About

Mayor Jacob Frey announced his priorities for 2025, laying out a progressive agenda that will drive the City's policy and budget decisions. The priorities build on the work already underway and focus on key areas that will shape Minneapolis’ future: building out a comprehensive safety ecosystem, expanding affordable housing, creating economic opportunities, advancing climate action, and ensuring good governance. These priorities aren’t just about policy—they reflect a commitment to building a Minneapolis that’s stronger, more equitable, and more sustainable for everyone.

"Our vision for 2025 is clear: provide the most important City services with excellence,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. "We want to see safe streets, affordable housing, good paying jobs, and equal access to opportunity regardless of zip code.”

“Setting priorities for the City is a roadmap for the work ahead. It provides the strategic direction for City staff to dig in and work on behalf of Minneapolis residents,” said City Operations Officer Margaret Anderson Kelliher. “Doing the work of the City is like running a well-oiled machine. When we all work together for the good of the City, that’s when real change happens. We appreciate Mayor Frey setting the tone for 2025 and beyond.”

“The Office of Community Safety’s vision of a safer Minneapolis is aligned with Mayor Frey’s priorities,” said Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette. “We have generated significant momentum in our first responder recruiting efforts and continue to build out the foundation of our expanded response services through the Safe and Thriving Communities plan. We are fully engaged in the work laid out by the MDHR Settlement Agreement and while there is much to be done, we are committed to delivering the community safety ecosystem that our community expects and deserves.”

“The City is committed to the important work of police reform and building upon efforts that have already been implemented in the Minneapolis Police Department,” said City Attorney Kristyn Anderson. “The community has spoken loud and clear that this is a priority for the City not just for this year, but for years to come.”

Mayor Frey’s key priorities for 2025

Community safety and police reform

• Build on record police recruitment in 2024 to continue rebuilding the Minneapolis Police Department and expand the number of community safety professionals.
• Use the guidance of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights settlement agreement and the federal Department of Justice consent decree to implement reforms that guarantee equitable outcomes in all law enforcement encounters.
• Strengthen the community-safety ecosystem, providing a broad, equitable and bias-free range of services to meet people’s needs in critical moments.
• Support a comprehensive network of accessible treatment and recovery options for substance use disorder, with a specific focus on fentanyl.

Affordable housing and homelessness response

• Continue Minneapolis’ nation-leading affordable housing work, creating more affordable housing and preserving deeply affordable rental housing.
• Increase housing stability for Minneapolis Public Schools elementary students and their families through the Stable Homes, Stable Schools program, which has already benefitted 5,600 students and their families.
• Reduce racial disparities in homeownership, allowing for the growth of generational wealth.
• Stay on track to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in Minneapolis by 2035.
• Continue efforts to reduce homelessness and address the impact of encampments, supporting both encampment residents and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Economic inclusion and recovery

• Help Black and Brown small-business owners build generational wealth and own real estate through the Ownership and Opportunity Fund and the Business/Developer Technical Assistance program, which has already supported dozens of BIPOC entrepreneurs.
• Advance transformational projects and build resilient, sustainable infrastructure including:
  • Re-envisioning George Floyd Square.
  • Redeveloping the former 3rd Precinct building at 3000 Minnehaha.
  • Pedestrianizing Nicollet Mall.
  • Transforming the Warehouse District into the entertainment capital of the North.
  • Beginning construction at the former Kmart site to reconnect Nicollet Avenue between West Lake Street and the Midtown Greenway.
• Reimagine and maintain a vibrant, safe, economically sound downtown Minneapolis, using strategies formulated and executed by the Downtown Action Council and building on our nation-leading post pandemic recovery work.
• Continue to streamline the process of converting vacant commercial space into housing, specifically in empty office spaces downtown.

Climate action

• Drive efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the City’s 2050 climate goals, promoting positive health outcomes.
• Pilot a block-by-block home weatherization initiative through our Green Cost Share program, lowering residential energy bills.
• Partner with community organizations via Green Careers Exploration to train people for careers in solar energy, electric vehicles, and the other green jobs of the future.
• Expand the urban tree canopy, continue development of the nation’s first biochar site, and enhance the City’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Good governance

• Under the new government structure, continue providing excellent core public services while exploring opportunities to diversify or increase non-property tax revenue.
• Improve outcomes through data-driven decision making, and develop or refine metrics to track program delivery and racial equity.

The City of Minneapolis has unveiled a draft Development Framework for the highly anticipated New Nicollet Redevelopment project, guided by input from thousands of community members. Through 14 in-person and virtual events, 2,245 survey responses, and 520 in-person interactions, the community’s voice is represented and shaping every aspect of this project.

During an open house at Whittier International Elementary School, the project team celebrated the public’s engagement and shared a bold vision for transforming the former Kmart site into a thriving hub of green space, a variety of housing options, and small business opportunities.

“Reconnecting Nicollet Ave. has been a decades-in-the-making vision, and we are going to get it done right,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “For far too long, this space has separated our communities rather than united them, and this community-driven process is bringing them back together. Opening it up with people, a park, and public realm improvements will drive life into a place that everyone will want to be.”

Ideas abound for the site

The New Nicollet Redevelopment site spans 10 acres of land between the Midtown Greenway trail, Lake Street, First Avenue and Blaisdell Avenue. The City's plan includes the reconnection of Nicollet Avenue and creates more opportunity for

• Housing options for individuals and families of all income levels
• A new park and green spaces for community gathering areas
• Local businesses to meet daily needs of residents
• Incorporate sustainable design opportunities

“Residents are at the center of the New Nicollet Redevelopment project, which is a generational investment in our community. Thousands of residents have offered their feedback as part of the extensive community engagement guiding the project,” said Minneapolis City Council Vice President Aisha Chughtai. “I’m committed to ensuring impacted residents have a seat at the table and their vision guides every decision in this development.”  

A few of the top resident priorities emerging from community engagement include enhanced public spaces, a variety of housing choices for households at all income levels and a new grocery store.

"Whittier Alliance has been thrilled to partner with the City and other local community organizations to drive community engagement on this project. We know that effective planning happens when community members' voices are heard,” said Anna Schmitz, executive director of Whittier Alliance. “It's exciting to see the results of that engagement in this Development Framework--and, crucially, we know that engagement work can't stop here. We look forward to continuing to bring community members to the table as this project continues to move forward."

A win for community-driven planning

"The New Nicollet Redevelopment is a testament to the power of inclusive, community-driven planning. Thanks to the dedication of our planning staff and the thousands of residents who shared their ideas, we are creating a vision that reflects the needs and aspirations of the people who live and work in this area,” said Community Planning and Economic Development Director Erik Hansen. “This project will bring new housing, green space, and economic opportunity to the heart of Minneapolis, and we are excited to continue this work together."

The project team will seek approval of the Development Framework from City Council and the mayor this spring. Construction on Nicollet Avenue is expected to begin later this year.

Minneapolis reached a major milestone in 2024, surpassing $1 billion in construction value for the 14th year in a row. The impressive total reflects the city’s continued growth and residents’ confidence in Minneapolis as a place to live, invest and build.  

At a news conference Tuesday, Mayor Jacob Frey – flanked by Council President Elliott Payne, Council Member Jamal Osman, City leaders and development representatives – said the numbers signify how much people believe in Minneapolis’ future and are committed to making it stronger.

"No matter the scale or scope of the project, these numbers speak volumes: people trust Minneapolis. They see it as a city of opportunity, a city worth building in, and a city worth building on,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. "Surpassing $1.8 billion in construction value is no small achievement. I am incredibly proud of our outstanding CPED team and community partners, whose dedication ensures Minneapolis remains a city that people are eager to invest in and call home.”

A nod to affordable housing

Half of the highest-valued projects in 2024 are for affordable housing developments, showing the City continues to invest in publicly subsidized homes for residents who need them. The City also permitted smaller, residential projects like kitchen or bath remodels, home additions and more. Over the last several years, this has proven that residents not only want to move to the city but want to improve their homes to stay long term.

"These numbers represent the City’s deep commitment towards addressing the housing crisis,” said Minneapolis City Council President Elliott Payne, Ward 1. “Construction at this scale doesn’t happen at the whim of the market, but through focused and consistent dedication to housing policy that prioritizes the needs of the community.”

“I am very pleased to see the City continuing to invest in publicly subsidized housing for Minneapolis residents,” said City Council Member Jamal Osman, Ward 6. “Buying a home can be a struggle, so it is great to see efforts being made to help people stay in Minneapolis. Homeownership should be achievable for everyone in Minneapolis, and if the City continues investing in its future, that can become a reality for more residents.”

By the numbers, the City of Minneapolis issued 44,574 permits in 2024. There were 640 dwelling units permitted for new construction. The overall value for the year is more than $1.806 billion.

“The exciting part is that this work never stops. There are more significant projects in the future that will continue to build and enhance Minneapolis – for people and our community,” said City Operations Officer Margaret Anderson Kelliher. “It’s an important responsibility to build a future Minneapolis for generations to come.”

The top 10 projects in 2024:

• $586 million – Expansion of Abbott Northwestern Hospital’s Surgical and Critical Care Pavilion. This is the highest valued project since U.S. Bank Stadium was built in 2014.
• $45 million – Redevelopment of the former Wells Fargo bank site for Opportunity Crossing
• $39 million – Multi-phase development of the Artspace NKB Lofts
• $31 million – Rehabilitation of five buildings at Olson Court Apartments – Park Plaza and the new construction of a 119-unit building
• $24 million – Interior remodel of Minneapolis City Hall
• $22 million – Multi-floor remodel of Ameriprise office building
• $22 million – Construction of 110 units at Lakefield Apartments
• $19 million – Construction of a mixed-use building at France 50
• $17 million – Buildout of additional floors and office space at North Loop Green
• $17 million – Construction of a mixed-use building at Valiance

“This milestone is a testament to the collaboration and vision of our employees, city leaders, developers and residents, said Community Planning and Economic Development Director Erik Hansen. “As we look ahead, the projects on the horizon promise to continue reshaping Minneapolis into a city that thrives for everyone who chooses to open businesses and call it home."