If We Want a Shift to Walking, We Need to Prioritize Dignity
To make walking and rolling a desirable, everyday activity, we need facilities that are compliant, safe and dignified.
Author: Sean Hayford Oleary
MnDOT Completes Rethinking I-94 Process, Announces Spot Mobility Improvements for 23 Miles
MnDOT announces strategic spot mobility improvement for Interstate 94, from Brooklyn Center to Maplewood.
Menards Announces New “Live. Work. Save Big Money” Concept
Golden Valley, Minn — following in the footsteps of other lifestyle brands, Wisconsin-based Menard, Inc. has announced ambitious plans to expand its home improvement stores into mixed-use lifestyle centers. “Live. Work. Save Big Money.” is the co-living concept to integrate luxury apartments with everyday low prices on popular brands. Following market trends Although Menards Living […]
For Lyndale, The Time is Now
Last night, I attended a listening session for Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis, focused on the serious safety issues between Lake Street and Franklin Avenue. The event was organized by the county commissioner for the area, Marion Greene. Dozens of neighbors spoke about their experiences walking, driving, and biking on Lyndale. The neighbors covered a lot […]
MnDOT to Combat Dangerous Scourge of ‘Distracted Walking’ at Mall of America
April 1, Bloomington — The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has announced an exciting new effort in its campaign to fight the dangerous epidemic of distracted walking, by targeting one of the metro area’s most dangerous areas for distracted pedestrians: the Mall of America. “Distracted driving claims thousands of lives each year,” noted MnDOT Commissioner […]
Join the streets.mn Board to Keep Moving the Conversation Forward
As Bill Lindeke noted a couple of weeks ago, the streets.mn board needs you to apply to join us! I have served on the board for the last year, after several years of reading, commenting, and contributing. It has been an amazing opportunity to help shape and support an organization I love, and to use […]
Penn & 66th is the best small business district in Richfield. Why replace it?
Last spring, at a voter forum for Richfield’s west-side Council seat, there were a number of questions about the mid-century commercial development that lines Penn Avenue between the Crosstown and 68th Street. Voters and candidates spoke of “tired” buildings, non-conforming sites, and inadequate parking. These questions about Penn Avenue seem to come up in every […]
Neighbors Embrace New Oil Refinery for Ford Site
St. Paul, Minnesota — residents of the Highland Park neighborhood have been struggling for months against an outrageous proposal to redevelop the Ford Site with business, homes, and public green space. Today, Neighbors for a Livable St. Paul announced the results of their successful campaign to preserve neighborhood character. Instead of unsightly urban apartment homes, the industrial legacy […]
Cars (Alone) Can’t Sustain Interstate 494
I spend a lot of time thinking about the 494 strip. I work out of a coworking space near 494 and 100, and live less than a mile north of the highway in Richfield. As a Richfield planning commissioner, I have seen many projects revolve around 494 visibility and access. On a broader level, Richfield has ambitious goals […]
The Orange Line Defunding is a Crisis for Hennepin County
Residents of South Minneapolis, Richfield, and Bloomington got some very bad news last week. In response to a move by Dakota County to leave the Counties Transit Improvement Board, CTIB is considering withdrawing its funding for the Orange Line Bus Rapid Transit. The Orange Line would be the metro’s first true bus rapid transit line, […]