Message from Council Member Kevin Reich

In May of this year Bicycling magazine named Minneapolis America’s best bike city. They singled out our more than 120 miles of bikeways, many bike amenities and strong, vibrant bicycling community as key factors in their designation.

It’s great to see our City acknowledged as a bicycling hotspot, but it doesn’t mean the job is done. Much work remains to enhance and increase our bikeways. As an example, 2010 and 2011 promise to be big years for Eastside bicycling. Five bike boulevard projects are coming our way – 5th Street NE and the 5th Street SE Bikeway, 22nd Avenue NE, the 18th Ave NE Bikeway and the President’s Bike Boulevard. These bikeways will employ a variety of curb and pavement changes, including landscaped traffic circles, lane striping, pedestrian lights, curb extensions and speed bumps. There will also be some innovative new technologies employed, such as bicycle counters and a new stoplight with bicycle signals. These projects will add approximately 10 new miles to Minneapolis’ bikeways.

Public input remains an essential piece of developing bicycle plans and policies. A draft of the Minneapolis Bicycle Master Plan was released a few weeks ago. This plan establishes goals, objectives, and benchmarks to improve safety and mobility for bicyclists and also increase the number of trips taken by bicycle. It’s available online at http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/bicycles/bicycle-plans.asp. The first of five public meetings was held at Edison High School on August 30.

If you were unable to attend that meeting, you can still make your voice heard by completing the online survey about the Draft plan at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MinneapolisBicycleMasterPlan.

New Bicycle & Pedestrian Connection in Northeast Minneapolis

A new trail crossing at New Brighton Blvd NE & Stinson Blvd NE became operational Friday, September 13th. This new crossing connects the Diagonal Trail (east of the intersection) to Minneapolis’ larger bicycle and pedestrian network and key NE Minneapolis destinations (west of the intersection).

This complex intersection required a unique solution to create a better connection for biking and walking. The solution is a more direct crossing through the middle of the intersection that is approximately 1/3 of the distance of previous routes (Figure 1). This dedicated bicycle and pedestrian crossing includes a pedestrian signal complete with countdown timer, and pending Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approval the crossing will soon include a bicycle signal, similar in appearance to the bicycle signal at 5th St NE & Broadway St NE.

How does this new crossing affect me?

Bicyclists and Pedestrians
To use the new crossing you must push the pedestrian button located on the signal post for this crossing, to make your presence known. The walk signal will not turn on unless you push the pedestrian button. You MUST WAIT for the walk signal to turn on and then proceed with caution using the new crossing.

Drivers
When the traffic signal is displaying the walk signal for bicyclists and pedestrians using the new crossing, drivers will have a red light at all legs of the intersection, with one exception – cars traveling north-bound on Stinson waiting to turn left onto southwest-bound New Brighton will receive a green left turn arrow at the same time bicyclists and pedestrians are using the new crossing (Figure 2).

When driving north-bound or south-bound on Stinson Blvd NE and preparing to turn right onto southwest-bound or northeast-bound New Brighton you will see a new sign posted. This sign reads “Turning Vehicles STOP for Pedestrians” (Figure 3).

You MUST STOP completely for all red lights when preparing to turn right, and must stop for pedestrians and bicyclists using the new crossing. You MUST STOP for pedestrians and bicyclists using the adjacent crosswalks when preparing to turn on green lights.

All Users
Always behave predictably and follow the rules of the road.

Third Avenue Bikeway is Open for Business

This September Council Member Reich, Mayor Hodges, bicycle advocates and City officials celebrated the opening of the Third Avenue Bikeway. This north-south bicycle connector represents an important piece of the City of Minneapolis' bicycle infrastructure, offering a safer and more direct route between Northeast and South Minneapolis. A protected Third Avenue Bikeway is identified in the Minneapolis Bicycle Master Plan.

The completed project will include new protected bike lanes between 1st Street S and 16th Street E, as well as landscaping and pedestrian improvements for the length of the corridor.

Message from Council Member Kevin Reich

Have you noticed that Central Avenue is in the midst of a transformation?

Over the past several months a number of properties have been bought, sold, spruced up and turned around while several new businesses have sprung up or are in the works. Some of these changes are the result of community action harnessed by the Northeast Investment Cooperative, which purchased two properties on Central. Others have arisen from collaborations between neighborhood organizations and property owners. But most of these changes have come from local businesses and business owners who see the economic opportunities Central Avenue offers. I hope the brief tour of the Avenue inside the newsletter encourages you to check out the many exciting things happening on Central Avenue in person.

I’d also like to remind you about the upcoming community meeting about the proposed Velodrome development on Central Avenue at Shoreham Yards. The meeting is Tuesday, October 8, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., at Columbia Manor, 3300 Central Avenue NE and offers a great opportunity to meet representatives from MN Cycling Center and learn about the facility they would like to bring to Northeast Minneapolis. Their exciting proposal for a world-class velodrome, BMX track, commuter facility, event center and educational programming would not only be a unique community amenity, but would also be a significant step forward in the redevelopment of Central Avenue as a whole.

Lastly, I’d like to point out the innovative new bicycle and pedestrian connection at Stinson and New Brighton Blvds NE. Made possible through a combination of City and Windom Park Citizens in Action (WPCiA) funds, this newly formatted intersection crossing should create a safer environment for both pedestrians and bicyclists by implementing a dedicated crossing with a pedestrian signal and countdown timer. Still to come is a bicycle signal. The improvements to this intersection will be a welcome amenity for bicyclists using the Diagonal Trail and connecting to the rest of Minneapolis’ bicycle infrastructure.

Shoreham Yards Velodrome Proposal Recap

A six-day international bicycle race got underway at the

Minneapolis Auditorium in 1936. Star Tribune photo from 

Minnesota Historical Society archives

In the 1920s and ‘30s Minneapolis was a regular stop on the Six Day bicycle racing circuit, with races held at the old Minneapolis Auditorium. MN Cycling Center (MNCC) would like to return the city to its cycling glory days, with a proposal for an indoor velodrome and event center located on 18 acres in Shoreham Yards, adjacent to Central Avenue NE.

Jason Lardy, president of MNCC, presented the non-profit’s vision for a bike-oriented sports center at a community meeting at Columbia Manor on Oct. 8. In addition to an indoor velodrome, a BMX track, event center, outdoor plaza incorporating the historic Roundhouse and retail spaces would be part of the overall concept. The organization sees the location at Shoreham Yards, in the heart of Northeast Minneapolis, as an ideal location to attract youth to their educational programming as well as to draw upon the history of transportation centered in that area. The large turnout of 70+ people for the meeting offered some indication of the interest this proposal has generated.

Lardy and his partners expect that the facility would carry a price tag in the neighborhood of $40 million and that if the plan moves forward, construction would be completed in 2017. They have not yet entered into negotiations with property owner Canadian Pacific, but wanted to present the idea to the public to gauge the community’s interest and potential questions and concerns first. For further information about MNCC and their proposal, visit www.mncyclingcenter.org.

Camden Bridge Work

The Camden Bridge, which is the 42nd Avenue North 37th Avenue NE crossing over the Mississippi River and Interstate 94, was built in 1975. The bridge has now deteriorated to the point that it is in need of repairs to maintain public safety and will be closing to traffic on April 15 for a complete rehabilitation. It will remain closed through approximately July. During that time period major structural work will be done, including replacing the expansion joints, the bridge deck, the drainage system, approach panels, vehicular crash railing, sidewalks, pedestrian railings and lighting. The structural steel will be repainted after the bridge is re-opened to traffic. The work that has been planned will add 35 years to the life of the bridge and will save Minneapolis maintenance costs in the future. Currently, city crews spend approximately one month each year on deck patching and painting the bridge.

During the period in which the bridge is closed, vehicular traffic will be detoured to the Plymouth Bridge. Bicycle traffic will be detoured to the I-694 Mississippi River crossing area. For Vehicle & Bicycle Detour Maps, please Click here.

Some of you have asked why the City of Minneapolis is beginning work on the Camden Bridge at the same time that the Lowry Bridge is down. The City of Minneapolis requested $10 million in American Recovery & Reinvestment Act funding to rehabilitate the bridge and there are specific timeframes within which the money must be used. This project is also expected to create approximately 90 construction jobs, which enhance our local economy.

Friday, May 20: Bike to Work with Your Council Member

Minneapolis Bike Week is May 16 - 22. Visit http://www.mplsbikeweek.org/ to learn more about the many events and activities planned across the City of Minneapolis for the week.

Council Member Reich and Council Member Frey will be leading a ride to downtown Minneapolis on Friday, May 20, to mark "Bike to Work" day. All are invited to join them as they wend their way through Northeast and Southeast neighborhoods and then across the Stone Arch Bridge and into downtown Minneapolis. The ride will end at Government Plaza where the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition is hosting a celebration that includes a short program and free coffee and snacks.

The Eastside Ride with CMs Reich and Frey will be departing from the Nice Ride station at 22nd Avenue NE and Central Avenue at 7:45 a.m. All are welcome!

Message from Council Member Kevin Reich

My second term representing the First Ward began this January 6 with the swearing in of the new City Council, including seven new members, and Mayor Betsy Hodges. I look forward to working with my Council colleagues old and new and the Mayor as we continue to collaborate to strengthen Minneapolis’ economic vitality, livability and inclusivity. My committee assignments this term include Executive Committee, Zoning & Planning (Z&P), Community Development & Regulatory Services (CR&RS), Public Safety, Civil Rights & Emergency Management (PSCR&EM), Claims, and Transportation & Public Works (TPW) Committee. I am very pleased to assume leadership of TPW, as I believe basic infrastructure and service delivery issues are a core function of municipal government. This committee has oversight of infrastructure improvements, traffic and traffic-management issues, special service districts and related assessments, bicycle and pedestrian plans and initiatives, recycling and solid waste disposal issues, and is responsible for considering appeals relating to block events and encroachment permits. In addition to these committees, I have been assigned to a number of sub-committees, boards and commissions, including Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO), Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership (MRP), Metro Cities’ Transportation Advisory Board (TAB), Downtown Minneapolis Transportation Management Organization (TMO), Meet Minneapolis, Water Advisory Board, Rail Policy Group, NRP Policy Board and Metro Cities’ Grant Evaluation & Ranking System (GEARS) board. I am very pleased to assume these assignments since many of them align closely with my interests in transportation, public works and water issues. 2014 marks my second year as chair of the MWMO board. As many of you know, this organization has located their new headquarters in the First Ward, in a beautiful facility on the banks of the Mississippi at Marshall Street. I look forward to working with this dynamic organization to implement initiatives to protect our river in the upcoming year.

Leroy Leftwich: Ward One Public Health Hero

As part of the City of Minneapolis' celebration of National Public Health Week in April, Council Member Reich had the opportunity to award Leroy Leftwich (pictured at right) with a Public Health Hero award for his work teaching young people how to bike and ski.

Mr. Leftwich works with low-income, minority and immigrant students at Pillsbury Elementary School. Every year through Pillsbury's celebrated Pedal Power program (which has also been a Public Health Hero award-winner), he teaches basic biking skills to 30 or so nine and ten-year-old kids who may never have previously been on a bicycle. He is also head ski coach and instructor for Pillsbury's 4th grade class and assistant ski coach for the 5th grade class. Several student members of Pillsbury Pedal Power biked down to City Hall with Mr. Leftwich for the Awards ceremony.

Mr. Leftwich truly embodies our City's health goal of "Thriving Youth and Young Adults" as he opens new worlds for these children.

Mpls Boards & Commissions Openings

Applications are now being accepted for a number of open board and commission positions that the City Council and mayor will appoint this spring. Board and commission members in the City of Minneapolis provide valuable insights, help shape key policy decisions and provide community-based input into administration of services. The City is seeking applicants with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences to strengthen the work of the City. There are more than 40 open positions on the following six City boards and commissions: Civil Rights Commission Bicycle Advisory Committee Workforce Council Public Health Advisory Committee Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission Pedestrian Advisory Committee Applications will be reviewed beginning April 25, but the positions are open until filled. Visit the City’s website for a full list of appointment opportunities and position descriptions.