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Committee approves three Open Streets events for 2026 with city support
Summary
The committee approved three Open Streets events for 2026 (West Broadway in September, Nicollet Avenue, and Hennepin Avenue in October). City staff said it will contribute $40,000 to each event plus in-kind services; organizers will raise remaining funds.
The Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee approved a resolution authorizing the 2026 Open Streets events and the city's support for those events.
Andrew Ballard, the city's enterprise events manager, told the committee the city proposes three events in 2026: West Broadway (September), Nicollet Avenue, and Hennepin Avenue (second weekend in October). Ballard said the city will contribute $40,000 to each event and provide in-kind services such as barricades, traffic control support from the Minneapolis Police Department, portable toilets, and trash and recycling services.
Ballard reviewed last year’s participation and budgets: "Last year, we had... we estimate over the course of those 4 events, we had over a 100,000, people attend," he said, and noted typical event budgets range from about $50,000 to $75,000 with organizers raising the remainder.
Council member Schafer asked about an expansion of the Hennepin Avenue route and whether the full stretch to Franklin would be activated; Ballard said the expansion is intended to highlight areas that have reopened following construction and that the full stretch will be activated.
The chair moved approval and the committee voted in favor; the motion carried.
Next steps: The city will finalize organizers and locations and provide the stated funding and in-kind support. Organizers must raise additional funds to meet event budgets.
