Built on Action,
Proven by Results.
“Ryan Sabas doesn't just make promises — he delivers!”
Explore the milestones that define his commitment to Champlin, then see what comes next for our city.
Creating New Traditions and Strengthening Community Celebrations
Mayor Ryan Sabas has worked to strengthen Champlin's long-standing traditions while creating new events that bring our community together.
The Father Hennepin Festival has been expanded and modernized into a more exciting, week-long celebration that better reflects what residents want while positioning the festival for greater financial success in the years ahead.
New community traditions include Christmas at the Crossings, featuring the lighting of Champlin's community Christmas tree, holiday decorations, and Christmas carols performed by the Champlin Park choir. This special evening creates our own Hallmark moment along the Mississippi River.
Shed Fest was also introduced as an annual fall rock concert, giving adults a fun night out close to home. The event will take a break in 2026 to allow for better planning and organization before returning in 2027.
The Thursday Night Concert Series at Mississippi Crossings has exceeded every expectation. Thousands of people gather along the river throughout the summer to enjoy outstanding live music—completely free of charge—and experience one of Champlin's most beautiful community spaces.
Delivering Mississippi Crossings
Mississippi Crossings had been talked about for decades. Working with the City Council, city staff, community partners, developers, and local businesses, we turned that long-standing vision into a premier riverfront destination for Champlin residents and visitors.
Mississippi Crossings Event Center
The Event Center provides a beautiful gathering place along the Mississippi River for weddings, celebrations, meetings, community events, and other special occasions. It has helped make our riverfront a true year-round destination.
Mississippi Crossings Amphitheater
The outdoor amphitheater brings residents together for concerts, performances, festivals, and community celebrations. The Mississippi Crossings Summer Series has quickly become a Champlin tradition and showcases what makes our community special.
The Bowline
The Bowline introduced new riverfront housing and brought more residents and activity to Mississippi Crossings. This development was an important step in creating a vibrant, connected neighborhood where people can live, gather, dine, and enjoy the river.
Jensen's Market
Jensen's Market added a locally owned neighborhood market to Mississippi Crossings, providing convenient food, beverages, and everyday essentials. It also gives residents and visitors another reason to stop, explore, and spend time along the riverfront.
Char Blu Riverside
Char Blu Riverside brought a premier dining experience to the Mississippi River. Its opening was a major milestone for Mississippi Crossings and helped fulfill the vision of creating a riverfront destination where residents and visitors can enjoy great food, entertainment, and unmatched views.
Public Docks and River Access
The public docks connect Mississippi Crossings directly to the river and allow boaters to visit the development from the water. Improved river access makes the Mississippi River a more active and accessible part of our community while supporting local businesses and recreational opportunities.
Keeping Mann Theatres in Champlin
One of the very first initiatives I worked on after being elected to the City Council was helping secure the future of the locally owned Mann Theatres in Champlin.
Through a successful public-private partnership, we negotiated an agreement that kept the locally owned Mann Theatres in Champlin and secured its future in our community.
Rather than risk losing an important local business, we worked together to deliver a completely remodeled, state-of-the-art movie theatre that will remain a local entertainment destination for the next generation.
Mann Theatres is a true community asset. It enhances the quality of life for Champlin residents, brings visitors into our city, and supports surrounding restaurants, shops, and other local businesses.
This partnership demonstrates what can be accomplished when city leadership works proactively with local businesses to protect important community amenities, encourage private investment, and keep Champlin moving forward.
109th Avenue Reconstruction
The nearly $10 million reconstruction of 109th Avenue was completed through a strong partnership between Champlin, Brooklyn Park, and the State of Minnesota.
Working collaboratively with Senator John Hoffman and other state and local partners helped secure the funding needed to complete this important regional infrastructure project without a financial impact on Champlin or Brooklyn Park residents.
The project improved safety, mobility, and a critical connection between our two communities. It demonstrates how strong partnerships and effective advocacy can deliver major infrastructure improvements while protecting local taxpayers.
Investing in Champlin's Infrastructure
During my 10 years serving as Mayor and City Councilmember, Champlin has replaced more than 50% of the city's roadways—a pace more than three times faster than the city's previous rate of reconstruction.
I also made sure trail improvements and replacements became part of our planning whenever neighboring road projects were undertaken. Coordinating this work allows us to improve entire transportation corridors at once, minimize future disruptions, use taxpayer dollars efficiently, and provide safer, better-connected routes for pedestrians and bicyclists.
We have worked closely with MnDOT to repair and improve our bridges, advance improvements along Highway 169, and add a pedestrian underpass that provides a safer connection for residents walking and biking through our community.
I have consistently pushed Hennepin County to reinvest Champlin residents' tax dollars here in Champlin. Our community deserves its fair share of county investments—not to have our tax dollars continually collected and spent elsewhere.
These investments are about more than pavement and concrete. They improve safety, strengthen neighborhoods, support local businesses, and ensure Champlin's infrastructure will serve residents for decades to come.
Mill Pond and Elm Creek Improvements
We completed important improvements to Mill Pond and Elm Creek to protect these valued natural resources, improve water quality, restore habitat, reduce erosion, and strengthen the surrounding environment.
This work required strong partnerships with state officials, regional agencies, city staff, and community leaders. It took years of planning, advocacy, coordination, and persistence to secure the support and resources needed to move these projects forward.
These long-term investments help manage stormwater, preserve recreational opportunities, and ensure Mill Pond and Elm Creek remain healthy and enjoyable for Champlin residents and future generations.
Supporting Our Police and Strengthening Public Safety
Public safety has been—and will continue to be—one of my highest priorities. Until recently, Champlin had only 27 sworn police officers, a staffing level that had not increased since the 1990s, even as our community and the demands placed on our department continued to grow.
During my time as Mayor, we added four new police officer positions, bringing Champlin's Police Department to 31 sworn officers. This major investment gives our department the staffing and resources it needs to better serve residents, strengthen patrol coverage, respond to emergencies, and proactively address public-safety concerns.
Supporting law enforcement requires more than words. It requires providing our officers with the personnel, training, equipment, and community support they need to perform their jobs safely and effectively. I am proud that we acted to strengthen our department and help keep Champlin a safe place to live, work, raise a family, and operate a business.
Legalizing Golf Carts and UTVs
I supported legalizing the responsible use of golf carts and UTVs on designated Champlin streets, giving residents another convenient way to travel within our community.
This change reflects how many residents want to connect with their neighborhoods, visit local businesses, attend community events, and enjoy Champlin. Clear rules and safety requirements allow these vehicles to be used responsibly while preserving public safety.
It is a practical, community-focused policy that adds convenience, supports local businesses, and enhances the quality of life that makes Champlin a great place to live.
Lunch with the Mayor
I created Lunch with the Mayor as another way to connect with residents while highlighting Champlin's local restaurants and introducing the dedicated city staff members who serve our community every day. Each episode gives residents a closer look at the people, businesses, and important work that help make Champlin a great place to call home. Watch a few of the episodes below.
Ready to Keep Building?
Ryan's record speaks for itself. Re-elect the proven leader who gets things done for Champlin.
Want to know the man behind the results? Read Ryan's story.