Hennepin County to transform Hiawatha Ave. from bleak to appealing

County working on landscape plan that will feature a taller and fuller tree canopy, more plants

Existing shrubs and plants will be removed and replanted over the next few years, with the specimens in the worst condition removed first and trees in good condition left. Perennials, trees and shrubs will then fill in over several years, and there won’t be a time when the area looks even bleaker because a clear-cut was done.

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN

Hiawatha Ave. will soon be a bit prettier as well as more pedestrian friendly.

Hennepin County is working on a plan to improve the landscape along the corridor between 32nd and 46th Streets.

“Hiawatha Ave. is the gateway to Minneapolis for people coming into the city from the airport,” said Robb Luckow of Hennepin County Housing, Community Works, & Transit. “The corridor should welcome people to Minneapolis and to our neighborhoods.”

AMUR MAPLES TO BE REPLACED WITH MORE AND BIGGER TREES

Right now, there are about 400 amur maples located in the boulevards of the road. “The current trees are mature, and at a maximum height of 20 feet, do not fit the grand scale of the corridor,” said Luckow.

“According to our assessment, more than a quarter of the trees are in poor or very poor condition, and many of the rest are reaching their natural life span. There are also significant gaps where trees have been removed and not replaced. In addition, the medians contain some shrubs, but little else.”

This restoration plan seeks to create a more fully developed tree canopy that will provide shade for people on the multi-use trail and people walking to the LRT stations. The number and diversity of trees will be increased. “Trees can help reduce air pollution and improve air quality along Hiawatha Ave.,” pointed out Luckow.

While trees are the main focus of this plan, designers are also looking at opportunities for ground level plantings in key areas. “The project proposed groups of plantings (in 100-300 foot long sections) along the corridor, targeting areas that currently lack tree cover and areas of high visibility,” said Luckow.

Planners are also looking at how stormwater management can be improved in the area, and rain gardens are being considered for 35th, 38th and 42nd.

What types of plants will be used? A mix of native, cultivars of natives, and non-native plantings that can withstand a harsh urban environment have been proposed. Options include large trees such as bur oaks, red maples, honeylocust and hybrid elms; as well as small trees such as crabapples, serviceberry, and Japanese tree lilac. Possible shrubs include autumn fire sedum, daylillies, prairie dropseed and chokeberry. All plants used must be able to tolerate the harsh conditions of the corridor, fit the scale and aesthetics of the area, and require minimal maintenance.  Existing trees in good condition will remain.

The project area includes the median, the boulevards on the east and west side of Hiawatha, and the area between the sidewalk/trail and the LRT fence. The project does not include the berm/area west of the LRT line.

COUNTY CONSIDERS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

A maintenance strategy for the corridor is part of the plan. Following comments at two public meetings on the landscape plan held in December 2013, planners are investigating partnerships with other community groups and volunteer organizations.

Currently, trees are maintained by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board forestry department. Grass mowing is done by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

‘PEOPLE ARE EXCITED’

“The plans look great!” said Standish resident Minke Sundseth.

“The plan was well presented and everyone agrees that we are happy to have some attention paid to this gateway to our neighborhood,” said Hiawatha resident Deb Reierson.

“People are excited that this project would make the corridor a more attractive, appealing, and hospitable place for people –versus the bleakness of the current corridor,” said Luckow.

Funding for the project has not yet been designated. Pending funding and approvals, planting could begin in spring 2014, coinciding with other improvements to pedestrian crossings at 32nd, 38th, 42nd, and 46th streets. The project is being designed as a “restoration” so that plantings can be phased in over several years as the existing trees deteriorate, according to Luckow. “This will give the perennials, trees and shrubs time to adjust and grow to fill in without doing a clear cut and waiting several years for it to look good,” added Reierson.

For more information, go to: www.minnehaha-hiawatha.com

Find original story at:
http://www.longfellownokomismessenger.com/hennepin-county-to-transform-hiawatha-ave-from-bleak-to-appealing/

Safe pedestrian crossings goal of Hiawatha Avenue project

Minnehaha-Hiawatha Community Works focuses on pedestrian/bicyclist safety at 32nd St., 38th St. and 46th St.

by Tesha M. Christensen

Frustrated crossing Hiawatha Avenue either on foot or on bike? You’re not alone.

After learning this is a safety concern of local residents, Minneahaha-Hiawatha Community Works (MHCW) began working to do something about it.

The plan is to target three intersections: 32nd St., 38th St., and 46th St. A number of changes will be made, according to Robb Luckow of Community Works.

The timing of lights will be adjusted so that people have more time to cross the wide street. Federal standards have recently changed, and these new recommendations will be followed. This project will tie into the traffic signal changes that will be done this year to help traffic flow better.

The area between the north and south lane will be widened so that those who haven’t had time to cross will have enough space to safely wait for the next opportunity.

Bump-outs will be added to not only make motorists more visibly aware of pedestrians and bicyclists, but also to narrow the width of the crossings so that it doesn’t take as long.

Several of the crosswalks are crooked; these will be straightened out and widened. The intersections will also be upgraded to meet standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Luckow acknowledged that often people aren’t using the intersections to get to the light rail transit stations, particularly at the 46th Street station where the station is located north of the intersection. The hope is that when the intersection is improved, people will walk down there to cross because it will be much safer and more convenient.

“Biking on Hiawatha is not a pleasant experience not only from the high speed traffic, but the way cars stop and enter from the side streets,” observed DeWayne Townsend, co-chair of the Longfellow Community Council Environment and Transportation Committee.  “Cars block bike lanes by pulling out to far and turn without looking for bikes.” He added that all the intersections are dangerous because of the high traffic on Hiawatha but he thinks the higher bike and pedestrian usage at the LRT stops make 38th and 46th the most likely to have an accident.

“Anything that improves pedestrian use and safety is a good thing,” observed Longfellow Community Council (LCC) Executive Director Melanie Majors. She noted that the biggest complaint she hears from residents is the traffic timing at the lights on Hiawatha.

Townsend believes that when the timing on the lights is changed, it will cut down on folks crossing against the light because they are tired of waiting.

“If the changes bring about the improvements that are expected it will significantly improve transportation in and out of the community,” Townsend stated.

The success of commercial and residential development is closely tied to whether people can get around by bike, car or foot, Majors pointed out. If people can’t access an area, they won’t go there. She applauded the county for pre-planning rather than treating pedestrian improvements as an afterthought, especially in light of the pedestrian safety concerns that will come this year with the new commercial/residential development on the southeast side of the 38th/Hiawatha intersection.

“Hennepin County is essentially heading those off by moving on the pedestrian improvements,” Majors said.

In mid-March, Hennepin County, Longfellow Community Council, the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization, and Standish-Ericsson Neighborhood Association hosted three open houses to talk about recommendations to improve pedestrian crossings along Hiawatha Avenue.

The next step for Community Works is to identify potential funding sources to implement this project. According to Luckow, the total cost will be $500,000.

Once the funds are obtained, the work will begin.

WHAT IS COMMUNITY WORKS?

A project of Hennepin County, Minnehaha-Hiawatha Community Works collaborates closely with the city of Minneapolis, Met Transit and the Minnesota Department of Transportation -- all the entities that have jurisdiction along Hiawatha. “It’s a nice partnership between these four organizations,” Luckow stated.

The pedestrian improvement project is one of 16 projects laid out in the MHCW Strategic Investment Framework that was recently adopted by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners. These infrastructure investments aim to:

•  Improve the ability to walk, bike, drive, and travel to and through the corridor;

• Support business vitality and job creation;

• Create a diverse set of housing, commercial, and employment opportunities to serve the community;

• Enhance the sense of community while honoring its history; and,

• Promote environmental sustainability.

There are several positions open on the steering committee, which will oversee implementation of these projects. For more information, contact Robb Luckow at 612.348.9344 or Robb.luckow@co.hennepin.mn.us.

The project area includes 28th Street south to Minneahaha Creek. The three intersections where changes will be made to improve pedestrian safety were identified as the top priority by residents at a variety of meetings over several years. Input was gathered at the Midtown Farmer’s Market, LCC annual meeting, Longfellow corn feed, light rail stations, door-to-door, and via the web site.

“People are looking forward to the opportunity to make changes in the area,” stated Luckow.

 This story printed in the April edition of the Longfellow/Nokomis Messenger.