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Direct Design Assistance: Prototype Downtown Low Impact Parking Lot, Minneapolis, 2004
In 2004 the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association applied for a grant from the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization to explore better surface parking lot design in downtown Minneapolis. The grant received preliminary approval pending selection of a case study site and further definition of what best practices would be implemented on the site. It was at this point that the Design Center was contacted through the Direct Design Assistance program to help explore directions the project might take.
Working with staff from the City of Minneapolis and Groundwork Minneapolis, the Design Center outlined current best practices for improving air quality, water quality, and the pedestrian environment through better parking lot design. Particular attention was given to revising the parking lot layout to decrease the area covered by impervious materials and to increase the amount of green space, all while retaining the current number of parking spaces. Minimizing the drive aisle widths and increasing the percentage of compact parking stalls to conform more exactly with the city code for parking lots, created a 15% increase in green space. A palette of options, such as rain gardens, planting beds for canopy trees, and alternative paving materials were also explored.
These ideas were presented to a working group that included representatives from the Star Tribune newspaper (owner of the case study site), City of Minneapolis, Groundwork Minneapolis, Minneapolis Downtown Council, and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. From these discussions the Design Center prepared two possible scenarios for further exploration by the team and area consultants.
This project drew on related work on the design of small urban parks taking account of social and ecological factors.
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