The City of Minneapolis is embarking on a transformative project to re-envision transit routes and the future of Nicollet Mall, the region’s busiest transit corridor. This initiative seeks to address long-standing challenges with transit speed, reliability, and safety while enhancing the overall downtown experience.
Moving Transit Off Nicollet Mall: A Strategic Shift
In partnership with Metro Transit, the City has developed three potential options for altering transit routes downtown. The overarching goal is to maintain or improve the quality of transit service currently offered on Nicollet Mall while addressing key issues such as:
- Enhancing design and safety measures
- Expanding sidewalk widths for pedestrian comfort
- Incorporating or revising bikeway designs
- Improving transit speed and reliability
- Assessing and mitigating impacts on traffic, transit riders, curbside usage, and property access
Why This Matters: Background and Vision
While Nicollet Mall serves as a central hub for transit in the region, its current services are among the slowest and least reliable. To address this, the City adopted the Transportation Action Plan in December 2020, a community-informed roadmap that emphasizes improved transit reliability.
Additionally, the Vibrant Downtown Storefronts Workgroup, formed by Mayor Jacob Frey in 2022, proposed exploring Nicollet Mall as a pedestrian zone and reconsidering transit routes as strategies to revitalize downtown storefronts. These recommendations are central to this project, aligning with the City’s goal of creating a vibrant, accessible, and efficient urban core.
Get Involved: Shape the Future of Downtown Transit
Community engagement is a critical component of this initiative. Residents, workers, and visitors are encouraged to share their insights and priorities through multiple channels:
- Virtual Open House
- Date: Tuesday, January 21
- Time: 12:00 – 1:30 PM
- Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
- Access: Meeting link available on the project website. Recording available starting January 28.
- Evening Open House
- Date: Wednesday, January 22
- Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
- Location: Minneapolis Central Library (300 Nicollet Mall)
- Mid-Day Open House
- Date: Tuesday, January 28
- Time: 12:00 – 1:30 PM
- Location: IDS Crystal Court (717 Nicollet Mall)
- Online Survey
- Deadline: January 31
- Survey Link: Help shape the future of transit
Stay informed and engaged by visiting the project webpage or signing up for updates.
A Downtown That Works for All
The re-envisioning of Nicollet Mall and downtown transit is an opportunity to create a more vibrant, efficient, and welcoming environment for everyone. Join the conversation and help shape the future of Minneapolis transit.
This is all a joke and waste of funds, and will be until we get businesses and employees filling empty seats and office space in downtown Minneapolis. You can’t build a plan otherwise without the most important element to making it work. The market is completely out of line with itself, and Minneapolis would be smart to put a five year cap on all commercial rents and taxes within the CBD. (PS – #1 should be to remove all the skyways throughout the CBD)