Uptown neighborhood is a commercial and residential community

Uptown Neighborhood is a commercial and residential community surrounded by Lake Calhoun, DuPont Street, 31st Street and 29th Street in south M Minneapolis. The neighborhood is a lively, upbeat business district, has an eclectic, vibrant feel with constantly changing entertainment and business. There are also many restaurants, movie theatres, offices, coffee shops, retail stores and over 15,000 residents.

The Uptown Association was formed in 1975 by approximately 10 business and property owners; there are now over 175 members of the non-profit trade association. The association promotes uptown as a safe, prosperous, well-maintained and environmentally responsible commercial and residential area. The association also helps to improve the economic stability and to sustain the sense of community of Uptown.

During the 1980's Uptown was anchored by an enclosed shopping mall, which was redeveloped from existing buildings, Calhoun Square. The neighborhood was one of the few areas with national retailers establishing stores such as Victoria's Secret, American Apparel and The North Face. The neighborhood today is known for its entertainment, shopping, multi-ethnic dining and bar night clubs along with day recreational activities at Lake Calhoun such as fishing, swimming, canoeing and biking.

The area has become hip and trendy to younger adults as a place to live and play due to the pedestrian atmosphere and specialty stores and services. Many young professionals inhabit or visit from around the Twin Cities, especially on weekends and mainly for the bars and restaurants. The neighborhood is a mix of culture and vibrant center for artists and musicians and a welcoming area for LGBT individuals.

Each year the neighborhood hosts the Uptown Art Fair during the first weekend of August. Artists from around the world visit the art fair to exhibit and sell their art, which may include jewelry, paintings, sculptures, photography, clothing and mixed media. The fair has been highly rated as a fine art festival by The Art Fair SourceBook.

Another event held in the neighborhood includes the Uptown Bike Race where a stage of the Nature Valley Grand Prix is held in the area. The race is a spectator-friendly race allowing spectators to watch the entire race. As the event is volunteer run, all the proceeds go to the Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota to the pediatric hospice area.

The Walker Community Library is located underground a park on Hennepin and Lagoon Avenue, the library is decorated with large metal letters spelling: "L-I-B-R-A-R-Y''. There are many restaurants and bars in Uptown along with book and music stores, furniture and house ware stores improve comedy theater and many specialty stores.

The Uptown Association has a mission to create and sustain a healthy business and community environment without sacrificing their unique culture and to continue to improve the community. They aim to do this by promoting discussions among the community on upgrades and developments in the area, to provide a stimulus to improve the area and to create activities and promotions that will benefit the Uptown Neighborhood.