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Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Central Avenue Northeast

Minneapolis and Columbia Heights

Community engagement

Phase 2 engagement summary

The Central Ave. N.E. (Hwy 65) improvements project is a collaborative effort between MnDOT and Metro Transit to redesign and enhance the area between the Mississippi River and I-694. This initiative aims to create a safer, more efficient, and community-focused roadway while integrating the METRO F Line, a planned bus rapid transit (BRT) route that will improve transit service between downtown Minneapolis and the Northtown Transit Center in Blaine. During Phase 2 of community engagement, residents, businesses, and travelers were invited to share their feedback through public meetings, community events, and presentations. These efforts provided critical insights into the challenges faced along Central Ave, as well as opportunities to make it safer, more sustainable and better suited to meet the needs of all who use it. The following is a summary of what we heard, broken down into feedback specific to the Minneapolis and Columbia Heights segments of the project area.

Minneapolis

Community engagement efforts in Minneapolis drew robust participation from residents, businesses, and stakeholders. Activities included an in-person public meeting at Thomas Edison high school, attended by 72 people; five business meetings; five neighborhood association presentations; and eight community pop-up events. The project team also hand-delivered 500 postcards to local businesses and mailed 7,040 postcards to surrounding properties to keep the community informed about the project and invite further input.

Key themes and insights:
  • Improved pedestrian and bike infrastructure: Strong support for safer crossings, protected bike lanes, and sidewalk-level or separated bike paths, though concerns were raised about pedestrian-biker conflicts.
  • Bus and transit enhancements: Strong support for dedicated bus lanes, improved transit stops, and better accessibility for elderly and disabled riders.
  • Safety and traffic calming: Calls to lower traffic speeds and increase safety measures, with concerns about vehicle violations in bike and bus lanes.
  • Tree planting and green spaces: Support for adding diverse tree species, rain gardens, and landscaped medians to improve the urban experience.
  • Parking management: Mixed opinions on reducing or removing parking, with suggestions to create shared parking zones off Central Ave.
  • Support for local businesses: Emphasis on maintaining access to businesses during and after construction, with hopes that safer streets would encourage economic activity.
  • Urban design and long-term planning: Interest in future-proofing the design and aligning the project with broader urban goals such as the Minneapolis 2040 comprehensive plan.
  • Mixed use infrastructure: Support for streets designed for transit, bikes, and pedestrians and for balancing priorities in constrained spaces.
  • Environmental considerations: A strong focus on green infrastructure to mitigate stormwater runoff and support environmental sustainability.
  • Construction and maintenance concerns: Concerns about construction impacts on traffic and access. Some suggestions to use low-maintenance designs in less busy areas.

Columbia Heights, Hilltop, & Fridley

The engagement process for the Columbia Heights, Hilltop, and Fridley areas of the Central Ave. project focused on gathering input through a range of activities. These included an in-person public meeting with 93 attendees; 3 business meetings; and 2 City Council presentations to hear directly from local stakeholders. To expand outreach, 5,368 postcards were sent to ensure residents and businesses were aware of the project and opportunities to participate.

Key themes and insights:
  • Traffic management and flow: Concerns about congestion and a need for effective design solutions, such as alternatives to roundabouts, to manage traffic flow.
  • Safety for pedestrians and cyclists: Strong support for safety measures like wider sidewalks, bike lanes, flashing crosswalks, and speed reductions to improve visibility and reduce risks.
  • Public transit and bus infrastructure: Advocacy for reliable bus rapid transit (BRT) and better integration with pedestrian and cycling pathways.
  • Community and local business impact: Desire for a vibrant, walkable environment that supports local businesses while addressing concerns about gentrification.
  • Environmental considerations: Calls for more greenery, including trees and landscaping, to improve aesthetics and provide environmental benefits.
  • Bicycle infrastructure: Support for expanded cycling options, such as separated bike lanes and safer crossings, to encourage sustainable transport.
  • Design and aesthetics: A preference for designs that reflect the area's cultural character and create a “main street” feel rather than a highway-like atmosphere.
  • Mixed views on roundabouts: Some favor roundabouts and understand how to use them, whether as drivers, pedestrians, or bicyclists. Others are unsure about roundabouts due to unfamiliarity and believe that more education is needed. Meanwhile, some are against roundabouts, arguing that they cause confusion.
  • Concerns about construction impacts: Fears about disruptions to traffic, access, and property values during construction, with calls for clear communication and mitigation strategies.

The Central Ave. improvements project will continue with Phase 3 in 2025, marking an exciting milestone in the project’s development. During Phase 3, the project team will conduct another round of community outreach and engagement, providing an opportunity for residents, businesses, and stakeholders to review and provide input on design options. These designs will reflect the valuable feedback gathered during Phase 2, ensuring the project aligns with the community’s priorities and vision for a safer, more accessible, and vibrant Central Ave.