The Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition organized the first Open Streets event on Lyndale Avenue South. Back then, the City needed signatures from 75% of nearby property owners to approve the event on the block.

• Lyndale Avenue South
• Lowry Avenue North

• Southwest (Lyndale Avenue South)
• Northeast (Central Avenue)
• South (Minnehaha Avenue)
• North (Lowry Avenue North)

Permitting process changes

The City worked with a group called the BESE Committee and others to make a new process. This new way didn't need written approval from nearby property owners. This change was important to make things quicker and avoid spending too much time on long routes.

City Sponsorship

The City began to provide City services and support in-kind contributions for the initiative, including:

• Traffic control, detour signs, and barricades
• Police security
• Trash, recycling, and composting bins
• Event permitting
• Marketing and communications

City budgets cover these costs.

• North Minneapolis Greenway Experience
• Lyndale
• Lowry
• Northeast
• Franklin
• Nicollet

An estimated 65,000 people attended eight Open Streets Minneapolis events in 2015.

• Lyndale
• Lowry
• Downtown
• Lake
• Northeast
• Franklin
• Nicollet
• UMN

City Council Actions of Support

We discussed how to make Open Streets Minneapolis more sustainable and transparent by:

• Establishing Open Streets Minneapolis as a City-hosted event
• Developing a Call for an Open Streets Organizer for the 2017 season
• Creating an application for route ideas and/or hosts

On December 1, 2015, the City Council resolved that the City will support Open Streets as City-hosted events in Minneapolis to further the City’s transportation, climate, and health polices and plans. This began the City Council’s role in approving the number of Open Street events and their locations.

• Lyndale
• Downtown
• Lake
• Northeast
• Franklin
• West Broadway
• Nicollet
• UMN

Event Organizer Role Established

Open Streets Minneapolis requires a yearly organizer that manages and delivers the program. The Organizer is tasked with managing parts of Open Streets events, including permitting, assisting in route selection, volunteer coordination, and event promotion.

• Lyndale
• Downtown
• Lake + Minnehaha
• Northeast
• Franklin
• West Broadway
• Nicollet

Winter Open Streets at Holidazzle

Call for Open Streets organizer

The City of Minneapolis released a formal call for a partner to build on the success of the Open Streets Minneapolis initiative and selection was based on the following factors:

• an understanding of the role of active transportation in economic vitality
• community cohesion and public health
• experience organizing community events with many stakeholders
• an ability to partner with the City
• an ability to attract and manage large numbers of volunteers
• an understanding of (and experience with) Open Streets initiatives
• experience encouraging and incorporating diversity in event attendees and programmers

The Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition was chosen to organize the 2017 season.

Application for Open Streets routes

The Organizer worked with us to put out an Application for interested parties. Anyone could suggest a desired route or host a route, which increased local participation and enhanced event sustainability. A selection committee reviewed and scored routes based on many factors:

• Supports the primary goals of Open Streets Minneapolis
• Connects many neighborhoods
• Includes a major urban corridor with strong destinations
• Has evidence of local support
• Addresses equity considerations
• Can complement other community engagement opportunities

Top scoring route applicants were contacted to further discuss interest and qualifications.

• Lyndale
• Lake + Minnehaha
• Northeast
• Franklin
• West Broadway
• Nicollet
• UMN

Call for Open Streets organizer

The City of Minneapolis released a formal call for the 2018-2020 event series. Our Streets Minneapolis was selected as Organizer for the 2018-2020 event seasons.

• Lyndale
• Lake + Minnehaha
• Northeast
• Franklin
• West Broadway
• Nicollet
• UMN + Motley

The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to the City and Open Streets Minneapolis. While seven events were planned for 2020, events were postponed to make data-driven cancellation decisions at least eight weeks ahead of each event. All 2020 events were cancelled to prioritize the health of our community. 

• Lyndale
• Minnehaha
• West Broadway

A contract amendment to the 2018-2020 organizer agreement was extended through the end of 2021 for Our Streets Minneapolis to organize the 2021 event season. 

• Lyndale
• Lake
• Minnehaha
• Franklin
• West Broadway

Call for Open Streets organizer

The City of Minneapolis released a formal call for the 2022-2024 event series. Our Streets Minneapolis was selected as Organizer.

• Lyndale
• Lake
• West Broadway
• Glenwood
• Cedar

The City is committed to supporting Open Streets events in 2024, just as it has in past years. Stay tuned for more information.