Hennepin and First roadway improvements learning portal

2016 Hennepin and 1st technical study

• Concepts developed to accommodate all users
• Did not result in a single recommendation
• Most remaining concepts require full reconstruction

• Received $5.5 million in federal funding in 2018 for 2023 construction
• Funding secured based on bike lanes, accessible pedestrian ramps and bump outs, and traffic light upgrades, including accessible pedestrian signals
• Retrofit, not a full reconstruction

• Consistent with federal funding requirements
• Exploring a range of options
• Currently limited by retrofit scope

1. Safety and accessibility (improves the network)
2. Multimodal connectivity (improves the network)
3. Active living and environmental health (supports the community)
4. Support land use context and business district (supports the community)

• High density residential/commercial
• Pedestrian improvements needed
• Protected bikeway corridors
• High frequency transit, future BRT
• High injury streets, from Vision Zero
• Historic district, park improvements
• ADA accessibility concerns

Population: 14,296

Race:

• White 70%
• Black 9%
• American Indian <1%
• Asian 7%
• Hispanic or Latino 8%
• Other 5%

Persons with Disability: 11.9%

Housing:

• Total 7,187
• Own 30%
• Rent 70%

Income:

• Median Household Income $50,657
• Percentage below poverty 25%
• Cost-burdened households 42%

• Diabetes
• BMI (obesity)
• Hypertension
• Physical activity
• Overall physical health
• Racial disparities
• Environmental health and sustainability

Rethinking Hennepin and 1st avenues provides an opportunity to shape corridors that are more functional, beautiful, and health-promoting for all people

Strengths:

• Housing options
• Sidewalk network
• Transit access
• Downtown access
• Park and trail access
• Business district

Challenges:

• High crash rates
• Bike system gaps
• Housing and food affordability
• Lots of concrete and blacktop
• Minimal trees and greenery
• Contaminated sites

• Stormwater drains unfiltered into Mississippi River
• Nearly 100% concrete and blacktop
• Minimal vegetation or planted areas to assist with drainage
• Opportunity for innovative stormwater management if funding available

• Pedestrian safety and accessibility
• Bicycle network improvements
• Transit integration and upgrades
• Improved intersection function

• Active living and walkability
• Serving planned growth
• Streetscape and public realm
• Business district support

December 2020

• Online open house #1
• Online engagement
• Summaries and feedback

Winter 2021

• Develop goals based on feedback
• Targeted group meetings
• Online engagement options

Fall 2021

• Open house #2 - alternatives
• Pop up arts-based engagement
• Online survey
• Stakeholder meetings

Winter 2022

• Open house #3 - recommendation
• Online survey
• Stakeholder meetings
• Pop up engagement

County Project Manager: Josh Potter | 612.596.0820 |  josh.potter@hennepin.us 

City Project Lead: Luke Hanson | 612.875.7237 |  luke.hanson@minneapolismn.gov 

Project Engagement Lead: Haila Maze | 651.434.5743 |  haila.maze@bolton-menk.com 

For general questions and comments, please click on the link below.