In preparation for their pending reconstruction of Central Avenue, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has formed a Visual Quality Advisory Committee (VQAC).
Seth Stattmiller, owner of Recovery Bike Shop, 2504 Central Ave. NE, was selected to represent both Central Avenue and the Arts District. This comes in the wake of his work to promote an “Art Walk,” a reimagining of Central Avenue that populates its Northeast stretch with art.
The VQAC welcome packet lists 15 members. 7 community members were also present at the meeting. Stattmiller said “it appeared more than half of the people in attendance were government employees” from Minneapolis, Hennepin County and Metro Transit.
Also in the room were a dozen MnDOT project staff and consultants from Kimley-Horn, a design and planning firm that frequently partners with MnDOT.
The committee’s priorities
Stattmiller said the VQAC meetings are focused on “safety,” “draw” and “dwell.”
“Safety,” in this instance, refers to reducing threats posed by automobiles, reducing their speeds and quieting traffic. “Draw” refers to supporting businesses and other organizations on Central Avenue. This would be done, in part, by putting art and green space in the corridor to make it safer and more inviting to pedestrians.
The third idea, “dwell,” is aimed at giving residents, workers and visitors a reason to spend more time on Central Avenue. If successful, this could translate into businesses having additional customers, more residents having eyes on the street and more opportunities for community engagement.
The VQAC group arrived at the following vision statement for Central.
“Avenue as destination: a place, activated by people, that celebrates the Arts District, our local businesses, and the greater community.”
A path forward
According to their website, MnDOT aims to “connect and serve all people through a safe, equitable and sustainable transportation system.” Stattmiller believes an art walk would be an “excellent program” to support that mission.
But, said Stattmiller, “It is unclear if (the) Art Walk is a priority for MnDOT.” Northeast residents have sent more than a thousand emails about the subject to their representatives. City Council members Elliott Payne and Michael Rainville have both signed on to the concept. Neighborhood associations are on board. The Hennepin County Active Transportation Committee, which “advises, promotes and expands opportunities for safe and convenient bicycling, walking and rolling for transportation, commuting and recreation,” has backed the Art Walk.
But Stattmiller said MnDOT “continues to be coy.” Art walk advocates are asking for more sidewalk space than what the plans currently offer. That extra space, Stattmiller says, would make an art walk possible.
“The current plan for Central Avenue… preserves 60 feet of pavement for cars,” Stattmiller says. “There is 40 feet left over for two sidewalks, two bike lanes, two boulevards and various utility strips. Where does the art walk come from? If MnDOT would allow 2 and one-half more feet to be deducted from the car lanes — that’s 6 inches per car lane — keeping the (saved space) on the west side boulevard (would allow for) an art walk.”
In the next few months, there will be three more meetings about the Central Avenue redesign.