Direct Design Assistance: Lake Street Pedestrian Planning, Minneapolis, MN, 2005

The area around the Lake Street LRT station has received a great deal of planning attention. However, the implications for pedestrian circulation to and around the station have not been clearly documented. The Design Center was asked to create a summary of the pedestrian elements proposed in the existing plans and come up with conceptual ideas for the pedestrian facilities around the Lake Street station.

The Design Center reviewed the existing plans for the Hi-Lake Station area and created an annotated map summarizing the pedestrian elements, a matrix that outlines pedestrian elements that are highlighted in the plans, and a map with conceptual ideas for pedestrian improvements in the Hi-Lake area.

The project documented five big ideas and two priority steps. These include:

Five Big Ideas

  1. Overall greening and lighting of the pedestrian realm to complement transit-oriented redevelopment.
  2. Upgrading Lake Street with wider sidewalks, street furniture, and new lights.
  3. The Hi-Lake Loop --walk/bike loop in a six by four block area.
  4. Public Art Axes--public art arrayed on two axes, along Hiawatha and along Lake. The key node is under the bridges.
  5. Under Bridge Pedestrian Improvements--initially provide a median island. Eventually realign road to get rid of islands along Lake Street and to "square off" the corners to slow traffic. Incorporate public art.

 Two Priority Steps

  • The Triangle to the west of the LRT station is a focus for developing public space and private, pedestrian-oriented, commercial activity.
  • The Lake Street frontage of the Target store needs interim beautification, assuming redevelopment will occur over the next decade.

The project represents 10-14 working days.

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Outcome: The design assistance process was used to help the neighborhoods and other stakeholders agree on a consensus plan. With foundation funding, a landscape architect and development consultant have continued working on the project, taking it to detailed design. It is expected that construction will occur.

Credits: Ann Forsyth and Katie Thering assisted by Nick Boettcher and Jorge Salcedo

 





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