Mayor Jacob Frey announced his priorities for 2025, laying out a progressive agenda that will drive the City's policy and budget decisions. The priorities build on the work already underway and focus on key areas that will shape Minneapolis’ future: building out a comprehensive safety ecosystem, expanding affordable housing, creating economic opportunities, advancing climate action, and ensuring good governance. These priorities aren’t just about policy—they reflect a commitment to building a Minneapolis that’s stronger, more equitable, and more sustainable for everyone.

"Our vision for 2025 is clear: provide the most important City services with excellence,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. "We want to see safe streets, affordable housing, good paying jobs, and equal access to opportunity regardless of zip code.”

“Setting priorities for the City is a roadmap for the work ahead. It provides the strategic direction for City staff to dig in and work on behalf of Minneapolis residents,” said City Operations Officer Margaret Anderson Kelliher. “Doing the work of the City is like running a well-oiled machine. When we all work together for the good of the City, that’s when real change happens. We appreciate Mayor Frey setting the tone for 2025 and beyond.”

“The Office of Community Safety’s vision of a safer Minneapolis is aligned with Mayor Frey’s priorities,” said Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette. “We have generated significant momentum in our first responder recruiting efforts and continue to build out the foundation of our expanded response services through the Safe and Thriving Communities plan. We are fully engaged in the work laid out by the MDHR Settlement Agreement and while there is much to be done, we are committed to delivering the community safety ecosystem that our community expects and deserves.”

“The City is committed to the important work of police reform and building upon efforts that have already been implemented in the Minneapolis Police Department,” said City Attorney Kristyn Anderson. “The community has spoken loud and clear that this is a priority for the City not just for this year, but for years to come.”

Mayor Frey’s key priorities for 2025

Community safety and police reform

• Build on record police recruitment in 2024 to continue rebuilding the Minneapolis Police Department and expand the number of community safety professionals.
• Use the guidance of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights settlement agreement and the federal Department of Justice consent decree to implement reforms that guarantee equitable outcomes in all law enforcement encounters.
• Strengthen the community-safety ecosystem, providing a broad, equitable and bias-free range of services to meet people’s needs in critical moments.
• Support a comprehensive network of accessible treatment and recovery options for substance use disorder, with a specific focus on fentanyl.

Affordable housing and homelessness response

• Continue Minneapolis’ nation-leading affordable housing work, creating more affordable housing and preserving deeply affordable rental housing.
• Increase housing stability for Minneapolis Public Schools elementary students and their families through the Stable Homes, Stable Schools program, which has already benefitted 5,600 students and their families.
• Reduce racial disparities in homeownership, allowing for the growth of generational wealth.
• Stay on track to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in Minneapolis by 2035.
• Continue efforts to reduce homelessness and address the impact of encampments, supporting both encampment residents and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Economic inclusion and recovery

• Help Black and Brown small-business owners build generational wealth and own real estate through the Ownership and Opportunity Fund and the Business/Developer Technical Assistance program, which has already supported dozens of BIPOC entrepreneurs.
• Advance transformational projects and build resilient, sustainable infrastructure including:
  • Re-envisioning George Floyd Square.
  • Redeveloping the former 3rd Precinct building at 3000 Minnehaha.
  • Pedestrianizing Nicollet Mall.
  • Transforming the Warehouse District into the entertainment capital of the North.
  • Beginning construction at the former Kmart site to reconnect Nicollet Avenue between West Lake Street and the Midtown Greenway.
• Reimagine and maintain a vibrant, safe, economically sound downtown Minneapolis, using strategies formulated and executed by the Downtown Action Council and building on our nation-leading post pandemic recovery work.
• Continue to streamline the process of converting vacant commercial space into housing, specifically in empty office spaces downtown.

Climate action

• Drive efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the City’s 2050 climate goals, promoting positive health outcomes.
• Pilot a block-by-block home weatherization initiative through our Green Cost Share program, lowering residential energy bills.
• Partner with community organizations via Green Careers Exploration to train people for careers in solar energy, electric vehicles, and the other green jobs of the future.
• Expand the urban tree canopy, continue development of the nation’s first biochar site, and enhance the City’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Good governance

• Under the new government structure, continue providing excellent core public services while exploring opportunities to diversify or increase non-property tax revenue.
• Improve outcomes through data-driven decision making, and develop or refine metrics to track program delivery and racial equity.