Hennepin Ave should NOT be considered a 'pass through ' street. The reconstruction design will murder this community for residents who work and shop and visitors who travel to Uptown for the unique small businesses and restaurants. Disabled and elderly are completely ignored. Also, delivery services that keep businesses running.
What on earth are the motives in the murder of killing off an already hurting community? Listen to the people you serve!
Not one bike is pictured in these articles on the street or parked. People walk everywhere. People drive for various reasons. Delivery is used much more by everyone than it was used when this uninformed plan was developed. The first phase has been a failure as stated by many different sources. The plan needs to be reconsidered .
As a multimodal transportation user, I typically avoid Hennepin Ave because it's current design is extremely unsafe to walk or bike or access businesses, and all of the car traffic makes it unappealing to spend time there. I have an old Cafe Meow gift certificate going unused because of this. I am really excited for the redesign, especially the dedicated bus lane and safer bike way, to prioritize HUMANS instead of CARS.
This past Monday I needed to get a key copied and was on my bike. I have to choose a route with less busy streets or busy streets with designated bike lanes, especially when there is snow on the ground because it's safer when I need to stop quick or go slow. I chose to go to Nicollet Hardware over Frattallone's on Hennepin because of the bike lane on Blaisdell and the less busy E/W streets even though Frattallone's is half a mile closer. I really want businesses to know that these are the kinda of considerations bikers like me are making when running errands, or choosing a place to meet up for lunch, or browsing for gifts, etc. I'm pumped about this redesign - Hennepin Ave has so many places I want to frequent and I'm excited to be able to add those options!
I'm really looking forward to the dedicated bus lanes. Giving different modes of moving along Hennepin space to do so conveniently and safely is important. We have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to envision the kind of dense urban business corridor we want in Uptown.
As someone who is getting older and less confident driving, I'm looking forward to being able to navigate Hennepin Ave. more safely on foot, bus, and bike. I'm tired of being forced into dependency on a personal car for transportation because other ways of getting around aren't safe or convenient. If we can't follow city policy and make reasonable changes to accommodate everyone in a neighborhood full of people like this one, our future is doomed.
I do all my commuting by bike and public transit, which means that I usually avoid Hennepin. Though biking on Hennepin is legal, it’s a very dangerous place with its current design. There are a number of Hennepin businesses I would like to visit more often, but Hennepin is such a mess that I usually go elsewhere. I love the new design — it will make spending time on Hennepin infinitely more appealing. Imagine sitting down at a restaurant patio on Hennepin and being able to actually hear the person sitting across from you!
The new design also aligns with the adopted climate goals of the city. We need to make taking transit, walking and biking a better option to meet our climate goals. I cannot wait to see this new design implemented.
I don't understand how people say Hennepin Ave is unsafe for walking. I've walked all of Uptown, and Lakes for years and dont find these streets unsafe at all. To the rider, EleniGB, who chose not to ride to Frattalones on Hennepin, why didn't you just ride up 1rst Ave to Greenway? I drive 1rst Ave, and Nicollet, daily and find they are all relatively tame traffic wise Also, Grand Ave is relatively tame. Those 3 streets have access to the Greenway, 26th St, and 28th St Bike Lanes. Or go over to Bryant Bike St, hop on Greenway, get off at Irving, ride north to 28th and go to Frattalones. Elizabeth C, your comment is catchy, yet misguided. Prioritize humans, whether they drive, bike, bus, or walk. You state "all the car traffic makes it unappealing to speed time there", yet, FOR YEARS, all the outside restaurant tables were filled with diners, people sat outside at Sebastian Joes, Green Mill, Nicos Tacos, Spyhouse, Isles Bun. And, sidewalks were also full of people walking around. I think many of these commentators do not live here, or they are anti Car activists who wills whatever makes Hennepin sound scary, uninviting, non inclusive, so they can win their goal of no personal vehicles in the city.
I am concerned that one day I’ll hit a biker while driving on city streets. I have witnessed many near-misses, all which could have been avoided if the biker didn’t need to choose between being on a sidewalk or a narrow strip between moving cars and parked cars. In these situations, people point out that the biker was wearing dark clothes or wasn’t taking an alternative route or that the driver wasn’t paying attention. What’s really to blame? Lack of safe infrastructure. I’ll appreciate the Hennepin redesign when I’m biking, but I’ll also appreciate it when I’m driving and there are no longer bikers “in the way”.
I bet 75% of the people who voted yes don’t live on or within a block of Hennepin, or even in the surrounding area. These pro-Hennepin Reconstruction Plan groups have been pushing it in other wards and neighborhoods because they can’t get enough support from the people who actually live here.
Sometimes "the people" don't know best. That's why we have leadership, who have an overview, a broader perspective. The businesses along Hennepin Avenue are vital to the city's economy. They draw people from St. Louis Park as well as south Minneapolis. Hennepin is also the major route for people from St. Louis Park and ****her to reach downtown as well. It has to work for traffic. More stoplights could be added to help pedestrians cross the street, or the kind with buttons to push when someone needs to cross. A median could possibly be added for those who need more time to cross. And that should be enough. It doesn't make sense to ride a bike on Hennepin Avenue if you don't need to, there are side streets galore to bypass the busyness. Be more sensible, people. Imposing bike lanes and bus lanes is just a political move that doesn't really make sense.
FLRoedl
Hennepin Ave should NOT be considered a 'pass through ' street. The reconstruction design will murder this community for residents who work and shop and visitors who travel to Uptown for the unique small businesses and restaurants. Disabled and elderly are completely ignored. Also, delivery services that keep businesses running.
What on earth are the motives in the murder of killing off an already hurting community? Listen to the people you serve!
Monday, January 17, 2022 Report this
CosmoCat
Not one bike is pictured in these articles on the street or parked. People walk everywhere. People drive for various reasons. Delivery is used much more by everyone than it was used when this uninformed plan was developed. The first phase has been a failure as stated by many different sources. The plan needs to be reconsidered .
Tuesday, January 18, 2022 Report this
ElizabethC
As a multimodal transportation user, I typically avoid Hennepin Ave because it's current design is extremely unsafe to walk or bike or access businesses, and all of the car traffic makes it unappealing to spend time there. I have an old Cafe Meow gift certificate going unused because of this. I am really excited for the redesign, especially the dedicated bus lane and safer bike way, to prioritize HUMANS instead of CARS.
Wednesday, January 19, 2022 Report this
EleniGB
This past Monday I needed to get a key copied and was on my bike. I have to choose a route with less busy streets or busy streets with designated bike lanes, especially when there is snow on the ground because it's safer when I need to stop quick or go slow. I chose to go to Nicollet Hardware over Frattallone's on Hennepin because of the bike lane on Blaisdell and the less busy E/W streets even though Frattallone's is half a mile closer. I really want businesses to know that these are the kinda of considerations bikers like me are making when running errands, or choosing a place to meet up for lunch, or browsing for gifts, etc. I'm pumped about this redesign - Hennepin Ave has so many places I want to frequent and I'm excited to be able to add those options!
Wednesday, January 19, 2022 Report this
Serafina
I'm really looking forward to the dedicated bus lanes. Giving different modes of moving along Hennepin space to do so conveniently and safely is important. We have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to envision the kind of dense urban business corridor we want in Uptown.
As someone who is getting older and less confident driving, I'm looking forward to being able to navigate Hennepin Ave. more safely on foot, bus, and bike. I'm tired of being forced into dependency on a personal car for transportation because other ways of getting around aren't safe or convenient. If we can't follow city policy and make reasonable changes to accommodate everyone in a neighborhood full of people like this one, our future is doomed.
Wednesday, January 19, 2022 Report this
tpmpls
I do all my commuting by bike and public transit, which means that I usually avoid Hennepin. Though biking on Hennepin is legal, it’s a very dangerous place with its current design. There are a number of Hennepin businesses I would like to visit more often, but Hennepin is such a mess that I usually go elsewhere. I love the new design — it will make spending time on Hennepin infinitely more appealing. Imagine sitting down at a restaurant patio on Hennepin and being able to actually hear the person sitting across from you!
The new design also aligns with the adopted climate goals of the city. We need to make taking transit, walking and biking a better option to meet our climate goals. I cannot wait to see this new design implemented.
Wednesday, January 19, 2022 Report this
TurnandfacetheChange
I don't understand how people say Hennepin Ave is unsafe for walking. I've walked all of Uptown, and Lakes for years and dont find these streets unsafe at all. To the rider, EleniGB, who chose not to ride to Frattalones on Hennepin, why didn't you just ride up 1rst Ave to Greenway? I drive 1rst Ave, and Nicollet, daily and find they are all relatively tame traffic wise Also, Grand Ave is relatively tame. Those 3 streets have access to the Greenway, 26th St, and 28th St Bike Lanes. Or go over to Bryant Bike St, hop on Greenway, get off at Irving, ride north to 28th and go to Frattalones. Elizabeth C, your comment is catchy, yet misguided. Prioritize humans, whether they drive, bike, bus, or walk. You state "all the car traffic makes it unappealing to speed time there", yet, FOR YEARS, all the outside restaurant tables were filled with diners, people sat outside at Sebastian Joes, Green Mill, Nicos Tacos, Spyhouse, Isles Bun. And, sidewalks were also full of people walking around. I think many of these commentators do not live here, or they are anti Car activists who wills whatever makes Hennepin sound scary, uninviting, non inclusive, so they can win their goal of no personal vehicles in the city.
Wednesday, January 19, 2022 Report this
Katherine
I am concerned that one day I’ll hit a biker while driving on city streets. I have witnessed many near-misses, all which could have been avoided if the biker didn’t need to choose between being on a sidewalk or a narrow strip between moving cars and parked cars. In these situations, people point out that the biker was wearing dark clothes or wasn’t taking an alternative route or that the driver wasn’t paying attention. What’s really to blame? Lack of safe infrastructure. I’ll appreciate the Hennepin redesign when I’m biking, but I’ll also appreciate it when I’m driving and there are no longer bikers “in the way”.
Saturday, January 22, 2022 Report this
ElliotF
I bet 75% of the people who voted yes don’t live on or within a block of Hennepin, or even in the surrounding area. These pro-Hennepin Reconstruction Plan groups have been pushing it in other wards and neighborhoods because they can’t get enough support from the people who actually live here.
Thursday, February 17, 2022 Report this
MinnieHaha
Sometimes "the people" don't know best. That's why we have leadership, who have an overview, a broader perspective. The businesses along Hennepin Avenue are vital to the city's economy. They draw people from St. Louis Park as well as south Minneapolis. Hennepin is also the major route for people from St. Louis Park and ****her to reach downtown as well. It has to work for traffic. More stoplights could be added to help pedestrians cross the street, or the kind with buttons to push when someone needs to cross. A median could possibly be added for those who need more time to cross. And that should be enough. It doesn't make sense to ride a bike on Hennepin Avenue if you don't need to, there are side streets galore to bypass the busyness. Be more sensible, people. Imposing bike lanes and bus lanes is just a political move that doesn't really make sense.
Sunday, July 17, 2022 Report this