Business Assistance During Road Reconstruction
The City and partners provide support for the Minneapolis business community during street reconstruction.
Central Corridor Assistance
- The Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Loan Program is designed for qualified small businesses along the transit line in Minneapolis and Saint Paul that are directly affected by the LRT construction.
- A Ready for Rail packet is available to help businesses along the central corridor.
Nicollet Avenue Assistance (Lake to 40th streets)
The Nicollet Avenue reconstruction consists of two phases:
Phase 1: Nicollet Avenue between Lake and 36th streets will be reconstructed beginning May 2012
Phase 2: Nicollet Avenue between 36th and 40th streets will be reconstructed in spring/summer 2013
Construction Communications and Marketing
Sign up for email updates on Nicollett Ave Construction.
- CPED Business Development staff will continue door-to-door outreach to assist in communications on the project as it progresses.
Project Update Memos
- The City has written a few tips for businesses when speaking with customers regarding the Nicollet Ave project.
- CPED will provide funding to the local business associations to institute district-wide marketing strategies to augment business marketing efforts. CPED will work with the Lyndale Business Association for the 2012 segment and the Nicollet East Harriet Business Association for the 2013 segment.
Access, Wayfinding and "Open for Business" Signage
Reconstruction segments are typically two blocks long with the exceptions of a segment between 32nd and 35th streets and a segment between 35th and 36th streets which are 3 blocks and 1 block, respectively.
- Contractors will be required to maintain access to businesses for customers and deliveries. Please contact Bev Warmka at (612) 673-3762 to review the specific access plan for your business.
- Through traffic will be directed to 1st Avenue northbound and Blaisdell Avenue southbound. Signage will indicate that Nicollet Avenue businesses are open and accessible.
- The City has relaxed its signage regulations and eliminated sign permit fees for Nicollet Avenue businesses during the construction period. Businesses can contact Erik Hansen at (612) 673-5022 to request “open for business” sign permits.
Business Financing and Technical Assistance
The City of Minneapolis offers an array of business financing programs. The following may be useful to businesses during or after construction:
- The Working Capital Guaranty Program is likely the most valuable to Nicollet Avenue businesses during construction. It is designed to help small businesses secure financing through private banking institutions. The maximum amount the City will guaranty is $50,000.
- Two Percent Loans provide financing to Minneapolis businesses to purchase equipment and/or to make building improvements.
- The Energy Efficiency Loan Program provides financing for businesses making energy efficiency improvements to commercial and industrial properties.
- Nicollet Avenue businesses affected by the reconstruction are eligible for free business consulting assistance from Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers. Services include one-on-one business consulting to prepare for the construction including capital planning, staffing, marketing strategies, and general business management. Contact Iric Nathanson at (612) 789-7337, extension 15 to participate.
Last updated Jul. 3, 2012