News | Southwest Connector

Minneapolis Council members Aurin Chowdhury and Emily Koski speak on May 23 at Lake Nokomis Recreation Center about the city’s upcoming plans to open a small police station along E. Lake St. this summer. It will close when the larger site at 2633 is ready for use. The former 3rd Precinct building at E. Lake and Hiawatha will not be use for a police station again.

Temporary police station coming soon to E. Lake

What’s next for community safety in the 3rd Precinct? Over 70 people gathered at the Lake Nokomis Community Center on May 23, 2024 to hear about two new safety centers planned for south … more

By Cam Gordon | 5/30/24

RISE AND REMEMBER 2024

On May 25, Singer Kashimana and Brass Solidarity led a joyful procession from the solidarity fist at 38th St. and Chicago Ave. to the Say Their Names cemetery, where 400 candles were placed around … more

5/30/24

Birth Justice Collaborative members (left to right): Reverend Dr. Alika Galloway, Dr. Antony Stately, Dr. Nick Metcalf, Laura LaCroix-Dalluhn, Corenia Smith, Ashley Johnson, Diane Tran, Cati Gómez, and Pastor Cyreta Howard. (Photo submitted)

Birth Justice Collaborative applauds passage of birth justice legislation

Two bills aimed at advancing maternal health and improving birth outcomes for Minnesotans were passed this year, and are consider groundbreaking by the Birth Justice Collaborative. "The passage of … more

5/23/24

Drew Kerr, a Linden Hills resident who works for Met Transit, stands near the closed main intersection at Upton and 43rd. It will be fully closed for about 10 weeks as the city completes a water and sewer project at the same time as Met Transit does work on the E Line. After the city’s work is finished, the intersection will be partially closed. Local businesses have maps available to show where customers can park.

Fast, frequent, all-day service

Street projects on Hennepin Avenue from Lake to 26th, West Lake, France and Upton mean that getting around southwest Minneapolis is challenging right now, but traveling by bus will get faster when … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 5/15/24

Drew (at left) and Jacob Wesson explored public safety in Minneapolis in their award-winning documentary.

Washburn twins earn film award

By Tesha M. Christensen Creating a five-minute documentary about public safety in Minneapolis was “eye-opening” for a pair of 18-year-old twins from Washburn High School. … more

5/15/24

Lisa Sayles-Adams, Minneapolis Public School Superintendent

Rising costs, declining revenue bring trouble to public school budget

Lisa Sayles-Adams, the new Minneapolis Public School (MPS) Superintendent, has been on the job for less than three months and has already participated in two major contract negotiations. Plus, she is … more

By Cam Gordon | 5/15/24 | 1 comment

Talking lawn care with U of M

People are getting back into our yards and gardens, with pent-up demand following a long winter. University of Minnesota Extension Educator Jon Trappe has tips for yards that accomplish multiple … more

5/15/24

A rain barrel collects roof runoff so you can save the rainwater for later use. Reroute downspouts away from pavement and onto grass, a rain barrel or a rain garden. (Photo courtesy of the University of Minnesota Extension)

A watershed moment

What is a watershed? What is our local watershed called? Where does it begin and end? What is the largest watershed in the U.S.? According to board chair of the League of … more

By Margie O’Loughlin | 5/15/24

The co-directors debate about what films to show, and other times field suggestions from their audiences. The films can range from current top movies such as “Past Lives” and “Oppenheimer” to a 2015 film about the Amazon, “Embrace of the Serpent?” which featured up to 10 different languages. “Every event is an ongoing experiment, and we keep evolving our theory of what people want to see and what works,” said Geordie Flantz. (Photo submitted)

Trilingual Cinema offers indoor and outdoor shows

Trilingua Cinema is about bringing together lots of different kinds of people who maybe wouldn’t mingle in their everyday lives. And they are brought together to share the experience of film. … more

By Jan Willms | 5/15/24

Lake Harriet Bandshell Construction progress as of March 21, 2024

New blue paint at Lake Harriet Bandshell

The Lake Harriet Bandshell roof was repaired in sections over the fall and winter. Other first phase repairs included remodeled bathrooms, upgraded electrical systems, and a new blue color for … more

5/15/24

Running for Special Olympics

Two Southwest runners are making a difference one step at a time. On May 19, 2024, Jake Lepak and Patrick Larson will run 50 miles around Lake Harriet to raise money and awareness for Special … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 5/15/24

Clare Housing helps house vulnerable community members

Beginning in fall of 2023, Clare Housing has been helping people living with HIV and experiencing homelessness move off the streets quickly, thanks to new, more flexible funding from Hennepin County. … more

5/15/24

City briefs - May 2024

New Public Works Director Timothy Sexton has been approved by the city council as the new Public Works Director. His term ends in January 2026. Mount Curve … more

5/15/24

New Lowry Hills East neighborhood coordinator

Valerie Blomberg is the new Wedge Neighborhood Coordinator. She moved to Lowry Hill East (the Wedge) in 2019. She started volunteering with LHENA soon after, supporting the neighborhood potlucks that … more

By Valerie Blomberg | 5/15/24

Kate Beane to speak, free event

For the West Maka Ska Neighborhood’s third Neighborhood Talk, we are thrilled to host Kate Beane, PH.D! Join us on May 23 from 5-7 p.m. at the Bakken Museum (3537 Zenith Ave. S) as … more

By Dylan Ohm | 5/15/24

Neighborhood news - May 2024

GRAMMY RIDES ACROSS AMERICA Come laugh and learn with 66-year-old Donna Minter (aka Grammy) to discover her Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) to bicycle 3200 miles in Fall 2024 on the GRAMMY Ride … more

5/15/24

Business news - May 2024

Everett & Charlie’s 6th Anniversary Suzie Marty, one of Minneapolis’ most prolific local-artist advocates, is celebrating the 6th year of Everett & Charlie Art Gallery. She is hosting a … more

5/15/24

‘‘Thresholds’ is supposed to explain to multiple audiences how the autistic brain comprehends and takes in sight, sound, smell and touch as opposed to the non-autistic brain,” said Michael Wolfe.

Show combines neurodiversity, art and science

Anxiety, restlessness, being a superpower and feeling free and unchained are some of the emotions Saint Paul actor Michael Wolfe experiences while waiting for a bus. Wolfe, who identifies as a … more

By Jan Willms | 5/8/24

Anna Sharratt of Twin Cities Makers Circle remarked, “The way I studied craft in Sweden, it’s used to challenge gender stereotypes, and to talk about how you can make or repair things you might otherwise buy."

Get creative with Twin Cities Makers Circle

Longfellow resident, handcrafter, and entrepreneur Anna Sharratt is offering up all kinds of fun classes through her new business. In her Twin Cities Makers Circle (TCMC) classes, participants use … more

By Margie O’loughlin | 4/25/24

Reimagining 3rd Precinct Space

Conversations about closed and proposed safety facilities continue to bring disagreement and hope to the southside community. While the city seeks feedback on proposals for three … more

By Cam Gordon | 4/25/24