The North Loop is one of the most vibrant and active neighborhoods in Minneapolis. In 2000, the population of the North Loop was just 1,500 people; it is now around 8,000. Thousands of additional people visit the North Loop daily, yet the infrastructure has not changed. Washington Avenue North is still designed to accommodate its industrial past and, as those historical uses have declined in favor of residential growth, it now facilitates high speeds and other dangerous driving behaviors.

We cannot wait any longer for safety improvements to this urban neighborhood’s main thoroughfare. Hennepin County must create a reasonable temporary solution to ease vehicle speeds on Washington Avenue North until the planned bus rapid transit redesign is implemented in 2029.

We are asking Hennepin County to install pedestrian safety measures with temporary or reusable infrastructure such as:

·         Pedestrian refuges

·         Pedestrian crossing lights

·         Traffic lights

·         Curb bump outs and chicanes

·         Additional painted crosswalks