In the crowded Abyssinia Event Center, a cultural center revitalized after the 2020 protest, city officials gathered to listen to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s State of the City Address.

In his address, Frey portrayed Minneapolis as proof that local Democratic governments can work to increase public safety and collaboration with communities.

This speech comes as Frey is running for reelection for his third term as mayor, going against four candidates in November 2025 —  Sen. Omar Fateh (DFL-St.Paul), Rev. DeWayne Davis, Jazz Hampton and Brenda Short, according to Ballotpedia.

Frey said his administration’s accomplishments showed the power of local government in a state, rejecting President Donald Trump’s administration’s claims about Minneapolis.

“Here in Minneapolis, it isn’t our job to sow chaos and create fear, it’s to deliver,” Frey said. “Our job is to get things done and by doing that, we prove that local governments can work.”

Trump criticized Minneapolis’s handling of the 2020 protest when he visited last year, Fox 9 reported. This year, Trump signed an executive order that would pull federal funding from cities like Minneapolis, CBS News reported. Vice President JD Vance said Minneapolis was overrun with crime last year.

Frey spoke about the recent lawsuit from the U.S. District Court judge in California blocking Trump from withholding federal funds to sanctuary states like Minnesota based on their immigration policies.

“The law is on our side, and we’re going to win and we stand with our immigrant neighbors and entrepreneurs,” Frey said.

The journey to a safer city

Contrasting Trump’s narrative about Minneapolis, Frey said the city has become safer through the administration’s efforts with the police, violence prevention services and 911 call responses.

Recruiting officers increased by 135% in 2024, with 76 new hires, according to the Minneapolis Police Department.

Frey spoke about the accomplishments of lowering crime in North Minneapolis. The neighborhood had the lowest gun-related crimes it has had in 10 years, CBS News reported.

“It’s time to retire that old narrative that the northside isn’t safe,” Frey said. “The northside is alive and it’s brimming with talent. The northside has been safer than it ever was in a decade.”

Frey also said the Minneapolis Police Department continued to improve accountability and reform through the federal consent decree.

“To those who’ve called for police reform, to those who protested, testified, organized and demanded better, thank you,” Frey said in the address. “Your advocacy is being translated into real action because we are partners in this work.”

Even with lowering crime rates across the city, Frey’s speech comes one week after a quadruple homicide near Cedar and Hiawatha, MPR reported. Frey said the shooting was tragic, and it showed that the city should continue to work on the collaboration between different departments for safety.

“Progress can be fragile. Weeks like this underscore the importance of strong partnerships both internally at the city enterprise and with other districts,” Frey said.

With all the strides in safety, Frey said he wants to use this year’s budget to increase police presence around the city.

Revitalization after pandemic and protests

Along with safety, Frey promised to revitalize infrastructure in several places in Minneapolis affected by COVID-19 or the 2020 riots.

In the speech, Frey said one of the major achievements of his administration was the increase in the downtown Minneapolis population. According to Twin Cities Business, downtown Minneapolis’ population passed 60,000 people this year.

Frey also promised to revitalize Uptown Minneapolis by increasing police presence, art grants and targeted business support like the Ownership and Opportunity Fund. Frey said 25 businesses in places like West Lake Street to start new businesses and expand ownership opportunities.

“You’ll start to see the buds of progress this summer, and when you see those new businesses, go to them regularly,” Frey said. “Uptown’s evolution won’t happen as quickly as any of us will like, but those bursts will each individually make us proud.”

One of the revitalized areas, West Lake Street, was a source of triumph for the mayor. Abe Demmaj, the owner of the Abyssinia Event Center, said Frey worked with him and the surrounding businesses to restore the building’s infrastructure.

Unclear progress with homelessness, encampments

Frey proclaimed that under his administration, homelessness in Minneapolis has decreased by about 33% since 2020 from the work of the Homeless Response Team and the administration’s investment in affordable housing.

“We know that safe, stable housing is the foundation for everything else– better health, stronger neighborhoods and stronger opportunity,” Frey, who initially campaigned in 2017 on ending homelessness in five years, said.

Although homelessness has decreased in Minneapolis, there was a slight increase of 10% from 2023 to 2024.

While homeless encampments have decreased due to closures, the city’s decision to close encampments when they pop up has been criticized by city council members and advocacy groups. Some city officials and other residents were happy with the progress of the Frey administration, but others said more work needs to be done to address homelessness.

City Council President Elliott Payne (Ward 1) said he would like more collaboration between the mayor and the city council, especially on encampment closures.

“It was also good to see him striking a tone of collaboration,” Payne said. “What I do want to see going forward is translating that rhetoric of collaboration into truly collaborative action at City Hall, and I think there’s an opportunity to do that.”

Kyle Hanson, the executive director of Agate Housing, said he was glad the mayor was helping the community, but there should be more collaboration with nonprofits.

“The city has made great investments in affordable housing units while at the same time non-profits, across the board, are struggling to meet the continued needs of the unhoused in our community,” Hanson said in a statement. “Uncertain times in Washington mean we are going to need local partners more than ever before.”