Editor’s note: Walk the Talk is Streets.mn’s carefully curated, highly partisan collection of both serious and fun-loving events, community meetings and opportunities for engagement that we think will interest our readers. Email your ideas to Hawken Habig, one of our daily editors, at [email protected].
Housing Advocacy 101 — Monday, April 24, 6-7:30 p.m.
With the city of St. Paul in the midst of reevaluating its zoning regulations, now is a great time to learn more about productive housing reform and effective advocacy. Sustain Saint Paul will be hosting a Housing Advocacy 101 meeting next Monday, April 24, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Rondo Community Library, 461 N. Dale St., where participants will learn about current zoning reform issues in the city and how to better advocate for pro-housing measures. (Snacks included!)
Speak Up About the New 3rd Precinct Building — through April 30
The City of Minneapolis is in the process of determining a new location for the 3rd Precinct building after the previous one was burned down during the civil unrest following George Floyd’s murder in 2020. The city currently is considering two locations: 3000 Minnehaha Ave. (the original location, which would be remodeled) and 2600 Minnehaha Ave., several blocks north. Given the history of the 3rd Precinct, debates surrounding the proposed locations are contentious, with some residents even questioning the decision to rebuild. Consider participating in the city’s outreach — an online survey will be available until April 30, and a final community engagement session will take place tomorrow, April 19, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Sabathani Community Center at 310 E. 38th St.
Walks with Pedestrian Dignity — April 21, 22 and 23
Jonathon Stalls of Pedestrian Dignity — a movement focused on elevating pedestrian experiences — will be hosting several walking events throughout Minneapolis this weekend. The first will be on April 21 at 5:30 p.m. around Bde Maka Ska and the south Uptown area, hosted in partnership with Magers and Quinn, where a signing for Stalls’ book, Walk, will commence afterward. On April 22, in honor of Earth Day, Pedestrian Dignity will lead a group along the full length of Franklin Avenue, beginning at 8:30 a.m. (with the chance to join in later along the route). The third walking event, on April 23 at 9 a.m., will lead the group from Minnehaha Park along the Mississippi River to St. Anthony Falls and back again. Click here to learn more about Pedestrian Dignity (and please respond if you plan to attend any of these events!).
Adopt a Storm Drain!
Spring is now upon us (despite last week’s bout of snow), which means a whole lot of melting and many overburdened and polluted storm drains. Adopt a Storm Drain is a program that allows residents to volunteer their time to maintain a storm drain in their neighborhood, keeping it clear of debris which, in turns, keeps waterways clean and the drainage flowing. Learn more about storm drain maintenance and sign up here to volunteer.
Photo at top courtesy of Zach Vessels on Unsplash.