Minneapolis Downtown Council | 81 South Ninth Street, Suite 260 | Minneapolis, MN 55402 | Phone: 612–338–3807 | Fax: 612–338–0634 | samg@downtownminneapolis.com
As president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council, Sam Grabarski represents the largest companies in the central business district on matters related to the safety, mobility, and vitality of downtown Minneapolis. The Downtown Council operates the Nicollet Mall Advisory Board, the Skyway Advisory Committee, and about 150 days of special events, including the Aquatennial Festival; annual Target Holidazzle parades; Famous Dave’s Blues Festival, the Hot Jazz Summer Festival, and the Great River Energy Bicycle Race. More than a dozen years ago, Grabarski began to help implement the Downtown 2010 Plan, the official City of Minneapolis and Downtown Council plan for the Central Business District—the major objectives of which included the Hiawatha Corridor Light Rail Project, completion of the Minneapolis Convention Center, and completion of the Block E Entertainment Center and the new Minnesota Twins stadium.
Born: June 17, 1947, in Waukegan, Illinois
Spouse: Lisa Meyer; married in December 1984
Children: Sam Grabarski, Jr.
Education: Doctor of education, University of Illinois; master of music, The Juilliard School; bachelor of music education, Illinois Wesleyan University
Career history: President and CEO, Minneapolis Downtown Council, 1996–present; executive director, Minnesota State Arts Board, 1984–1996; executive director, Iowa Arts Council, 1979–1984
Outside activities: Past and present board memberships: Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, Meet Minneapolis, Heading Home Minnesota, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Citizen Advisory Board; collector of fine wines, contemporary studio furniture, contemporary American crafts, pre–1950 Walt Disney Studios animation, sports collectables
Awards received: Minnesota Crafts Council Distinguished Service Award, 2004; Distinguished Partner Award, conferred by Building Owners and Managers of Greater Minneapolis, 2004; Minnesota distinguished service commendation, conferred by Governor Jesse Ventura, 2002; Minnesota state service commendation, conferred by Governor Arne Carlson, 1996
Key achievements: Hiawatha Corridor Light Rail Line; 10 million square feet of new office construction in downtown Minneapolis; Block E Entertainment Center; Target Field; downtown improvement district
