📚✨ South Uptown’s Little Free Libraries: Sharing Stories, Building Community ✨📚

South Uptown’s Little Free Libraries continue to be a simple but powerful way neighbors connect—one book at a time. Our organization currently owns two libraries, and every few months we rotate them to new locations throughout the neighborhood to keep the experience fresh and accessible for more residents. 📖

In April, one of our libraries found a new home at 3336 Girard Avenue S. Be sure to stop by! Whether you’re dropping off a favorite read or picking up something new, it’s all about sharing stories and spreading the joy of reading. 📚➡️📚

Our second library is taking a short break—but for a good reason. After more than 10 years of braving Minnesota’s weather ☀️❄️🌧️, it was ready for some much-needed TLC. Thanks to a group of generous volunteers, the restoration is already underway! They’ve been hard at work scraping away old paint, repairing damaged wood, and applying a fresh primer coat. 🛠️🎨

Next up, a talented volunteer artist will transform the library with a brand-new, creative design—making it not just a place for books, but a true piece of neighborhood art. 🎨📦

Stay tuned for the big reveal later this spring—we can’t wait to share the refreshed library with you! 🌷 

💃🕺 POP UP DANCE PARTY at Bryant Square Park! 🎶🔥

Get ready to move, mingle, and have an amazing time—Bryant Square Park is bringing the energy with their monthly POP UP DANCE PARTY! 🎧✨

🚨 Join us Wednesday, May 13

We’ve got the DJ spinning the beats and the space ready for you—all you need to bring is your energy and your best (or worst 😄) dance moves. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just vibing, this is your night to let loose!

🍓 And let’s talk about the FOOD…
The spread this month is provided by Nico’s Tacos- Its extensive, super tasty, and seriously impressive—plenty to snack on and enjoy while you dance the night away. You definitely won’t leave hungry! 😋

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages welcome, 0so bring your friends, family, and neighbors for a fun, inclusive night in the park.

📍 Bryant Square Park (3101 Bryant Ave S.)
📅 Wednesday, May 13, 6:30- 8:00PM
🎶 Good music | Great food | Amazing vibes

South Uptown Happy Hour is Thursday, May 7

Join your neighbors for the monthly 1st Thursday South Uptown Happy Hour! 🎉
Our next gathering is at Babii Cajun (1221 W. Lake St.)—a perfect chance to try a new local spot while connecting with folks in the neighborhood. 🌆 The South Uptown Neighborhood Association will provide free appetizers (think bold Cajun flavors! 🍤🌶️), and drinks will be available for purchase. 🍹🍻

It’s a fun, low-pressure way to meet new people, catch up with neighbors, and stay in the loop on what’s happening in South Uptown.
Hope to see you there! 🎊

Register Today for the South Uptown Swap & Sale!

Calling all South Uptown neighbors! Spring cleaning season is here and we're turning it into a neighborhood-wide event.

On Saturday June 6th from 8:30am to 5pm, neighbors across South Uptown will be setting up in their alleys and front yards - selling, swapping, and giving things away. We'll make a map of every stop so people can walk the whole route and find you.

Register by May 29th to get on the map: https://form.jotform.com/261127842238053

In partnership with South Uptown Mutual Aid

Earth Day Clean Up is Saturday!

🏗️ Seven Points Redevelopment Update 🏗️

South Uptown Neighborhood Association has received an updated timeline from Doran Companies regarding the Seven Points redevelopment project.

Demolition of structures on the southern half of the block—including the former CB2, Kitchen Window, and Famous Dave’s buildings—is now scheduled to begin April 20. 🧱

Following demolition, soil correction and footings work will take place throughout the summer. Construction of the new apartment building is expected to begin in the September/October timeframe. 🚧🏢

We’ll continue to stay in touch with Doran and share updates as more information becomes available. Thanks for staying engaged! 💬

🚧 Traffic Calming Projects Coming in 2026 🚗⬇️

Minneapolis Public Works is proposing a range of traffic calming projects across the city in 2026—including speed humps, traffic circles, and intersection bump-outs designed to slow traffic and improve safety for everyone. 🛑🚶‍♂️🚴‍♀️

They’re hosting a series of workshops this April where neighbors can learn more, share feedback, and ask questions. 🗣️

While there are no projects currently planned in South Uptown, nearby areas will see improvements:
➡️ To the west: traffic calming on the 3000 blocks of Holmes & Humboldt Ave S
➡️ North of Lake Street in Lowry Hill East: 10+ projects planned

Curious what’s proposed near you? Check out the map here:
🔗 https://www.minneapolismn.gov/getting-around/parking-driving/traffic-calming/

You can also request traffic calming for specific locations and see what others have submitted. Your input helps shape safer streets! 💬

#mpls #TrafficSafety #SouthUptown #SlowDown

Don’t Pick Up Discarded Needles! Contact a Mother’s Love.

South Uptown Meeting features Lyndale Ave Reconstruction 🚲🛣️

Join your neighbors on Wednesday, April 1 at 7:00 PM at 3501 Aldrich Avenue S for an important community conversation about the future of Lyndale Avenue! Representatives from Hennepin County Public Works will present their updated recommended design for the Lyndale Avenue reconstruction project. The previous design shared last summer received significant community feedback—this new proposal reflects those concerns and includes key changes, such as a separated two-way bikeway on the east sideinstead of the originally proposed mixed-use path.

This is a great opportunity to:

👀 Learn what’s changed

❓ Ask questions and share your thoughts

🏗️ Stay informed about a project now planned for construction starting in 2028 (Franklin Ave to W. 31st St)

🔗 Learn more ahead of time: https://beheardhennepin.org/lyndale-avenue

All South Uptown renters, homeowners, business owners, and property owners (18+) are considered members and are welcome to attend. We hope to see you there! 🙌

Join the Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85651291972?pwd=uBk70TT88ae5Rha37HIO5pDaDQl3yH.1

Join us for South Uptown Happy Hour! 🍻✨

We’re back on the first Thursday of the month, and our next gathering is Thursday, April 2 from 5:30–7:00 PM at Morrissey's Irish Pub.

Come out to connect with neighbors 🤝, learn more about what’s happening in South Uptown 🏡, and support a fantastic local spot 🍀.

South Uptown Neighborhood Association will provide appetizers 🧀🍗—just bring yourself and grab your favorite drink! 🍺🥂

We’d love to see you there! 💚

🚲🥐 Ride Into April with Pastries & Pedals! ☕🌸

Join your neighbors for the return of Perennial Pastry Rides—happening every Saturday in April! These fun, social rides are part of the global 30 Days of Biking movement, and best of all—they’re completely free and organized by the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota.

All rides start at Perennial Cycle and follow a relaxed, no-drop pace (8–10 mph), making them welcoming for riders of all ages and comfort levels. Expect a scenic 4–6 mile ride (with the option to double it if you return with the group), ending at a park or outdoor space for pastries, coffee, prizes, and great company.

😊 New or nervous about joining? The South Uptown Neighborhood Association has you covered! Look for our volunteers in South Uptown t-shirts—we’ll be there as friendly faces to ride alongside you and help you feel right at home.

📅 Saturday, April 4 & 11
🕘 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Come for the ride, stay for the vibes—we hope to see you there!

🌎✨ South Uptown Earth Day Clean Up ✨🌎

Join your neighbors on Saturday, April 18 from 9:30AM–12:00PM at Bryant Square Park Recreation Center (3101 Bryant Ave S) to help keep our community clean! 🧹🗑️

We’ll provide free trash bags, gloves, grabbers, and snacks—just stop by the park and we’ll send you out to tidy up a few nearby blocks so the whole neighborhood gets some love. 💚

It’s a fun, easy way to make a difference and meet fellow neighbors along the way. Let’s work together to keep South Uptown looking its best! 🌱🏡

This event is part of the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board’s annual Earth Day celebration. Learn more: https://www.minneapolisparks.org/activities-events/events/earth_day_cleanup/

#EarthDay #SouthUptown #CommunityCleanup #LoveWhereYouLive ♻️

Lead Service Lines: How to Check Your Home and What’s Being Done

Older homes in Minneapolis may still be connected to the water system by lead service lines, which can allow small amounts of lead to enter drinking water. Even low levels of lead exposure can affect health—particularly for children and pregnant people—by impacting brain development and the nervous system.

The City of Minneapolis has created an online Lead Service Line Map where residents can check whether their property may still have a lead line and learn about replacement projects underway across the city. You can explore the map and search your address here:
https://www.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/utility-services/water/water-quality/water-quality-lead/plumbing-faucets/lead-service-line-map/

The site also lists active replacement projects by neighborhood. For example, lead service lines are currently being replaced as part of sewer upgrades on Aldrich Ave S between 27th and 32nd Streets.

If homeowners choose to replace their service line independently, the cost is typically around $10,000. The City allows this cost to be assessed to your property taxes at a low interest rate to make the work more manageable.

Because service lines run from the water main to individual homes, they are considered private property, meaning their replacement cannot be funded through water utility fees. Doing so would roughly double utility bills citywide.

Citywide, it is estimated that about $1 billion will be needed to remove all remaining lead service lines before the state goal of 2033 or the federal EPA requirement of 2037. Current state funding is expected to run out by the end of this year, though proposed legislation would add $250 million in additional funding. Conservation Minnesota is encouraging residents to contact their legislators in support of this funding.

Conservation Minnesota recently hosted a webinar about lead service lines and the replacement effort. See the recording here: https://youtu.be/yuFHCKNyBhk?si=9aBVlF1GOfbHAhrB

🚧 Seven Points Redevelopment Update 🚧

Last summer, the City approved plans by Doran Companies to redevelop the southern portion of the Seven Points shopping center. The project will replace the former CB2, Kitchen Window, and part of the existing structure with a 5-story, 228-unit apartment building 🏢.

Originally, construction was expected to begin in fall 2025, but the timeline slipped and the South Uptown Neighborhood Association did not receive updates for several months. We recently learned that Doran closed on the sale of the southern half of the Seven Points site last week, and construction is now expected to begin later this year.

The approved design features a C-shaped building surrounding an interior courtyard and fronting Hennepin Avenue, W. 31st Street, and Girard Avenue. Along Hennepin, the building will include residential amenities such as a lobby, mail room, bike storage, and fitness center, rather than new retail space. This reflects a recent change to the City’s zoning code that reduced the required amount of ground-floor retail; the existing Seven Points shops meet the requirement.

Plans also call for improvements to Girard Avenue, creating a more pedestrian-oriented space 🚶 with limited vehicle access for loading. Resident parking will be accommodated in the existing 700+ stall parking ramp, which is currently underutilized 🚗.

The South Uptown Neighborhood Association will continue reaching out to Doran for additional details — including when demolition of the existing buildings may begin. We hope to share more information with neighbors soon.

Plans Revealed for 47-Unit Apartment Building at 3523–3525 Hennepin

Plans Revealed for 47-Unit Apartment Building at 3523–3525 Hennepin

Developers from Elliot Capital Group presented preliminary plans for a new apartment building at 3523 and 3525 Hennepin Avenue during the March 4 meeting of the South Uptown Land Use & Transportation Committee.

The proposal calls for a four-story, 47-unit apartment building that would replace the two existing duplexes on the site. The development would include a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, with 29 parking stalls located in a garage accessed from the alley. 🚗

The building is being designed by Christian Dean Architecture and would feature red and cream-colored brick with metal panel accents, reflecting the color palette of nearby buildings along Hennepin Avenue. Many of the units are planned to include private decks or patios, and the garage area will provide secure bike storage for residents. 🚲 The project also includes a green roof, supporting the City’s sustainability goals.

The proposal fits within current zoning and does not require any variances. As required by the City of Minneapolis’ Inclusionary Zoning ordinance, the development would include two to three affordable units.

Elliot Capital Group hopes to secure financing and break ground as early as this summer, though it may take until 2027 for construction to begin depending on financing and approvals. Once underway, the project is expected to take about 13 months to complete. 🏗️

The developer will move forward with City Planning approvals when ready, and the South Uptown Neighborhood Association will help keep neighbors informed about upcoming opportunities for public input.

You can review the presentation slides from the March 4 meeting for additional details about the project [link to slide deck].

🥕🌽 Vendors Wanted: Uptown Farmers Market 2026! 🍞🍅

The Uptown Farmers Market is gearing up for its second season — and we’re actively seeking vendors to join us! After an inaugural 2025 season that exceeded all expectations, with strong support from neighbors across all eight surrounding neighborhoods, we’re excited to build on that momentum in 2026. Last year’s vendors praised the market’s outstanding logistics and on-site staff support, creating a smooth and successful experience all around.  🙌

The 2026 season will run every Thursday evening from 4:00–8:00 PM, June 4 through October 1, near the corner of Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis. (Beginning in September, the market will close at 7:30 PM as daylight hours shorten.) 📍🗓️

We are especially interested in vendors offering fresh produce 🥬🥕 and prepared foods 🍪🥟, but welcome a variety of high-quality local products that help create a vibrant, community-centered market.

If you’re a farmer, food maker, or local producer looking to connect with an enthusiastic Uptown customer base, we’d love to hear from you! 🌻🛍️✨ Click here to fill out the Vendor Form: https://uptownmarket.org/become-a-vendor

🌳 City Trees Are Back for Spring — Order Soon! 🌱

The City of Minneapolis City Trees program has just announced its spring tree sale, and now’s the time to act! Minneapolis residents and businesses can order up to three beautiful trees for just $30 each. If you live in a Green Zone area, you may qualify for free trees (with help selecting and planting them), and special options are also available for businesses and nonprofits. 🌿

Trees help lower energy bills, provide cooling shade, support wildlife, and increase property values — a win for you and for our neighborhood. 🌞🐦🏡 Supplies and tree varieties are limited, so we encourage you to place your order as soon as possible. Let’s grow a greener South Uptown together! 💚 https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/environmental-programs/city-trees/?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

🏗️ South Uptown Land Use & Transportation Committee Meeting 🚲

Join us on Wednesday, March 4 at 7:00 PM at 3501 Aldrich Ave S (1st Floor Conference Room) for an important discussion about a proposed new development in the neighborhood.

Elliot Capital Group will present plans for a 4-story, 47-unit apartment building proposed for 3523 & 3525 Hennepin Avenue. The project would replace two existing duplexes and include 29 parking stalls accessed from the alley. 🏢🚗

This is a great opportunity to:
👀 Review the proposed design
📝 Learn more about the project details
❓ Ask questions and share feedback

Neighbors can attend in person or via Zoom - Join the Zoom Meeting:

 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84950239939?pwd=ExZRUPBsoJz71xgMqAsXCFxum7eS6G.1

Your voice matters—come be part of the conversation about South Uptown’s future! 🌆

🌟 South Uptown Board Vacancy – Get Involved! 🌟

The South Uptown Neighborhood Association has a new opening on our Board of Directors. One of our board members has had to step back due to a family matter, and we’re now looking for someone to step in and help lead our work.

The Board will appoint an individual to serve out the remainder of the term, running through September 2027, during the March 17, 2026 South Uptown meeting.

We’re seeking neighbors who are passionate about community service and can bring skills such as:

• 💰 Fundraising

• 🤝 Nonprofit experience

• 📋 Management & planning

• 📣 Outreach & community engagement

We are especially committed to ensuring our Board reflects the rich diversity of our neighborhood. We strongly encourage renters and people of color to apply. 🏘️✨

Serving on the Board is a fun and meaningful way to connect with neighbors, shape neighborhood priorities, and make a real impact right here in South Uptown. 🌳🏡

Interested? Fill out our brief online application form for more details and to submit your name.

We’d love to hear from you! 💛

🍀✨ 1st Thursday South Uptown Happy Hour ✨🍻

Join your neighbors for our next South Uptown Happy Hour on Thursday, March 5, 5:30–7:00 PM at Morrissey’s Irish Pub (913 W. Lake St.)!

It’s a great chance to:
🤝 Meet new friends
🏡 Learn more about what’s happening in South Uptown
💚 Support an awesome local business

As always, the South Uptown Neighborhood Association will provide free appetizers, and attendees can purchase their own beverages. 🍟🍺

This monthly tradition keeps getting better — we’d love to see you there! 🎉 #SouthUptown #NeighborhoodConnections #SupportLocal