contractors will correct the violation, and the City will charge the owner a fee for the work.
If you receive a violation notice and have questions, call 311 and ask to leave a message for the inspector.
Measles is on the rise in many parts of the United States. Many Minnesota cases come from unvaccinated travelers. It can be very dangerous for kids, pregnant women and older adults
If you’ve been exposed to measles, call your health care provider right away.
· Health care providers can help you or your child have a less severe case of measles if you have been exposed.
· Call your health care provider right away so they have time to help before symptoms start.
Symptoms usually show up one to two weeks after you are exposed. Call your doctor or medical provider right away if you notice symptoms like: · High fever · Cough · Runny nose · Red, watery eyes · Ear infection · Diarrhea · A rash that usually starts on the head and spreads downward
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It's a time to remind each other that mental health is important for everyone. This year's theme is “You matter.” No matter who you are or what you're going through, you are important and you belong.
During May, we learn simple ways to take care of our minds, support friends and family, and build strong, caring communities. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minneapolis Health Department share tips, activities and safe ways to talk about mental health.
Each week has a different topic to help you learn more. This week’s topic is “Self-care matters.”
Self-care matters
Self-care means doing small things that help you feel better, like getting rest, moving your body or talking to someone you trust. Self-care can and will look different for everyone.
Find resources and ideas that may work for you on The Jed Foundation website.
Supporting youth mental health
Adults and caregivers are often in a place to check in and guide youth in their mental health journey. It’s common for everyone, especially teenagers, to experience a wide range of emotions — sadness, anxiety, anger — but when it begins to affect their daily life, that is when adults should take note and seek professional help.
Recognizing behavioral changes can be a sign your child or loved one needs support. Signs include:
· Changes in daily functioning: Sleeping too much or not at all, not eating, changes in weight or a lack of energy
· Major emotional and behavioral changes: Extreme mood swings or noticeable withdrawal from friends or other activities they used to enjoy
· Verbal cues: Talking or joking about death or suicide or expressing unbearable emotional pain
· Risky or concerning behaviors: Self-harm behaviors, increased use of drugs or alcohol or giving away important belongings or saying goodbye in a final way
Youth may need professional support if they are showing any of these changes.
Supporting youth
There are many ways to support youth and keep them safe, especially when their mental health is at risk.
· Talk to them directly and ask open-ended questions (“Tell me about … ”, “I’m really glad you told me … ”).
· Stay with them if they seem at immediate risk.
· Tell all adults who need to be informed if there is an immediate risk.
· If urgent, call 911.
Resources
· For a crisis team to come to you, call the Hennepin County COPE line at 612-596-1223.
· For immediate help, call 911 and ask for a crisis intervention team. · For educational and emotional resources, visit the NAMI (National Association for Mental Illness) website or call the NAMI Help line at 651-645-2948, ext. 117.
· Call or text 988 to speak with a counselor. Your conversations are free and confidential.
 While the City of Minneapolis does not observe “No Mow May,” you can still help pollinators by:
· Waiting until nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees to rake your yard
· Setting your mower to a higher level
· Mowing less often
· Using grass seed mixes that include flowering plants such as Dutch white clover and creeping thyme
· Choosing native plants for your garden to feed pollinators all season
· Delaying yard cleanup until temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees
· Using less — or no — pesticide
Everyone deserves to breathe clean air. Some neighborhoods especially lower-income areas and communities of color are more affected by pollution.
In 2021, the Minneapolis Health Department started the Community Air Monitoring Project. It has a network of 55 PurpleAir air sensors placed throughout Minneapolis. The sensors:
· Help us understand overall air quality in Minneapolis and how it may vary by location
· Are installed outside of homes, schools and businesses
· Report air quality in real time
The City recently purchased 80 new PurpleAir sensors and is looking for people to host them in their neighborhoods.
Learn how to host a PurpleAir sensor in your neighborhood.
Sign up to receive air quality alerts.
Food Allergy Awareness Week is May 10-16. The week helps raise awareness about food allergies and safe dining in Minneapolis.
More than 33 million Americans have food allergies. Serious reactions can happen fast. Many happen after eating food made outside the home.
When dining out:
· Tell your server about your food allergy before ordering.
· Ask questions about ingredients and food preparation.
· Remind staff about allergies when food arrives. To help support safer dining experiences, the Minneapolis Health Department offers free online food allergy training for food workers. Training is available in English and Spanish.
Learn more about food allergens on the City website.
Minneapolis has three NARCAN vending machines across the city. NARCAN (naloxone) can reverse opioid overdoses and save lives. Find free NARCAN at the following locations: · Fire Station 5, 2700 Bloomington Ave. S. · Fire Station 14, 2002 Lowry Ave. N. (installed May 2025) · Fire Station 21, 3209 38th St. E. (installed July 2024)
The three Minneapolis machines:
· Provide 24-hour access and are located outside
· Contain more than 100 boxes of NARCAN, each holding two doses, and restocked weekly
Today, we announced that City staff are moving forward a recommendation of Minnesota Agape Movement as the City’s development partner for the Peoples’ Way. The selection would mark a major step toward a community-centered future for the former gas station at 3744 Chicago Ave. at George Floyd Square.
The recommendation is based on criteria established by the City and community to identify a partner who will oversee the site’s reuse, including relevant experience, financial qualifications and a commitment to a community-centered approach. Community feedback helped inform the selection and will continue to guide future planning and design work. The selection now moves to the City Council for approval.
Agape’s recommendation follows years of planning and community engagement, reflecting both the complexity of the site and the City’s commitment to advancing a shared vision through ongoing collaboration and planning for the Peoples’ Way.
Construction starts June 8 — what to expect
Construction at George Floyd Square begins June 8, guided by a plan that was shaped by years of community input, conversations and care.
Over the next two years, this project will bring major infrastructure and street improvements designed to make the area safer, more accessible and more welcoming for neighbors, businesses and visitors.
Planned work includes a raised intersection and crossings designed to calm traffic and improve pedestrian safety, upgraded transit stops with restored bus service on Chicago Avenue, new bikeways, added green space and dedicated areas for memorials, art and community gathering.
Honoring memorials and community expression
Stewardship of artwork and memorials at George Floyd Square has been a key part of construction planning.
We have been engaging with artists, gardeners and community members to plan for the temporary relocation of memorials to nearby locations during construction, with the goal of protecting them while maintaining public access throughout the project.
Continue to visit and support local businesses
Construction will happen in phases to help maintain access for residents, visitors and local businesses. Community members are encouraged to continue supporting restaurants, shops and small businesses along the corridor during construction.
 National Night Out is a beloved Minneapolis tradition — a chance for neighbors to connect, celebrate summer and strengthen community ties. Many blocks host cookouts, games and activities while kids enjoy playing freely in the closed street.
National Night Out takes place every year on the first Tuesday in August. This year’s National Night Out is August 4.
The event is sponsored by the City of Minneapolis and organized through the Minneapolis Police Department. Learn more about National Night Out on the City website.
Register your block
National Night Out event registration is now open. Make a plan for your neighborhood and sign up early to receive digital flyers and information about our National Night Out Pop-Ups, where registered hosts can receive supplies for their National Night Out neighborhood events. Register your block’s National Night Out event by July 28
The City of Minneapolis offers free use of Aira, an app that connects people with blindness or low vision to a live agent for navigation assistance.
Aira can be used for free at:
· Minneapolis City Hall and Hennepin County Courthouse
· Public Service Center
· Public Service Building
· Nicollet Mall
· Minneapolis Convention Center
· Target Center
Aira is also available across the entire Metro Transit service area, including the METRO Blue and Green lines, and at the MSP Airport.
 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.
If you want to schedule a meeting or phone call with me, reach out to my office at:
ward4@minneapolismn.gov
Or leave a message at:
612-673-2204
You can also reach me directly at my email: latrisha.vetaw@minneapolismn.gov
Join us for open office hours with the council member every Friday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ward Office, located in a new location:
2140 44th Ave N - Whether you’d like to discuss concerns, share ideas, or simply stop by to say thank you, all are welcome!
Contact Ward 4
Visit: minneapolismn.gov/ward4
Email: ward4@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2204 |
