Central
Hope is the lifeblood of all thriving cities—and located in the geographic heart of south Minneapolis, the Central neighborhood is a vibrant source of hope. In Central, streets and traditional neighborhood bounds are not seen as borders, but as pathways to coalition and solidarity.
As a transit and commute hub for many of its surrounding neighborhoods, Central is uniquely situated to bring neighborhoods together across geographies and identities, and Central residents and organizations engage in acts of solidarity every day: from sharing produce through the grassroots food justice program PLANT-GROW-SHARE to antiracist organizing through the South Central Minneapolis Anti-Racism collective, a coalition formed by the four neighborhoods whose bounds meet at the intersection of George Floyd Square in Minneapolis.
After the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police in 2020, Central drew national attention, with many outside observers determined to project their own assumptions onto the neighborhood: misconstruing grief as hopelessness; centering property rather than people; positioning the neighborhood as a place to be abandoned, rather than built. But in Central, grief is a kind of hope: a way to hold the past while living forward towards a better future. In Central, it is people, not property, who animate a neighborhood. A barber shop is not just a place to get a haircut, but also to hear community stories; a vacant lot is not just concrete, but an open space for youth to play a game of pickup soccer on a sunny spring day. In Central, Lake Street is not just a street, but a site of possibility. Along Lake, organizations like Urban Ventures and the Sabathani Community Center are resisting narratives of abandonment, building neighborhood sovereignty through vocational programs, youth programming, food justice initiatives, and much more: ensuring that each neighbor in Central—and beyond—has the support of a community, the dignity of opportunity, and the resilience of hope.
Central is your go-to for:
Diversity: Influenced by many generations of immigrant entrepreneurs, the neighborhood’s businesses reflect Minneapolis’ diversity.
Markets: Small grocers and convenience shops means that your essential needs are always within reach including the Midtown Farmers Market
Popular Destinations
