Minneapolis has a new landmark honoring one of its own. The 10th Avenue Bridge now bears the name of the late State Senator Kari Dziedzic, following a dedication ceremony. Dziedzic, who represented Minneapolis and Minnesota from 2012 until her passing in 2024, was commemorated for her steadfast advocacy and service.
The decision to rename the bridge was unanimous at both state and local government levels, with the Minnesota Senate and Minneapolis City Council passing resolutions that Mayor Jacob Frey subsequently signed. "Majority Leader Dziedzic was, literally and figuratively, a bridge builder," Mayor Frey said, "There are projects around our city and the entire state that exist because of her leadership," according to the City of Minneapolis's announcement.
A Minneapolis native and University of Minnesota alumna, Dziedzic championed numerous causes throughout her public service career, notably in areas such as affordable housing, transportation, climate change, and education. The official statement from her family reflects on the distinct honor and recognition of her dedication as both a public servant and a community connector.
Her legislative tenure, particularly as the Senate Majority Leader during the historic 2023 session, was marked by sweeping changes to state policy and investments. The Minneapolis delegation remarked, "Minnesota will remember Kari Dziedzic as one of the most productive members of the legislature our state has ever seen," in the City of Minneapolis statement. Her efforts in securing state bonding dollars in 2017 were instrumental in the bridge's recent transformation to include safety features for pedestrians and cyclists.
The 10th Avenue Bridge, which connects the East and West Banks of the University of Minnesota, is a pivotal transit route for students and residents. With Dziedzic's legacy now cemented in the infrastructure she helped enhance, more than 10,000 vehicles and 2,000 pedestrians and cyclists continue to make their daily commutes across this storied span.
