MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Metro Transit’s E-Line is marking six months on the road, and business owners are weighing in on the changes it has brought to their neighborhoods.

E-Line brings new riders and renewed business

What we know:

The E-Line, Metro Transit’s eighth bus rapid transit line, launched in December and runs from Southdale to the University of Minnesota. It replaced the Number 6 bus and features enhanced stations with better lighting, security cameras, real-time bus information and ticket machines.

Metro Transit reports the E-Line is averaging about 5,600 rides a day, which is roughly twice the number they expected. “The E-line has been a real success. People want service that’s fast, frequent and reliable, and you get all those things when you do something like this on the E-line,” said Drew Kerr, Metro Transit spokesperson.

Syril McNally, who owns Doug Flanders and Associates Fine Art Gallery near 50th and France, says the area has bounced back since construction ended. “We’ve had a lot of new people come in who have never been here before, and that have wanted to come for quite a while. So yeah, it’s absolutely helped people reach us,” said McNally.

Some business owners at 50th and France and in Linden Hills reported their revenues dropped 40% to 60% during construction of the new bus stops and other improvements. But Metro Transit says the upgrades have helped attract more riders to the line.

‘It’s absolutely worth the pain’

The backstory:

The E-Line’s construction caused headaches for some shop and restaurant owners in south Minneapolis and Edina, with significant revenue drops during the work. However, the hope was that the new transit line would bring more people to the area once finished.

McNally believes the short-term pain was worth it for the long-term gain. “We have artists who depend on the bus, so for that reason alone absolutely. I think it’s great if it helps more people get to where they need to go. It’s wonderful,” said McNally.

What they’re saying:

Business owners and Metro Transit both say the E-Line has helped bring new customers to the 50th and France area and made it easier for people to visit shops and galleries.

The improvements to stations and increased ridership are seen as a positive sign for the neighborhoods served by the E-Line.

Metro Transit says a new bus rapid transit line will debut in St. Paul next year, and more lines are being developed for the future.

Mattress maker Sleep Number Corp. announced Friday that it has filed bankruptcy, with an agreement to sell the firm to one-time retail partner Sleep Country Canada Inc. after years of weak demand, mounting financial pressure and unpredictable tariffs.

Minneapolis-based Sleep Number blamed its bankruptcy, in part, on “the unpredictable shifting of trade rules imposed by the current U.S. government on top of an already vulnerable global supply chain,” according to the Friday court filing.

Even after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down some of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, “the broader trade landscape remained complex and the company continued to manage ongoing regulatory uncertainties, particularly regarding potential alternative tariff frameworks that may be imposed” on U.S. imports, Chief Financial Officer Amy O’Keefe said in the filing.

Sleep Number filed for Chapter 11 protection from creditors in order to hold an auction, at which Sleep Country would be the so-called stalking horse bidder. Its all-cash opening offer for “substantially” all of the firm’s assets is $415 million, O’Keefe said.

Because the firm tried to sell itself in the months leading up to the Chapter 11 filing, O’Keefe said Sleep Number is seeking a 26-day sale process. Any competing bids would be due July 8 and the sale would close by July 31 under the company’s proposed timeline.

Sleep Number, which operates 572 stores and is known for its customizable beds, will continue operations while seeking a quicker-than-usual court-supervised sale process, according to the filing.

The company, whose shares have plunged more than 95% the past four months, has been hurt by declining store traffic amid broader industry pressures.

In response to mounting financial woes, O’Keefe said Sleep Number restructured its real estate portfolio and launched a number of cost-cutting initiatives in recent years. The firm had reported its operating costs fell by $136 million last year, but its net loss still widened as net sales dropped 16%.

Sleep Number said in a statement that will continue to review its footprint with the aim of retaining as many retail locations as possible. It added that as much of $65 million of new borrowing has been arranged to pay for the restructuring process. Sleep Number would also refinance $195 million of older debt should the loan package be approved by the judge overseeing the bankruptcy case.

The company listed assets of between $500 million and $1 billion and liabilities of between $1 billion and $10 billion, with lenders owned about $672.5 million.

On Thursday, the Minneapolis City Council voted on major action items regarding the future of George Floyd Square.

One provides financial relief to those who live and own property near 38^th & Chicago Avenue, in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The other rejects a proposal from the mayor, setting up yet more delays. 

The city was seeking a more than $630,000 assessment to help pay for the $15 million construction project that’s underway — but in unanimous support, the council voted to not charge home, business and property owners. 

Help may be on the way for people face special assessments near George Floyd Square

“This project has been billed for so long as something the city was doing for the community, and you can’t do something for the community and then charge them for it as a way of recommence for the murder of George Floyd,” said Councilor Soren Stevenson, who represents part of the area around George Floyd Square. 

At the meeting, the council also rejected the mayor and city staff’s recommendation on who should have exclusive development rights for the former gas station site at the intersection, now known as The Peoples’ Way.

Defying community input from a survey about what people like to see at the site, the mayor chose the Minnesota Agape Movement to handle the work.

Minneapolis mayor, city staff defy community survey, pushback growing on council

The city and Mayor Frey received sharp criticism from some council members at their meeting. 

“The city absolutely fumbled this process from start to finish,” Robin Wonsley said. 

Council member Jason Chavez, who also represents parts of George Floyd Square, said, “Much of the feedback that my office has received since a decision was made has been frustration and distrust in the process.”

In a statement from the Mayor’s office, they pushed back on the criticism of how he’s handled project planning, sharing specifically about the action taken Thursday:

“Voting down Agape and returning to the drawing board is the Council’s prerogative. Mayor Frey’s goal is to move forward at George Floyd Square and stop delaying. The mayor is already coordinating with Council Members Chavez and Stevenson and City staff to determine a path forward.” 

Since the city shared their pick for development rights at the Peoples’ Way, the mayor’s office has declined multiple interview requests, as we try to learn his reasoning.

We also had other questions about what seems like a contradiction in how he’s felt about community being involved in this process so far.

For example, following a city council override of his veto as they pushed for a 38th & Chicago plan that community surveying found was not wanted in February 2025, the mayor lashed out at council members. 

“Today’s short-sighted decision by the council has ignored community wishes and is a colossal waste of both time and money,” Mayor Frey said that February day last year.