City of Minneapolis

In This Issue:

Housing inspections promote a safe, livable city

City looks to redevelop West Broadway at Penn

Get help to start or grow your small business

Guthrie Theater wins design award

City-county united library meetings

Teen Job Fair

It Takes All of Us To Support Our Kids

I applaud the Minneapolis School Board for appointing Dr. Bill Green to be the next permanent Superintendent for the Minneapolis Public schools. Working closely with Dr. Green over these past several months, I am convinced he has the vision and the understanding to lead our school district at this critical time.

My conversations with parents, students and the community convince me that this city wants the next Superintendent to move boldly and decisively, knowing we have great strengths in our classrooms but also great need for reform. I have offered Dr. Green my active help and encourage the whole city to rally behind him, and our school board.

I especially look forward to Dr. Green’s continued partnership as we face the ongoing challenge of youth violence and work to close the learning gaps on our community that leave too many youth behind. He cannot be expected to shoulder this task alone.

In an increasingly global economy, the diverse students in Minneapolis schools who speak more than 100 languages are the key to Minnesota’s competitiveness. This is the most valuable generation we have ever raised, but we cannot leave the work of raising them to the schools alone. That’s why our Minneapolis Promise campaign continues to strengthen the College and Career Centers we opened in every high school this year, will expand our Step-Up Youth Summer Jobs program, and will remove financial barriers to post-secondary education for all of our high school graduates.

As a series of public-private partnerships The Minneapolis Promise campaign needs ongoing support from the entire community to succeed.

Housing Inspections Promote a Safe and Livable City
Well maintained homes, apartments and other properties are critical to keeping Minneapolis neighborhoods safe and livable. Minneapolis housing inspectors work year-round in every neighborhood to identify issues and properties that need maintenance. This spring the City will especially focus housing inspections in Northeast and Southeast Minneapolis, looking at residential buildings, garages and sheds. Curb-to-alley inspections will start in the Holland, Audubon, Waite Park and Como neighborhoods. People who live or own property in that area should look around your property and identify issues that need to be addressed. Inspectors will look for things like peeling paint, steps in disrepair, broken windows and roofs with missing shingles.

City Looks to Redevelop West Broadway and Penn Ave.
In our ongoing focus to revitalize West Broadway and all of north Minneapolis, the City of Minneapolis is seeking redevelopment proposals for City-owned property at 2119 West Broadway Avenue and 2310/2312 Penn Avenue N., at the southeast corner of Penn and West Broadway. The property is currently comprised of the former Delisi bar and grill building, its parking lot and an adjacent vacant lot. Goals for the properties are neighborhood-oriented, pedestrian-scale mixed-use commercial/retail/office uses. The property will be sold through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process according to the City’s policies and procedures. For more information about this exciting community development opportunity and to view the RFP, visit the City of Minneapolis website.

Get Help to Start or Grow Your Small Business
The City of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Public Library and business support organizations are offering free business consultation sessions for those looking to start or grow their own business. “In Business@Your Library: Programs for Entrepreneurs” sessions will be held at the Minneapolis Central Library (300 Nicollet Mall, Room N-201) Feb. 13 and 27 and March 13 and 27. People can simply stop by anytime between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to consult with City business services staff and representatives from business support organizations. Click here to learn more about “In Business@Your Library” consultation sessions. You can also call 311 to get more information about the City’s business development review process and City resources available to help your business get started and thrive.