Category: Planning

The reality and myth of the Minneapolis 2040 plan

The Minneapolis 2040 plan is back in the news, but not for fun reasons. Last week, a Hennepin County district court judge ordered the City of Minneapolis to stop implementing that groundbreaking comprehensive plan until the city could demonstrate that it complied with state environmental legislation. The plan, which was adopted over three years ago, […]

Minneapolis 2040’s First Real Test: 635 Van Buren Street NE

The Minneapolis 2040 Plan was a true accomplishment and vision for more housing, reducing inequity and improving sustainability. It set the stage for many other cities and states across the country to push for and succeed in adopting new, denser zoning laws. For the first time since its 12-1 passage, that Plan is now being […]

Metropolitan Opera House and Palace Court, 1914

No Use for a Name: The Untold Story of Alley Identity and Utility in Minneapolis’ Palace Court

(The photograph above, showing the Metropolitan Opera House and Palace Court, was taken by C.J. Hubbard in 1914, Minnesota Historical Society) Historical and contemporary Minneapolis is not particularly known for its public alleys. They have served a more discreet role in the lives of Minneapolitans, unsung for getting private vehicles off city streets. Of course, […]

The Hillcrest Master Plan is Pretty Solid

“We should use these big opportunities to do big things.” The redevelopment of the Hillcrest site on St. Paul’s East Side is a unique opportunity to build homes, create jobs, and connect the neighborhood.

Ariel shot of an expansive parking lot containing several hundred cars.

National Links: The True Cost of Cars

New research in Germany shows how expensive cars really are – the lifetime cost of a small car is $689,000 with a public expense of $275,000, say the researchers.

Last Chance for Hennepin Ave S Reconstruction Comments!

It’s Hennepin Week here on streets.mn and I am here to remind you that your voice does, in fact, matter! The deadline for comments on Hennepin Reconstruction is 1/28 (that’s today!), and we need everyone who cares about building better and safer streets to submit a comment! We know the voices complaining about car storage […]