The North Minneapolis Greenway Project
Since 2012, the departments of Health and Public Works have been exploring the possibility of converting low-traffic streets in north Minneapolis into a 3+ mile greenway. This unique community space would make it easier for residents to walk, bike, play and get exercise they need to be healthy. In 2016, the Health Department and Public Works installed a year-long temporary greenway on five blocks of the proposed north Minneapolis greenway route.
What is a greenway?
A greenway is a space designed primarily for pedestrians and bicyclists. The north Minneapolis greenway planning process has considered the following designs:
- A full greenway where all motorized traffic and parking are removed, green space is added, a bike trail is installed, and sidewalks are available for walking.
- A half-and-half greenway where half the street becomes a bike trail and the other half is used for motorized traffic and, in most cases, parking. Sidewalks remain in place for walking.
- A bike boulevard, which preserves most traffic and parking while adding traffic calming features such as traffic circles. Sidewalks remain in place for walking.
*In 2017, the City initiated a greenways study, which further explores greenway typologies in Minneapolis
Project History
The idea of a street-to-greenway conversion originally came from Northside residents and Twin Cities Greenways, a local, all-volunteer group promoting the construction of greenway-quality trails to better connect the Twin Cities area. In 2011, Bike Walk Twin Cities, a program of Transit for Livable Communities, partnered with Twin Cities Greenways to fund Community Design Group to lead a series of community workshops in North Minneapolis. The workshops introduced the greenway concept to residents and gathered community feedback.
From 2012 through 2015, the departments of Health and Public Works identified a potential greenway route and designs and engaged residents on their preferences, ideas, and concerns. In 2012 and 2013, the City further developed the greenway concept and engaged residents on the idea. In 2014 and 2015, the City developed a route map with block-by-block designs expanded outreach efforts and reach a more diverse group of residents, including more people of color and more renters. This expanded outreach happened in partnership with the Alliance (a local nonprofit) and other community organizations. Results of the City’s engagement showed north Minneapolis residents supported a greenway but still had questions and concerns about its implementation.
In order to test out the greenway idea, the City installed a temporary greenway in 2016 so residents and the City could get a better idea of how a permanent greenway might work. The temporary greenway was in place for one year on 5 blocks of Irving Avenue North (from the 3000/3100 to the 3500 blocks of Irving Avenue North). The greenway connected Jordan Park to Folwell Park and passed through the Jordan and Folwell neighborhoods. The City conducted an extensive evaluation of the temporary greenway, the results of which are published below.
Additional resources and communication materials can be found here.
Reports
Consultant Reports:
In 2014, the City of Minneapolis also worked with a consultant, SRF Consulting, INC., to conduct additional technical studies of the greenway. The following report and appendices summarize their findings:
Temporary Greenway Reports:
- Community input used in the temporary greenway design
- Public comments about the temporary greenway after it was installed
- Temporary Northside Greenway Final Evaluation Report and Executive Summary
Reports Produced by Other Organizations:
- North Minneapolis Greenway: A community facilitation project (completed in 2012 and funded by Transit for Livable Communities)
- The North Minneapolis Greenway: A report on anti-displacement strategies along the proposed bike trail (completed in 2016 by students at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs)
- Outreach for the proposed Northside Greenway: A case study and lessons learned from the 2014 and 2015 outreach efforts (report and summary completed in 2017 by Wilder Research)
Accommodations
Should you require a reasonable accommodation in order to fully participate, or information in an alternative format, please contact 612-673-2301.
Para asistencia 612-673-2700 - Rau kev pab 612-673-2800 - Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 612-673-3500.
Last updated Oct 30, 2018
