There has been much coverage in the Hill & Lake Press of the Hennepin Avenue makeover plan, but most people are not aware of a similar plan for Lake Street at the northeast corner of Bde Maka Ska, where I live.
In 2019 a postcard was delivered to the residents of the Edgewater, 1805 W. Lake St., informing us of proposed changes to the bus stop in front of our building.
It wasn’t until later that we learned that the plan includes not only a much larger bus stop which will be lit 24/7, a red bus lane, a ticket machine and a new bike rack, but also the removal of three 17-yearold canopied trees and the addition of a designated bike lane.
None of this was specified on the postcard. Then COVID struck and little more was learned about this project until 2021/22. The plan has received limited review due to COVID.
The various governmental organizations involved in this plan are focused on reducing carbon emissions by increasing bus and bike use and reducing the use of cars. This is a laudable goal, but much of the plan does not reflect the reality of 2023.
Since the plan’s inception there have been significant changes. Metro transit ridership is down 65% due to new work patterns and security concerns. Within the past few years electric vehicles (EVs) have grown in popularity, a trend expected to continue, adding a need for public charging stations.
The corridor between Excelsior and Minnetonka Boulevards has exploded with new commercial and residential buildings. People living or working there have one primary route to get to points east. Some will use buses and bikes, but most will continue to use cars — eventually EVs. It is an extremely congested area and the removal of two lanes will make it worse.
We have always lived with a bus stop in front of our building and are in favor of improving our metro transit system. However, this is a dangerous place for a shelter because of the heavy traffic and because of the way the street curves around the lake and back onto the grid. On two occasions cars have plowed into the shelter. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
When the details of the plan became clear to us, we asked for a meeting with the planners from the county and city to express our concerns. On three occasions, we met and encouraged them to look at an alternative to their plan.
At all three meetings we were told that the plan was a done deal, and our suggestions were not possible. From what we’ve read, our experience in dealing with city planners does not seem to be unique.
We recognize that these changes will have the greatest impact on us, the residents of the Edgewater, but the process to implement the plan without our input at the planning stage is flawed. Like most city residents, we pay taxes that should guarantee respectful conversations with open minded staff as plans are being drawn, not after the fact.
Our concerns are many.
Trees reduce carbon and should not be removed. Five trees were planted by residents of the building when it was built 17 years ago, and they form a beautiful canopy over the street and sidewalk. The Plan removes three trees and replaces them with two new trees (one location unknown and one within a grate). Trees planted in grates surrounded by concrete do not fare well. There are many empty grate examples along West Lake Street.
There is a better place for a new shelter just few hundred feet east, where Lake Street widens to incorporate the bus lane.
The Greenway is a block away and runs parallel to Lake Street. Why disrupt a lane on Lake Street when bikers have another option?
The narrowing of Lake Street at this intersection is dangerous, especially for emergency vehicles that must move quickly to Hennepin Avenue and farther east. Adding a bike lane will obstruct traffic, potentially causing delays for first responders and accidents for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The advent of EVs has changed the landscape. Now is the time to install parking meters with charging capabilities to reduce carbon emissions and encourage EV use and to draw visitors to local businesses and to the amenities of the nearby parks.
City planners, please respect our concerns.
As homeowners of the Edgewater, we have chosen an urban lifestyle and appreciate the diversity and energy in Uptown. We have seen a number of city projects that have hurt businesses and residents and we don’t want another bad plan being implemented.
It is our hope that before construction of the plan commences next spring, the designers will take our input into consideration and make significant adjustments.
