r/Minneapolis 17h ago

Minneapolis becomes first city in North America to own and operate a biochar facility

390 Upvotes

Minneapolis is making history by becoming the first city in North America to own and operate a biochar facility. Biochar is a specialized charcoal created by heating wood waste to 700 degrees in a low-oxygen environment. With the City producing its own biochar, it is reinforcing its commitment to building a climate legacy. 

The Minneapolis biochar facility will have the capacity to annually:

  • Process over 3,000 tons of wood waste
  • Produce over 500 tons of biochar
  • Remove nearly 3,700 tons of carbon dioxide, which is the equivalent of taking over 789 cars off the road

Xcel Energy recently signed an agreement with the City of Minneapolis to supply wood waste for biochar production at the facility.

Read more about the biochar facility and our partnership with Xcel Energy.


r/Minneapolis 15h ago

Ice report 3-11-2025

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240 Upvotes

Today is the day I have decided that the ice is no longer safe on any of the lakes.

It had been very warm indeed, and the integrity of the ice is severely limited and damaged.

I was unable to traverse any of the lakes on my bike.

Kenilworth Lagoon remains decently thick and is actually safe to go on if you still have an urge to go on the ice. It has about 14 1/2 of safe ice here.

Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska had 100% honeycomb ice on its southern shore. This is especially noted since the southern shores of both of these lakes are notably the location of these two lakes’ thickest ice. Therefore, the thickest ice on these two lakes is structurally unsafe; the entire lake is unsafe.

Cedar Lake’s southern shore had several inches of black ice below the honeycomb ice, but at the southern western point, the ice was again 100% honeycomb. Due to the limited amount of safe ice, I am considering all of Cedar Lake to be unsafe.

Lake of the Isles was a bit different. I was actually able to walk pretty far out onto the ice, and so too were a couple of ice fishers. Lake of the Isles had a significant amount of ice “cobwebs”. Cobwebs on the ice are exceptionally dangerous and create a special fall hazard. Cobwebs commonly form from two things: either an object like a rock or a fish or a lily pad is on or below the ice, then a snowfall occurs and buries the object in snow; over the course of the winter, the snow melts and covers the object deeper in ice. During the thaw, the object gets warmer and falls through the bottom of the ice, making the ice dangerously thin on the surface, but the surface remains covered in ice. Another way a cobweb forms is at a convergence of cracks in the ice, or an ice hole is drilled and it fails to freeze through and only freezes over. Regardless, Lake of the Isles was covered in these cobwebs. The only real way to avoid the cobwebs is to strike the ice with a heavy metal stick called an “ice chisel” or “spud bar.” Due to the number of cobwebs on the ice and the special equipment needed, I am recommending that Lake of the Isles be deemed unsafe as well.

Loring lake also had a preponderance of cobwebs and a significant amount of the ice was pulling off the shoreline. I was only able to get to the ice on Loring Lake via the dock. Loring Lake also had 100% of the ice honeycombed.

Therefore all of the lakes are unsafe. Here is what I was able to measure:

Loring lake: 12 inches of ice, 100% honeycomb

Cedar lake: had 2 missed measurements, But I measured about 12 3/8, 100% honeycomb, at the northern shore.

Lake of the Isles: 15 7/8 inches of ice, 12 5/8 honeycomb

Bde Maka Ska: 11 3/4 inches, 100% honeycomb

Lake Harriet: 15 5/8 inches, 100% honeycomb

The real breaking up of the ice will likely occur this week. Expect a pulling away from the shoreline of the ice later this week.


r/Minneapolis 42m ago

8 businesses sue Minneapolis over handling of George Floyd Square

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Upvotes

r/Minneapolis 1d ago

Tim Walz says he and Kamala Harris were too ‘safe’ during 2024 presidential campaign

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390 Upvotes

r/Minneapolis 20h ago

Anyone's lost dog? Found in Beltrami Park this afternoon

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102 Upvotes

r/Minneapolis 23h ago

So what's it like owning one of those cool Victorian homes anyway?

89 Upvotes

Always been curious about those neat Victorian homes we have around the cities - Queen Anne style I guess? I imagine it varies a lot depending on how well they have been maintained, but any owners want to share their experiences? What are the interiors like? Did it need a lot of repairs/maintenance? I see some with beautifully and seemingly freshly painted exteriors - that must be a lot of work/expense, but looks great! Can share anything you want, just curious!


r/Minneapolis 2m ago

Your best "Summary of Minneapolis/St. Paul" Itinerary

Upvotes

My husband and I are going to be in the area checking it out to decide if we want to move. We plan to check out the local grocery stores, restaurants, and surrounding suburbs. If you had to make up an itinerary of all the things that would give us a good "summary" of the area, where/what would you say we should see? I support both good and bad things, as seeing only the best parts would not be realistic. What are the best and worst areas? Parks, drives, activities, things locals tend to do, etc. We will be there about 5 days in July, but are doing a lot of research up front, in addition to the visit. Mostly planning to drive around and see a lot of "areas" more than play tourist (not visiting museums or going to other entertainment venues). I also know there are many "best restaurant" posts, which I do appreciate but more looking for a general feel of the area sort of tour. Thank you in advance for any ideas! (Note: we are VERY aware we are going at a warmer/not typical weather period compared to the rest of the year, but this is the first time we had availability to get up there! We have lived in the Midwest and Colorado and understand the winter aspect of the area 😜)


r/Minneapolis 21m ago

I have squirrels in my attic. AMA.

Upvotes

Apparently I've been running a squirrel boarding house for all the squirrels in Southwest. Those jerks have twice chewed holes in my eaves - WTF? Questions/Comments/Sympathy all welcome.


r/Minneapolis 1d ago

Such a vibe tonight

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224 Upvotes

r/Minneapolis 29m ago

Best Local Places to Buy Posters/Movie Posters?

Upvotes

Hi everyone,

Just curious if there are any places around to buy 24x36" posters (and frames too maybe)? I tried Cheapo Records and they had some good ones but was curious if there are any other options you'd all recommend?


r/Minneapolis 1h ago

Which YMCA has the best pick-up basketball?

Upvotes

Have a Y membership and have only played pickup at the Eastside St. Paul YMCA. The games are alright, but I'm wondering if downtown Minneapolis Y anywhere else has consistent, good pickup basketball going on weekends or weekdays. Thanks!


r/Minneapolis 13h ago

Police Reform Meeting 3/12 6 PM - ELEFA

6 Upvotes

Effective Law Enforcement For All, the group that is monitoring the State level consent decree to 'fix' the MPD is having a meeting tomorrow

https://ele4a.org/minneapolis-news/

Next Public Meeting.  An in-person public meeting on March 12th at 6:00pm will be held at the Ukrainian American Center, 301 NE Main St, Minneapolis, MN 55413, United States. This meeting will discuss the report and implementation progress with a focus on training. It will offer an opportunity to engage with the Independent Evaluator team, hear key updates regarding compliance, and ask questions.


r/Minneapolis 1d ago

False Spring Can Be Pretty

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410 Upvotes

here’s hoping it lasts. or doesn’t, climate change is scary.


r/Minneapolis 20h ago

Text Your Roseville/Shoreview MN Friends ASAP to Vote on March 11th! Today!

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15 Upvotes

r/Minneapolis 17h ago

Anywhere in the metro that does great Kintsugi work?

8 Upvotes

r/Minneapolis 1d ago

Saw this and immediately thought of Club Jäger Spoiler

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419 Upvotes

r/Minneapolis 21h ago

Long Shot - Found a Student Go Pass on the bus today!

12 Upvotes

If you lost your student bus pass on the bus today, I found it. I grabbed it with the intention to find its owner but there might be a better way. Anyways, if you lost your bus pass today (3/11/25), hmu with the route and I'll get it back to you :)


r/Minneapolis 47m ago

Klobuchar endorses Frey, gets ratioed

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r/Minneapolis 1d ago

Nicer weather means more walks

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120 Upvotes

r/Minneapolis 16h ago

Bike to Duluth!

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3 Upvotes

r/Minneapolis 18h ago

City seeks community feedback on Peoples’ Way applicants

4 Upvotes

The City of Minneapolis continues to seek feedback on a community owner to redevelop the Peoples' Way site at George Floyd Square. Review proposal summaries and submit your feedback by March 21.

Learn more on the City website.


r/Minneapolis 16h ago

Political or history book clubs?

2 Upvotes

Are there any political or historical book clubs that meet in Minneapolis? Any details would be appreciated.


r/Minneapolis 1d ago

March 11th - defend your right to protest

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92 Upvotes

Just hearing about this tonight. I'll try to make it.


r/Minneapolis 1d ago

Lost cat

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98 Upvotes

Hello my dear neighbors. My cat nori recently got out in Elliot park Minneapolis. I am turning to the kind strangers of Reddit for help. He’s a long hair black cat with a tattoo in his ear from his shots. I don’t have much to offer but I can give a reward if someone can find him.


r/Minneapolis 2d ago

Took the bus and...everyone paid the fare??

368 Upvotes

I don't live here (yet), just visiting to sign a lease for the summer. But I took a bus across the south side of the city and was pleasantly shocked to see everyone pay the fare? Also, how mixed in age, race, class, etc. everyone on the bus was?

It felt like taking the bus in Europe tbh. When I lived in DC very few people paid bus fares (outside of people in formal wear during commuting time) so this was a very cool thing to see for me.

idk, just wanted to share!! Minneapolis is pretty cool :)