I seem unable to get off of Hennepin Avenue — writing about it, that is. And because we are all going to have to get off of Hennepin in the next two years, literally, this seemed like a good time to learn more about what’s in store.
As most readers know, despite best efforts to convince some in the city to reconsider aspects of the hotly contested plan, it is going ahead. We will have bike lanes and bus lanes and fewer car lanes and more left-turn lanes.
At one time, over 90% of on-street parking was to be removed for 24/7 bus lanes, but thanks to a veto by Mayor Frey, upheld by Council Member Lisa Goodman and the moderates on the City Council at that time, curbside parking will be permitted in the bus lanes in off-peak hours.
Phase 1 has started and will run from Lake Street to 26th Street. Phase 2 will start in 2025 and run from 26th Street to Doug Las Avenue.
If you’ve been on Hennepin between Lagoon and 26th lately, you’ve likely seen the first signs of construction. Xcel is installing energy duct banks — the housing that encloses electrical cables and other wiring — along the east side of the corridor, and one lane has already been closed to accommodate that work.
To follow the schedule and know what to expect, go to the project web page, https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/hennepin-ave-s/
Once there you can download various PDFs about the project and sign up to receive updates and notification of monthly stakehold- er meetings via email.
While public input during the planning phase of this project was minimal, leaving many merchants and residents feeling unheard, the engineering phase is an open book.
Project manager Don Elwood, Director of Transportation, Engineering, and Design for the Public Works, says he is aware of how important it is for residents and businesses to know what to expect.
He and Adam Hayow, Senior Professional Engineer for Public Works, will provide information and encourage feedback and questions as the process unfolds. Remember, they didn’t design this boondoggle; it’s their job to make it happen.
Elwood is no stranger to Hennepin Avenue, having overseen every block of its reconstruction from the Mississippi River to 36th Street.
But even he couldn’t tell me if there is any truth to the rumor that the city will use this opportunity to correct the mistakes made in the 2018 makeover of Hennepin, south of Lake Street, a project so disastrous to the commercial fabric of Uptown that even Becca Hughes, the city planner responsible for that project, acknowledged in an April 2021 article in the Star Tribune, "That design has not worked well.” Hughes, who no longer works for the city, went on to say that public works planned to restore some on-street parking between Lake and 31st Street “this spring.”
That was three years ago.
It’s time to give the merchants of Uptown a lifeline. They deserve enormous credit — and our support — for keeping their doors open despite challenging times and the city’s gaffe.
If you support returning commonsense curbside parking on Hennepin, from Lake Street south to 36th Street, make your voice heard.
CONTACT:
WARD 10 COUNCIL MEMBER
Aisha Chughtai
612-673- 2210
Aisha.Chughtai@minneapolismn.gov
WARD 7 COUNCIL MEMBER
Katie Cashman
612-673-2207
Katie.Cashman@minneapolismn.gov
MINNEAPOLIS MAYOR
Mayor Jacob Frey
612-673-2100
Jacob.Frey@minneapolismn.gov
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
Brette Hjelle
Brette.Hjelle@Minnneapolismn.gov
