Minneapolis, in partnership with the county, is leading a project to reconstruct Washington Avenue at Dowling Avenue North as part of the North Minneapolis Upper Harbor Redevelopment project. Improvements include traffic signal upgrades, accessible pedestrian signal installation, pedestrian ramp upgrades, bituminous surfacing, grading, and drainage. Installation of a two way-separated bikeway from Dowling to Lyndale avenues is also included in the project.

The city partnered with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board on extensive community engagement for the Upper Harbor Redevelopment project. Residents shared their thoughts and feedback on the redevelopment plan through online and in-person open houses, community meetings and events, and focus groups and conversations during the door-knocking campaign in the McKinley neighborhood. The project team continues to engage the community via the project website, emails, radio interviews, social media, print media and direct mailing campaigns.

Proposed Agreement PW 10-20-22 with Minneapolis states that the city will lead the project, develop the plan and specifications with county staff input, receive bids, and administer the contract. The county will participate in engineering and construction at a county cost not to exceed $370,000. After project completion, the city will maintain the improvements consistent with the current County of Hennepin/City of Minneapolis Road Maintenance Agreement.

County funding will be provided by CP 2183500 – Cost Participation & Partnerships 2019-2023 with expenses tracked in its associated subproject: CP 2194700 Cost Participation with Minneapolis for CSAH 152 Reconstruction. Construction is tentatively scheduled for 2023 with substantial completion in 2024.

Current Request: This request seeks authorization to negotiate and execute Agreement PW 10-20-22 with Minneapolis for cost participation and maintenance responsibilities for traffic signal replacement and bikeway construction on Washington Avenue, CP 2183500, at county cost not to exceed $370,000.

Impacts/Outcomes: This action supports the county’s Mobility 2040 goals, climate action and disparity reduction efforts by improving accessibility, mobility and safety in an area that includes relatively high percentages of no-vehicle households and people with limited mobility. These improvements will complement the Upper Harbor Redevelopment project.