Our Streets

08/24/2026

After three years, your advocacy for Near North Minneapolis worked! For the very first time, Minnesota Department of Transportation will begin a pilot program to incorporate Aesthetic Surface Treatments (ASTs) into the public right of way on Olson Memorial Highway. This is a huge win for our Bring Back 6th campaign.

Read all about it: https://www.ourstreetsmn.org/2026/08/24/third-times-the-charm-mndot-pilots-aesthetic-surface-treatments-in-near-north-minneapolis-this-fall/

If you’re as excited as we are about this upcoming pilot project on Olson, consider becoming a sustaining donor. By giving monthly, you help us sustain our work and remain flexible in the ever-changing landscape of transportation advocacy.

Become a sustaining donor today: https://www.ourstreetsmn.org/get-involved/donate/

08/21/2026

Bring out yer dogs! Sign up for the 4th annual wienie dog race. We need more dogs to run these races - its coming right up at Open Streets Cedarfest September 13th. Grand prize is a homemade trophy and custom made pet patch by west bank artist Alberta Mirais

08/21/2026

José is a connector — of people and places — who is working to build communities that work better for everyone.

José Antonio Zayas Cabán, DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts), uses cultural storytelling, grassroots organizing and policy change to repair communities harmed by disinvestment and the side effects of infrastructure choices, such as highways that divide communities. His vision is to become a national movement strategist who can help repair and reconnect neighborhoods affected by past infrastructure decisions, while reframing public infrastructure as a tool for cultural and economic healing.

Learn more about him: https://bit.ly/456K7it

Check back next week for more 2026 Bush Fellow intros!

08/20/2026

Last week, we knocked 209 doors along the corridor of Highway 252. We let residents know about the proposed expansion project and the decision-makers they can contact to Save the Brooklyns.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is currently advancing plans to expand Highway 252 through the City of Brooklyn Center, City of Brooklyn Park, MN - Local Government, and North Minneapolis, despite community outcry.

"Canvassing to block the 252 expansion is some of the best freeway fighting experience out there right now. Unlike the other projects we canvass for, where the freeway is already the status quo and we’re pitching a change for the better, 252 is just at the beginning of its journey," says Greg Hindy, lead canvasser at Our Streets. "If it becomes a freeway, I can imagine people will get used to it, and then canvassers in 60 years will have their work cut out for them trying to convince residents to tear it down."

Learn more and take action ⬇️
https://www.ourstreetsmn.org/2026/06/26/tell-mndot-to-stop-repeating-past-harms-of-highway-projects/

Mayor Jacob Frey
LaTrisha Vetaw
Hollies Winston for Brooklyn Park Mayor

08/18/2026

Will we see you at Open Streets Cedarfest? 👀

In partnership with West Bank Minneapolis , we’re bringing the Open Streets MPLS™ fun over to Cedar-Riverside! Join us for a car-free celebration, where we’ll experience the streets as places to play, dream, and explore. Don’t forget to mark your calendar👇👇👇

🗓️ Sunday, September 13
⏰ 11AM-5PM
📍 Cedar Ave & Riverside Ave

Help create an unforgettable experience for all who call Cedar-Riverside home by signing up to volunteer, registering as a participant, or becoming a sponsor. Link in bio!

08/14/2026

Last week, we joined other transportation organizations in asking Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, and Metropolitan Council Chair Robin Hutcheson to close the Blue Line Extension's funding gap.

Join us in asking decision-makers to close the project’s funding gap, complete a strong federal application this summer, and plan ahead to build the extension with anti-displacement protections in place.

Last week, we joined other transportation organizations in asking Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, and the Chair of the Metropolitan Council Robin Hutcheson to: 1) close the project's funding gap. We emphasized the need for a strong federal application and to plan ahe...

08/14/2026

Want the chance to receive *new* Our Streets merch? 🧢
Does pizza sound yummy on a Wednesday night? 🍕
Do you love supporting streets for people? 🩵💚

Join us for our volunteer phone/text bank on Aug 26! Make calls from your couch or join us in office. No experience is required.

Get the deets & sign up ⤵

Phone/Text bank with us! Make the calls from your couch or join us at our office, where we'll be calling our supporters to become sustaining donors.

08/13/2026

Kinda chic to sign up to volunteer at Open Streets Cedarfest✨
https://www.ourstreetsmn.org/events/volunteer-for-open-streets-mpls-cedarfest/

08/12/2026

We think you'd look pretty cool in Our Streets merch.

Now through the end of August, we're giving out Our Streets merch for new sustaining donors, starting at just $5 a month. Plus, you can make a one-time donation to get a T-shirt! There's no better time to commit to monthly giving.

Become a sustaining donor today 👇
https://www.ourstreetsmn.org/get-involved/donate/

08/12/2026

When we discuss the future of Interstate 94 and other urban highways, the public conversation often collapses into one anxious question: How will I get from one place to another? I want us to think bigger, José Antonio Zayas Cabán writes.