You are cordially invited to join the East Downtown Council membership and constituents for the March Business Forum. The event will take place on Thursday, March 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Aloft Hotel – 900 Washington Avenue South.
This month’s topic is the Washington Avenue / County Road 152 Reconstruction Project.
Hennepin County, in coordination with the City of Minneapolis, is preparing for the reconstruction of Washington Avenue South (County Road 152) between Hennepin Avenue and 5th Avenue South. 5th Avenue South to I-35W is not identified as a reconstruction project at this time. However, the concept plans will provide guidance as future projects are identified and as funding becomes available.
Hennepin County held the first of two public meetings for the design concept of Washington Avenue in December 2012. Information about existing uses, a preliminary traffic analysis, outcomes of the first design charrette, and the challenges and opportunities of conceptual alternatives were available to the public for feedback and comment. In addition, an online survey was made available for all interested parties to provide additional feedback about the future of Washington Avenue.
The project team has taken the feedback from over 1,000 people and is working to refine a roadway layout that addresses the complicated and competing demands of all the modes and elements that are desired for Washington Avenue. A resolution to address as many needs and concerns of the corridor is being carefully considered and reviewed, and the project team is nearing a recommended layout that achieves the best solution for downtown Minneapolis.
A second round of public involvement is being planned for this Spring, and will include a design charrette, a public meeting, and an online survey. These outreach efforts will focus on seeking public input on urban design features (streetscaping and landscaping) for the corridor. All residents, businesses, property owners and other interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend the public meeting, take the online survey, and subscribe to the project website to receive updates on the project.
Guest speakers for Thursday’s Business Forum will include:
- Jennifer Lowry, Hennepin County (Project Manager)
- Charleen Zimmer, Zan Associates
- Jon Horn or Todd Halunen or Tom Harrington, Kimley-Horn Associates
- Jon Wertjes or Don Pflaum or Don Elwood, City of Minneapolis
Agenda
11:30 a.m. to Noon – Registration and Lunch
Noon to 1:00 p.m. – EDC Update and Guest Presenters
Please RSVP to EDC Executive Coordinator Christie Rock Hantge by Monday, March 18, 2013, to [email protected], or 612-359-0601.
For more information on the Washington Avenue / County Road 152 Reconstruction project, please visit the Hennepin County project Web site.
