🏙️ Uptown Futures Forum 2.0 is coming October 13!

What’s next for Uptown? Join us for Uptown Futures Forum 2.0 on Tuesday, October 13, from 7–9 PM at the Granada Theater (3022 Hennepin Avenue) for an important conversation about the future of our neighborhood.

Following last year’s Uptown Futures Forum, this year’s event will feature a presentation of a new report from the Urban Land Institute of Minnesota (ULI Minnesota) examining Uptown and offering recommendations for spurring its revitalization. View the report here. 📋🏙️

We’ll also hear from a diverse panel of business and property owners, community leaders and public officials about the challenges and opportunities facing Uptown — and what it will take to move the area forward. 💬

Come hear the findings, learn more about ideas for Uptown’s future, and be part of the conversation! 🤝

🌳 Have a say in the future of Minneapolis Parks!

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is asking residents to share their priorities as it develops its proposed 2027–28 budget. MPRB is proposing a 5.86% tax levy increase to sustain current service levels, including maintaining parks and recreation programs, protecting the tree canopy and natural areas, supporting teen jobs and after-school programs, and continuing child care and summer camp services.

There are three community budget workshops still coming up this fall. Park commissioners and MPRB leaders will explain the proposed budget, how park funding is used, and what different budget choices could mean for Minneapolis.

📅 Wednesday, October 8, 6–8 p.m.
📍 Lyndale Farmstead Park, 3900 Bryant Ave. S

📅 Wednesday, October 22, 6–8 p.m.
📍 Powderhorn Park, 3400 15th Ave. S

📅 Friday, October 24, 1–3 p.m.
📍 Elliot Park, 1000 E 14th St.

Can’t attend a workshop? You can still share your priorities by completing the MPRB’s online survey:

🔗 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/88BW98C

Your voice matters! Take part and let MPRB know what you value most about Minneapolis Parks.

🚲 Share Your Input on Hennepin Ave S & Lake St Improvements! 🚶‍♀️

The City of Minneapolis Public Works Department is planning improvements to Hennepin Ave S between Lake St and 31st St and Lake St between Humboldt Ave and Hennepin Ave S — and neighbors are invited to learn more and provide feedback!

Open House — Wednesday, September 23, 6–7:30 PM
Walker Library, Bde Maka Ska Room- 2880 Hennepin Ave S

The Open House will provide more details about the project and, importantly, give the community an opportunity to provide feedback on the permanent improvements currently being planned.

🚧 Two Phases of Improvements

The project is being planned in two phases:

Phase 1: Interim Improvements — Fall 2026
The City plans to make interim changes on Hennepin Ave S between Lake St and 31st St this fall. These changes are intended to improve predictability and visibility for people walking, biking, rolling and driving ahead of the larger permanent project. The interim design will also provide space for curbside uses such as loading, unloading and/or metered parking, helping reduce conflicts at the curb.

Phase 2: Permanent Improvements — Construction anticipated in 2028
The City is beginning planning and design for permanent improvements on Hennepin Ave S between Lake St and 31st St and Lake St between Humboldt Ave and Hennepin Ave S. Proposed improvements include:

• Plenty of space for people walking and rolling

• A two-way protected bikeway on Hennepin Ave S, replacing the existing bike lanes

• A new protected bikeway on Lake St

• Curbside space on Hennepin Ave S for uses such as loading, unloading and metered parking

Come to the Open House on September 23 to learn more about the proposed permanent improvements and share your feedback with the City!

🔗 Learn more about the project: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/hennepin-lake-improvements/

🌟 South Uptown Has a New Logo! 🎨

We’re excited to announce that South Uptown Neighborhood Association has chosen a new logo, unveiled during our Annual Celebration & Elections on September 15! 🎉

This summer, South Uptown sponsored a community logo contest and received 12 creative submissions from our neighbors. We then invited the community to vote for their top five designs, along with our existing logo. From the top vote-getters, the South Uptown Board selected the final design.

🏆 Congratulations to neighbor Nate Strong, whose winning design brings together several elements that help represent South Uptown. The logo features a sun inspired by our many outdoor events, the stained-glass window of Mission Lofts, and a design that riffs on the Lyn-Lake district logo. The South Uptown Board also added the Bryant Avenue Bikeway as an additional element.

The logo isn’t quite finished yet! We’ll be working with a graphic designer to further refine the design and create variations for different uses. We look forward to officially rolling it out in the coming months. ☀️🚲🏙️

Thank you to everyone who submitted a design and to all of our neighbors who participated in the voting process. We’re excited to have a new visual identity created with—and inspired by—our community! 💙

🎉 Welcome South Uptown’s 2026–27 Board of Directors! 🎉

Last night’s South Uptown Annual Celebration & Elections was a big success! Neighbors enjoyed a delicious dinner from Lito’s Burritos, celebrated the work of South Uptown Neighborhood Association, and unveiled our new logo. 🌟

We’re also excited to welcome five new Board Members!

Five seats were open on the Board, and three candidates had stepped forward before the event. During the Annual Celebration, two additional neighbors were nominated, bringing the total to five candidates for five open seats. Because the number of candidates matched the number of available seats, an election was not necessary, and all five candidates were seated to the Board.

Please join us in welcoming:

👏 Caitlin Baker
👏 Mary Rose Cumbee
👏 Carter Konz
👏 Barbie Lawson
👏 Brooks Wilson

Six current Board Members will also continue serving South Uptown:

Brian Dvorak, Holly Gardner, Julia Goodhart, Greta Kurtz, Lauren McCarley, and Alec Shannon.

🙏 We also want to thank Claudia Madrigal, Phil Qualy, and Gretchen Sieger for their service on the South Uptown Board of Directors. They decided not to run for another term, and we’re grateful for the time, energy, and commitment they have given to our neighborhood.

Please join us in welcoming our new Board Members, thanking our continuing Board Members, and celebrating everyone who steps up to make South Uptown a stronger, safer, more connected community! ❤️🏘️

🗳️ South Uptown Board of Directors Election

South Uptown Neighborhood Association has five open seats on its 2026 Board of Directors. Three candidates have already been nominated, and additional nominations will be accepted during the Annual Celebration & Elections on Tuesday, September 15, at 6:30 PM at Bryant Square Park Recreation Center.

If more than five candidates are nominated, an online election will be held from approximately 7:20 PM on September 15 through 7:00 PM on September 16, 2026. South Uptown members will be able to vote for up to five candidates, with the five candidates receiving the most votes elected to the Board.

If five or fewer candidates are nominated, an election will not be necessary, and all candidates will be seated on the Board.

👉 If an election is required, the online ballot will be available here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmpmSc-ZdkWist7B108Y28e9iIA9dahcmeeq2usRsRQjAm5A/closedform

Please check the ballot during the Annual Celebration to see whether voting is required. 🗳️

🗳️ Meet the South Uptown Board Candidates!

Curious about who is stepping forward to help shape the future of South Uptown? Click the link to read our Candidate Profile featuring three neighbors who have stepped forward to run for a seat on the South Uptown Neighborhood Association Board of Directors. 👋🏽🏡

These candidates bring a wide variety of skills, experiences and interests that can help strengthen our organization and our neighborhood. We’re excited to introduce them to you!

There are currently five open Board seats, so there’s still an opportunity for more neighbors to get involved! South Uptown Neighborhood Association will accept additional nominations during our Annual Celebration & Elections on Tuesday, September 15, at 6:30 PM at Bryant Square Park. 🌳🗳️

📖 Read the Candidate Profile here.

Come meet the candidates, learn more about the election, and consider whether serving on the Board could be a good fit for you!

🍂🧤 South Uptown Fall Neighborhood Clean Up! 🧤🍂

Join your neighbors on Saturday, October 10, from 10 AM–Noon at Bryant Square Park Recreation Center (3101 Bryant Ave S.) for our Fall Neighborhood Clean Up!

South Uptown will provide free trash bags, gloves, and garbage pickers to make it safe and easy to participate. Just grab your supplies, choose a block or section of the neighborhood, and help pick up litter — keeping trash out of our storm drains and ultimately out of our lakes and rivers. 🌊🗑️

Every person who participates makes a difference, and the more neighbors who join us, the bigger our impact! 💪❤️ It's fun, easy, and a great way to give back to our community.

Come out, meet your neighbors, and help keep South Uptown clean! 🌳🏡

#SouthUptown #NeighborhoodCleanup #KeepMinneapolisClean #CommunityPride #Volunteer #CleanUp #Minneapolis

🚧 Seven Points Redevelopment Update 🏗️

Progress continues at the Seven Points redevelopment site! Demolition of the former CB2, Kitchen Window and Famous Dave’s buildings began in April, and demolition and site preparation work are expected to wrap up soon. Construction of Doran Companies’ new 247-unit, four-story apartment building is expected to begin later this fall, with completion anticipated in October 2027. 🏢

The Seven Points property has also been divided between two owners. Northpond continues to own the remaining shopping center structure, parking garage and the vacant Lake Street site between Girard and Fremont avenues. Doran Companies will own the southern half of the block, where the new apartment building will be constructed.

Behind the scenes, Doran is also taking the lead in identifying potential grant funding through Hennepin County and the Metropolitan Council for improvements along Girard Avenue—including improvements adjacent to the apartment site and, potentially, the Northpond shopping center right of way. This could include upgraded landscaping and lighting, as well as art to make the stretch a more pleasant pedestrian path.

Once there is a better understanding of available funding, Doran plans to host an open house and community engagement session to gather neighbors’ ideas and visions for the future of Girard. Those ideas will help inform concept plans and future grant applications. If funding is secured, the hope is to reconnect with the community in late spring 2027 to discuss priorities, with construction on funded Girard improvements potentially beginning in summer or fall 2027.

Meanwhile, Northpond continues working to attract new tenants to the remaining shopping center. We’ll continue sharing updates as this important redevelopment project moves forward! 👷‍♂️🚧🏙️

#SouthUptown #SevenPoints #UptownMinneapolis #DevelopmentUpdate #CommunityEngagement #Minneapolis

🏙️ Help Shape the Future of Minneapolis! 🏙️

The City of Minneapolis has begun community engagement for the development of the new Minneapolis 2050 Comprehensive Plan — a vision for how our city will grow and evolve over the coming decades.

The plan will help guide what Minneapolis looks like by the year 2050, including the types of buildings that can be developed, transportation networks, land use, housing, and how our city grows. It will build upon and update the work established by the Minneapolis 2040 Plan, which was created nearly 10 years ago.

🗣️ Your voice is important! Learn more about the Comprehensive Plan and share your thoughts by completing the City's survey.

🔗 Comprehensive Plan website:
https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/departments/cped/planning/comp-plan/

📝 Take the survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FXTMXZQ

Help shape the future of Minneapolis! 🌆

#Minneapolis2050 #Minneapolis #ComprehensivePlan #ShapeOurCity #CommunityEngagement #FutureOfMinneapolis

🎉 The South Uptown Happy Hour is back! 🎉

After taking a break for the summer, we’re excited to bring back our monthly First Thursday Happy Hour on September 3 from 5:30–7:00 PM—and we’re especially excited to support one of South Uptown’s newest businesses, Arizona Taco Co.! 🌮🍹

Located in Seven Points at the corner of Lake Street & Girard Avenue South, Arizona Taco Co. offers delicious tacos, burritos, sides, and a variety of beverages.

South Uptown will provide the appetizers, while attendees can purchase their own beverages. 🍽️🍹

Join us for a fun evening of meeting your neighbors, learning more about the South Uptown Neighborhood Association, and supporting a new local business. We hope to see you there! 🎊

#SouthUptown #SouthUptownHappyHour #SupportLocal #ArizonaTacoCo #SevenPoints #MeetYourNeighbors #Minneapolis

🎶 What a summer of Music! ☀️💛

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the Bryant Square Park Concert Series such a big success this year! 🙌

We’re grateful to all of the amazing musicians 🎤🎸, park staff 🌳, South Uptown volunteers ❤️, and concert sponsors who helped bring neighbors together for 15 wonderful evenings of music and community.

Special thanks to our generous sponsors: Bogart’s Doughnut Co., Caffrey’s Deli & Subs, Dusty’s Bar, Mortimers, Moxy Hotel–Uptown, Nico’s Tacos, Nightingale, Pizza Luce, and Wrecktangle Pizza. 🍩🍕🌮🍻

It was a wonderful summer filled with great music, good food, new friends, and community spirit. We can’t wait to do it all again next summer! 🎶🌳❤️

📣 South Uptown Neighborhood Association is seeking Board candidates!

Do you want to get more involved in your community? The South Uptown Neighborhood Association (SUNA) is seeking candidates for its 11-member Board of Directors. 🏡

All South Uptown renters, homeowners, business owners, and property owners age 18+ are members of SUNA and are eligible to run for a two-year Board term.

🗳️ The election will begin September 15 as part of the South Uptown Annual Celebration and Elections.

We are especially interested in recruiting renters and people of color to better reflect the diversity of our neighborhood. We’re also looking for neighbors with skills or interests in fundraising, finance, event organizing, and social media.

Serving on the Board is a fun and rewarding way to meet your neighbors, help shape the future of South Uptown, and give back to your community. ❤️🏘️

👉 Click the link to learn more and complete the Board candidate application form!: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdLmGtAz0TR7SOuReP71hUU4fxo0U0kh69hAGsjbLT-1r-sTw/viewform

Volunteers Needed 🙌

We’re looking for a few more volunteers to help make our end-of-summer potluck at Bryant Square Park a fun and successful community celebration! 🌳🍔🎉

We still need:

• 🔥 1 more grill master (grill preferred!)

• 🍽️ 1–2 food table helpers

• 🎨 1 kids activity helper

• 🧹 2–3 cleanup helpers

Even an hour of your time would make a big difference. It’s a great way to pitch in, meet your neighbors, and help us celebrate the end of summer together! ❤️

If you’re available to help, please email southuptownneighbors@pm.me.

Thank you! 🙏

🍦🎉 Bryant Square Park Ice Cream Social is BACK! 🎉🍦

Join us Wednesday, August 19, from 6:30–8:30 PM for a free evening of food, fun and entertainment for the whole family! 🌭🍔🍦

Enjoy a free meal—hamburger, cheeseburger or hot dog—with chips, lemonade and, of course, ICE CREAM! 😋

There will be tons of fun activities, including:
📸 Photo booth
🎈 Balloon artist
🫧 Bubble artist
🏰 Bounce houses
🎨 Face painting
✨ Airbrush tattoos
🏹 Inflatable archery
🎶 Music

And at 7 PM, don't miss a special live performance of Frozen Jr.! ❄️🎭 The 45-minute performance is sure to be a highlight of the evening.

👋 Want to volunteer? We’re looking for a few volunteers to help make the evening a success. Ideally, we need two volunteers from 6–7 PM and two from 7–8 PM.

Interested in helping out? Contact Jason at jngreen@minneapolisparks.org. 🙌

🚧 Lyndale Avenue Road Work Starts August 18

Heads up, South Uptown! 🚗🚲 Hennepin County will begin pavement preservation work on Lyndale Avenue S. (County Road 22) between 56th and 31st streets starting Tuesday, August 18.

🗓️ August 18–21
🌦️ Weather dependent
🚦 Traffic will be reduced to one lane in one direction at a time, with flaggers alternating northbound and southbound traffic.

If you're traveling on Lyndale during the work, watch for signs and flaggers, slow down, and allow extra time to get through the area. 🚙⏰

Thanks for your patience while this work gets done! 👍

📣 South Uptown Neighborhood Association is seeking Board candidates!

Do you want to get more involved in your community? The South Uptown Neighborhood Association (SUNA) is seeking candidates for its 11-member Board of Directors. 🏡

All South Uptown renters, homeowners, business owners, and property owners age 18+ are members of SUNA and are eligible to run for a two-year Board term.

🗳️ The election will begin September 15 as part of the South Uptown Annual Celebration and Elections.

We are especially interested in recruiting renters and people of color to better reflect the diversity of our neighborhood. We’re also looking for neighbors with skills or interests in fundraising, finance, event organizing, and social media.

Serving on the Board is a fun and rewarding way to meet your neighbors, help shape the future of South Uptown, and give back to your community. ❤️🏘️

👉 Click the link to learn more and complete the Board candidate application form!: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdLmGtAz0TR7SOuReP71hUU4fxo0U0kh69hAGsjbLT-1r-sTw/viewform

1🎨 Help Choose the New South Uptown Logo! 🏘️

Earlier this summer, the South Uptown Neighborhood Association launched a contest to develop a new logo for our organization. We invited neighbors to submit their own designs by July 31, with the winning designer receiving a cash prize. 💰

We received 12 creative logo designs, and now we need the community’s help narrowing down the options! 🙌 We’ve also included our current logo in the poll, since some neighbors suggested that we keep it.

👉 Click the link below and pick your favorite designs by Thursday, August 20:

https://strawpoll.com/Q0Zp7EbaEgM#google_vignette

The South Uptown Board will select the winning design and announce it at the South Uptown Annual Celebration & Elections on September 15. 🎉

A big THANK YOU to everyone who submitted a design—and to everyone who takes the time to vote and help us narrow down the options! ❤️

#SouthUptown #SouthUptownLogo #LogoContest #Minneapolis #NeighborhoodPride #Community

🌳🍂 The City of Minneapolis Fall Tree Sale is now open! 🍂🌳

Looking to add some shade and beauty to your yard? Now's the perfect time! Fall is one of the best seasons to plant a tree, giving roots time to establish before winter and helping trees thrive next spring.

Best of all, Minneapolis residents can purchase select trees for just $30—an incredible bargain for a healthy tree that can provide shade, reduce energy costs, support birds and wildlife, improve air quality, and increase your property's value for years to come. 🌱🏡🐦

The City Trees program has helped Minneapolis residents plant more than 28,000 trees since 2006, making our neighborhoods greener one yard at a time.

🌿 Order your tree today: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/environmental-programs/city-trees/sale-process/

📚 Little Free Library Update 🏡

Our Little Free Library has a new home! In July, one of South Uptown's Little Free Libraries moved to 1311 W. 31st Street. Be sure to stop by and check it out! Our second library remains at 3300 Bryant Avenue S.

Both libraries will stay at these locations throughout the fall before moving to new homes in early November for the winter season.

Whether you're looking for your next great read or have a book to share, stop by, take a book, and leave a book! 📖💙 Thank you to our wonderful hosts for helping keep these neighborhood treasures available to everyone.