Hello Streets.mn community,
Welcome to our biweekly newsletter, delivering the latest Streets.mn news and views directly to your inbox! In each issue, our editorial team will provide ongoing stories, news, updates and event information related to Streets.mn, city life and Greater Minnesota.
New in Streets.mn:
Spring has arrived in Minnesota and with it comes peak bicycling season. Jan Lasar of Minnesota Trails Magazine has an epic list of the Must-Do Minnesota Bike Rides in 2025. Many of these are classic annual rides but if you’re seeking a bit of novelty and adventure, there are plenty of other options. From Granite Falls to Grand Rapids, there are rides in towns and cities across Minnesota. Or, how about the Tour de Tulips in Orange City, Iowa?
The news that the Metropolitan Council and MnDOT are likely going to wind down the long suffering Northstar Commuter Rail has our writers reflecting on how it could be saved and even improved. Ian Gaida’s deep dive is a must read and offers several ways to improve the service with increasing frequency at the top of the list. Speaking of increasing frequency, Bryce Riesner writes about the importance of bringing back weekend service and breaking the commuter rail mold by extending the Northstar to St. Cloud, where it probably should have terminated from the beginning. Is there still time to save the Northstar? As they say, it’s not over till it’s over.
In the latest episode of our podcast, Ian R Buck chats with board member Jeb Rach about the rollout of Metro micro. If it’s new to you, then this is one you’ll want to catch up on.
Powderhorn resident Steve Young-Burns tells the inspiring story of a 40-year fight to get speed bumps and other traffic-calming policies added to slow down speeding drivers in the bustling Minneapolis neighborhood.Speaking of traffic calming, residents of South Minneapolis have an opportunity to weigh in on the rebuild of 35th and 36th streets. As is typical, there are good options on the table, and not so good options.
Here’s What Else We’re Reading:
- As St. Paul considers a drive-through ban, MinnPost looks at how a similar ban in Minneapolis five years ago is impacting the decision-making process.
- Did you catch the War on Cars live episode in Minneapolis? The episode will be coming out soon, but as you eagerly wait we encourage you to check out the latest episode with guest Katelyn Burns, which covers how the trans community has found their voice in the urbanism community.
- The tariffs implemented by the United States government have bike shop owners in the crosshairs and they are starting to enter ‘panic mode.’
- Frequent contributor Zak Yudhishthu has a thoughtful, nuanced article about ‘Saint Paul, and the economics of urban decline and revitalization.
Upcoming Events:
If you live in Near North or North Minneapolis or would like to learn more about the ongoing study of removing Olson Memorial Highway in Minneapolis, join the Bring Back 6th Chapter of the Minnesota Communities Over Highways Coalition for design week community engagement events! More information can be found here.
Eco-Fair on Summit 2025: In case you missed our preview of this sustainability-focused event, scheduled on Saturday, May 17, from 1 to 4 p.m., mark your calendars for a kid-friendly coalition of “all things green” at House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul. Sponsored by Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, along with a number of area churches and multimodal organizations (including Streets.mn!), the Eco-Fair will feature e-vehicles (not Teslas), e-bikes, food trucks and beer sampling, and info on eco-friendly yards and homesteads. Resource tables from Clean Water Action, Frogtown Green, Friends of the Mississippi and more will make for great learning and networking opportunities.
Queermunity and Wilderness Inquiry host the LGBTQ+ Outdoor Experience Recreation Fair: The free one-day fair on Saturday, May 10, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. will feature door raffle giveaways, vendor booths, a free gear swap and guided activities focused on promoting outdoor experiences. It is sponsored by Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates, with an amazing list of great vendors including Body of the Earth Wellness & Massage, Clean River Partners, Menagerie Rugby, Minnesota Deaf Queers, Minnesota Dodgeball, Minnesota POC Pride, Minnesota Queer Skaters, Odigo Wellness, Outclimb, Sierra Club North Star Chapter, Twin Cities Queer Hockey Association, Urban Roots, Reach for Resources and West Forty RV Park & Campground. The event will take place at Queermunity, 3036 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408 and provides a welcoming, safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals to engage with outdoor offerings, learn about new activities and connect with others who share similar interests.
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