Ward 9 is the heart of Minneapolis. You hear stories of resilience, struggles, and perseverance from our community. It’s home to working families and two vibrant cultural corridors, 38th Street and East Lake Street, that bring diverse communities together to celebrate our connectedness and culture. 

Unfortunately, our community has faced significant historical challenges: attacks on workers' rights, anxiety about deportation, a lack of significant investment in our small businesses, and residents struggling to stay afloat. I believe that the city has a responsibility to make our city more affordable and vibrant for our community.

What We Did: 

Revitalizing the East Lake Street Corridor: Secured over $4 million to support the reconstruction and revitalization of businesses on Lake Street in Ward 9. 

• COPAL’s Center for Community Engagement Development (2905 East Lake Street): Authored a $300,000 budget amendment to support a 24,000 square foot building that was damaged during the 2020 civil unrest with capital costs for construction and development. 

• One Southside Clinic Project (1000 East Lake Street): Authored a $250,000 budget amendment that will support the development of a community clinic and wellness center located in a medically underserved area. 

• Mercado Central Economic Development Project (1515 East Lake Street): Secured $450,000 to help redevelop and assist this marketplace of over 25 Latino/Hispanic businesses at the corner of Lake Street and Bloomington Ave. 

• Restoration of the Coliseum Building (2708 East Lake Street): Funded $1.5 million to revitalize the historic Coliseum Building. This investment helped restore the building to active and vibrant commercial use.

• MIGIZI Rebuilding Project (1845 East Lake Street): In response to the destruction of MIGIZI’s building during the 2020 civil unrest, we funded a $1 million forgivable loan to support the construction costs for their renovation and expansion project.

• Supreme Proserv (3101 Minnehaha Ave): After their property was devastated by fire during the 2020 civil unrest, we stepped in with a $325,000 forgivable loan to facilitate the acquisition of the commercial property, ensuring the company can rebuild and contribute to the local economy.

• Monarcas LVC Recovery Efforts (513 East Lake Street): We approved a $200,000 forgivable loan to aid the project, which suffered significant damage from a break-in during the civil unrest of 2020. This funding helped with the acquisition of their commercial building, a multi-tenant retail establishment, helping to restore a vital hub for local commerce.

Revitalizing George Floyd Square and the 38th Street Corridor: Secured over $2.73 million to support the development of the 38th Street Corridor and George Floyd Square. These investments are critical to completing the 38th Street THRIVE Plan. 

• George Floyd Square Job Training Initiative: Authored a $300,000 budget amendment for a job training program for youth and adults in the George Floyd Square area. This funding will focus on creating high-wage employment opportunities in the fields of arts, communications, and theater production.

• Pillsbury House + Theatre and Pillsbury Creative Commons Development (3501 Chicago Ave): Authored a  $150,000 budget amendment for the development of this project that will provide resources and space for independent artists to expand their businesses, support trained workers, and facilitate community infrastructure projects aimed at stabilizing the neighborhood.

• The People’s Way Redevelopment: Authorized the purchase of the People’s Way with $200,000 for a future community-guided use.

• Belfry Apartments Project (3901 Chicago Ave): Approved a $1.23 million in affordable housing funding to support the construction of the Belfry Apartments near George Floyd Square. This will provide 41 affordable rental units.

• Minneapolis Homes Down Payment Assistance Program: Approved a $850,000 federal grant aimed at supporting the Minneapolis Homes Down Payment Assistance Program and the Home Improvement Financing Program in several neighborhoods, including Central, Powderhorn Park, Bancroft, and Bryant. This initiative will help make homeownership more accessible and promote community revitalization.

Revitalizing the Phillips Community: Secured over $4.5 million to support the development of the Phillips neighborhoods.

• Minneapolis American Indian Center (1530 East Franklin Ave): Approved an investment of $1.5 million to support the expansion of this center, which supports over 10,000 members of the American Indian community. This funding will include educational programs, health services, employment assistance, and social support. 

• Mikwanedun Audisookon Project (2313 13th Ave): Approved a $1 million forgivable loan for this project, designed to strengthen existing youth employment and internship programs, alongside health education and services.

• Native American Community Clinic Project (1213 Franklin Ave E): Approved $1.75 million for the construction of a new clinic space, which will feature affordable housing units above. This project will provide essential health services in Phillips while addressing the ongoing need for affordable housing.

• Mni Sota Fund Indigenous Wealth Building Center Development Project: Authored a $250,000 budget amendment that will provide funding to support the creation of the Indigenous Wealth Building Center. This will help advance economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation for Indigenous communities.

May Day Cafe Cooperative Funding: Secured $130,000 through a Great Streets forgivable  loan program to assist this cafe in reopening as a workers cooperative in Powderhorn Park.

Small Business Support for Construction and Hardship Program: Voted in favor of a $900,000 budget amendment that will establish a forgivable loan pilot program for business on Hennepin Avenue, Lake Street and Lowry Avenue impacted by major construction in the public right of way.

Street Vendor Program: Authored a budget amendment to establish a street vendor entrepreneur grant and compliance program to help residents acquire street vending licenses and meet health codes. 

Labor Standards Board: Voted in favor of establishing this board to ensure the voices of low-wage workers are not being silenced when negotiating safe workplace conditions and better wages. Unfortunately, the Mayor vetoed this. 

Rideshare Minimum Wage Ordinance: Authored an ordinance to increase wages and compensation for Uber and Lyft drivers. I collaborated with the State Legislature to establish a statewide minimum wage standard, ensuring better pay and treatment for all rideshare drivers across the State. 

LIUNA Park Board Workers Resolution: Authored a resolution in support of striking Park Board Workers and supporting their right to fair treatment and equitable working conditions.

Latino Business Week: Authored a budget amendment to establish Latino Business Week on a yearly basis. 

Small Business Payroll Provider and Compliance Subsidy: Voted in favor of a budget amendment that developed a pilot program subsidizing payroll and bookkeeping services for small businesses which increased financial stability and compliance.

Expansion of the Business and Technical Assistance Program: Authored a $700,000 budget amendment to provide business and technical support for cultural districts affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Small Business Support Initiative: Approved a funding allocation of $400,000 to help bolster cultural market support for BIPOC and immigrant-owned businesses in malls significantly affected by the pandemic.

Intergovernmental Relations: Updated the City’s Legislative Agenda to prioritize comprehensive rebuilding and revitalization efforts for our cultural district and corridors.

Looking Ahead:

Work with the State Legislature to Implement a tax on the wealthiest corporations in Minneapolis to relieve the tax burden on local businesses and residents, while reinvesting those funds back into our community to foster growth and prosperity.

Advance Sale for Commercial Property: Support an ordinance that requires a 60-day advance notice of sale for commercial property to prevent gentrification, improve transparency and community ownership, prevent displacement, and allow commercial tenants the time to purchase the property.

Increasing the minimum wage: Work with the community to establish a minimum wage beyond the current wage. 

Improve Disability Justice: Support the elimination of subminimum wage laws for individuals with disabilities to ensure poverty wages are a thing of the past. 

Advocate for Fair Scheduling: Erratic schedules impact the ability to care for loved ones, pursue higher education, and maintain additional employment when necessary. I support fair scheduling policies that help workers with more predictable and stable hours. 

Implement a Weekly Day Off Policy: Advocate for ordinances that empower employees to claim a guaranteed day off each week and the ability to decline closing-open shifts without the fear of retaliation.