Public insight needed on City projects

Area residents and businesses will have an opportunity to view proposed street layouts, streetscaping amenities and progress on detailed design plans for the next leg of reconstructing Lake Street in South Minneapolis—from Hiawatha Avenue east to the Mississippi River.

The public is invited to an open house on the reconstruction project on Wed. Oct. 19 at Brackett Park, 2738 39th Ave. South. Phase one of the Lake Street reconstruction project is currently under way between 5th and 14th Avenues, and construction of the east segment will begin in April 2006. For more information, call 763-745-7500.

A public hearing on the 38th Street Station area plans will be held on Mon., Nov. 14 at 4:30 p.m. in Room 317 of Minneapolis City Hall. To view the area plan, visit the Department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) website at http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/citywork/light-rail/38th-home.asp. Information on where to find paper copies of the plan (for those with slower internet connections).

Following the open house of the 38th Street Station plan last year, the City hired URS Corp. to help refine the plan, with the goal of creating a strong sense of place, and of managing traffic in the area.

Focussing on the larger picture of overall transportation issues in the community, the City will host three workshops to give the public an opportunity to share its ideas on transportation challenges facing Minneapolis. The workshops will provide an overview of the City’s 10-year Transportation Action Plan—one that addresses a full range of transportation options and issues, including pedestrians, bicycles, transit, automobiles and freight.

Preregistration for the workshops is not required, but participants are encouraged to arrive on time. The workshop schedule is as follows:

Wed., Oct. 19—Butler Square Bldg., 1st floor conference room A and B, 100 N. Sixth St., 5 to 7 p.m.

Wed., Oct. 26—Keewaydin Recreation Center, 3000 53rd St. E., 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.