Lyndale Reconstruction Task Force
Lyndale Reconstruction Project Rescheduled for 2008 Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman announced that the Lyndale Avenue reconstruction project (31st Street to the Minnehaha Creek) has been delayed for a year. Since the cost of the lighting enhancement project, which will introduce pedestrian level lighting to Lyndale Avenue, was based on the road being rebuilt, it also will be delayed a year. Commissioner Dorfman cited additional time being required by City traffic engineers to address design challenges at the 50th and Lyndale intersection as the reason for the delay. The full text of Commission Dorfman’s announcement sent to affected property owners is provided below.
The Commissioner has told us that she is committed to preserving the streetscape elements overwhelmingly supported by Lyndale Avenue property owners. Commissioner Dorfman will be at the East Harriet Neighborhood Association's May 2nd meeting to talk about the project's next steps and answer your questions.
Gail Dorfman Letter to Lyndale Avenue Residents:
Dear Lyndale Avenue Neighbor: A decade ago, residents of the neighborhoods along Lyndale Avenue came together to develop a plan for the future of this corridor. The original 1997 report, "Lyndale Avenue: A Vision", has been the guiding document as the city, county, and neighborhoods worked together over the past few years to flesh out design details around such elements as lighting, landscaping, and streetscape improvements. Many of you have been involved in this process, and I thank you for your participation. We have all been eager to see this road reconstruction project finally underway, so it is with deep regret that I must inform you that it is going to take yet another year before we can begin the construction. We had been proceeding with the understanding that bids would be let early this year, with construction set to begin in May of this year. County staff recently informed me that several delays make it impossible to begin as planned. I want to stress that the Lyndale Avenue reconstruction project is not in jeopardy. Steps are being taken to resolve remaining issues, and our commitment to implementing the neighborhood vision for the future of this corridor remains firm. The outstanding issues that remain relate to agreements with the City of Minneapolis around traffic signal locations and engineering of the 50th and Lyndale intersection. City staff are taking the lead on these issues. Once they have completed their evaluation, the city and county will sponsor a meeting for area residents to explain the final details of the Lyndale Avenue plan. Also included will be a review of the adjusted design for the 3100 block. Once the city has finished their evaluation and we've received public input, the revised Lyndale Avenue corridor layout will go to the City Council for ratification. Following Council ratification, city staff will begin the special assessment process to inform property owners along Lyndale of their assessment costs. These steps must all be completed before the county can accept construction bids. Again, I regret this delay. Having come this far, we want to ensure we get it right. I ask for your continued patience as we work through the remaining steps to bring the Lyndale Avenue project to fruition. As always, feel free to contact me with your questions or concerns.
Sincerely, Gail Dorfman Hennepin County Commissioner 612-348-7883
40th & Lyndale Avenue Area Task Force
Great City Design Team - 40th & Lyndale Selected
The 40th & Lyndale Task Force is proud to have been one of five groups selected to participate in the Mayor’s Great City Design Team initiative. This allows us to add urban architecture, landscape and design expertise to our community-driven process for charting the future of this business node. Our November 15th Community Forum was the first step in this process. Participation in the Great City Design Team will help us gather further community input and refine the ideas that came out of the Community Forum.
We will be sending out more specifics on the next steps in this process after we meet with the Great City Design Team representative assigned to our project in January.
The 40th & Lyndale Task Force would like to thank Council Member Elizabeth Glidden, Council Member Ralph Remington, the East Harriet Farmstead Neighborhood Association and the Kingfield Neighborhood Association for their letters supporting our Great City Design Team application.
Great CIty Design Team Press Release
Questions and Comments about 40th & Lyndale