Updates

We gathered comments at two more volunteer shifts this past weekend. On Friday, we were on the Mall in Uptown, at Humboldt & The Greenway. On Easter Sunday April 4th, we were set up at Bde Maka Ska. We also have friends and neighbors collecting comments as they go about their day. Every comment counts! If you’d like to learn more contact us [email protected] 

Thanks to our volunteer team—we couldn’t do any of this without you. Both events were hugely successful. We met and spoke with over 160 new supporters who would not have normally engaged in the city’s process to redesign Hennepin Avenue. On Friday, given our proximity to the Uptown Transit Station we were able to do outreach to rush hour transit riders. We also got to pet many good dogs. Can’t beat these locations to meet neighborhood dogs.  

That’s not to say we didn’t meet with some opposition. We know change can be difficult for some, but a safer, more vibrant, more livable street makes our community stronger—and ultimately draws more people to live, work, and shop here. The enthusiasm from people who didn’t know this was happening, newly engaged residents and visitors—that made this weekend’s volunteer shifts incredibly rewarding, even for those of us who aren’t comfortable asking strangers to take time to support a cause. 

Our positive vision for a street that works for people walking, rolling, biking, busing, and driving is the only inclusive choice. Please keep the comments “I like Option 1” coming to [email protected] or call 612-673-3594 and help us continue building momentum!  

On Sunday, we took to the streets to collect comments in support of a Hennepin Avenue for people, no matter how they travel. Thanks to the volunteer team who helped with outreach. It felt good to be outside, talking to neighbors, and seeing the enthusiasm for streets built for people. People from different backgrounds, a range of ages, all across our city, and even visitors from outside Minneapolis realize Hennepin Avenue doesn’t work well for anyone in its current form. People are looking forward to dedicated transit lanes, pedestrian improvements and bike lanes. Option 1 is the only inclusive design choice.

An observation from this event, held at the intersection of the Greenway and Bryant Avenue: this is a destination. People come to Uptown from St. Paul to the east, and from Hopkins and Minnetonka to the west. Even as a resident of the neighborhood, I was surprised at how many people I met from outside Minneapolis had arrived in Uptown by bike.  

Building safe biking infrastructure draws people to our city. The Greenway is a bike highway — and it can feed into a local bike route on Hennepin Avenue, bringing visitors and customers to the neighborhood. People who bike within our city and those who bike into our city. On Sunday, we met a group of three on a bike tour checking out all the protected biking infrastructure in our city. We’re not all comfortable riding in traffic with cars. Imagine what a destination Hennepin Avenue could be. If you build safe and well-connected bike routes, not only will it serve those of us who live here — people will be drawn to them. The Bryant bike boulevard and the Greenway prove this. Bike lanes on Hennepin Avenue will be an asset to our growing community.