Mural to be dedicated to North Side tornado victims

A local artist and lifelong north Minneapolis resident has planned to dedicate his mural on W. Broadway Ave. to those impacted by the May 22 tornado.

The mural, located on the side of the 4th Street Saloon at 328 W. Broadway Ave., features a skyline of the city, jazz musicians and a depiction of singer Billie Holiday. The words "Welcome to North Minneapolis" will also be painted on the wall this spring, said artist Charles Caldwell, 48.

"It's a gateway to north Minneapolis," Caldwell said of the location.

Caldwell began work on the mural more than two years ago as part of a range of projects organized through the Northside Arts Collective. The mural was funded by the the McKnight Foundation, Caldwell said.

Caldwell said, he thinks the mural gives people a warm, welcoming feeling when they see it, which is an improvement on how the North Side is often perceived.

Today I reported about the 4th Street Saloon, a place that has been the site of numerous shootings over the years, but that residents say seems to be on the upswing. Despite issues with gun violence, Mike Oker, the bar's general manager, said, "I wouldn't give up on north Minneapolis."

"We want everyone to know that north Minneapolis is a beautiful place."