Strategy 2 Foster vibrant public spaces for street life.
The actions within this strategy are divided into two categories:
Action we will DOActions we will SUPPORTAction we will do are followed by “DO” and are colored in dark gray, and actions we will support are followed by “SUPPORT” and are colored in light gray.
Learn more about how we get thereStreets are spaces where people travel through but also where people gather, meet, socialize, and speak up as a part of our democracy. This strategy aims to create more attractive places within the public right of way that are inviting, that encourage people to linger and enjoy the city where they live, work or play. Many initiatives that support people enjoying public space also have multiple benefits, for example, added greenery helps contain stormwater and can treat stormwater through water purification naturally before entering the city’s waterways.
Actions to foster vibrant public spaces for street life.
Design 2.1
Create a Minneapolis Plaza Program to convert underused street space for pedestrians, greening and green infrastructure using guidance from the plaza standards in the Minneapolis Zoning Code.
Supported goals:
Climate Prosperity Active Partnerships
Related actions:
Difficulty:
Medium
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Design 2.2
Revamp the existing courtesy bench program (Minneapolis Ordinance 283) and create a new request process for installing benches and potentially other street furniture.
Supported goals:
Equity Prosperity
Related actions:
Difficulty:
Medium
Timeframe:
2024-2027 (Years 4-7)
Design 2.3
Coordinate with the Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development Department to simplify the process to ‘paint the pavement’ through creative crosswalks, murals, and other art in the public right of way.
Supported goals:
Prosperity Active Partnerships
Related actions:
Difficulty:
Medium
Timeframe:
2024-2027 (Years 4-7)
Design 2.4
Establish the parklet and street café programs as permanent seasonal programs instead of pilot programs.
Supported goals:
Prosperity Active Partnerships
Related actions:
Difficulty:
Low
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Design 2.5
Explore opportunities for car-free streets, implement pilots, and make permanent improvements.
Supported goals:
Climate Safety Prosperity Mobility
Related actions:
Difficulty:
High
Timeframe:
2024-2027 (Years 4-7)
Design 2.6
Consolidate or eliminate existing curb cuts and minimize new curb cuts for vehicle access across sidewalks during street and development projects
Supported goals:
Safety Equity Mobility
Related actions:
Walking 7.1, Walking 7.2, Walking 7.3, Walking 7.4, Walking 7.5, Walking 7.6
Difficulty:
Medium
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
On-going
Design 2.7
Collaborate with community to develop and implement a long-term vision for the public infrastructure at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, including designs that are conducive to allowing space for a memorial to honor George Floyd.
Supported goals:
Equity Prosperity Active Partnerships
Related actions:
Difficulty:
Medium
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
See also actions:
- Walking 2.5
Covert slip lanes to community space - Bicycling 3
Neighborhood greenways - Bicycling 10.2
Open Streets Minneapolis is sustainable and evolves - Technology 3.1
Implement mobility hub network