Nicollet Mall and downtown transit changes

The City is exploring changes to transit routes downtown. This work is part of re-envisioning the future of Nicollet Mall.

Re-envisioning the future of downtown transit

The City is moving transit routes off Nicollet Mall. We developed three options for transit changes in partnership with Metro Transit. The goal of this work is to make transit as good or better than transit on Nicollet Mall today.

We are engaging the community on:

  • Design and safety solutions
    • Sidewalk width
    • Bikeway design (if applicable)
    • Turn lanes
  • Transit speed and reliability improvements
  • Impacts on transit riders
  • Traffic impacts
  • Curbside use impacts
  • Property access and driveways

Learn more about this work

Residents and visitors enjoy Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis.

Why we're doing this work

Background

Nicollet Mall is the busiest transit corridor in the region. Yet, it has some of the slowest, least reliable transit services. Our goal is to improve transit on Nicollet Mall and downtown. The following efforts support this work.

Guiding City work

The City adopted the Transportation Action Plan in December 2020. To develop the plan, we asked the community about transportation needs. Improved reliability or better on-time performance of transit was a top theme. The plan includes an action to improve transit in downtown. It aims to speed up and make transit more reliable.

Read about the action to improve transit in downtown

Read the Transportation Action Plan

Vibrant Downtown Storefronts Workgroup

Mayor Jacob Frey created the Vibrant Downtown Storefronts Workgroup in December 2022. It was created because there was an increase in empty storefronts in the heart of downtown. Two suggestions from the group were about how people move downtown:

  • Explore the future of Nicollet Mall as a pedestrian zone.
  • Look at other options for transit service in downtown.

Read Mayor Jacob Frey's Vibrant Downtown Storefronts Workgroup report

Council Legislative Directive

City and Metro Transit staff presented to the City Council on this subject. This work was in response to a City Council legislative directive.

Read the Nicollet Mall Legislative Directive (March 2025)

Read the Nicollet Mall Legislative Directive (December 2023)

Community input

Our team has led many engagement efforts to get feedback for these changes. You can read more about these events on our community engagement page.
Learn more

Status at a glance

The initiative is currently in the community input phase.

Community input

Design

In progress

Complete

Exploring changes

Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) is exploring changes to Nicollet Mall, apart from this work. CPED and Public Works are teaming up to improve downtown and Nicollet Mall.
Contact CPED

Related resources

Phase 1

Public engagement plan

Phase 1 pop up boards

Phase 1 open house boards

Phase 1 engagement summary

Phase 1 engagement summary appendix A

Phase 1 engagement summary appendix B

Phase 2

Phase 2 open house boards

Phase 2 virtual open house presentation

Phase 2 virtual open house recording

Concept layouts

Phase 2 engagement summary

Phase 2 engagement summary appendix A

Phase 2 engagement summary appendix B

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Related work

Read Mayor Jacob Frey’s Vibrant Downtown Storefronts Workgroup report

Read Minneapolis Foundation’s Downtown Next report

Learn more about the Minneapolis Downtown Council's 2035 Plan

Events along Nicollet Mall

Enjoy the upcoming summer events along Nicollet Mall:

  • MPLS Moves the Great Honking Parade
    Come to Nicollet Mall to see a big honking Truck Parade. Includes construction, Public Works, Police, Fire, and other interesting trucks that your kids can take photos with and maybe even climb on. Enjoy a makers market and ice cream too.
    July 31, 4-8pm
  • Dinner du Nord
    Dine at a table stretching seven blocks on Nicollet Mall. Enjoy your choice of signature dishes from over 40 restaurants and food trucks. Ticket purchase required.
    September 11, 5:30-8:30pm
    See the event website
  • Nicollet Street Show
    Watch live performances Tuesday to Friday over the lunch hour.
    Mid-May to mid-September
    See the event schedule
  • Mpls Downtown Council events on Nicollet Mall
    See event calendar
People at the farmers market on Nicollet Mall.

Contact us

Kathleen Mayell

Transportation Planning Manager

Public Works

Email Kathleen Mayell

Phone

612-673-3695

Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED)

Contact CPED staff

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 320
Minneapolis, MN 55415