City Briefs - Oct 2025

Democracy Center at LAKE & MINNEHAHA
On Sept. 22, the city released detailed design plans for a new city facility that will be developed at 3000 Minnehaha Ave. by adding a new two-story addition to the former police station with a new main entrance on Lake St. The completed project will provide offices, work and storage space for the city’s election and voter services staff, equipment and operations as well as ground-floor space that will be leased to a private or nonprofit organization. The new facility is intended to replace the early voting center and offices currently operating in northeast Minneapolis the city is renting.

Edmund Boulevard name change
The city council has approved renaming Edmund Boulevard to Lena Smith Boulevard. Edmund Boulevard was named after Edmund Walton (1865-1919) who is recognized as the first developer in the city to use racially restrictive covenants in the deeds to the properties he sold. Subsequent legislation made them illegal, but their effects are still evident today. Lena Olive Smith (1885 – 1966) was a city resident who dedicated much of her life working for racial justice. In 1921, she became the first African American woman licensed to practice law in the state. She served as the first female president of the local NAACP chapter and helped establish a Minnesota chapter for the National Urban League. Her home at 3905 Fifth Ave. S was designated a historic landmark in 1991.

MPD off-duty fees
The city council has approved new fees for off-duty police work. Based on a 1990s court decision, they must allow police employees to take independent jobs with private businesses and nonprofits, but the city is allowed to collect fees to cover costs of the city equipment and supplies that are often used, including city owned vehicles. The approved fees are $6.99 per hour for use of city-owned resources without a vehicle and $27.58 per hour with a vehicle.

2026 budget
In August, Mayor Frey proposed his 2026 City Budget that includes spending of $2.03 billion for all city funds next year or a 7.41% increase from the 2025 adopted city budget of $1.88 billion. In September, the Board of Estimate and Taxation approved the individual maximum levies as recommended by the mayor, except for the Park Board, which was increased by about $1.061 million to support the new Graco and Upper Harbor Terminal parks. This sets the maximum allowable property tax levy increase for the 2026 budget at 8%. Changes to taxes on individual property taxpayers will vary depending on the assessed value of their property. In the months ahead the city council will review department budgets, develop amendments, conduct hearings and vote on a final budget in December. People can provide feedback in writing or at public hearings that will be held at 250 S. 4th St Room 350 on Monday, Oct. 6, 1:30-4 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19, 6:05 p.m., and Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 6:05 p.m. before a final amended budget is expected to be adopted by the council.

Commercial advance notice of sale
On Sept. 24, 2025, the city council approved a new ordinance that, if not vetoed by the mayor, will require advance notice to the city of a proposed sale of commercial property within certain areas of the city including one of the designated cultural districts, the University area, and a section of Washington Ave. N near the Mississippi River. Commercial property owners will be required to give notice to the director of the department of community planning and economic development 60 days prior to a property being made available for sale. The city will be able to publicly share information about buildings that have been noticed for sale.

Protected bikeways
The city council has approved adding protected bike lines to the 9th and 10th St. S Corridor and the Park and Portland safety improvements projects, using federal and Metropolitan Council funding sources. The Park and Portland improvements will also include traffic calming and accessibility upgrades to both streets as well as improved traffic signals at 26th and 28th street.