🌆 Meet Cheba Hut Coming to Uptown!

South Uptown Land Use & Transportation Committee

Wednesday, November 5 at 7:00 PM

3501 Aldrich Avenue S., 1st Floor Conference Room

Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86791321960?pwd=Sksr0U68ZjvXFNRaRB9r9mTu0LXxti.1

Join us for the next Land Use & Transportation Committee meeting! We’ll be welcoming representatives from Cheba Hut, the new toasted sub shop opening soon in the Asher Building at Lake Street and Emerson Avenue S (1128 W. Lake St.).

Franchise owners Nick Reckinger and Matt Alexander—who also run Georgia Boys BBQ in Colorado—will introduce themselves, share their plans for the Uptown location, and talk about what’s next as they prepare to open their doors later this year.

Cheba Hut recently received approval for a liquor license and permission to stay open until 2 AM on weekends, so this is your chance to learn more, ask questions, and meet the team bringing a new flavor to Uptown.

🥪 Come join the conversation and help welcome Cheba Hut to the neighborhood!

🌟 Give to the Max Day is Coming — Support South Uptown! 🌟

South Uptown Neighborhood Association is excited to participate in Give to the Max Day on Thursday, November 20 — Minnesota’s one-day celebration of giving where nonprofits statewide come together to seek support and strengthen our communities. 💚

Building Community.
South Uptown Neighborhood Association brings neighbors together to make our community stronger, safer, and more connected.

Our Mission:
“Improve the well-being of the South Uptown Neighborhood by fostering a safe, equitable, and connected community.”

This year, your support helped us:
✅ Host beloved community events like the Luminary Skating Party, Chili Fest, the Bryant Square Park Concert Series, the Garden Tour, monthly happy hours, and Clean Up Days.
✅ Promote safety and connection through Home Security Grants, Personal Safety Workshops, and crime discussion forums.
✅ Support local businesses through partnerships with the Uptown Farmers Market and the Uptown Futures Forum.
✅ Advocate for you by championing better design for Seven Points and supporting a safer, more people-friendly Lyndale Avenue.
✅ Add neighborhood charm with art wraps, little free libraries, and dog waste stations.

Your donation keeps South Uptown vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming — all year long. 🌳
💚 Give today or anytime this month — and help us continue building community, right here at home.

👉 [Click here to donate! https://www.givemn.org/organization/South-Uptown-Neighborhood-Association

🎉 1st Thursday South Uptown Happy Hour 🍻

Join us on Thursday, November 6 from 5:30–7:00 PM at Gigi's Cafe (824 W. 36th Street) for a fun, low-pressure way to meet your neighbors and learn more about South Uptown!

☕️🍷 Gigi’s has something for everyone — coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer, wine & more.
🍕 South Uptown will provide light appetizers, including Gigi’s delicious and shareable pizzas.

Bring a friend, grab your favorite drink, and let’s get to know each other. No RSVP needed — just show up! ✨

🎉 Hennepin Avenue Reopens This Friday! 🚧➡️✨

After 18 months of construction, Hennepin Avenue is officially reopening this Friday, October 31! Come check out the brand-new pavement, sidewalks, protected bike lanes, utilities, and signals 🚲🛣️.

While you’re there, make sure to support our small, local businesses who have weathered the long construction period ❤️🏪.

👉 Minneapolis Public Works will continue lining storm sewers over the next few weeks (expect occasional lane closures), and some streetscape improvements will continue into the spring 🌳💡. Check out the update here:https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MPLS/bulletins/3f85958 

Welcome back, Hennepin! 🙌

🚶‍♀️🚲 South Uptown Signs Onto “Livable Lyndale” Letter 🌳

The South Uptown Neighborhood Association has signed onto the Livable Lyndale letter, joining other community groups in voicing concern about Hennepin County’s proposed design for Lyndale Avenue (Franklin Ave to W. 31st St.), scheduled for reconstruction in 2027.

While the County’s plan includes a 12-foot shared-use trail along the east side of the corridor, this design would force people walking and biking to share the same space — creating safety risks ⚠️ and an uncomfortable environment for everyone.

Livable Lyndale, a campaign by Move MN, advocates for a street that truly works for all users — whether you walk 🚶, bike 🚴, take transit 🚌, or drive 🚗.

👉 Read the full letter and learn more about the campaign here: https://www.movemn.org/action/lyndale-municipal-consent/?gf_protect_submission=1#main

📚 Host a Little Free Library this Winter! ❄️

Love books and community? South Uptown is looking for neighbors to host one of our two Little Free Libraries this winter! Starting around November 1, the libraries will move to new homes and stay in place until spring. 🌳✨

Hosting is easy and fun — just keep an eye on the library to make sure it stays in good shape and full of books. Our volunteers will help you find the perfect spot and get it set up in your yard or boulevard. 💪📖

Interested? Email us at info@southuptown.org to learn more and spread the love of reading! ❤️ #SouthUptown #LittleFreeLibrary #CommunityLove #ReadLocal

🫶 Bystander Intervention Training – Thursday, October 16, 7PM 💪

Learn how to stand up for one another with courage and compassion! 🌈
Right to Be has empowered thousands nationwide to build safer, more inclusive communities — now it’s your turn to join in. 💬✨

This free training is facilitated by Right to Be and co-hosted by the Fulton, Linden Hills, South Uptown, and Tangletown neighborhood organizations.

👉 Register and learn more:
🔗 Bystander Intervention in Public Spaces Training

10th Ward City Council Candidate Forum - Oct. 7th

If you’ve traveled along Aldrich Avenue recently, you may have noticed some new features aimed at slowing down traffic and improving safety. Last summer, Minneapolis Public Works installed speed humps on the 3100 and 3400 blocks of Aldrich, as well as a traffic circle at the intersection of 33rd & Aldrich.

These changes are part of the City’s Vision Zero initiative, which works to prevent traffic injuries and deaths by deploying quick and cost-effective treatments to reduce speeding and improve safety for people walking, biking, rolling, and driving.

Residents across Minneapolis can request traffic calming treatments through the City’s website here:https://www.minneapolismn.gov/getting-around/parking-driving/traffic-calming/. It remains something of a mystery how specific projects, like those on Aldrich, are selected. We assume factors such as high vehicle speeds and the occurrence of recent severe crashes played a role. The City announced this round of traffic calming last spring and hosted workshops to gather community input across Minneapolis.

South Uptown Neighborhood Association has requested additional details from Public Works but, so far, has not received a response. In the meantime, we’ll continue advocating for more transparency in how these projects are prioritized and making sure South Uptown has a voice in future decisions.

✨🍕 South Uptown Happy Hour 🍷☕

📅 Thursday, October 2
🕠 5:30 – 7:00 PM
📍 Gigi’s Café – 824 W. 36th Street

We had such a great time at Gigi’s last month that we’re going back again for October (and November too)! 🎉

The South Uptown Neighborhood Association will cover light appetizers (🍕 pizza, anyone?), while you can grab your own drink of choice—Gigi’s has everything from coffee ☕ and tea 🍵 to beer 🍺 and wine 🍷.

Come hang out in a fun, low-pressure setting 🙌, meet new neighbors 🤝, and learn a little more about what’s happening in South Uptown 🏡.

We hope to see you there! 💚

South Uptown Board Elections Update

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Annual Celebration & Elections. Seven candidates originally filed to run for six open Board seats. However, one candidate has withdrawn from the election. This means that the six remaining candidates will fill the six open seats, and all are now considered elected members of the Board.

As a result, the online ballot has been closed. Congratulations to our new Board Members, and thank you to all who stepped up to serve our neighborhood!

Welcome to the six new South Uptown Board Members:

• Brian Dvorak

• Julia Goodhart

• Greta Kurtz

• Lauren McCarley

• Katrina Michaels

• Alec Shannon

Brian Dvorak

Julia Goodhart

Greta Kurtz

Lauren McCarley

Katrina Michaels

Alec Shannon

📊 South Uptown Neighborhood Survey Results Are In! 🌳🏡

At our Annual Celebration & Elections on September 16, we shared the results of the 2025 South Uptown Neighborhood Survey. Last summer, 217 neighbors took the time to share their thoughts 💬 — from neighborhood demographics to how folks are feeling about our community and what priorities matter most including public safety, health of the area business districts and building more ties with neighbors.

These results will help guide the work of the South Uptown Neighborhood Association and shape our upcoming Strategic Plan. 🌟

👉 Check out the full presentation here.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped shape the future of South Uptown! 💙

🎉 South Uptown Annual Celebration & Elections

📅 Tuesday, September 16, 2025
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Bryant Square Park Rec Center, 3101 Bryant Ave S
💻 Join the Celebration on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83114877320?pwd=WQpkZohnnYyjuoQhltk2lgSPXmyywC.1

Get ready for an evening of food, fun, and community spirit! 🌟 All South Uptown neighbors are invited to join us for our Annual Celebration & Elections.

Here’s what you can look forward to:
🍴 Free Dinner from Caffrey’s Deli & Subs
🗳️ Meet Board Candidates & Vote in the Board of Directors election
📊 Neighborhood Survey Results – see what your neighbors had to say!
✨ 2025 Highlights – a look back at what we’ve accomplished together

This is the perfect chance to:
🤝 Meet your neighbors
🏘️ Learn about the work of the South Uptown Neighborhood Association
🌱 Discover ways to get involved in shaping our neighborhood’s futureWhether you’ve lived here for years or just moved in, you’re part of what makes South Uptown great — and we’d love to see you there! 💙

🗳️ Voting Details

All South Uptown renters, homeowners, business owners, and property owners (18+) are eligible to vote for the Board of Directors.

🕖 Online voting opens at 7PM on September 16 and closes at 7PM on September 17.

👉 Vote here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDKOIqIxvjWQS211EqDVnPCXEBXahuypezc4f1COys8Bpgmw/closedform

🗳️ South Uptown Board of Directors Election

We’re excited to announce that seven neighbors have stepped forward as candidates for the South Uptown Board of Directors! 🎉 Elections will take place in coordination with the South Uptown Annual Celebration & Elections on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at Bryant Square Park.

🌟 The event kicks off at 6:30PM with food, community, and a few quick housekeeping items. Around 7:00PM, we’ll open the floor for in-person nominations before making the online ballot live.

🗳️ Candidates for the 2025–2027 term:

Aaron Downing

Brian Dvorak

Julia Goodhart

Greta Kurtz

Lauren McCarley

Katrina Michaels

Alec Shannon

Once the ballot is live, neighbors will have until 7:00PM on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 to cast their votes online. Those elected will serve a 2-year term from October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2027.

🙏 Thank you to all of our candidates for stepping forward to serve South Uptown with their time, skills, and energy!

👉 Check out the Candidate Profile document here.
👉 Cast your vote online here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDKOIqIxvjWQS211EqDVnPCXEBXahuypezc4f1COys8Bpgmw/closedform

Aaron Downing

Brian Dvorak

Julia Goodhart

Greta Kurtz

Lauren McCarly

Katrina Michaels

Alec Shannon

✨🚧 Have your voice heard on the future of Lyndale! 🚧

Lyndale Avenue Reconstruction Project Open House

Wed, September 10, 2025, 4-6PM

Spring House Ministries- 610 W. 28th St.

Hennepin County Public Works has released plans for the reconstruction of Lyndale Avenue S. (between Franklin Ave. and W. 31st St.), set to begin in 2027. The roadway, utilities, signals, lights and sidewalks will be reconstructed during this multi-year project. They’ll present the proposed designs and answer questions at the upcoming Open House. Come share your thoughts and hear from your neighbors about this major project.

Check out the project website here: https://beheardhennepin.org/lyndale-avenue

🌆🍷 South Uptown Happy Hour is back! 🎉

South Uptown Happy Hour

Thursday, September 4, 2025

5:30- 7:00PM

Gigi’s Cafe- 824 W. 36th Street

Join us at 5:30PM at Gigi’s Café for our First Thursday tradition. We took a little summer break ☀️ but we’re kicking things off again at a new spot!

It’s a fun, low-key way to meet neighbors, make new friends, and learn what’s happening in South Uptown. 💬👋

Bring your good vibes (and maybe a friend!)—we’d love to see you there. 💛

🌟 Join the South Uptown Board of Directors! 🌟

South Uptown Neighborhood Association is now seeking passionate and community-minded candidates for our Board of Directors! If you’re a renter, homeowner, business owner, or property owner (18+) in South Uptown, you’re automatically a member—and eligible to run!

We’re especially looking to amplify the voices of people of color and renters to better reflect our vibrant neighborhood. 🙌

Do you have skills in fundraising, social media, urban planning, event organizing, or nonprofit work? We’d love to have your expertise at the table!

Serving on the Board is a fun and rewarding way to get involved, build connections, and work together to make South Uptown even better. 💚

📅 The Board election will take place as part of our South Uptown Annual Celebration on September 16—mark your calendar!

👉 Check out the Board application for more info and to apply: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeF-Qyr2mXbEMWOcAnomrbdUcChUiFdDLp09kJyJShCkCZM5Q/viewform?usp=header

📚✨ Our Little Free Libraries Have New Homes ✨📚

South Uptown’s two Little Free Libraries have been on the move! 🚚 You can now find them at:
📍 3208 Colfax Ave S
📍 3333 Colfax Ave S

They’ll be in these spots through the end of October before heading to new winter homes. Stop by, 📖 leave a book and 📚 take a book — it’s a fun way to share the love of reading with your neighbors! ❤️

💡 We’re looking for winter hosts! Starting in early November, you could be the proud caretaker of one of our libraries. It’s easy, fun, and a great way to connect with your community. Interested? Get in touch at info@southuptown.org! 📨 

🌳 Fall City Tree Sale – Happening Now! 🍁

Low-cost trees are available through September 10 (or while supplies last)! Each property can purchase up to 3 trees from more than 20 beautiful evergreen and shade varieties. 🌲🌳 Planting a tree will beautify your yard, save energy, and boost your property value.

🌱 Tree Pickup Dates: September 26 & 27
📍 More details: Visit the Fall City Tree Sale website: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/environmental-programs/city-trees/sale-process/?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=#d.en.191349

Don’t miss your chance to green up your space this fall! 🌿

🍦🎉 Bryant Square Park Ice Cream Social – August 20! 🎶🍨