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More than 112,000 people voted in the 2026 primary election in Minneapolis, the second highest turnout in any state primary since 1968. That’s more than 40% of our registered voters weighing in.
Minneapolis has 263,562 registered voters, about 60.5% of the city’s estimated population.
Thank you to our elections staff and election judges for once again ensuring free, impartial and fair access to the ballot box. And most of all, thank you, voters, for voting.
You can find the unofficial election results for the primary election on the Secretary of State’s website.
The City of Minneapolis and The Loft Literary Center are seeking applications for the next Minneapolis Poet Laureate. The two-year term runs from Jan. 1, 2027, through Dec. 31, 2028.
The Poet Laureate serves as an ambassador for Minneapolis’ literary culture, using poetry to connect and engage our community. During their term, the Poet Laureate will participate in civic events, lead public poetry programming, teach classes through The Loft and develop a community-focused poetry project.
The call for poets opens Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Learn more about the Minneapolis Poet Laureate program and how to apply.
Join the East Bank Neighborhoods Partnership for Music in the Park at Van Cleve Park on Saturday August 22nd from 12:30-6 for local music for neighbors of all ages!
Flyer for music in the park at Van Cleve Park.
The Community Commission on Police Oversight (CCPO) is hosting a special meeting for community members to give input on MPD policies and practices.
CCPO Special Meeting
September 17th at 6pm
250 South 4th Street #350
Flyer for the CCPO special meeting. Please note that the flyer has an incorrect address. The location of the CCPO special meeting will be at 250 S 4th Street.
Summary: More information and updates on the 2027 City Budget, and opportunities to share your priorities with the City Council.
Background: Earlier this week, Mayor Frey published his proposed City Budget for 2027. I sent out a newsletter update with a high-level overview of some concerns, including programs and services that were cut and/or that I was concerned were vulnerable to being defunded. I am pleased to update and make a correction regarding funding for Sidewalk Snow and Ice pilots. Public Works has informed my office that the full funding for the municipal sidewalk plowing program, nearly $600,000, will be maintained in the 2027 budget. This modest investment aligns with several city goals, including reaching our goal of 3 out of 5 trips by residents to be made by walking, biking, or transit.
City-led sidewalk snow and ice clearing has had citywide support from residents because the public is able to measurably see improvement in safe and accessible winter sidewalks in their communities. Next week, the Climate and Infrastructure Committee will receive an update on this year’s pilot. I look forward to sharing more updates on this program and potential opportunities for engagement as it comes forward.
Key votes: No votes taken.
Summary: The City Council approved a voluntary relocation policy for Heritage Park residents proposed by the Frey administration.
Background: In the last few months, Ward 5 Council Member Warren brought significant attention to the inhumane conditions many residents were living in at Heritage Park. Mold, rats, lack of air conditioning or heat was the reality of residents without any clarity from the city or the developer on when conditions would improve.
Last month, the City Council approved $2.5 million dollars to support the relocation of Heritage Park residents. This approval occurred despite several Council Members having reservations that no specific plan was offered alongside the funding request. This week, the Frey administration provided a formal policy plan that laid out the conditions and timelines related to relocation assistance. The City Council approved this proposal in our continued support of the emergency response needed for residents at Heritage Park to relocate to safer housing.
I am pleased there has been movement on getting these funds out to support residents. Clear information to offer residents who are seeking assistance is critical. I am also very concerned that the Frey administration is not addressing the systemic changes in housing inspections that must occur to ensure residents never have to experience these kinds of inhumane conditions in any rental unit citywide.
Mayor Frey’s proposed City Budget for 2027 potentially makes significant cuts to housing inspections staffing. It also continues a $3 million/year subsidy to landlords and slumlords. For years, Council Members have been vocal in their advocacy to the Frey administration to improve and increase rigor into housing inspections. Last year, I co-authored the STOP Slumlords ordinance in partnership with my colleagues. This ordinance increases the City Council’s oversight of rental licenses with significant documented problems. The City Council approved this ordinance to create more tools for accountability over bad landlords in response to the continued lack of accountability coming from the Frey administration. Heritage Park is an example of how the City’s failure to do thorough housing inspections and accountability can exacerbate and fuel larger problems. In addition to protecting current Heritage Park residents, we must build systems to prevent future Heritage Park-type situations.
Key votes: The City Council unanimously approved the Heritage Park voluntary relocation policy.
Summary: The Emergency Housing Vouchers that I led the City Council to fund are starting to be administered, providing free housing and social services to families and individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
Background: Housing First is a nationally recognized model to reduce homelessness by providing housing and social services to unsheltered people. It has been proven to be the most effective in decreasing homelessness. Two years ago, I led the City Council to fund a Housing First program in partnership with Hennepin County and the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) called Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV). The program would provide free housing and wraparound social services to 50 families and 50 individuals on the County’s coordinated entry list of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Given the data of success from similar programs, we believe that full implementation of the funding could lead to reducing the population of unsheltered people in our city by up to 20%, for less than $2 million/year. Mayor Frey refused to implement the funding for the entirety of 2025. The City Council reaffirmed our commitment to Housing First and funded EHV in the 2026 budget.
After nearly two years of pressuring the Frey administration to implement the Council-led Emergency Housing Voucher program, we are happy to report that there has finally been progress. In April, the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA), a partner in this work, shared that implementation would begin this June. To date, MPHA has received nine referrals from Hennepin County’s coordinated entry program. Five households are in the intake workflow, and the first two vouchers are actually being issued today! The time from issuance to a participant securing a place to live can take months. But I am very hopeful that this time next summer MPHA will have utilized almost all 100 vouchers.
Housing First is the best pathway to humanely and effectively reduce homelessness in our City. It’s also cost-effective and provides a high return on our public investment. I look forward to supporting the full implementation of Emergency Housing Vouchers.
Key votes: No votes taken.
The Office of Community Safety shared the following update on the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center:
Our Community Safety initiatives depend on collaboration with partner agencies, community organizations, and community members. Together, we work to enhance safety and connect people with essential resources.
Community Safety Centers are a new approach for delivering safety services in Minneapolis. The first-of-its-kind City facility will bring the Minneapolis Police Department’s 3rd Precinct together with City services, community-based organizations, and other safety resources in one location. This model creates more opportunities for people to access support and connect with the help they need.
Construction began in May 2026, and the center is expected to open in the second quarter of 2027.
Construction update
The Safety Center is currently in the construction phase of the project, with significant work taking place this summer 2026, including:
- Plumbing, electrical, and sanitary work progressed, including trenching and conduit installation.
- Mechanical units removed and mezzanine footing areas prepped.
- Next steps include concrete pours, continued sanitary piping, transformer removal, and receiving mechanical materials.
Community Safety Center Services
The Center will serve as the new home for the Minneapolis Police 3rd Precinct and will also feature:
- 311 Service Center
- Youth Connection Center
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Human Trafficking Prevention and Intervention Services. The Link Minneapolis was the first organization to sign a contract to house services in the center.
- Domestic Violence Navigators
- Mental Health and Well-Being Support
- Culturally Specific Navigators
Communications and visibility
We plan to provide public updates on the center’s timeline and services and will produce a short video closer to opening to showcase services. The multimedia team is capturing photos and video of construction progress.
Go to the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center’s webpage for the latest information.
Next Steps
- Continue interdepartmental coordination on service delivery, staffing, and operational policies.
- Align outreach and messaging so residents know what will be available and when.
- Identify any additional program needs or gaps we should address ahead of opening.
Contact Ward 2
Visit: minneapolismn.gov/ward2
Email: robin.wonsley@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2202
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. |
