In this issue: Members of the City's Employee Resource Group for women standing with the women on the City Council Yesterday the Council to move forward with a plan for George Floyd Square that would allow for a fully vetted, clear vision of a pedestrian mall at 38th and Chicago. The Council’s move is supported by community members who, for nearly five years, have been cultivating and re-imagining the space in a way that centers ongoing calls for justice. This veto override means the City is moving forward with a concept that guarantees pedestrianization. In addition to cultivating and protecting the existing memorial from non-delivery, maintenance, and emergency vehicles, the pedestrian mall concept would also provide new boulevard spaces that will allow for plantings, trees, and stormwater treatment areas and prioritize traffic calming, safety, and accessibility improvements. The directive is in line with community members’ demand for a pedestrian model that does not erase the history of police brutality in Minneapolis, and for which Public Works provided a supporting memo that lays out the work needed to develop a pedestrian mall concept layout. The national political climate is incredibly hostile toward the movement for racial justice in this country, so we need to stand our ground here in Minneapolis. I will continue to follow community members’ lead here, while making sure we are investing in George Floyd Square and the surrounding neighborhoods as a City, not only this year and next year but for generations to come. We heard presentations this week from four potential partners that the City will be selecting from to redevelop the Peoples’ Way site at 38th and Chicago. That work and investment will proceed in the coming months. Residents can weigh in on their proposals at upcoming community events. Nationwide, cities such as Birmingham, Cincinnati, Memphis, and Detroit have continued to reckon with racial violence through design by creating Civil Rights memorials and established sites meant for visitors to learn, understand, and respect history. Council is ready to act for the community to see real investments and progress that does not allow Mayor Frey to erase what happened to Mr. Floyd, the trauma residents of Minneapolis experienced in 2020, or ongoing calls for justice for victims of police violence. Council’s action respects the time it takes for neighborhoods to endure significant reconstruction after traumatic events and preserves a space of historical, artistic, and political significance in the City of Minneapolis. I am proud to have co-authored an ordinance amendment which will allow vegetables and some other edible plants to be grown in the publicly-owned boulevards without a permit. This action will improve equitable access to healthy food, support our City climate goals, and allow alternative ground cover that is compatible with maintaining high quality neighborhoods, streets. Council Members worked diligently with one another, City staff, and community members to weigh considerations about pedestrian safety, maintenance of clear sightlines, potential environmental and stormwater impacts, and access barriers. Raised planter beds are allowed without permit as long as they follow guidelines on ensuring emergency vehicle access and clear pedestrian & vehicle sightlines. Furthermore, to ensure that boulevard gardeners can source the type of ground cover the City is recommending to prevent sedimentation and surface water contamination, there will be no permits required for the use of natural double-ground or double-shredded hardwood mulch free of dyes and other treatment to cover the ground between vegetation clusters for up to six (6) feet measured parallel to the curb or pathway. This Sunday, I’ll be presenting on this topic with staff from our Homegrown Minneapolis program at my monthly “Coffee with Katie” event to ensure all gardeners who plant in the public space can do so this summer. More details on the event are included in this newsletter below. Please come with your questions. The City Council and the Office of Community Safety / Neighborhood Safety Department have had lengthy discussion over the past several months about how to ensure accountability and success of our violence prevention programs, namely the programs working to reduce homicides and gun violence. With the recent departure of the Department’s Director and significant program staffing shortages, Council has been grappling with how best to support the delivery of these critical services in transparent and accountable ways. Yesterday, Council ultimately approved 6 new contracts for Group Violence Intervention and Youth Group Violence Intervention totaling $800,000 to start April 1. I will be following up with the department leadership in the upcoming months to ensure reporting mechanisms and performance based outcomes are being collected and shared. First, I want to share a little bit of background about what Inclusionary Zoning is, and why it’s important. Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) ordinance and associated provisions of the Unified Housing Policy were adopted by the City Council in December 2019 with an aim to create mixed-income housing and communities as guided by the 2040 Plan. It is one of many tools the City uses to produce affordable housing. Effective January 1, 2020, developers submitting new land use applications for residential rental projects with 20 or more units incorporate affordable units into the project or choose an alternative compliance option to comply with IZ, one of which could be an in-lieu payment benefitting the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Since implementation began, 25 projects have produced 526 affordable units, and the City has collected $6,787,497 in in-lieu fee payments. More detail on IZ outcomes can be viewed on the Inclusionary Zoning Data Dashboard. Some stakeholders have asked why the City wouldn’t consider pausing the IZ requirements all together given that current high interest rates and the skyrocketing costs of materials, among other factors, have slowed housing development across the city. A few key reasons are that: - The analysis showed that developing new rental and new ownership opportunities is not feasible right now with or without the IZ policy. This is not the factor that will suddenly change the whole feasibility dynamic.
- The IZ policy has been successful for ensuring that some affordable units are included in market rate projects still getting built in more expensive areas like the North Loop, supporting our goal of creating mixed income communities across the entire city.
- This policy is reviewed every 3-5 years, and the City is not in the habit of issuing frequent, short-term changes that could be confusing and difficult for developers to comply with.
- There is no way to predict when market conditions will shift back into a direction that creates more development. Pausing IZ implementation all together would likely result in a gap in affordable unit generation if and when the economics change, and City policy cannot adapt with the same swiftness.
I know that creating and retaining affordable housing is an issue that Ward 7 residents care deeply about. I will continue finding ways to ensure that we are putting Minneapolis in the best possible position to retain and attract all residents who want to take advantage of all our great city has to offer. Council passed an honorary resolution honoring Women’s History Month in the City of Minneapolis. Council Members introduced and referred to the appropriate committee ordinances and/or amendments on provisions related to: 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, March 4 | 1:30 p.m. | 250 S 4th St, Room 350 - Tropico liquor license (430 1st St N, Ste 101)
Climate & Infrastructure Committee: Thursday, March 6 | 1:30 p.m. | 250 S 4th St, Room 350 - Franklin Avenue Reconstruction (Lyndale Ave S to Chicago Ave)
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 celebration of the approval of the boulevards ordinance amendment, what kinds of things would you like to see planted in your neighborhood boulevards? A photo of people displaying and serving spirits with "Made in Minnesota" and event details overlayed Raise your glass to the Land of 10,000 Lakes! Visit the historic Uptown Theater tonight for an unforgettable evening celebrating the finest craft spirits Minnesota has to offer. This lively event brings together over 20 of the state’s best distilleries, each pouring their unique creations—from smooth vodkas and bold whiskeys to inventive gins and tantalizing liqueurs. - When: February 28, 2025 | 5-8 p.m. (tonight!)
- Where: Uptown Theater (2900 Hennepin Ave)
A blue, green, and white graphic with a tree-lined path and the words "Help build our city's tree canopy" Minneapolis property owners can enter the City Trees Lottery through March 14. Don’t be left out of the shade by missing the chance to purchase up to three low-cost trees for just $30 each. - Over 15 varieties of shade and evergreen trees available
- Trees are 3 to 7 feet tall
- Purchase includes:
- One bag of mulch
- Information about planting and caring for your trees
A blue and white graphic with an aerial image of Minneapolis in a heart shape and details for applying to serve Member recruitment for City boards and commissions opens March 1. We’re looking for applicants with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences representing the demographics of Minneapolis to strengthen the work of the City. Translation and interpreting are available so all residents can participate. Serving on City boards and commissions offers a direct way for residents to advise City leadership about topics important to them. This is a way to help make changes and improvements that impact your community. Applications will be taken in March for the following boards and commissions: - Advisory Committee on Aging
- Advisory Committee on Disabilities
- Advisory Committee on Housing
- Bicycle Advisory Committee
- Community Commission on Police Oversight (applications open until March 16)
- Homegrown Food Council
- Pedestrian Advisory Committee
- Public Health Advisory Committee
Apply March 1‐31, and stay up to date on vacancies, position descriptions and timelines by visiting the City website.
A green, blue, and white event graphic with meeting details and a photo of Council Member Cashman Join us this Sunday for our next “Coffee with Katie” event at ModernWell! Are you a current or aspiring gardener? The City Council just approved amendments to the ordinance governing use of boulevards with the goal of expanding the ability for the public to use them for gardening spaces. This month we will be joined by Grace Rude from the City’s Homegrown Minneapolis program to talk about these changes and answer your questions. “Coffee with Katie” is a monthly opportunity for Ward 7 constituents to share ideas and concerns with Council Member Cashman and one another. Attendees are invited to come and go as their schedule allows. Coffee and tea from a local business will be provided. - When: Sunday, March 2 from 12-1:30 p.m.
- Where: ModernWell (2909 Wayzata Blvd)
A green and white event graphic with meeting details and a photo of the Berger "dandelion" Fountain in Loring Park Loring Park neighbors, be sure to mark your calendars for the CLPC Annual Meeting taking place on Monday, March 17th at the historic Music Box Theatre at 14th and Nicollet. Hear directly from your elected officials, learn about the work your neighborhood organization accomplished in 2024, hear about ways to get more involved, and cast your vote for CLPC’s newest Board members. - Ward 7 City Council Member Katie Cashman
- State Representative Katie Jones
- MPD 1st Precinct Inspector Billy Peterson
- MPRB Commissioner Elizabeth Shaffer
- Ben Johnson, Director of the Minneapolis Arts & Cultural Affairs Department
When: Monday, March 17, 2025 - 5:30-6:30 Social hour with food/beverages, music & info fair
- 6:30-8:00 - Program & Speakers
Where: Music Box Theatre (1407 Nicollet Ave)
A photo of bartenders serving drinks to patrons in the newly reopened 19 Bar. Photo credit to Ben Hovland of MPR News. 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. A photo of Council Members Cashman and Koski and a Ward 11 staffer at the Meet Minneapolis Annual Meeting 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. - Co-hosted a community meeting about changes to the Loring Park Critical Parking Area
- Met with Lowry Hill business owners to discuss concerns and the upcoming Hennepin Ave reconstruction work
- Co-hosted a community meeting with Council Member Chowdhury on the newly amended boulevards ordinance
- Attended the New Nicollet Avenue Open House and community presentations on the Peoples’ Way redevelopment
- Attended and engaged with stakeholders at the annual meetings for the Downtown Council and Meet Minneapolis
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: |
