What are the challenges of rebuilding Lake Street?

Six months ago, important business corridors in the Twin Cities were damaged by civil unrest that followed the police killing of George Floyd.

One of the areas most affected was Lake Street in Minneapolis. Many of these damaged businesses were owned by immigrants and people of color. Some of them were completely burned to the ground, others experienced lesser damage.

More than half of the Lake Street businesses that were damaged have been reopened, but a lot of work remains. What are the challenges confronted by business owners trying to rebuild?

Host Angela Davis heard stories of both rebuilding success and frustrating roadblocks.

Guests:

• Nina Moini is an MPR News reporter who covered the aftermath of May’s civil unrest.

• Allison Sharkey is the executive director of Lake Street Council. The nonprofit has distributed $5.5 million in grants to Lake Street business owners whose properties were damaged.

• Mawerdi Hamid co-owns Seward Pharmacy with her husband. The Lake Street pharmacy was destroyed during the civil unrest, but the couple reopened the store Sept. 1.

• Chris Farrell is a senior economics contributor for MPR News.

Use the audio player above to listen to the program.

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