Our Streets

252/94 MnDOT Community Table Talk
2025-01-29 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Virtual
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is hosting a community table talk on the 252/94 project.

Join the meeting to support Save the Brooklyns. The community asked for safety, not a freeway that further pollutes and displaces people from their homes and businesses.

Volunteer Doorknocking
2025-02-08 10:30 - 13:00, 2025-03-08 10:30 - 13:00 | Walker Library, 2880 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55408, United States
Pollution reduction. Transit funding without tax increase. Community input on infrastructure.

Join us doorknocking! We’ll be letting residents know about the Highway Justice Act.

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Minnesota’s trunk highway system takes various forms, from small-town main streets to large urban freeways, and serves all transportation modes. These highways aren’t just for cars—they’re vital corridors that connect our communities, whether we’re driving, walking, biking, or taking public transit. How we currently interpret state law means that highway funding can only be used for car-related infrastructure, even though our Constitution never specifically required this limitation.

The proposed legislation would clarify that highway funds can be used for all types of transportation infrastructure along highway corridors. The policy also puts us on par with climate and transportation leaders like Colorado, who passed a similar policy in 2013. This change has strong public support—66% of Minnesotans favor using state and federal highway funding to improve various transportation options rather than just expanding highways.

Can’t make it? Send an email to decision-makers.

Take Action

When Driving is Not an Option - With Anna Zivarts
2025-02-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Minneapolis Central Library – Doty Room, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55401, United States
“We must shift from a worldview where the system is centered on people who drive to one that is centered on people who need to get somewhere and who deserve a variety of options.”

In her book When Driving Is Not An Option, disability advocate Anna Letitia Zivarts shines a light on the number of people in the US who cannot drive and explains how improving our transportation system with non-drivers in mind will create a better quality of life for everyone.Refreshments: A selection of NA beverages and snacks will be available for registrantsAccessibility: We are committed to making this event as accessible as possible. Please let us know if you need assistance.

Cedar-Riverside Time Machine: Part 2
2025-02-21 18:00 - 21:30 | The Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55454, United States
We turn our projector and pull back the curtains for another installment of this special variety show on the history of the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.

Featuring more stories from the neighborhood and our many fascinating neighbors.WBBA Community Archive Project Presents in collaboration with Our Streets MN, the University of Minnesota Public History program, the Liberal Arts Engagement Hub, Morgan Adamson, and many neighbors.

BikeMN Day on the Hill
2025-02-27 08:00 - 17:00 | Christ Lutheran Church Saint Paul, 105 University Ave W, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55103, United States
We’re joining the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota and Sierra Club North Star Chapter for a day on the hill! Attendees will hear from state and local government leaders, legislators, lobbyists, and other experts during the morning sessions. We will be advocating for the Highway Justice Act.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided, including vegetarian and vegan options.

After lunch, attendees will cross the street and meet directly with their legislators. We will advise lobbying legislators during the morning sessions of the day to ensure you’re comfortable, whether this is your first Bike Walk Summit or your tenth!

BikeMN will schedule appointments for you to meet with your legislators. Please plan to attend a meeting with your legislator even if you are not able to attend the full Summit. Can’t meet with them that day? We’ll show you how to schedule a Zoom call with them on a different date.

Transportation Advocate Happy Hour
2025-03-12 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-06-13 17:00 - 19:00 | Arbeiter Brewing Company, 3038 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55406, United States
Feeling a bit defeated? Want to share a transportation success? Join fellow transportation advocates for an informal happy hour to learn from each other and connect. Attendees can purchase beer and N/A options from the brewery or dinner from the on-site food truck.

Highway Justice Day at the Capitol
2025-03-20 11:00 - 17:00 | Capitol Administration Building, Room 116C, 50 Sherburne Ave, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55155, United States
Join Our Streets for a day at the Capitol as we advocate for transformative policies prioritizing people-first transportation in Minnesota. Our 2025 legislative priorities aim to address the inequities perpetuated by current transportation infrastructure and ensure communities are not further harmed by highways or neglected by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Engage with your legislators and make your voice heard on the Highway Justice Act, which would give impacted communities opportunities to meaningfully be a part of transportation decisions, prevent pollution, and increase funding for transit, walking, and biking infrastructure.

Join us when you’re available. We will rally and meet with bill authors 11am-1pm with a break for lunch. Then, individuals may independently meet with representatives between1pm and 5pm.

Register

The Highway Justice Act would:

Give you a meaningful voice over highway projects that impact your life. The Highway Justice Act would reform how major highways are approved to strengthen the power of impacted community members and their elected officials. This law will help ensure that transportation projects benefit, not harm, the communities they are routed through.

Prevent MnDOT from further polluting our communities. The Highway Justice Act would add new community protections, requiring MnDOT to conduct a comprehensive review of the total past, present, and future impacts on a community when planning a major highway project.

Increase available funding for transit, walking and biking without raising taxes. The Highway Justice Act would also clarify Minnesota law to allow trunk highway dollars to be spent on transit, walking and biking infrastructure. This change would help advance a transportation system that works for Minnesotans of every race, age, ability, and income. The Highway Justice Act would reduce traffic congestion, make it easier to get around without a car, and help working people save money, all while reducing harmful emissions.

Learn More

Volunteer Doorknocking
2025-04-12 10:30 - 13:00 | Bryant Square Park, 3101 Bryant Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55408, United States

Home is Here: Harrison
2025-04-15 17:30 - 20:00 | La Doña Cervecería Brewery, 241 Fremont Ave N, Minneapolis, MN, 55405, United States
A community conversation about displacement along Olson Memorial Highway.

Join Our Streets, Harrison Neighborhood Association, and New Urban Mobility Alliance for a dynamic community discussion about the future of Olson Memorial Highway. Community members are invited to share priorities for reimagining the highway, identify concerns and existing strengths, learn about options, and contribute to a vision where any reinvestment made in a redesign of Olson Memorial directly benefits current residents and keeps current residents in place.

5:30-6pm: Dinner6-8pm: Discussion

Dinner is provided; each participant will receive a $25 gift card.

Can’t make it? Share your feedback and enter the raffle to win a $50 gift card.

Take the Survey

Home is Here: Heritage Park
2025-04-16 17:30 - 20:00 | Heritage Park Apartments Community Room, 1000 Olson Mem Hwy, Minneapolis, MN, 55411, United States
A community conversation about displacement along Olson Memorial Highway.

Join Our Streets, Heritage Park Neighborhood Association, Urban Strategies, Inc. and New Urban Mobility Alliance for a dynamic community discussion about the future of Olson Memorial Highway. Community members are invited to share priorities for reimagining the highway, identify concerns and existing strengths, learn about options, and contribute to a vision where any reinvestment made in a redesign of Olson Memorial directly benefits current residents and keeps current residents in place.

5:30-6pm: Dinner6-8pm: Discussion

Dinner is provided; each participant will receive a $25 gift card.

Can’t make it? Share your feedback and enter the raffle to win a $50 gift card.

Take the Survey

Street Smarts Book Club: Emergent Strategy
2025-04-17 17:30 - 19:00 | Urban Growler, 2325 Endicott St, Saint Paul, MN, 55114, United States
Join Our Streets’ Street Smarts Book Club and friends from Neighbors for More Neighbors to discuss our latest book: Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown. Since its release in 2017, the book has become a movement bestseller. It is a guidebook for getting into the right relationship with change, using our own nature and that of creatures beyond humans as our teachers.

Please support your local bookstore or the library. If it is cost-prohibitive, you can read the full text for free below.

Full Text

Communities Over Highways National Summit
2025-04-24 08:00 - 2025-04-25 17:00
The Freeway Fighters Network’s goal is simple: to stop the damage from new highway construction and reconnect communities already divided by highways. In 2023, the inaugural Freeway Fighters Summit hosted 46 people from 25 groups from 17 states in Cincinnati, Ohio.

This year’s renamed Communities Over Highways Summit will welcome transportation advocates from across the United States to connect, learn, and strategize together to build an equitable, people-centric, and climate-conscious future.

This event is by invitation only. If you want to learn more or want to join us at the Summit, please contact Ember Rasmussen at ember@ourstreetsmn.org.

Learn More

DJ Group Ride to The War on Cars
2025-04-24 17:00 - 18:30 | North Loop Playground, 402 W River Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, United States
Join the hosts of The War on Cars for a DJ ride to the Live show at The Cedar Cultural Center!

The DJ dance ride is co-hosted by Joyful Riders Club and Bone Saw Cycling Collective, and made possible by Cyclehoop, U of M Transportation Services, Perennial Cycle, and Venture Bikes.

Thanks to Cyclehoop, secure bike parking and a bike valet will be at the event!

Expect an upbeat soundtrack from DJ Dev (Eric Moran) spinning live along the ride.

We’ll roll out 30 minutes after we meet up, ending at Cedar Cultural Center.

You are welcome (and encouraged!) to come to the ride even if you’re not attending the show.

All bikes, bodies, and experience levels are celebrated—and no one gets left behind.

This 5ish-mile relaxed, no-drop social ride will move at a comfortable pace of ~7–10 mph. Whether you’re new to biking, getting back in the saddle, or ride every day, you are welcome here. Expect smiles, high-fives, and lots of joy along the way!

Please remember to bring your bike lights to stay visible and your bike lock to keep your bike safe. We also recommend wearing a helmet to protect that amazing brain of yours.

This is a marshaled, no-drop group ride for all abilities.

The War on Cars LIVE
2025-04-24 19:00 - 21:00 | The Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55454, United States
SOLD OUT

Our Streets presents a special live show of The War on Cars podcast with hosts Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear. The War on Cars discusses the latest developments in the worldwide fight against car culture. This live episode recording will focus on issues specific to the Twin Cities, with special guests involved in the work. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear the local angle on reducing car dependency and transforming our streets.

The War On Cars Live event is made possible with sponsorships from Cyclehoop and Oonee.

Volunteer Phone Banking
2025-04-30 17:30 - 19:30
Design week is fast approaching, help us spread the word.

Phone bank with us! We’ll be calling residents who live near Olson Memorial Highway about Design Week.

Sign Up

Residents who live near Olson Memorial Highway are invited to a multi-day design workshop to refine a community vision for the future of the Olson Memorial Highway corridor. Residents will have the chance to attend various activities during Design Week including community presentations, open design studios with technical experts, and stakeholder interview sessions.

Phone banking experience is not required, training and script will be provided.

This is a virtual volunteer opportunity.

Live by Olson Memorial Highway? Join us for Design Week.

More About Design Week

Design Week
2025-05-05 17:30 - 2025-05-08 19:30 | Glass House, 145 Holden St N, Minneapolis, MN, 55405, United States
Neighbors near Olson Memorial Highway are invited to help shape a collective vision for the future of the corridor—one rooted in repair, reconnection, and community ownership.

The Bring Back 6th Chapter of the Minnesota Communities Over Highways Coalition and Toole Design invite residents who live near Olson Memorial Highway to a multi-day design workshop to refine a community vision for the future of the Olson Memorial Highway corridor.

Design Week activities include community presentations, open design studios with technical experts, and stakeholder interview sessions. Food and childcare will be provided during public presentations and open design studio sessions.

Agenda

Monday, May 5: Opening Presentation
Opening Presentation

5:30 pm: Dinner

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Opening Presentation and Workshop

Free dinner and childcare will be provided for participants.

Tuesday, May 6: Open Design Studio
Open Design Studio

9:00 am – 12:00 pm

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Wednesday, May 7: Open Design Studio & Workshop
Open Design Studio

9:00 am – 12:00 pm

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Open Design Workshop

4:00 pm – 6:30 pm: Open Design Workshop

Free snacks and childcare for participants from 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm.

Thursday, May 8: Closing Presentation
Closing Presentation

5:30 pm: Dinner

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Closing Presentation and Workshop

Free dinner and childcare will be provided for participants.

Location

Stay Updated

Sign up for reminders and updates on Design Week.

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Volunteer Doorknocking
2025-05-10 10:30 - 13:00 | North Commons Park, 1801 James Avenue N, Minneapolis, MN, 55411, United States
Join us in advocating for highway land reclamation and the reconstruction of 6th Avenue North.

Sign Up

We’re letting Near North Minneapolis residents know about the latest Bring Back 6th campaign updates. We need your help asking neighbors to fill out a quick survey! Whether it is your first time knocking on doors or you’re a seasoned veteran, we’ll buddy up and have a good time supporting streets for people together.

Take Action

252/94 PAC Meeting (Virtual)
2025-05-20 08:30 - 10:30
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is meeting with the Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) for the 252/94 project. The PAC is made up of elected officials representing the impacted communities neighboring the transportation project and other decision-makers.

During the meeting, MnDOT shares the latest project updates. There may be time for the public to ask questions or make comments at the end of the meeting.

When meeting registration is made available, register for the meeting to oppose the expansion and rebuild options for this corridor. There is local opposition, and the project threatens to displace more than 40 homes and businesses. We know expansion doesn’t solve traffic. It’s unacceptable for MnDOT to continue with expansion options for this project.

Can’t make the meeting? Email decision-makers.

Take Action

Volunteer Phone Banking
2025-06-05 17:30 - 19:30 | Virtual
Help us save Twin Cities Boulevard.

Phone bank with us! We’ll be calling supporters and asking them to join our June 14th door knock for Twin Cities Boulevard.

Phone banking experience is not required; training and script will be provided.

This is a virtual volunteer opportunity.

Sign Up

Can’t join the phone bank but want to door knock? Join us on Saturday, June 14th!

Door Knock for Twin Cities Boulevard

Volunteer Doorknocking
2025-06-14 10:30 - 13:00 | Matthews Recreation Center, 2318 29th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55406, United States
Join us, Twin Cities DSA, and elected officials in gathering signatures to save Twin Cities Boulevard!

Continued community pushback is the only path forward to restore the boulevard options for the next phase of the Rethinking I-94 project. The community letter outlines opposition to MnDOT’s recommendation and asks for the boulevard options to be rightfully restored. It may not seem like much, but every signature represents someone who believes a better future is possible. Let’s get those signatures!

Homemade vegan baked goods provided! No doorknocking experience required.

Sign Up

Background

The Twin Cities Boulevard is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to repair the harms of the construction of I-94. The most responsible option for the future of the Rethinking I-94 project is a multi-modal boulevard that returns the surrounding land to neighborhoods and fulfills calls for reparative justice along the corridor. But MnDOT is deliberately ignoring community support for a boulevard conversion and leaving severe flaws in evaluation criteria unaddressed. MnDOT is recommending eliminating the boulevard-compatible options from consideration, despite immense support in their own community survey and from elected officials advising on the project. MnDOT will finalize its recommendations, which currently exclude the boulevard options, sometime in the fall. We have until then to save ourselves from 60 more years of a highway that cuts through the Twin Cities and harms the health and livelihood of everyone who neighbors it.

Take Action

North Minneapolis Time Machine
2025-06-27 18:00 - 21:00 | Capri Theater, 2027 W Broadway, Minneapolis, MN, 55411, United States
Join us at the Capri Theater for a neighborhood history variety show! The Time Machine is modeled after similar community history events in Cedar Riverside and Dinkytown.

This Time Machine hopes to add to the years of campaigning for community-led development in the neighborhood, especially the Bring Back 6th campaign, by sharing and celebrating the rich history of the Olson Memorial corridor, from recent memory to archival and oral history records and images.

Volunteer Phone Banking
2025-07-15 17:30 - 19:30 | Virtual
Help us save Twin Cities Boulevard.

Phone bank with us! We’ll be calling supporters and asking them to join us doorknocking for Twin Cities Boulevard.

Phone banking experience is not required; training and script will be provided.

This is a virtual volunteer opportunity.

Sign Up

Can’t join the phone bank but want to doorknock? Join us on Saturday, June 14th!

Door Knock for Twin Cities Boulevard

Volunteer Doorknocking
2025-07-19 10:30 - 13:00 | Dunning Park, 1221 Marshall Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55105, United States
Join us in gathering signatures to save Twin Cities Boulevard!

Continued community pushback is the only path forward to restore the boulevard options for the next phase of the Rethinking I-94 project. The community letter outlines opposition to MnDOT’s recommendation and asks for the boulevard options to be rightfully restored. It may not seem like much, but every signature represents someone who believes a better future is possible. Let’s get those signatures!

No doorknocking experience required.

Sign Up

Background

The Twin Cities Boulevard is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to repair the harms of the construction of I-94. The most responsible option for the future of the Rethinking I-94 project is a multi-modal boulevard that returns the surrounding land to neighborhoods and fulfills calls for reparative justice along the corridor. But MnDOT is deliberately ignoring community support for a boulevard conversion and leaving severe flaws in evaluation criteria unaddressed. MnDOT is recommending eliminating the boulevard-compatible options from consideration, despite immense support in their own community survey and from elected officials advising on the project. MnDOT will finalize its recommendations, which currently exclude the boulevard options, sometime in the fall. We have until then to save ourselves from 60 more years of a highway that cuts through the Twin Cities and harms the health and livelihood of everyone who neighbors it.

Take Action

Heritage Park National Night Out
2025-08-05 17:00 - 21:00 | Sumner Field Park, 901 N Aldrich Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55411, United States
Note: This event was previously part of the Imagine Series and scheduled for July 12, but was rescheduled to be a part of National Night Out due to poor air quality.

Join us at National Night Out and share feedback on the future of the Olson Memorial Highway. There will be free food truck meals, music, and your neighbors!

When the Minnesota Highway Commission (now the Minnesota Department of Transportation or MnDOT) routed and constructed Olson Memorial Highway over historic 6th Avenue North in the late 1930s and 1940s, it destroyed a vibrant Black and Jewish community corridor, often called the “Beale Street of Minneapolis.” Homes, businesses, jazz clubs, synagogues, churches, and community centers were demolished to make way for the highway.

About the Imagine Series

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Imagine 6th Ave: Harrison
2025-08-09 11:00 - 17:00 | Harrison Park, 503 N Irving Ave, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55405, United States
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER

Imagine 6th Avenue North is a big, family-friendly block party for neighborhood connection and community organization. This free event is a fantastic way to experience artists, musicians, and local businesses from the neighborhood and imagine a better future together. In addition to the fun, you can share feedback on the future of the Olson Memorial Highway.

Food, Live Music, Art, & More

When the Minnesota Highway Commission (now the Minnesota Department of Transportation or MnDOT) routed and constructed Olson Memorial Highway over historic 6th Avenue North in the late 1930s and 1940s, it destroyed a vibrant Black and Jewish community corridor, often called the “Beale Street of Minneapolis.” Homes, businesses, jazz clubs, synagogues, churches, and community centers were demolished to make way for the highway.

Join us as we joyfully organize around the future of 6th Avenue North. Check out the collective vision for street design alternatives rooted in repair, reconnection, and community ownership, and shape the future of your neighborhood.

Apply to be a Vendor

Volunteer

About the Imagine Series

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Volunteer Phone Banking
2025-08-11 17:30 - 19:30 | Our Streets Office, 701 N 3rd St, Minneapolis, MN, 55401, United States
This event has been cancelled, but you can stay updated on future volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer

Help us save Twin Cities Boulevard.

Phone bank with us – in person or virtually! We’ll be calling supporters and asking them to take action and join us doorknocking for Twin Cities Boulevard.

Phone banking experience is not required; training and script will be provided. There will be pizza provided!

Sign Up

Can’t join the phone bank but want to doorknock? Join us on Saturday, August 16!

Door Knock for Twin Cities Boulevard

Volunteer Doorknocking
2025-08-16 10:30 - 13:00 | Rondo Commemorative Plaza, 820 Rondo Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, 55104, United States

Frogtown Arts Festival
2025-08-16 13:00 - 20:00 | 825 Arts, 825 University Ave W, Saint Paul, MN, 55104, United States
Join your neighbors for a day of inspiring art as we organize around the essence of what makes Frogtown great: each other and our community!

Hosted by 825 Arts and Frogtown Neighborhood Association, the Frogtown Arts Fest features local performers, arts vendors, arts workshops, and food.
