Our Streets’ staff attended NACTO’s 2026 conference from May 12-15. Together, they reflect on the conference plenaries, sessions and “walkshops”, the role art plays in transportation spaces, and inspired by what’s possible when cities prioritize communities over convenience.
The Bush Foundation selected Our Streets executive director José Antonio Zayas Cabán for a 2026 Bush Foundation Fellowship. José Antonio Zayas Cabán is one of 30 recipients honoring”leaders who get things done.”
Open Streets Minneapolis™, the highly-anticipated event series that closes city streets to motor vehicle traffic, will return to Lyndale Avenue this Sunday, June 7, 2026. The founders of Open Streets MPLS™, Our Streets, will close Lyndale Avenue S from W 22nd Street to W 42nd Street to car traffic from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Minneapolis residents to enjoy neighborhood businesses and safe biking, walking and rolling. Attendees can get a glimpse of streets as public spaces and the vibrancy of pedestrian-friendly boulevards at the free, family-friendly event.
The 2026 legislative landscape unfolded against urgent backdrops impacting the lives of our most vulnerable communities and all Minnesotans. However, Our Streets built on the 2025 session and continued to lead the forward-thinking transportation movement to advance policies.
Both the City of Minneapolis and the City of Saint Paul submitted formal comments on MnDOT’s Rethinking I-94 Draft Scoping Decision Document as part of this year’s public comment period. Together, their message is clear: the future of I-94 cannot be a status quo rebuild of harm.
Our Streets led a transportation reform hearing last Monday, April 20, in the Senate Transportation Committee. In collaboration with legislators, we opened the discussion on the future of transportation policy in Minnesota, focusing on building a transportation system that works for everyone.
Our Streets organized and hosted “Can We Talk? A panel, dinner, and community discussion about the past, present, and future of I-94” at Hallie Q. Brown Community Center and on Thursday, April 16.
On April 13, the House heard the “Transit for a Vibrant Metro” Act, led by Rep. Jones (DFL, 61A), and developed in close coordination with Our Streets, Move Minnesota, and the Sierra Club North Star chapter. HF 4449 establishes a new framework for coordinating transit planning, street reconstruction projects, and land use in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area. The bill was laid over amongst other bills introduced in the House. Additionally, Senate Transportation leaders and Our Streets led a Transportation Reform Hearing with other advocates on Monday, April 20.
The highly anticipated Open Streets Minneapolis™ street festival, which closes city streets to motor vehicle traffic, is returning to Lyndale Avenue South on Sunday, June 7, 2026. Our Streets is excited to bring back the Open Streets Minneapolis™ event that residents know and love.
Four representatives from coalition member organizations were able to personally share their stories as residents and advocates. Many attendees have been working on this project for numerous years. This was an opportunity to share updates on the project as they relate to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s own process for redesigning the Olson Memorial Highway corridor.
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