Exploring the Economic Revitalization of Downtown Minneapolis: Part 2 of 4

Downtown Minneapolis Revitalization: Organizations and Revitalization Initiatives

Last week, we discussed some of the challenges that have afflicted downtown Minneapolis over the past few years. Today, we will focus on the city’s progress in tackling these issues, and some of the revitalization initiatives that have been proposed and implemented. If successful, these revitalization efforts will lead to a thriving downtown core that contributes positively to Minneapolis’s unique character and diversity, and sets the stage for economic growth, residential and commercial development opportunities, and community cohesion. 

Key Organizations and Revitalization Initiatives 

Several organizations and city officials have been involved in attempting to address these concerns. Here are some of the key stakeholders and the revitalization projects they have worked on: 

Minneapolis Foundation:  

A community foundation that published its “Downtown Next” report in 2023. The detailed report offers an action plan for revamping the downtown area, identifying ways to make it a vibrant place that serves the economic and cultural health of the city year-round (source: Minneapolis Foundation). 

McKnight Foundation:  

Another community foundation based in Minnesota; it has been working to support small and BIPOC business development in Minneapolis (source: MPR News). 

Minneapolis Downtown Council:  

A membership-based business whose mission revolves around advancing downtown Minneapolis’ economic and community growth. It published The Downtown 2025 Plan and is currently working on the Downtown 2035 plan, which will outline future goals and initiatives for the downtown area (source: Minneapolis Downtown Council). 

Meet Minneapolis:  

A not-for-profit organization that, in 2016, published the Meet Minneapolis Destination Transformation 2030 plan. This report identifies common complaints about downtown, such as the death of shopping and children’s activities, disruptive traffic and construction, and a perceived lack of safety (source: Meet Minneapolis). 

City of Minneapolis:  

In partnership with the Minneapolis Downtown Council, Mayor Jacob Frey and the City Council commissioned the Vibrant Downtown Storefronts Workgroup, a group that proposed recommendations to transform the storefront experiences downtown. These recommendations include making Nicollet Mall a pedestrian-only zone and creating a “concierge” role who would match building owners with businesses, entrepreneurs, and artists (source: Downtown Voices).  

The city once again owns the site where Kmart was prior to shutting down and plans to construct Nicollet Avenue to reconnect with Lake Street. The project is divided into three phases: "Launch and Listen" (gathering community ideas), "New Nicollet Concept Layout Plan & Public Space Framework" (focusing on pedestrian safety and green spaces), and "Development Sites and Public Infrastructure". The first two phases are complete (source: City of Minneapolis).  

The Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) department also published the Minneapolis 2040 Plan, a comprehensive document outlining a vision for the city’s future, including the goal to make downtown a safer, greener, and business-friendly space (source: Minneapolis 2040).  

Success Stories 

Minneapolis can draw inspiration from the successful revitalization efforts in Austin and Houston. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, tax incentives in these cities have fostered a booming business environment, attracting companies from other states to Texas. Similarly, New York City, once plagued by high rates of homicides and incarcerations, witnessed a dramatic decrease in these issues due to effective public safety initiatives (source: Harvard Kennedy School). 

Recent events such as Taylor Swift’s concert at U.S. Bank Stadium last summer, and the annual Twin Cities Pride and Taste of Minnesota festivals – returning this June and July respectively - have drawn significant crowds to downtown Minneapolis, showcasing its potential as a vibrant cultural hub.

And as the revitalization efforts highlighted earlier begin to bear fruit, there is ample reason to remain cautiously optimistic about the future of downtown Minneapolis. 

References 

1. Minneapolis Foundation. (2023). Community issues: Downtown report. 

2. MPR News. (2023, October 31). Minnesota coalition gathers nearly $1B in pledges to help build wealth in Black communities.

3. Meet Minneapolis. Destination Transformation 2030.

4. City of Minneapolis. New Nicollet.

5. Downtown Voices.  

6. Minneapolis 2040. Downtown.

7. Harvard Kennedy School