The Evolution of the Hennepin-Lyndale Commons

I gave this presentation to the Lowry Hill Neighborhood Association (LHNA) Annual Meeting in May 2014. Several people requested that it be made available to the general public, so I have created this brief overview for Streets.MN in anticipation of a Hennepin-Lyndale Reconstruction Project Open House Monday August 4th, 2014 at 6:30 PM at the Walker Art Center. Special thanks to the Minnesota Historical Society, Lowry Hill Neighborhood Association, Citizens for a Loring Park Community, area volunteers and designers, and countless professors and community ‘storytellers’ I’ve encountered over the years to put some semblance of a history of the corridor together. But I’m no historian–this is merely a volunteer’s effort to provide some historical context to and vision for the commons. The specifics of the Hennepin-Lyndale Reconstruction Project were covered by my co-presenter, the project consultant Jessica Laabs with Kimley-Horn.  I hope to see you at the open house!

Craig Wilson

About Craig Wilson

Craig Wilson is a Principal and Managing Partner at Sustology where he focuses on creating sustainable solutions for clients. Mr. Wilson brings sixteen years of experience in sustainable development and consulting. He has developed sustainable solutions for clients ranging from major metropolitan environmental policies to corporate sustainability strategies to major renewable energy and green infrastructure projects—both improving the environment as well as his client’s bottom line. Prior to Sustology, he pioneered work across six continents in commercial real estate finance. Mr. Wilson has proven great leadership and creativity in developing practical results in the private, public and nonprofit sectors. Mr. Wilson is adjunct faculty at the University of Minnesota College of Design, Past President of the American Society of Landscape Architecture (ASLA) Minnesota Chapter, a member of the American Planners Association (APA) and is a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP). He is also affirmed by the Minnesota State Supreme Court as a certified neutral alternative dispute resolution mediator under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice for the District Courts, specializing in environmental and land use issues. B.A. Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature University of Minnesota, magna cum laude M.L.A. Master of Landscape Architecture University of Minnesota, cum laude M.U.R.P. Master of Urban and Regional Planning University of Minnesota, cum laude Certificate in Metropolitan Design Metropolitan Design Center Certified Training Program Certificate Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)