City briefs - Nov 2025

2025 Affordable Housing Trust Fund
A city council committee has made their recommendation for spending the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) funding for 2025. This year $18 million is available and the committee is proposing using $14.4 million on several projects including two in Southwest, The Zaria and the Lyndale Ave Apartments.

The Zaria
This new building is being developed by Noor Development and Project for Pride in Living. They are set receive $2,170,000 to help construct a 90-unit apartment building at 3030 Nicollet Ave. All the units are required to be affordable for at least 30 years. That includes 29 units considered affordable for families making 30% of the metro areas median income ($39,720 for a family of 4) or less and 61 for families making 50% ($66,200 for a family of 4) or less. Zaria is the second phase of the 3030 Nicollet redevelopment, the former site of a Wells Fargo Bank building that was destroyed in 2020.

The Lyndale Avenue Apartments
Trellis will receive $1,870,000 towards construction of a new 40-unit apartment at 5719 Lyndale Ave S. in Windom with all 40 units being affordable for families making 30% of AMI or less for at least 30 years. It will be a three-story building project developed by Trellis at site of the now-demolished Aqua City Motel. The building will include a community room with kitchen, fitness room, outdoor patio, a children’s play area, office space for Simpson Housing Services, and on-site property management staff.

City budget amendments and hearings
In the next few weeks city council members will be considering amendments to the mayor’s proposed 2026 budget. Draft amendments are due to go to the Budget Chair on Nov. 26 and are released to the public on Dec. 2.  There will be budget public hearings on Nov. 19 and Dec. 9, both starting at 6:05 p.m., after which final amendments will be considered and a 2026 budget adopted.

Nicollet Ave. redevelopment
An updated request for proposals is available for phase 1 of the New Nicollet Redevelopment at Nicollet Avenue and Lake Street. Proposals are due by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

City Planning Commission appointments
The city has set a public hearing for Dec. 2 to consider the appointment of new planning commission members, including Southwest resident Tom Wagner for Ward 13.

DS Council Caucus
On Nov 13, Ward 2 City Council Member Robin Wonsley announced her intention to bring forward a proposal to formally establish a Democratic Socialist Caucus within the City Council as well as her intention to run to lead it. “This caucus will represent the city-wide movement we’ve built together over the past several years,” she said, “ensuring that residents who believe in justice, equity, and collective care see their values reflected in City Hall.”

Campaigns already starting for 2026
Two people, Kevin Chavez and Abihakim Ibriham, have announced campaigns for the district 3 Hennepin County commissioner seat currently held by Marion Greene that includes most of Southwest. Emily Quinn has announced her candidacy for the district 61 state senate seat, which is currently held by Scott Dibble. So far, four candidates are running for Hennepin County Attorney to replace Mary Moriarty who is not seeking reelection. They are Cedric Frazier, Hao Nguyen, Anders Folk, and Matt Pelikan.

Traffic safety cameras
On Nov. 7, the city began issuing citations to drivers found to going 10 or more miles over the speed limit at the five camera locations in the city. In October the city reported that speeding was down at all locations in the pilot program. The rate of drivers going 10 or more miles over the speed limit was reduced by 30% and for those going 20 or more miles over the speed limit was reduced by 76%.