Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Matt Sepic

Mpls. approves $1.2B budget, drops controversial 4th Precinct upgrades

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Michael McDowell
Michael McDowell, a Black Lives Matter organizer, speaks at a Minneapolis City Council meeting on Dec. 9, 2015.
Matt Sepic | MPR News

The Minneapolis City Council approved Mayor Betsy Hodges' $1.2 billion budget Wednesday night but dropped a last-minute, $605,000-plan for improvements to the 4th Precinct police station.

Black Lives Matter demonstrators occupied the building's front lawn for more than two weeks following the fatal police shooting of Jamar Clark.

Dozens of them spoke out against the proposal at Wednesday night's council meeting, and said they oppose using tax dollars to "fortify" the police station.

Black Lives Matter organizer Kandace Montgomery said the council should never have considered the plan.

"We shouldn't have had to be here. It shouldn't have even been a conversation to allocate this much money," Montgomery said. "So yes, it technically is a victory, but clearly we have a lot more work to do."

Council President Barb Johnson said the money would have paid for repairs. She said the council now has more time to look at exactly what's needed.

"We knew we had to replace windows. We knew we had to replace cameras. We knew we needed to put a new kind of coating on the stucco so that it's anti-graffiti, graffiti-proof, and so those numbers were really very preliminary," she said.

Johnson said the council may revisit the proposal in January.