MPR News with Angela Davis

Rebuilding, reopening and returning to Minneapolis

People clean graffiti from a wall
Ruth Gebremedhin (second from left) works with a group of volunteers to remove graffiti from a building on East Lake Street on Tuesday June 2, 2020.
Courtney Perry for MPR News

After the killing of George Floyd, people took to the streets. Protests gave way to civil unrest, and many buildings — including small, minority- and immigrant-owned businesses and organizations — were left damaged or destroyed.

More than 1,500 buildings in Minneapolis and St. Paul suffered damage during the days of looting and burning, according to a Star Tribune analysis.

Community members have joined forces to start the long rebuilding process. But will customers return to the businesses that made Lake Street in Minneapolis a vibrant business district?

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with community stakeholders about rebuilding, reopening and returning to Minneapolis.

Guests:

  • Allison Sharkey is executive director of the Lake Street Council and a member of the newly established Minneapolis Forward: Community Now Coalition.

  • Kelly Drummer is president of MIGIZI, a nonprofit organization that trains Native youth in media skills. MIGIZI’s building was totaled during the uprising.

  • David Wellington is a commercial real estate developer. Some of his company’s Lake Street properties were damaged and destroyed.

  • Faatemah is the owner of the Suitespot Salonspa in Minneapolis’ Lyn-Lake area who is spearheading a neighborhood beautification project.

Use the audio player above to listen to the program.

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.