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.
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New in Streets.mn:
Cirien Saadeh, Ph.D., is Streets.mn’s new managing editor, bringing extensive experience in community journalism, organizing and racial equity work. She first connected with Streets.mn through a guest lecture at Minneapolis College and later conducted a racial equity impact analysis for the organization before keynoting a 2023 contributors’ workshop.
Her background spans activism and academia: Dr. Saadeh is a trained community organizer who serves as a department director at Prescott College, where she teaches courses on community organizing, strategic media and community journalism. She’s also launching microcredentials in community journalism education this fall.
As a journalist, she has worked with North News, Minnesota Women’s Press, and has freelanced for publications like The Nation and Colorlines. She’s particularly proud of her Streets.mn piece published in 2023 through the “Crosswalks” initiative.
Her vision for Streets.mn centers on expanding contributor diversity, amplifying marginalized voices and nurturing dialogue around transit, housing, climate and community issues, and lived experiences. She’s committed to the organization’s core values of being people-centered, future-oriented, justice-driven and delight-cultivating, viewing justice and equity as fundamental to the discussion around transportation and land use.
Whether you are on the board, a frequent contributor or an occasional reader of Streets.mn, help us welcome Cirien to the Streets.mn Community!
In the third installment of his series on the planned reconstruction of 35th and 36th Streets in South Minneapolis, Christopher Vaughan explores how their designation as Municipal State Aid Streets (MSAS) could shape the project’s outcome—for better or worse. This often overlooked policy detail could either limit or unlock safer, greener andmore people-friendly design choices. Residents and street users are encouraged to weigh in and advocate for a variance that prioritizes neighborhood needs over outdated traffic standards.
Interim St. Paul Councilmember Matt Privratsky takes a thoughtful look at two proposed six-unit buildings on Selby Avenue—and the broader tensions they represent. While some neighbors express concern, Privratsky argues these projects offer clear citywide benefits: more housing, stronger tax base, a smaller environmental footprint and higher safety standards. It’s a case study in how St. Paul’s housing future will test its appetite for change.
As another Minnesota State Fair comes to a close, our Editor-in-Chief Joe Harrington reminds us why the fair is such a powerful case study in multi-modal mobility. With transit, shuttles and bikeways all in high demand, the “Great Minnesota Get-Together” shows what’s possible when moving people, not just cars, becomes the priority.
New on the Podcast
Ever wondered how Streets.mn got its start? An Oral History of Streets.mn brings together original founders Bill Lindeke and David Levinson, outgoing Managing Editor Amy Gage, and incoming Managing Editor Cirien Saadeh, Ph.D. for a conversation with host Ian R Buck about the site’s origins, evolution and future.
Here’s What Else We’re Reading:
- Mpls.St.Paul Magazine takes a stroll down Milwaukee Avenue, one of Minneapolis’ only fully pedestrianized streets and a charming time capsule of urban design.
- This YouGov survey from June popped up in our feeds again—a good reminder that most Americans support bike lanes, seeing them as a boost to both safety and quality of life.
- A Star Tribune (Paywall) analysis finds Twin Cities transit ridership remains down 45% from pre-pandemic levels—one of the slowest recoveries among major U.S. metro systems.
- Also from the Strib: How close can a public bus stop be to someone’s home?
- Bill Lindeke celebrates 25 years of the Midtown Greenway with a deep dive into its history—and a shoutout to board member Brian Mitchell’s epic two-part Streets.mn series on the corridor.
Walk the Talk — Events
Twin Cities Bike Tour (& Afterparty!) — Sunday, September 14
In case you missed it, the second annual Twin Cities Bike Tour takes place later this month. The “Metro-Wide Metro-Ride” celebrates the best bike metro in the country with BikeMN on a casually paced and fully supported ride with three route options at 20, 34 and 41 miles. Plus, Streets.mn is excited to announce we’ll be partnering with BikeMN for the first official Twin Cities Bike Tour Afterparty! From 2 to 4 p.m., you can join us at Arbeiter Brewing in Minneapolis for post-ride festivities, with a portion of sales proceeds donated to support our mission at Streets.mn. Learn more and register by clicking here.
Green Cities Accord’s Urban Tree Summit — Wednesday, Sept 17, 5 to 7p.m.
Want to learn more about the vital role that urban forests play in our cities? Then join the nonprofit Green Cities Accord (formerly Green Minneapolis) for its first-ever Urban Tree Summit at Theodore Wirth Park’s Loppet Trailhead building on the evening of Wednesday, September 17. The evening will feature lively panel discussions as well as updates on initiatives to restore and expand our urban tree canopy, with refreshments provided. Register and learn more by clicking here. Tickets are free, although donations are, of course, well-received!
Metro Transit September Listening Sessions
How is Metro Transit doing these days? Although we’d love to hear your take, be sure to share your feedback, thoughts or other comments with Metro Transit through one of their upcoming Listening Sessions. Engage in person with Metro Transit leaders at one of several locations throughout the month:
- Wednesday, September 3, 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Lake Street/Midtown Station
- Thursday, September 4, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Sun Ray Transit Center
- Wednesday, September 10, 6:30 to 8 a.m. at Union Depot Station
- Thursday, September 11, 5 to 7 p.m. at Snelling Avenue Station
- Tuesday, September 23, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Mall of America Station
If you can’t make any of those times, Metro Transit invites you to send your feedback to [email protected].
Love What We Do? We’d Love Your Help!
Your support helps us continue publishing thoughtful stories, uplifting new voices and hosting events that build community—like the contributors’ workshop we’re planning in Duluth later this fall.
It’s an exciting time to be part of Streets.mn. Help us keep the momentum going by making a sustaining donation today.
Have a great day!
– The Streets.mn Editorial Committee