Hennepin and First roadway improvements

Public involvement

Since early 2021, we have been working to define a set of possible designs for review that are reflective of what we have heard from the community. After collecting feedback from the public, we now have a recommended concept for further feedback before the project begins construction in 2024.

Fall 2022 engagement opportunities

The project team is attending a series of pop-up events this fall. Stop by if you are in the area to connect learn more about the project.

The Slice Pizza events will include a free slice of pizza for participants.

Saturday, October 8, 10 a.m. - noon, Northeast Farmers Market (629 2nd Street NE)
Saturday, October 8, 1 - 3 p.m., River Walkway (corner of Hennepin Avenue and Main Street)
Friday, October 14, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., Slice Pizza (519 East Hennepin Avenue)
Saturday, October 15, 10 a.m. - noon, Northeast Farmers Market (629 2nd Street NE)
Saturday, October 15, 1 - 3 p.m., River Walkway (corner of Hennepin Avenue and Main Street)

Friday, October 21, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., Slice Pizza (519 East Hennepin Avenue)

Previous design engagement

Listening session

June 2022

Thank you to everyone who attended the virtual listening session on June 7. If you missed it, view the recommended concept below and watch a recorded presentation.

November 2021

Thank you to everyone who attended the virtual listening session on November 17. If you missed it, check out the recorded presentation.

December 2020

Thank you to everyone who attended the community listening session on December 10. If you missed it, check out the recorded presentation to learn more about the project

View the listening session presentation (YouTube)

Engagement summary

October 2020-January 2021

Below is a summary of what we heard from the community through our outreach efforts from October 2020 through January 2021.

View the engagement summary (PDF)

Ongoing design engagement

Since early 2021, we have been working to define a set of possible designs for review that are reflective of what we have heard from the community. At this stage, we are taking additional time to coordinate with our project partners to develop concepts that best meet the goals of the project and the feedback we have received from the community.

Design virtual corridor tour

The project team developed a virtual corridor tour. This allows you to view the project corridor at your own pace online. Take the virtual tour to:

See the entire corridor we’re looking at
Explore what it feels like to walk, bike and drive the project area

Proposed designs for consideration

Recommended concept

We have developed the following recommended concept based on the analysis and evaluation prepared for the project as well as in response to the feedback previously received. The recommended layout was approved by the Minneapolis City Council at the August 4, 2022 meeting.

Link to recommended concept (PDF)

Concept sections

The project has been meeting with the community and gathering comments and input. Additional information about this engagement is provided in the public involvement section of this webpage.

The following are two proposed designs based on this feedback and are current as of December 2021.

Project information

Project goals

The main goal of the Hennepin and First avenues improvements project is to understand community transportation use and needs to inform the future pre-design and design of transportation projects in the area. Other goals of the project include:

Address safety and accessibility issues
Accommodate people walking and biking
Support business district along the corridor

Project location

Learning portal

We invite you to learn more about the project and the project area including:

How this project will move forward
What we understand the area to be based on characteristics
Existing features and future plans for biking, walking and using transit
Existing trends and data

Check out the learning portal.

Project leadership

Hennepin County

Josh Potter, P.E.
Project engineer for design
josh.potter@hennepin.us
612-596-0820

Haila Maze
Community liaison on behalf of Hennepin County
haila.maze@bolton-menk.com
651-434-5743

Hennepin County, Minnesota