News | Southwest Connector

CAUGHT BETWEEN

She lived in Minnesota for only five months and her daughter was born in Iowa, but Dani* has been dragged into family court in Minnesota nearly every one of the past 11 years by her ex-boyfriend. … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 6/6/23

3 YEARS

“When I heard about this event, I was so excited because I grew up in this area of Minneapolis… and I wanted to contribute in some kind of way,” said J. Darnell Johnson, author of … more

Jill Boogren | 6/2/23

Restaurant staff showed up to prepare and give away food in the early days of the pandemic when restaurants were closed. (Photo submitted by J.D. Fratzke)

A change of season

Last week, as some of the first truly warm days of the year finally seemed to be ushering in a real change of season, I put in my earbuds and took a stroll out my front door, heading west toward Lake … more

By J.D. Fratzke | 6/2/23

"Our communities have expressed their distrust of the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Police Department, and are demanding to be heard and included in the decision making process," said J Randolph of the Phillips West Neighborhood Organization.

Citizens don’t want ‘false choice’ around Third Precinct

“For 20 years, we’ve been putting democracy to work on Minnehaha Ave in the shadow of the precinct building,” observed Henry Slocum of The Hub Bike Co-op (3016 Minnehaha Ave). … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 5/26/23

Good morning, my name is J Randolph and I am the Director of Neighborhood and Organizational Development at the Phillips West Neighborhood Organization. PWNO stands in solidarity with our neighbors at the Longfellow Community Council and request that the resolution put forward by LCC be honored and adopted by the City of Minneapolis. The issue of the 3rd precinct is not an isolated one. The systemic racism identified by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights will continue to thrive if our neighbors are ignored and denied their right to representational governance. Our communities have expressed their distrust of the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Police Department and are demanding to be heard and included in the decision making process; we believe that that is the minimum our communities are owed and we will fight for community autonomy and self-determination until we are heard and the demands are met. Thank you.

Citizen go to city hall, ask that their voices be accounted for

Longfellow Community Council (LCC) and community partners hosted a press conference in the City Hall Rotunda on Tuesday, May 16 at 10 a.m. to stand together against the current engagement process and … more

5/21/23

Politicians from Minneapolis and St. Paul throw shovels full of dirt as they celebrate the ground-breaking of a new Bus Rapid Transit Line that will connect the two cities. The B Line is expected to be operational in 2024. Work will primarily be done east of Hiawatha Ave. this year, and to the west next year. The new line will mostly replace the busiest bus line in Minneapolis, the 21. View photo gallery at www.swConnector.com. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

B Line: ‘Living-your-life-in-the-city line’

Lake Street will be torn up over the next two summers to create the new 12.6-mile Bus Rapid Transit B Line. The majority of construction along this line will be done east of Hiawatha this year, and … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 5/17/23

Enchanted by the Mississippi

The research for Thomas Becknell’s recent book, “Enchantments of the Mississippi,” began years before he actually wrote the book. “At the outset, I must have read at least a … more

By Jan Willms | 5/17/23

Strong start to gathering community input on Kmart site

The plan to reopen Nicollet Ave at Lake Street is slowly moving forward. Demolition of the buildings on the former Kmart site is scheduled next year with street construction aimed for 2025. This … more

By Cam Gordon | 5/17/23

Facing the audience, Ward 8 Faith in Minnesota team leader John Saxhaug (right) moderates a forum with Ward 8 city council candidates Soren Stevenson (left) and Andrea Jenkins (center). The forum was held at St. Peter’s AME Church (401 E. 41st St.) on April 25, 2023.

Ward 8 candidates: where they stand

Dozens of neighbors attended a Ward 8 city council candidate forum at St. Peter’s AME Church on April 25, 2023. Candidates included Andrea Jenkins, the current City Council president; and Soren … more

By Jill Boogren | 5/5/23

Aaron Issacs, chairman of the board of the Minnesota Streetcar Museum, stands in front of car No. 322, stored and repaired in the historic car barn. See inside this building during Doors Open Minneapolis on May 13-14. More at trolleyride.org.

Moving museum

The Minnesota Streetcar Museum’s fleet of historic streetcars returned to the rails in Linden Hills last month, giving people of all ages the chance to ride on a little piece of Minneapolis … more

By Allie Johnson | 5/5/23

Minneapolis spends $5.5-$7.5 million closing encampments since 2020

After public disagreements about how to manage tent communities last October, the Minneapolis City Council took up the issue again in April 2023. During a nearly three-hour long meeting, they … more

By Cam Gordon | 5/5/23

Nearly three years later, the 3rd Precinct building at Lake and Minnehaha remains fenced, barricaded and unused.

Citizens reject city’s two options for 3rd Precinct

What should Minneapolis do with its police force?The question continues to generate intense discussions. The 3rd Precinct –the same precinct that Derek Chauvin belonged to and trained officers … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 4/27/23

Trans rights advocates pack three levels of the Minnesota Capitol rotunda on March 31, 2023 for Transgender Day of Visibility. “Our visisbility matters,” said Kat Rohn of OutFront Minnesota.

‘You belong here’

Minnesota’s transgender community and supporters packed the State Capitol for Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, sending a clear and unapologetic message that reverberated throughout … more

By Jill Boogren | 4/19/23

Food vision

Minneapolis has a 10-year path to establish a more resilient, just, and equitable food system in the city. The Minneapolis Food Vision (MFV) plan prioritizes six goals that are focused on local food … more

By Cam Gordon | 4/19/23

Creekside Montessori students Kaamil Gabose (left) and Miles Deutschman play and learn about numbers. (Photo submitted)

New name for Montessori school

Mayflower Early Childhood Center is now Creekside Montessori School.“If the name Mayflower is hurtful to anyone, why would we want to keep it? That is not who we are or how we want to be … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 4/19/23

J.D. Fratzke and his dog, Chester, are caught in a “Groundhog Day of Dung” in their backyard.

SHOVEL, BAG, BIN, REPEAT…

I feel like I read or saw an interview with Iggy Pop a few years ago wherein he discussed the fact that now that he lives in Miami, he begins his days just after sunrise with a 30-minute swim in the … more

By J.D. Fratzke | 4/19/23

Resident asks: Where are city leaders? Why aren't they at 3rd Precinct meetings?

Longfellow business owner, 30-year Longfellow resident and local filmmaker Paul Irmiter doesn't want the 3rd Precinct site reopened at its existing location - and none of the residents he's spoken … more

4/14/23

Legacy co-owner Ruby Stinson (left) and Les Sól co-owner Mikaela Harrod (right) at Legacy send customers to each other’s stores, located on the same 1600 block of West Lake Street in Uptown.

Collaborators not competitors

Empty storefronts and “For Lease” signs have been a frequent sight along West Lake Street in Uptown over the last several years. But, it appears things are starting to turn over and along … more

By Allie Johnson | 4/6/23

Kingfield’s performing arts center expands

Artist Jackie Hayes was living in New York and was writing a dissertation for her Ph.D. in performance studies when she visited her parents after their move to Minneapolis. She was drawn to the city … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 4/6/23

The Wilson’s back porch was opened up through careful deconstruction by a Better Futures crew. (Photo submitted)

Why throw away a house when parts can be reused?

From early 20th Century thrift to building cabins from contractor cast-offs, building materials reuse had long been an informal norm. But in a more recent world, entire houses have been thrown in the … more

By Margo Ashmore | 4/6/23