Project goals

• Improve safety and mobility for all people and modes of travel.
• Install an All Ages and Abilities bikeway facility.
• Find opportunities for green storm water improvements, plantings, and trees.
• Accommodate property access for people.
• Incorporate existing City policies.

Project overview

We plan to reconstruct 1.0 mile of 1st Ave. S. between Lake St. to Franklin Ave. 

Upgrades will include:

• new sidewalks
• ADA pedestrian ramps
• bicycle accommodations
• new pavement
• curb and gutter replacement
• utility improvements
• greenway bridge replacement
• storm and sanitary sewer replacement
• signal improvements
• new signage
• new pavement markings

View interactive map

Project update

1st Ave. S closure

Segments of 1st Ave. S will continue to be closed through the summer and fall. Drivers will need to follow the posted detour ­­­­­­­­­­­route.

• 1st Ave. S is closed from Franklin Ave to 22nd St and 24th St to 27th St.
• Vehicle detour route: Lake St., Lyndale Ave. and Franklin Ave.
• Bicycle detour route: Lake St., Blaisdell Ave. and Nicollet Ave., and Franklin Ave.

Traffic impacts

• 1st Ave. S., between 22nd and Franklin Ave. remains closed. Work is taking place mid-block and access will be maintained from either side for local residents.
• 1st Ave. S., between 22nd St. and 24th St. is a temporary two-way street to keep access to driveways.
• The intersection of First Ave. S. and 24th St. is closed.
• The intersection of First Ave. S. and 25th St. is open with a gravel surface.
• The intersection of First Ave. S. and 26th St. is open with two vehicle traffic lanes.
• 1st Ave. S, between 26th and 27th St. is closed.
• 1st Ave. S, between Cecil Newman and 27th St. will be closed to through traffic. Local access will be maintained.
• 1st Ave. S, between Lake St. and Cecil Newman Ln. will be a single lane.
• The bike lanes along 1st Ave. remain closed between 27th St. and 19th St. E.

Past project meetings

Public meeting #5 - Pre-assessment meeting

We held a public meeting to provide construction updates as well as answer questions and concerns on May 2, 2024.

Public meeting #4 - Virtual open house

We held a virtual public meeting, presentation, and question & answer session on March 6, 2024

• View documents from Public meeting #4

Public meeting #3 - Open house

We held an open house at the Loring Park Community Arts Center on September 19, 2022.

• View documents from Public meeting #3

Public meeting #2 - Open house

We held an open house at Whittier Community School on May 25, 2022.

• View documents from Public meeting #2

Public meeting #1 - Virtual open house

We held a virtual public meeting, presentation, and question & answer session on March 8, 2022.

• View the meeting presentation
• View the meeting question & answer

Project video

1st Avenue S Reconstruction - Project overview

• View project overview video
• First Avenue South Reconstruction - Open house presentation

Project map

1st Avenue S Reconstruction - Project map

• View project map (2024)
• View project map (2022)

Lake at Nicollet reopening

The City will re-open Nicollet Avenue between Lake Street and Cecil Newman Lane.

View the Lake at Nicollet reopening project