Lake Street Council, Graves Foundation announce spring kickoff event for $8 million Lake Street Lift initiative
Lake Street: Skating & Sauna event starting this weekend kicks off Lake Street Lift programming
Inquiries: press@lakestreetcouncil.org
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. [March 7, 2025] The Lake Street Council, together with the Graves Foundation, today announced the spring kickoff event of its Lake Street Lift initiative to support the corridor. The $8 million initiative funds both Lake Street-wide projects and targeted assistance to local businesses, nonprofits, entrepreneurs and developers to cultivate a more vibrant, safe and flourishing Lake Street.
“Lake Street is a dynamic, well-loved place that offers a diversity of products and experiences to visitors and customers,” said Charise Canales, manager of placemaking and activation at the Lake Street Council. “Through creative partnerships, events and unique experiences, the Lake Street Lift initiative helps us tell Lake Street’s story and boost the many minority and immigrant-owned businesses along Lake Street by encouraging visitors to spend their dollars locally – a meaningful way to support our small business community.”
To kick off Lake Street Lift programming, the Lake Street Council, Art Shanty Projects and Redesign, Inc. will cohost East Lake: Skate & Sauna each weekend through March. Beginning this weekend, all are invited to visit the vacant lot at 2800 E Lake Street to enjoy free ice skating on an outdoor pop-up synthetic rink, along with the chance to steam it out in a mobile Art Shanty Projects and Urban Wing sauna (Saturdays and Sundays only). Visitors will also enjoy on-site art installations and creative programming, learn more about the event site’s history, and share their dreams for the future development of this site.
Other community art and events are planned as a part of Lake Street Lift. These include public murals and other art installations, cultural festivals and food tours, and the beautification of underutilized spaces. For more information, view the events calendar and subscribe to the Lake Street Council e-newsletter.
Lake Street Lift will also provide business advising, real estate consulting and other assistance to eligible businesses, nonprofits, entrepreneurs and local developers. More information about Lake Street Lift is available here.
Lake Street Lift is made possible by the Graves Foundation, which is supported by $8 million in state funding appropriated to the City of Minneapolis from the State of Minnesota – all to support the economic health and vitality of our beloved Lake Street community.
About the Lake Street Council
Lake Street Council is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization which engages, serves, and advocates for the Lake Street community in Minneapolis to ensure the vitality and prosperity of the commercial corridor.