Lake Street Lift
Boosting Lake Street businesses, arts, and places
HOW TO GET SUPPORT
For general questions about Lake Street Lift programs please email info@visitlakestreet.com
We have been notified by the City of Minneapolis that there is an immediate pause on all work related to Lake Street Lift. This work stoppage will last for at least three weeks. This is due to delayed payments from the State of Minnesota to the City of Minneapolis. Thank you for your understanding and patience. We will provide updates as they become available.
Please direct any questions to:
Theresa Swaney, Director of Operations, tswaney@lakestreetcouncil.org
Allison Sharkey, Executive Director, asharkey@lakestreetcouncil.org
Overview
Lake Street Lift celebrates Lake Street as a vibrant, diverse, and loved community by boosting our businesses, arts, and places. It will assist local businesses, nonprofits, entrepreneurs, creatives, and more – all working together to keep Lake Street where everyone belongs - residents, customers, and visitors.
Lake Street Lift will fuel corridor-wide initiatives to attract visitors - such as commissioning murals, hosting community events, and activating vacant spaces. The remainder of these funds will assist eligible businesses, nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and local developers.
Background
In 2023, the State of Minnesota appropriated $8 million to the City of Minneapolis to support the economic health and vitality of the Lake Street Corridor. The Graves Foundation was selected to administer this funding on October 31, 2024.
Working with partners like the Lake Street Council, The Graves Foundation will administer Lake Street Lift from November 1st, 2024, through June 30th, 2025, along a legislatively designated geography, East Lake Street from Nicollet Ave to 30th Ave S.
This funding will create a more vibrant, safe, and growing Lake Street, celebrating the diverse communities that call this place home.
FAQ
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These funds will be available for use from November 2024 until June 30, 2025. All activities and direct support must be completed by June 30, 2025. Individual programs within this initiative will have different start and end dates.
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As required by the state legislation, all activities and businesses receiving support must be located on Lake Street between Nicollet Avenue S. and 30th Avenue S. All businesses within buildings located within this geographic area are eligible. Marketing efforts through this funding will attract visitors to the entire Lake Street corridor.
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No, grants to businesses and nonprofits are not an eligible use of this funding per the State of Minnesota. Funds can be spent directly on several other items. Please see below for specific information.
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These funds will be used primarily for the following activities:
Direct funding for safety initiatives, potentially including expanding existing street outreach and creating a graffiti removal program.
Multiple advertising campaigns that will tell the story of Lake Street to attract customers and visitors.
Lake Street-wide initiatives to attract visitors. This includes sponsoring community events, commissioning murals by local muralists, and transforming empty lots through features like new lighting, art, and landscaping.
Support eligible businesses and nonprofits with expanded business technical advising programs and consulting services for commercial real estate projects.
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Each program within this funding has a different process for participation. Please see below for additional details. The Lake Street Council will be the primary contact organization for managing professional assistance to businesses and nonprofits.
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No. All activities and direct support must be completed by June 30, 2025.
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The State of Minnesota legislature appropriated these funds to “businesses located on Lake Street in Minneapolis, between 30th Avenue South and Nicollet Avenue.” While only businesses located in this geographic area are eligible for direct professional assistance, marketing efforts through this funding will attract visitors to the entire Lake Street corridor.
Lake Street Lift Impact
