Connect with us

Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis looks to rent vacant storefronts to local artists, organizations

Published

on

Minneapolis looks to rent vacant storefronts to local artists, organizations


A new Minneapolis initiative will give local artists and organizations a break on rent to fill empty storefront properties.   

The Vibrant Storefronts Initiative came out of Mayor Jacob Frey’s Vibrant Downtown Storefronts Workgroup. The city says it’s still feeling the effects of the pandemic and civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd. Many storefronts in the area have been left vacant, but the project aims to restore vibrancy, increase foot traffic, and boost economic stability across the city, starting on historic Harmon Place near Loring Park.  

The City Council approved $250,000 from the 2024 budget and debuted the initiative Wednesday. Local artists and organizations can apply for a space and receive up to $50,000 for up to two years.  

The city said it’s a win-win situation, meaning local artists will be able to find affordable spaces and storefront owners will be able to fill vacant properties.  

Advertisement

Jenni Undis was a business owner in Harmon Place until 2016. She said the area used to be bustling with all storefronts filled with businesses.  

“I’m very excited to see that the city is investing in this area and bringing the arts back into this neighborhood,” Undis said. “With the history and beautiful old buildings, the beautiful natural space of the park, it’s just a really magical neighborhood.”  

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announces the launch of Vibrant Storefront Initiative.

Chandra Colvin | MPR News

Advertisement

The initiative is not exclusive to visual arts and includes all mediums, such as digital and performative. The city wants to bring in a variety of artists and organizations, with the expectation that quarterly showcases or events will be held to attract visitors.

“When art thrives in our community and at storefronts like this, people living here and driving by take notice. It also becomes a positive reason to visit and keep coming back,” said Ben Johnson, the director of the city’s Arts and Cultural Affairs department.

Johnson said the arts are central to the identity of Minneapolis and are what makes the city strong.  

City Council member Katie Cashman also backed the initiative.

“Community arts not only bring joy and beauty to our neighborhoods, they also allow us to have meaningful conversations about what our shared identity is,” Cashman said.

Advertisement

The initiative currently has eight properties for artists to apply for and hopes to add and expand in the future and is set to run for the next two years.  

Program Manager Cassie Garner said there has already been interest from local artists.  

Applications go live on Friday, July 26.

for lease sign

Empty Storefront on Harmon Place next to old Aveda Salon in Minneapolis.

Chandra Colvin | MPR News



Source link

Advertisement

Minneapolis, MN

JD Vance: Ilhan Omar ‘definitely committed immigration fraud’

Published

on

JD Vance: Ilhan Omar ‘definitely committed immigration fraud’


The Republic of Somaliland is calling for Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar to be extradited after Vice President JD Vance accused her of committing immigration fraud.

Vance accuses Ilhan Omar of immigration fraud

The backstory:

Advertisement

Vance appeared on conservative Benny Johnson’s podcast over the weekend, where he accused the Minnesota lawmaker of fraud.

“Ilhan Omar definitely committed immigration fraud against the United States of America. She has been at the center of a lot of the worst fraudsters at the center of the Somali community,” Vance told Johnson.

Advertisement

Omar has been at odds with the Trump Administration and the White House multiple times over accusations that she married her brother to obtain U.S. citizenship. FOX 9 looked into those allegations, and found no evidence that can corroborate that.

Omar calls allegations ‘a ridiculous lie’

The other side:

Advertisement

Omar responded to Vance’s allegations on Sunday, via FOX News.

“This is rich coming from someone who literally said they were willing to ‘create stories’ to redirect the media,” the statement said. “This is a ridiculous lie and desperate attempt to distract from the pedophile protection party’s unpopular war of choice, increasing gas prices, and rapidly dropping polling numbers.” 

Omar sprayed at town hall

Advertisement

Local perspective:

In late January, Omar held a town hall where after calling for then DHS Sec. Kristi Noem to resign over Operation Metro Surge in the Twin Cities, an attendee stood up and sprayed Omar with a liquid. 

The man, later identified as Anthony Kazmierczak, was charged with threats of violence and assault for the attack. The Hennepin County complaint alleges that Kazmierczak told Omar that “you should f–king die” during the attack.

Advertisement

Trump on Omar: ‘Throw her the hell out’

Why you should care:

President Trump made an appearance in Pennsylvania last December, where he highlighted Minnesota’s ongoing issues with fraud.

Advertisement

Trump said in the appearance she married her brother, and “she should get the hell out.”

“You know, that’s called the Great Big Minnesota scam with one of the dumbest governors ever in history. I love this Ilhan Omar, whatever the hell her name is, a little turban. I love her, she comes in, does nothing but bitch. She’s always complaining. She comes from a country where, I mean, it’s considered about the worst country in the world, right?” Trump said. “They have nothing. She comes to our country and she’s always complaining about the constitution allows me to do this. We ought to get her the hell out, she married her brother in order to get in. Can you imagine if Donald Trump married his sister, if I married my sister to get my citizenship? Do you think I would last about two hours, or would it be less? She married her brother to get in, therefore she’s here illegally. She should get the hell out, throw her the hell out.”

Advertisement

Ilhan OmarPoliticsDonald J. TrumpJD VanceImmigration



Source link

Continue Reading

Minneapolis, MN

Minnesota weather: Gorgeous Sunday with a warmer Monday ahead

Published

on

Minnesota weather: Gorgeous Sunday with a warmer Monday ahead


A sunny and warm Sunday is in store for the Twin Cities, with even higher temperatures expected on Monday before a chance of rain and cooler air returns later in the week.

Sunday forecast

Local perspective:

Advertisement

Sunday is starting with some cloud cover before sunshine moves in with highs near 70 degrees around the metro and southern parts of the state. 

Winds will be much lighter than Saturday, coming from the south at 5 to 10 mph with only occasional gusts up to 15 mph. 

Advertisement

The Brainerd Lakes area will see temperatures in the 60s, while the North Shore will be cooler, which is typical for this time of year. 

Sunday’s weather is expected to be dry and pleasant.

Overnight, temperatures will drop to the upper 30s and lower 40s, with some clouds moving in ahead of Monday. 

Advertisement

Extended forecast 

What’s next:

Monday could be the warmest day of the week, with highs in the lower 70s for the Twin Cities and some spots in southern Minnesota possibly reaching close to 80 degrees.

Advertisement

Winds will shift from southerly to southeasterly and then easterly as the day goes on, but should remain light. 

After the warm start to the week, a cold front will move through on Tuesday, bringing a chance for a few rain showers in the early morning. 

Advertisement

Temperatures will likely drop to the upper 40s by Wednesday and Thursday, with another front possibly bringing showers late Friday into early Saturday.

The rest of the extended forecast calls for temperatures close to or just below average, with highs in the upper 40s to lower 50s.

The Source: This story uses information from the FOX 9 weather forecast.

Advertisement

WeatherWeather Forecast



Source link

Continue Reading

Minneapolis, MN

Man found dead in south Minneapolis house fire

Published

on

Man found dead in south Minneapolis house fire


Firefighters are investigating the Minneapolis’s second fire fatality of the year after a man died in a house fire Saturday afternoon. 

Fatal fire on 28th Avenue South

What we know:

Advertisement

According to the Minneapolis Fire Department (MFD), fire crews arrived shortly after 1:00 p.m. and found smoke coming from the second floor of a single-family home on 28th Avenue South. Bystanders alerted firefighters that someone might be trapped inside.

Crews had to work through heavy debris to reach the upstairs area. It took about 40 minutes to fully put out the fire.

Advertisement

During the primary search, firefighters found a man in his 60s dead on the second floor. No one else was found after searching all the floors.

Minneapolis Animal Care and Control took in a dog found outside the home.

Assistant Chief Wes Van Vickle said, “The department is grateful to the neighbors who alerted fire crews that someone may still have been inside, allowing them to act quickly.”

Advertisement

Fire safety reminders and community response

What they’re saying:

“This afternoon’s tragic loss of life weighs heavily on all of us, and we extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,” said Van Vickle.

Advertisement

He also encourages the public to regularly check and maintain smoke detectors and fire extinguishers at home.

There were no other injuries reported. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner is working to confirm the man’s identity.

Advertisement

What we don’t know:

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and the man’s name has not been released.

FireMinneapolis
Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending