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ABOUT MICHAEL RAINVILLE
Michael Rainville – a lifelong resident of our community – has been married for 32 years to his wife Darcel, and they are very proud of their son, Michael Jr., who is the history columnist for the Mill City Times.
Michael graduated from De La Salle High School, received a degree in Marketing from St. Thomas University, and a certification in Non-Profit Management from Notre Dame University.
Michael started his career in the hospitality industry as a dishwasher, busboy, and bartender before joining the Minneapolis Convention & Visitors Association, where he was part of the team that successfully built the hospitality industry in Minneapolis into a 36,000 job economic engine.
When you look around NE Minneapolis, you cannot help but see the positive impact Michael has had on his neighborhood and be excited about all the good work that Michael will do for every neighborhood in the Third Ward as our Council Member.
Michael’s reputation as an effective community leader who drives results is well known.
Michael is our common sense voice at City Hall!
The Arts
Michael became involved with the Ritz Theater by lobbying City Hall alongside the Sheridan Neighborhood Organization to prevent the Ritz from being demolished and to establish a performing arts venue in the heart of the NE Arts District. He became Chair of the Ritz Theater Foundation and Ballet of the Dolls. As the recession of 2009-2011 caused the theater to go dark, Michael worked tirelessly to keep the creditors at bay while building the relationship with Theater Latte Da, who bought the Ritz and kept the Ritz as a performing arts venue.
As a member of the St. Anthony West Neighborhood Organization, Michael’s advocacy and support helped the founder remove barriers and obtain funds to construct the Memorial for Survivors of Sexual Violence at Boom Island Park. This memorial site was envisioned as a peaceful, physical space for reflection and healing. Al Bangoura, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board superintendent, called it “one of the most powerful projects” in the city’s parks.
Public Safety
Michael has been involved in creating community-oriented programs for his neighborhood all his adult life. In 1989. With Mary Jane Partyka of St. Anthony East, he gained funding and started the first neighborhood “Cops on Bikes” safety program. This program got police out of their squad cars and helped build a strong relationship within our communities. In 1990, Michael brought together the NE Business Association, and the Marcy Holmes, Nicollet Island, East Bank, and St. Anthony West neighborhoods to establish the 2nd Precinct Substation next to Keegan’s pub. This community-oriented policing program features a Daytime Beat Officer. Michael leads the effort every year to raise funds to hire a summer weekend Night Beat Officer to help the area establishments offer a safe environment to their customers.
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