It was all treats, no tricks today as City and business leaders gathered in Uptown to celebrate the grand reopening of the reconstructed Hennepin Ave S. The redesigned corridor features modernized infrastructure, upgraded utilities, wider and safer pedestrian spaces, a protected bikeway, green stormwater infrastructure and more efficient, reliable transit service.
“Hennepin Avenue is back — and better than ever,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “We’ve transformed one of our city’s busiest corridors into a safer, greener, more welcoming street that works for everyone. Now’s the time to come experience it: grab a coffee, enjoy a bite, and support the small businesses that make Uptown the extraordinary place it is.”
Hennepin Avenue was last reconstructed in 1957. The major infrastructure upgrades were phased over two years. Phase 1, from Lake St W to 26th St was completed in November 2024. Friday marks the end of major work on Phase 2 from 26th St to Douglas Ave. The $36.7 million construction project – coming in on time and within budget – also allows space for the future METRO E Line stations, improving overall flow of traffic and efficient transit. Some of the improvements over the two years include:
- A narrower roadway with dedicated left turn lanes, a raised median and other traffic calming measures to encourage slower speeds.
- Wider sidewalks, increased separation from moving traffic and shorter crossing distances to improve pedestrian safety
- Ten fully rebuilt traffic signals with ADA compliant ramps and accessible pedestrian pushbuttons
- Over 100 new streetlights featuring festoon decorative lighting.
- New electrical infrastructure installed by Xcel Energy
- New gas main and service upgrades installed by CenterPoint Energy
“I’m so excited to see the new and improved Hennepin Avenue! More people in Uptown is critical to our work on revitalization, and this project will help do just that,” said Minneapolis City Council Vice President Aisha Chughtai, ward 10. “The reconstructed street is more accessible for everyone, especially those walking, biking, and taking transit. Today’s Hennepin Avenue is a generational investment in the Uptown community, and that’s thanks to all our neighbors, the tireless work of City staff and construction crews who made this vision a reality.”
With more than 240 businesses in the Uptown area, the project completion is welcome news for shops and commerce along Hennepin Ave, as well as residents who live near the construction. Over the course of two years, the City recognized the challenges living and working along this corridor and stayed in constant contact with neighbors and business owners through regular stakeholder meetings and community engagement sessions. The City also kept driveways, sidewalks and front entrances accessible, while coordinating delivery schedules and other needs to minimize disruption as much as possible. From 2023 to 2025, 36 businesses along Hennepin were served through the City’s Business Technical Assistance Program (BTAP). While not construction specific, this is a program that offers guidance on finances and access to capital.
“This once in a generation construction project is an investment into Uptown that will have lasting impacts on safety and sustainability for generations to come,” said Minneapolis Council Member Katie Cashman, ward 7. “Amid both a climate crisis and an increase in unsafe driving, we are putting the work into an Uptown that everyone can safely enjoy. While the construction season has been hard on local residents and businesses, we are ready to open this street and start a new chapter for Hennepin Ave. I am extremely grateful to the numerous project planners, construction workers, community engagement coordinators and everyone who made this new street possible.”
Next steps
City crews will continue to be in the corridor in the coming weeks to perform final, minor utility work. On Saturday, Dec. 6, the METRO E Line will bring more frequent and reliable service to the Route 6 corridor, along with enhanced stations that include real-time signs, ticket machines, light, and heat. A combination of off-board fare payment, wider stop spacing, bus lanes, and the use of technology that gives buses a better chance of getting a green light at signaled intersections will streamline service. Three E Line stations - Hennepin/Franklin, Hennepin/25th, and the Uptown Transit Station – have been built on the reconstructed Hennepin Ave. S.
“These projects serve a larger purpose,” said City Operations Officer Margaret Anderson Kelliher. “Our City is committed to the long-term benefits of improved infrastructure. It’s an investment in our city that increases safety, enhances the experience for people walking, biking and using transit, and helps drive economic growth and attract future businesses.”
“I’m proud of our team and our contractor partners for working together on this important multimodal corridor,” said City of Minneapolis Public Works Director Tim Sexton. “Their hard work, creative problem solving, and attention to detail allowed us to complete the project on budget and ahead of schedule.”