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Minneapolis weighs penalty for hotels that housed ICE agents

Two downtown hotels could lose their liquor licenses for possibly housing ICE agents during Operation Metro Surge.

News

The Minneapolis City Council could decide Thursday whether two downtown hotels should lose their liquor licenses for possibly housing ICE agents during <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Operation Metro Surge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/12/trump-ice-metro-surge-ends-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="54e61ac8-1bf8-48ca-998c-5be6e77cca6d" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis weighs penalty for hotels that housed ICE agents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/12/trump-ice-metro-surge-ends-minneapolis" target="_self">Operation Metro Surge</a>.Why it matters: Hospitality advocates say revocations would send a chilling message to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a hospitality industry facing uncertainty" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/04/hotels-suffer-ice-agents-protests-vandalism-events" data-vars-content-id="54e61ac8-1bf8-48ca-998c-5be6e77cca6d" data-vars-headline="Minneapolis weighs penalty for hotels that housed ICE agents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/04/hotels-suffer-ice-agents-protests-vandalism-events" target="_self">a hospitality industry facing uncertainty</a> in the aftermath of the Trump administration&#x27;s deportation blitz.<ul><li>But some hotel employees and union representatives argue federal agents&#x27; presence created safety concerns that justify a city intervention.</li></ul>

Nicollet Avenue bridge over Minnehaha to close for 2 years

The Nicollet Avenue bridge over Minnehaha Creek will close for two years

The heavily used Nicollet Avenue bridge over Minnehaha Creek will close on March 3 for major rehab and won&#x27;t reopen for two years. Why it matters: This <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/nicollet-ave-bridge/" data-vars-content-id="83be5056-132c-4258-a23b-05cf3b99ffdd" data-vars-headline="Nicollet Avenue bridge over Minnehaha to close for 2 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/nicollet-ave-bridge/" target="_blank">project</a> will send the roughly 14,000 vehicles that use the bridge on an average day to nearby streets, and also re-route users of the highly popular Minnehaha Parkway below.

Minnesota's Olympic gold drought ends with thrilling women's hockey win

Minnesotans have several more shots to make the podium before the Games wrap Sunday.

Sports

The Minnesotan-powered <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. women&#x27;s hockey team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/06/minnesota-olympians-womens-hockey-milan" data-vars-content-id="6f9ab92b-7911-4285-aa44-bb55e7b6acec" data-vars-headline="Minnesota&#x27;s Olympic gold drought ends with thrilling women&#x27;s hockey win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/06/minnesota-olympians-womens-hockey-milan" target="_self">U.S. women&#x27;s hockey team</a> toppled Canada in overtime to win Olympic gold Thursday. Why it matters: The dramatic 2-1 victory is golden redemption for a team of stars — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eight of whom have Minnesota ties" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/06/minnesota-olympians-womens-hockey-milan" data-vars-content-id="6f9ab92b-7911-4285-aa44-bb55e7b6acec" data-vars-headline="Minnesota&#x27;s Olympic gold drought ends with thrilling women&#x27;s hockey win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/06/minnesota-olympians-womens-hockey-milan" target="_self">eight of whom have Minnesota ties</a> — that came up short four years ago.<ul><li>The all-North American final — which ended on a sick dangle by Megan Keller — doubled as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="made-to-order marketing material" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/21/pwhl-olympics-womens-hockey-minnesota" data-vars-content-id="6f9ab92b-7911-4285-aa44-bb55e7b6acec" data-vars-headline="Minnesota&#x27;s Olympic gold drought ends with thrilling women&#x27;s hockey win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/21/pwhl-olympics-womens-hockey-minnesota" target="_self">made-to-order marketing material</a> for the fledgling Professional Women&#x27;s Hockey League.</li></ul>

Restaurant Roundup: Dahlia debuts, Hey Y'all closes, Company Bar moves in

Here's some of the food news you may have missed this month.

Food and Drink

Plenty of restaurants have made moves in the new year. Here&#x27;s some of the food news you may have missed this month.

Church's brewery proposal gets thumbs down at City Hall

Mount Olivet's plans to build a brewery in Southwest Minneapolis were denied by a city commission

Mount Olivet&#x27;s plan to demolish an old church building in Southwest Minneapolis to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="make way for a brewery" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/24/mount-olivet-brewery-coffee-house-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="f751b91c-1184-43d8-aaf7-46c6f26b8374" data-vars-headline="Church&#x27;s brewery proposal gets thumbs down at City Hall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/24/mount-olivet-brewery-coffee-house-minneapolis" target="_self">make way for a brewery</a> landed with a thud at City Hall. The latest: The city&#x27;s Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously Tuesday against an application to tear down the 87-year-old 1700 Chapel on 50th Street.

North Minneapolis amphitheater secures financing

Developers say the 8,000-seat venue could still open in summer 2027.

First Avenue and the Minnesota Orchestra secured financing for their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long-planned" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/11/16/rendering-amphitheater-minneapolis-river-first-avenue" data-vars-content-id="96fa6720-45eb-4b90-9169-b4f8590702e3" data-vars-headline="North Minneapolis amphitheater secures financing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/11/16/rendering-amphitheater-minneapolis-river-first-avenue" target="_self">long-planned</a> North Minneapolis riverfront amphitheater on Wednesday, they confirmed to Axios. Why it matters: The two organizations had hoped to break ground in September, but that never happened, raising questions about whether the 8,000-seat concert venue would be ready for a previously planned Memorial Day weekend 2027 opening.

St. Paul's newest council member must hit the ground running

How she plans to tackle budget, housing and redevelopment challenges.

St. Paul&#x27;s newest City Council member takes office Wednesday, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Molly Coleman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/31/st-paul-ward-4-city-council" data-vars-content-id="715936d2-6630-4b45-a7da-5c82165d7561" data-vars-headline="St. Paul&#x27;s newest council member must hit the ground running" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/31/st-paul-ward-4-city-council" target="_self">Molly Coleman</a> tells Axios she knows she won&#x27;t have much time to get up to speed.The big picture: City leaders will immediately launch a budget-writing process that could involve gut-wrenching trade-offs — all as St. Paul faces huge challenges with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/05/06/st-paul-rent-control-vote-new-construction" data-vars-content-id="715936d2-6630-4b45-a7da-5c82165d7561" data-vars-headline="St. Paul&#x27;s newest council member must hit the ground running" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/05/06/st-paul-rent-control-vote-new-construction" target="_self">housing</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homelessness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/10/17/midway-neighborhood-allianz-field-crisis-homelessness" data-vars-content-id="715936d2-6630-4b45-a7da-5c82165d7561" data-vars-headline="St. Paul&#x27;s newest council member must hit the ground running" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/10/17/midway-neighborhood-allianz-field-crisis-homelessness" target="_self">homelessness</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="retail vacancies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/21/cub-foods-closing-midway-st-paul-store" data-vars-content-id="715936d2-6630-4b45-a7da-5c82165d7561" data-vars-headline="St. Paul&#x27;s newest council member must hit the ground running" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/21/cub-foods-closing-midway-st-paul-store" target="_self">retail vacancies</a> and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fragile downtown office market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/06/13/downtown-st-paul-office-trouble-vacancies-state-workers" data-vars-content-id="715936d2-6630-4b45-a7da-5c82165d7561" data-vars-headline="St. Paul&#x27;s newest council member must hit the ground running" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/06/13/downtown-st-paul-office-trouble-vacancies-state-workers" target="_self">fragile downtown office market</a>.<ul><li>&quot;There&#x27;s not going to be a lot of time before you&#x27;re having to make very big decisions,&quot; she told Axios shortly before her election on Aug. 12 for a three-year term. She represents <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ward 4" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arcgis.com/apps/InformationLookup/index.html?appid=8d3e5bc01c624dcbb4542fc4db9d920c" data-vars-content-id="715936d2-6630-4b45-a7da-5c82165d7561" data-vars-headline="St. Paul&#x27;s newest council member must hit the ground running" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arcgis.com/apps/InformationLookup/index.html?appid=8d3e5bc01c624dcbb4542fc4db9d920c" target="_blank">Ward 4</a>, which spans St. Anthony Park, the Midway, Merriam Park and parts of Macalester-Groveland.</li></ul>

St. Paul Brewing sues city over plans to redevelop former Hamm's site

The lawsuit could delay the long-awaited revival of the industrial site.

Business

Saint Paul Brewing&#x27;s owner sued the city Thursday, escalating <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a fight over plans to build housing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/23/st-paul-brewing-hamms-site" data-vars-content-id="6a495a8c-89c8-48ae-8005-afa1477ce0cb" data-vars-headline="St. Paul Brewing sues city over plans to redevelop former Hamm&#x27;s site" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/07/23/st-paul-brewing-hamms-site" target="_self">a fight over plans to build housing</a> on a parking lot that many brewery patrons use.Why it matters: The lawsuit threatens to delay the long-awaited <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="revival of the former Hamm&#x27;s brewery site" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/12/15/st-paul-hamm-brewery-site-redevelopment-renderings" data-vars-content-id="6a495a8c-89c8-48ae-8005-afa1477ce0cb" data-vars-headline="St. Paul Brewing sues city over plans to redevelop former Hamm&#x27;s site" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/12/15/st-paul-hamm-brewery-site-redevelopment-renderings" target="_self">revival of the former Hamm&#x27;s brewery site</a> into nearly 200 housing units and a vendor market.<ul><li>Saint Paul Brewing owner Rob Clapp said the loss of parking would destroy his business, which has played a big role in turning a drab, abandoned complex into a buzzing East Side destination.</li></ul>

What to expect from the new North Minneapolis amphitheater

Think Red Rocks… but in North Minneapolis. A new 8,000-seat riverfront amphitheater opens in 2027.

The opening of a North Minneapolis riverfront amphitheater is coming sooner than you might expect, given <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="how long it took" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/11/16/rendering-amphitheater-minneapolis-river-first-avenue" data-vars-content-id="439bfb57-5997-462f-894d-705bb2f16330" data-vars-headline="What to expect from the new North Minneapolis amphitheater" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/11/16/rendering-amphitheater-minneapolis-river-first-avenue" target="_self">how long it took</a> to get get a deal done.

Data centers' water use a concern in Minnesota

The Midwest is a growing data center region thanks to its cool air and abundant water.

Minnesota&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="boom in data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/01/21/minnesotas-data-center-boom-concerns-electrical-supply" data-vars-content-id="0dfbd9c1-67f7-477f-899b-79383ba23adf" data-vars-headline="Data centers&#x27; water use a concern in Minnesota" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/01/21/minnesotas-data-center-boom-concerns-electrical-supply" target="_self">boom in data centers</a> is part of a trend that has big tech companies targeting the Midwest for its cool air and abundant water.Why it matters: Data centers power the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" AI boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" data-vars-content-id="0dfbd9c1-67f7-477f-899b-79383ba23adf" data-vars-headline="Data centers&#x27; water use a concern in Minnesota" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" target="_self"> AI boom</a> — but there&#x27;s growing concern about their soaring energy and water demands.

St. Paul, Wild pitch Xcel Energy Center makeover

It could include rooftop patios and new amenities in the neighboring music venue.

New concept drawings show<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" a publicly-financed renovation of the Xcel Energy Center complex" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/10/02/minnesota-wild-arena-xcel-renovations-budget-state-funding" data-vars-content-id="beb7f8b4-4db3-42ed-a11e-20f62c929e02" data-vars-headline="St. Paul, Wild pitch Xcel Energy Center makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/10/02/minnesota-wild-arena-xcel-renovations-budget-state-funding" target="_self"> a publicly-financed renovation of the Xcel Energy Center complex</a> that could add rooftop patios to the arena and spruce up the neighboring Roy Wilkins Auditorium.Why it matters: St. Paul and the Minnesota Wild are trying to convince the state to pick up half of a projected $769 million tab for upgrades to the 24-year-old arena and the RiverCentre convention hall next door.

Billy's on Grand redevelopment plan revealed

The proposal includes 87 apartments and 12,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space.

The corner of Grand Avenue and Victoria Street in St. Paul could be getting a major overhaul. Driving the news: Afton Park Development unveiled plans Tuesday night for a six-story building with 87 apartments, 12,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and 121 mostly underground parking stalls, 20 of which will be available for business customers.

St. Paul rent control debate set to heat up again

St. Paul's rent control debate about to heat up again as city council considers new exemptions.

Politics

Three St. Paul City Council members are preparing legislation to exempt newer buildings from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the city&#x27;s rent control regulations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/12/12/st-paul-rent-control-delay-melvin-carter" data-vars-content-id="72604212-4136-4ae2-b6ad-c691e5748582" data-vars-headline="St. Paul rent control debate set to heat up again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/12/12/st-paul-rent-control-delay-melvin-carter" target="_self">the city&#x27;s rent control regulations</a>.Why it matters: Housing construction has stalled, and while rent control is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one of many reasons for that stagnation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/05/15/twin-cities-construction-boom-rent-increases" data-vars-content-id="72604212-4136-4ae2-b6ad-c691e5748582" data-vars-headline="St. Paul rent control debate set to heat up again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/05/15/twin-cities-construction-boom-rent-increases" target="_self">one of many reasons for that stagnation</a>, supporters hope loosening regulations will signal to developers that St. Paul is still open for business.

New calls to open Minneapolis post office to river

Mayor Jacob Frey is optimistic that the agency will eventually make the property available

There&#x27;s a fresh wave of calls to do something about the massive post office that blocks a big chunk of downtown Minneapolis from the Mississippi Riverfront.Why it matters: Minneapolis has worked for decades to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="make the riverfront" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/06/11/ground-breaking-for-north-minneapolis-riverfront-park" data-vars-content-id="a2c3edab-d1c2-4e1a-b7d7-9ebdea9cf4cc" data-vars-headline="New calls to open Minneapolis post office to river" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/06/11/ground-breaking-for-north-minneapolis-riverfront-park" target="_self">make the riverfront</a> more visitor friendly, but the heart of downtown remains largely obstructed by the post office, which stretches three blocks between Hennepin and Third avenues.

Development 🏗️

Church's brewery proposal gets thumbs down at City Hall

North Minneapolis amphitheater secures financing

St. Paul's newest council member must hit the ground running

St. Paul Brewing sues city over plans to redevelop former Hamm's site

What to expect from the new North Minneapolis amphitheater