Hennepin County has been investing in how to improve Lowry Avenue since 2000.
Partners and the community have been trying to improve how people live, commute, walk, bike, etc. by participating in conversations and developing plans, etc.
In 2000, Lowry Avenue community works project convened partners and the community to develop a vision for the Lowry Avenue corridor. The resulting 2002 Lowry Avenue corridor plan guided the complete reconstruction of Lowry Avenue N between I-94 and Theodore Wirth Parkway in 2009.
The roadway was narrowed west of the Mississippi River to accommodate on-street bicycle lanes, wider sidewalks and tree-lined boulevards. This work included:
- Installation of on-street bike lanes from 4th Street to Theodore Wirth Parkway and Victory Memorial Drive, providing the first east-west bike connections through North Minneapolis
- Construction of five miles of sidewalk upgrades, including ADA ramps and other pedestrian enhancements at key intersections
- Planting the boulevards and medians with more than 400 trees and other vegetation and permeable soils that reduce stormwater runoff
These efforts required some intersection improvements and related property acquisition at the Lowry intersections of Penn and Lyndale avenues. These acquisitions addressed blighted properties that were attracting crime and helped to create redevelopment opportunities for new housing and business expansion at both intersections.
The Hawthorne Eco-Village will bring transformation and energy-efficient housing to the Lyndale intersection, and Lowry Community Works continues ongoing efforts to redevelop the Emerson/Fremont area across from the North Regional Library.
Lowry Avenue N reconstruction
In 2014, Lowry Avenue community works project convened the partners and community to develop a vision for the Lowry Avenue corridor east of the Mississippi River to complement the process that was conducted for the corridor west of the river. The resulting 2015 Lowry Avenue corridor plan resulted in adopted designs for different segments, including:
- Reconstruction of Lowry Avenue between Marshall Street and Central Avenue with wider sidewalks, wider boulevards and three travel lanes
- Reconstruction of Lowry Avenue between Central Avenue and Stinson Boulevard with wider sidewalks, wider boulevards, two travel lanes and two east- and west-bound bicycle lanes on either side of the street
Related plans, studies and reports
Throughout 2014, Lowry Avenue Community Works worked with project partners and the Lowry Avenue northeast communities to update their vision for Lowry Avenue. This vision is documented in the Lowry Avenue Northeast Corridor Plan and Implementation Framework. The plan identifies opportunities for:
- Bicycle and pedestrian improvements along the Northeast corridor
- Infrastructure improvements and redevelopment opportunities at six intersections, at Marshall Street Northeast, 2nd Street Northeast, University Avenue Northeast, Washington Street Northeast, Monroe Street Northeast and Central Avenue Northeast
The Lowry Avenue 2002 Corridor plan set vision for the Lowry Avenue corridor from Theodore Wirth Parkway to Stinson Boulevard and provided the foundation for the improvements along Lowry Avenue North. The appendices provide background data, including information on the housing market, commercial land use, development possibilities, and traffic and transportation analysis.
The METRO F Line will serve the Central Avenue corridor, largely replacing Route 10 from downtown Minneapolis to Northtown Mall via Central and University avenues.
The City of Minneapolis will reconstruct Johnson Street NE between18th and Lowry avenues Northeast. Additional updates will include:
- New signs and pavement markings
- New sidewalks
- Pedestrian curb ramps that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Bicycle accommodations
- Pavement, curb and gutter improvements
- Utility improvements