2/21/2025 -- Minneapolis Downtown Grows

📺🏀 A new documentary following Team USA’s Olympic Basketball Team showed that Anthony Edwards’ confidence never ceases, even in front of President Barack Obama.

Safety

Delta Offers $30k Compensation After Minneapolis Flight Crashes ✈

The Summary: Delta Air Lines is offering $30,000 to each of the 76 passengers aboard Delta Connection Flight 4819, which crashed upon landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday. The flight originated from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Details of the Incident: The Endeavor Air-operated Bombardier sustained significant damage, including a separated wing and tail. Fortunately, all passengers and crew members evacuated without serious injury. While 21 passengers were hospitalized, all but one had been released as of Wednesday morning.

Investigation and Possible Causes: The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is leading the investigation, with support from U.S. agencies and the aircraft manufacturer. Investigators have recovered flight data and cockpit recordings for analysis. Aviation experts suggest potential factors include challenging weather conditions like crosswinds, pilot error, or mechanical failure.

Delta's Response: CEO Ed Bastian defended the pilots' training and praised the crew's "heroic" actions during the evacuation. Delta is providing support to affected passengers and employees, while working to recover personal items from the aircraft.

➡ Must watch: One of the passengers recounted the moments that led up to the crash in a recent interview.

Minneapolis

Downtown Minneapolis Population Surpasses 60,000, Growing 3.7% in 2024

The Summary: The Minneapolis Downtown Council announced that the downtown population surpassed 60,000 residents in 2024, with an increase of approximately 2,000 new residents, representing a 3.7% rise from the previous year.

Construction and Development: Despite challenges in the commercial real estate sector, developers pulled about $1.8 billion in construction permits in downtown Minneapolis last year, marking the 13th consecutive year exceeding $1 billion. Renovations of existing downtown real estate are also trending upward.

Office Space Challenges: The downtown area experienced a net migration loss of 112,143 square feet of office space in 2024. However, the council noted 15 relocations into downtown and 20 renewal transactions, indicating a continued commitment from some existing tenants.

Optimism for the Future: Despite the challenges, Minneapolis Downtown Council leaders remain optimistic, emphasizing the goal to redevelop the Mississippi Riverfront. The incoming chair of the Minneapolis Downtown Council asserted that the area is "on the brink of a true renaissance," citing the staggering residential growth as a key factor.

What Else We’re Reading…

Minneapolis City Councilmember Entangled In Feeding Our Future Fraud 💲

Minneapolis City Council Member Jamal Osman's former nonprofit, Stigma-Free International, is under scrutiny in the Feeding Our Future fraud trial, with evidence suggesting it was a shell company before being transferred to new owners who allegedly used it to steal federal funds. Testimony revealed that Osman created the nonprofit but had minimal activity during his leadership. Abdi Salah, a former policy advisor, facilitated the transfer of Stigma-Free to individuals later implicated in the fraud, raising questions about the timing and purpose of the acquisition.

TRIVIA

Sports 🏒

🏒 The Minnesota High School Girls Hockey State Tournament kicked off this week. Follow the latest results here.

🏀 The Gopher Men’s Basketball Team went 2-0 in their road trip to Los Angeles with wins over USC and UCLA. With five games remaining, the Gophers are well positioned to make the Big 10 conference tournament.

🏀 The Gopher Women’s Basketball Team defeated Purdue on Wednesday for their 20th win of the year. ESPN’s latest March Madness bracketology has them slated as a potential 10 seed.

🏒 The Minnesot Frost shut out the league leading Montreal Victoire. They are now five points behind Montreal in the PWHL standings.

Quick hits

Headlines From Around The Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota ✔

❯ The daughters of Target founder Bruce Dayton expressed concern over the recent DEI rollbacks (KSTP)

❯ Southwest Minneapolis businesses are facing significant damange after a water main burst at 50th and Penn (Racket)

❯ St. Paul schools approved a district wide cell phone ban for students (Kare11)

❯ Paul Simon has “unretired” and will play three nights in Minneapolis in April (Bring Me The News)

❯ Former Sunday Night Football reporter Michele Tafoya is considering running for the upcoming Minnesota Senate seat (WDAY)

The Final Word: Birkie Spectating 🎿

I’ll be making the trip to Hayward, WI this weekend to watch a number of people ski the historic American Birkebeiner. This is my first Birkie so if anyone has spectating tips, please send them my way! And good luck to any Twin Cities folks who will be racing this weekend.

-Patrick