2/17/2025 -- Population Growth Expected In Twin Cities Metro

📸 🥶 The recent cold weather has made for some awesome shots of Minnehaha Falls 

Safety

Minneapolis City Council Postpones Violence Prevention Funding Decision

The Summary: The Minneapolis City Council has been considering a proposal to temporarily shift $1.13 million in funding for violence prevention programs from the city's Neighborhood Safety Department to Hennepin County. This proposal arose from concerns regarding mismanagement, a lack of oversight, and persistent staffing issues within the NSD.

Contentious Debate: Rev. Jerry McAfee, the founder of the violence prevention group 21 Days of Peace, made threatening comments during a budget committee meeting. Some council members have accused Public Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette of spreading misinformation, which they argue has inflamed the community and led to threats.

Opposing Views: Supporters of the proposal cited a lack of outcome data and voiced concerns about the NSD's capacity to effectively administer the programs. Opponents, including Commissioner Barnette, argued that relocating the programs would be too disruptive.

Council Decision: On Thursday, the Minneapolis City Council voted to indefinitely postpone the proposal. Council member Robin Wonsley, the author of the proposal, withdrew the motion but stated her intention to continue holding the NSD accountable.

Twin Cities

Met Council Approves "Imagine 2050" Plan, Projecting Significant Population Growth in Twin Cities Through 2050

The Summary: The Metropolitan Council has approved its "Imagine 2050" plan, which outlines the future growth and development of the seven-county Twin Cities region. This comprehensive plan addresses key issues such as housing, land use, transportation, and environmental concerns for the next three decades.

Population Growth Projections: The Twin Cities metro area is expected to add approximately 650,000 people between 2020 and 2050. Minneapolis is projected to surpass 500,000 residents by 2050, adding about 84,000 to its population. St. Paul is forecast to grow more modestly, adding nearly 27,000 residents.

Distribution of Growth: About 33% of net household growth is expected in urban and urban edge communities, while 61% of growth is anticipated in suburbs and suburban edge areas. Rural areas are projected to account for 6% of the growth.

Challenges and Compromises: As part of the 2050 plan, the Met Council is requiring increased density across the metro. Some suburban edge communities expressed concerns about the initial higher density requirements leading the Met Council to comprosie by lowering the density requirement for suburban edge areas.

Next Steps: The 181 cities and townships in the Twin Cities metro will now incorporate the Imagine 2050 plan into their own comprehensive plans in the coming years.

What Else We’re Reading…

Suspect Arrested After Stealing F. Scott Fitzgerald Statue With Plans Of Selling It As Scrap Metal

Dustan Schmitt has been charged with felony theft after allegedly stealing a bronze statue of F. Scott Fitzgerald from outside his former school, St. Paul Academy. Schmitt was apprehended after attempting to sell cut-up pieces of the statue to a metal recycling business, where an employee recognized the stolen artwork and alerted authorities. During a search of Schmitt's residence, police discovered tools believed to have been used in dismantling the statue, though additional pieces remain missing.

Sports 🏀

🏀 The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the NBA’s best team, OKC Thunder, just before the All-Star Weekend. Anthony Edwards welcomed Chet Holmgren back to the Twin Cities with an electrifying dunk.

🏀 The Gopher Men’s Basketball team’s got a big win on the road against USC. They are currently in good standing to make the postseason BIG 10 tournament.

🏒 The Minnesota Frost beat Boston on the road by a score of 2-0. They are eight points back of first place in the PWHL standings.

🏀 The Gopher women’s basketball team lost a tough one to the Oregon Ducks. They are currently projected as a 9 seed in ESPN’s bracketology.

Quick hits

Headlines From Around The Twin Cities & Greater Minnesota ✔

❯ A handful of beloved Minneapolis ice rinks may not re-open for the season (WCCO)

❯ A crime-spree victim has spoken out after being shot in the jaw in South Minneapolis (KSTP)

❯ A transgender man from Minnesota was tortured and killed in New York (Bring Me The News)

❯ The former Metro Transit chief has been accused in lawsuit of unfairly demoting officers to further his career (Star Tribune)

The Final Word: Don’t Tell Mom 🤫

Whenever it gets incredibly cold in the Twin Cities, I am reminded of the U of M student from a few years ago who continued to wear shorts in the winter but refused to provide his name to the Star Tribune out of fear his mom would find out.

-Patrick