Mayor Jacob Frey and Director Margaret A. Kelliher,

We, the undersigned, strongly urge you to HALT the Hennepin Avenue reconstruction project between downtown and uptown as part of the upcoming budget process. Proceeding with the current plan would be a costly mistake for Hennepin Ave.

While we acknowledge the need for a significant update to this crucial corridor, we have concerns that the current plan does not align with the current needs of our community. The reliance on outdated 2018 data during the planning process fails to account for the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The exclusive reliance on online public comment during the pandemic restrictions presented challenges in ensuring fair and effective public engagement. Moreover, it became apparent that certain advocacy groups exerted significant influence over the process, potentially extending their reach beyond Minneapolis. It is crucial to establish a transparent and inclusive local public participation process that actively involves Minneapolis businesses and residents.

Before permanently transforming the area, we urge you to reconsider the necessity of a dedicated busway, especially with the upcoming Light Rail Transit (LRT) located less than a mile away, providing an alternative for people travelling from the Southwest to Downtown, similar to the proposed/planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).

We also question the need for a separate, versus shared bikeway on this corridor, with a commuter bikeway just a few blocks east on Bryant Avenue and a parkway a few blocks west along Lake of the Isles, both of which offer efficient and safe routes for bike commuters and local riders.

Furthermore, while $1.24 million was invested in transit planning, zero dollars were allocated to studying how to support a vital and healthy commercial corridor. The negative consequences of removing parking can be seen between Lagoon Avenue and 31st Street along Hennepin Avenue, where it resulted in the destruction of a once thriving retail strip in our community. Extending that dead zone for another mile should be reconsidered. The current plan appears to perpetuate that trend.

It is evident that the roadway requires updates, but the current plans fail to address the present uses and needs of our community. We implore you to PLEASE HALT THIS PROJECT so a better plan can be developed that is fair and equitable for everyone—residents, local businesses, commuters, visitors, and the broader Minneapolis community.