In this issue: Counci Member Cashman speaking from the dais with the U.S. Flag and City Seal in the background Council approved a $460,000 contract with the Minneapolis Downtown Council / Downtown Improvement District as a continuation of ongoing work related to their Vibrant Downtown Storefronts initiative. This work is paying off. As one piece of the City’s larger strategy for addressing retail vacancies in Downtown alongside our community partners, the Downtown Council has set out to better understand and uplift downtown’s neighborhood retail submarkets with the goal of addressing their unique needs and helping them recruit and retain successful retail. The Downtown Council is currently seeking proposals from retail market specialists to respond to an open Request For Proposals (RFP) for a Retail Node Analysis and Strategy by May 9, 2025. Interested parties can also view details on retail inventories and follow along with progress on this newly launched data dashboard. Outside of 3000 Minnehaha Council approved a $871,500 contract with LSE Architects for architectural and engineering design services for the Democracy Center at the former 3rd precinct at 3000 Minnehaha. LSE is a local firm led by Mohammed Lawal, and we are incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to work with him on this development. I support the development of the Democracy Center in this space, and I’m really glad we took an important step to move it forward. Council has expressed, through resolutions last year, the urgency to address the blight at the building, including the dilapidated fencing, burnt remnants, and other elements of the damaged structure, which is long overdue. Council has requested a memo from the Administration on the status of those immediate improvements. Council approved amendments relating to the administration and licensing regulations of the food code, which increases the number of locations for Sidewalk Cart Food Vendors. As our city’s economy continues to evolve, we are always looking for ways to help entrepreneurs and new Americans adapt to doing business in Minneapolis. These changes will ensure that food safety standards are upheld as more vendors operate around the city, as they do in many other cities around the country and the world. The amendment also allows for more licensed location opportunities per license, which will ease the financial burden of the vendor and allow for more flexibility in their operations. View more details on these changes in City staff’s presentation at our April 8th Business, Housing, & Zoning Committee meeting. Council Members and community advocates hold the signed resolution in Council Chambers Public hearings are officially confirmed when meeting agendas are published in the roughly 48 business hours prior to a scheduled meeting, so I recommend checking back on the respective links to verify the timeline. Find out more about participating in scheduled hearings and submitting a public comment or watch meetings on the City’s YouTube channel. Business, Housing, & Zoning Committee: Tuesday, April 22 | 1:30 p.m. | 250 S 4th St, Room 350 - Fro Yo Soul liquor license for wine and beer sales in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Public Health and Safety Committee: Wednesday, April 23 | 1:30 p.m. | 250 S 4th St, Room 350 - Amending the Civil Rights Ordinance provisions to add new protected classes, bolster enforcement of current protections, and amend procedures for efficiency and ease of use
In each Ward 7 Newsletter, we include a question for constituents to weigh in on. Questions may be related to upcoming policy decisions, future planning, issue prioritization, community project ideas, and more. Today's question: In 2023, the City passed a historic Climate Equity Plan emphasizing the transition to clean energy sources in our buildings citywide, including homes, City-owned properties, commercial properties, and more. Council then developed a revenue source to fund $10m annually in climate action efforts. In my role as Chair of the Climate and Infrastructure committee, I collaborate deeply with the Health Department staff leading the efforts to weatherize and retrofit buildings, train a green workforce, develop building performance standards, expand energy efficient transportation options, plant thousands of trees, and so much more. We developed a biannual cadence of reports on this work to make sure we are investing and spending this funding wisely. The last update was in November of 2024 and the next update will be at our Climate and Infrastructure committee next Thursday, April 24 at 1:30pm. All are welcome to attend. What questions do you have about our local climate action work or how would you like to see us focus those efforts?  |
Hot Pink Street Sweeping "No Parking 7am-4:30pm" sign Public Works crews will start the City’s comprehensive street sweeping program April 22 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 1,000 miles of city streets. 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. You can see when your street is scheduled to be swept by visiting the interactive street sweeping map. The department of Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED) has shared several open Notices of Funding Availability (NOFA), two of which are applicable specifically to Uptown programs: - Great Streets Business District Support (BDS) Program has one-time grant funding - available now - for Uptown-specific projects. This program funds nonprofit organizations to implement activities that enhance the vitality of a business district, benefit existing businesses, diversify an area’s client base, and increase the diversity of goods and services provided. Organizations are eligible to receive a maximum of $50,000 of BDS grant funding in one calendar year. Proposals are due on Wednesday, May 7 by 4:00 p.m. Overview of the program can be found on the BDS Program page.
- The Business Technical Assistance Program (BTAP) has one-time funding available for organizations to provide consulting services and training for businesses located in Uptown. There is $50,000 available and the City may fund one or multiple proposals. Proposals are due on Wednesday, May 7 by 4:00 p.m. Overview of the program can be found on the BTAP Program page.
The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) has begun their annual preventative field work to prevent summer mosquitos. MMCD trucks, drones, helicopters, and staff will be out in neighborhoods and parks working to reduce mosquito-borne disease and annoyance. Many of our seasonal staff begin working in April and residents may notice the green or white trucks with the MMCD logo or staff on bikes or on foot wearing brightly colored “Mosquito Control” vests. At times, MMCD employees may need to cross private property to access and check areas for mosquito larvae. If you have questions about mosquito control activities or concerns about an employee, please call the MMCD front desk at (651) 645-9149 or visit the MMCD website. Council Member Cashman and members of Colectiva Bilingüe smiling at City Hall On April 9th, I had the pleasure of honoring Colectiva Bilingüe with the 2025 Public Health Hero award. Colectiva Bilingüe is a community-based organization dedicated to advocating for more equitable Spanish dual language programs in Minneapolis Public Schools. Since its beginnings in 2020 as a group of dedicated parents, Colectiva has grown to serve five schools, including Loring Park’s very own Emerson Dual Language School. Through their recent Bilingual Climate Action initiative, Colectiva has brought together teachers, international teaching assistants, and parent liaisons to give students hands-on, cross-cultural experiences to learn how personal decisions and societal actions affect the air we breathe. By empowering students and families, Colectiva is building a stronger, healthier community. Find a full list of honorees on the City website. Minneapolis is finding ways to make your neighborhood streets safer and reduce risky driving. Public Works has identified 14th St W between Willow St and Nicollet Ave as a location in need of traffic calming implementation. Learn about all the 2025 projects and please give us your feedback through our upcoming open houses, online interactive feedback map and survey. Learn more about the traffic calming project and ways you can get involved on the City website. Join a work group to advise the City on its safety services. The Safe and Thriving Communities work group will also support on engagement opportunities to connect with community members. Applications are open through May 4. The new work group will provide community feedback as the City develops its community safety ecosystem. This includes services and procedures around: - Prevention
- Non-police response
- Restoration
- Community safety centers
We’re looking for people who have expertise or lived experience in: - Violence prevention services
- Unarmed violence intervention services
- Restorative justice and healing services
- Criminal justice system
Learn more about qualifications, expectations and the appointment process by visiting the City's website. With spring arriving, Lime and Spin scooters are now available throughout the City for shared mobility use. Whether you are new to riding scooters or have used them for years, please refresh yourself on the parking and riding rules. Please remember that our sidewalks are for everyone to use, and leaving scooters in the middle of sidewalks makes it harder for everyone to get around. Sidewalks require at least four-feet of obstruction-free pavement to be accessible for everyone to use. To learn more about scooter apps, or report an issue, visit the Scooters page on the City’s website. Map highlighting work zones in Kenwood CenterPoint Energy construction in Ward 7: CenterPoint Energy is making important updates to natural gas infrastructure in Ward 7 to continue to provide safe, reliable service and to increase the resiliency of our system. Kenwood: Starting May 5th, there will be a two-month construction project to update gas lines along W 24th St, Russell Ave S, and Sheridan Ave S between W Lake of the Isles Parkway and Upton Ave S. Center Point Energy will be working in-tandem with road paving efforts by Minneapolis Public Works. Loring Park: On Monday, April 14th, CenterPoint’s authorized contractors began work on a new project in the Loring Park neighborhood. Construction takes place from the 300 block of West 15th Street to where West 15th Street intersects with Spruce Place. Work will also be on Spruce Place between West 15th Street and Oak Grove Street. This project is expected to last about one month. CenterPoint’s work is being completed prior to road construction by the City of Minneapolis. Construction schedules are subject to change, and their website will have the latest information. Visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Construction, select “Project Sites”, then “Minneapolis” and select your neighborhood to view the latest information and sign up for email updates. CenterPoint anticipates additional activities within Ward 7 later this year. We will provide updates prior to and during future projects. CenterPoint thanks the residents and businesses of Ward 7 for your patience as we complete this vital work. If you have questions, contact CenterPoint’s communication specialist at 612.542.6198 or una.omeara@centerpointenergy.com. 31st Annual Minneapolis Earth Day Cleanup Saturday, April 19th, 9:30am-Noon The Earth Day Clean-Up is the largest community service event in Minneapolis, with over 40 clean-up sites across the city. Since its inception in 2008, more than 23,000 residents have come together to remove over 165,000 pounds of garbage. The 2025 Earth Day Clean-Up is a drop-in volunteer activity — no need to pre-register. Simply choose a clean-up site that works for you and arrive at 9:30 AM on Saturday, April 19th. Each site will have a coordinator to check you in, distribute equipment, and provide instructions. The clean-up wraps up at noon, so be sure to bring your enthusiasm and help us make a difference! Thank you for your commitment to cleaner, greener parks. Find a full list of volunteer opportunities on the Park Board website. Saturday, May 3rd is Neighborhood Day, a day dedicated to inviting residents of Minneapolis to get more involved in their local neighborhood organizations. Ward 7 neighbors are invited to join the fun at the following events: - Bryn Mawr Festival of Garage Sales: 8am-5pm throughout Bryn Mawr, with over 100 garage sales, along with events at local shops and food trucks. A full map of events can be found on the Bryn Mawr Neighborhood Association website on May 2nd.
- Loring Park Garden Kick Off Party: 10am-12pm at the Loring Park Community Center at 1382 Willow Street. Light brunch served. More information found on the Citizens for a Loring Park Community website.
- East + West Bde Maka Ska Block Party: 12-6pm in the Lakeside Center Parking Lot at 3033 Excelsior Blvd. Join neighbors for an afternoon of food trucks, music, and yard games. Find a full list of food trucks on the West Maka Ska website.
You can find a full list of events throughout the City on the department of Neighborhood and Community Relations website. People smiling in the sunny retail space at Moona Moono Sometimes the news can get us down, but there is a lot to be excited about in Minneapolis! This year we will be sure to call out some good news in each of our newsletters. Do you have some good news to share? Let us know by emailing ward7@minneapolismn.gov and including “Good News Round-up" in the subject line.  |
Council Member Cashman speaking at a podium The Ward 7 team continues to get out in community to talk to neighbors and stakeholders where they are. Here are a few highlights from the past couple of weeks. - Attended the monthly Lowry Hill Neighborhood Association meeting.
- Joined Street Voices of Change for their meeting at The Basilica to discuss public bathroom access.
- Attended the East Isles Neighborhood Association Annual Meeting
- Joined neighbors for the West Maka Ska Neighborhood Safety Walk.
- Met with Loring Park neighbors at the Woman’s Club to learn about building ownership changes.
- Spoke at Plymouth Congregational Church in Stevens Square to connect with members about upcoming changes in the neighborhood and what work we are doing at City Hall.
To find out about what’s going on in your part of town, check out the nine neighborhood organizations working to keep folks connected and engaged in Ward 7: | 
