Overview:
The West Broadway Business and Area Coalition gathered community members, business owners and supporters at International Market Square on April 11 to celebrate record milestones along the West Broadway corridor and announce two major initiatives for 2026, including a youth jobs program and the redevelopment of a building vacant for 14 years.
The West Broadway Business and Area Coalition brought together community members, business owners, and supporters on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at International Market Square for an evening of celebration, reflection, and vision for the future of North Minneapolis.
The 2026 gala honored a year of record-breaking milestones along the West Broadway corridor. The coalition’s largest Open Streets West Broadway to date transformed 13 blocks into a living showcase of local food, art, and entrepreneurship, drawing more vendors and attendees than any previous year. Dozens of trees were planted along the corridor, advancing the coalition’s beautification and environmental justice goals and ensuring a greener, healthier Broadway for future generations. Expanded business support helped dozens of entrepreneurs access capital, facade improvements, and technical resources to grow their businesses.
But the evening was not just about looking back. The coalition also cast its vision forward, announcing two major initiatives coming in 2026. The West Broadway Rising Youth Jobs Program will open pathways for young people in North Minneapolis to access meaningful employment, mentorship, and life-changing opportunities. The coalition is also moving forward with the redevelopment of a building on West Broadway that has sat vacant for 14 years, with plans to provide attainable rental spaces for budding entrepreneurs, a coffee shop for the community, and expanded benefits for West Broadway Coalition business members.
The gala served as both a fundraiser and a rallying point for everyone who believes in the cultural corridor’s continued rise.
