City briefs - March 2026

Police Training and Wellness Center in Southwest
Despite accepting a $436,000 bid from Rochon Corporation to convert the city-owned facility at 19 North 4th St. into a training facility with wellness services for the police last month, according to the city website, “the City is in the purchase phase” to buy and convert the property at 146 W. 60th St. in the Windom neighborhood into a “community safety training and wellness center” to serve 911, behavioral crisis response emergency management, fire, neighborhood safety and police personnel at an estimated cost of $38 million. It is expected to include classrooms, offices, fitness space, and an indoor shooting range.

MPD response to Metro Surge
On March 4, Minneapolis Chief of Police Brian O’Hara reported to the City Council on the Minneapolis Police Department’s response to the federal surge. He reported two fatal and one non-fatal shooting, seven abandoned vehicles with three of them being federal agents abandoning their own vehicles, two misdemeanor assaults, seven calls reporting chemical sprays, 12 motor vehicles collisions between federal agents and others. He estimated there were about 6,000 additional calls related to the surge; that the department spent $5.2 million for additional police service from Jan. 7 to Feb. 1, with over 1,000 days off being canceled, nine officers injured, 14 PTSD cases reported, and eight retirements.

School board candidates
The city election this November will include 2 at-large and the District 1, 3, and 5 school board seats. Lori Norvell, who represents Southside’s District 5, which includes the Greater Longfellow and Nokomis area, announced she is not seeking reelection. Becca Dryden and Molly Chase have announced that they are running for the District 5 seat. Current at-large board member Colin Beachy is seeking reelection. A new at-large candidate, Christin Crabtree, held a campaign launch gathering on March 14. Joyner Emerick, who holds the other at-large seat has not yet announced if they are seeking reelection. Districts 1, which includes the Eastside, and District 3, which includes Phillips, Seward and Cedar Riverside, will also have elections this year. The candidate filing period for the 2026 General Election is May 19 - June 2. 

Small Business Resiliency Fund
The City Council has approved the use of $7 million to establish to help local small businesses suffering from Operation Metro Surge. The Community Planning and Economic Development Department will oversee how the funds are allocated.

Rental assistance
The City Council has authorized providing $1 million to Hennepin County to provide rental assistance for Minneapolis renters who need it.

City advisors wanted
Applications are being accepted through March 31 for those interested in serving on one of the 93 seats on 13 different city appointed boards and commissions. Advisory topics include Audit, Bicycle Advisory, Police Oversight, Food, Aging, Housing, People with Disabilities, Arts, Workforce Development, Pedestrians, Public Health, and the Safe & Thriving Communities Workgroup.

Traffic safety cameras
In March City staff reported on the safety camera pilot it launched in Oct. 1, 2025 with five cameras focused on speeding at Nicollet Avenue near 46th Street, 3rd Street North near 1st Avenue North, Fremont Avenue North near West Broadway Avenue, 18th Avenue Northeast near Central Avenue, and Chicago Avenue near Franklin Avenue.. They reported that speeding declined at all locations with 13,000 fewer people speeding in December than in October. The average number of violations per day went from 73.1 in October to 24.0 in December. There were 29,504 warnings and 4,325 citations issued through the program in 2025. More cameras will be installed this spring.

City parklets
Applications are now being accepted for the seasonal Minneapolis outdoor parklets. Neighborhood organizations, street-level businesses, nonprofits, community organizations, and special services districts are invited to apply. Through the process, street level businesses can expand outdoor seating, community groups or businesses can build their own seating areas, and the Cty will provide three seating areas with community partners.