Author: Peter Schmitt

Peter Schmitt

Peter Schmitt lives in the Lowry Hill East ("Wedge") neighborhood with his wife in the attic unit of an 1893 triplex that they own. Together, they are working to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible, including building a net zero energy passive house behind the triplex. Peter is a year round biker and pedestrian. Professionally, Peter works around the country as a solar developer.

A map of South Lyndale Avenue's parking utilization. Source: Hennepin County

Reimagining Lyndale Avenue’s Underutilized Space

Peter Schmitt • February 19, 2024

Most of Lyndale Avenue’s right of way is devoted to cars. An upcoming reconstruction is the perfect time to reimagine this as a space for people.

Pre-register to Speak: PWI Committee Meeting on Hennepin Ave S

Peter Schmitt • May 12, 2022

Pre-register to speak at Public Works & Infrastructure (PWI) Committee’s Hennepin Avenue public hearing.

Final Countdown: E Line Comment Reminder

Peter Schmitt • April 6, 2022

Care about the future of transit on the route 6 corridor? This Friday is your final chance to submit your comments on the E Line BRT route! Last chance to get your comments in about stop locations (move the southbound 43rd and Upton Station back to the far/south side of the intersection to improve timing), […]

Hennepin For People – Mass Fun Ride Delivers

Peter Schmitt • September 29, 2021

Joy. Pure joy. Community. Safety. Relaxation. Riding down the middle of Hennepin Ave S, surrounded by 100 of my closest and/or newest friends. All ages, abilities, and an incredible array of bike types. We even had the first zero emission E Line bus join us on a bike trailer! Honestly, I haven’t felt this outside […]

You’re Invited! Mass Ride on Hennepin Ave with “Hennepin For People” and Greenway Glow on September 18th

Peter Schmitt • September 14, 2021

Short and quick: Come join Hennepin For People for a Mass Ride on Saturday September 18th, meeting at 4pm at Smith Triangle Park (by Temple Israel at 24th and Hennepin). There will be a decorating station if you want to make your ride flashier for the ride, the group will make one or two laps […]

Photo by Mareko Tamaleaa on Unsplash

Street Design Standards: Time for a Fresh Start in Minneapolis

Peter Schmitt • May 7, 2021

Road regulations and design standards often fail to take pedestrians into account. How can we change that?

Photo by Chris Barbalis on Unsplash

Near Side Signals: Thinking Outside the Pedestrian Box

Peter Schmitt • April 30, 2021

How often do you think about stoplights? Not just to acknowledge that the light is green or red or how many times the “Don’t Walk” hand on the pedestrian crosswalk counter has flashed so you know how long you have to cross, but the design and placement of that signal. (The red hand flashes 17 […]

Ridgedale Center photo from the parking lot.

Urban Parking, Suburban Style

Peter Schmitt • March 17, 2021

I recently attended an open house put on by the City of Minneapolis to discuss two options for the upcoming reconstruction of Hennepin Ave from Douglas to Lake Street. In a sign of progress on street design in Minneapolis, both designs reduce car traffic to a single lane to promote traffic calming and to provide space […]