Hennepin County-led Franklin Avenue reconstruction approved; business owners object to removal of eastbound left turn

The Climate and Infrastructure Committee of the City of Minneapolis on March 6 approved resolutions ordering the Franklin Avenue reconstruction to proceed, adopting $1,252,652 in special assessments for the street reconstruction and authorizing sale of assessment bonds. Hennepin County is leading the 1.2-mile reconstruction between Lindell Avenue South and Chicago Avenue South; the total anticipated project cost is $26,715,000, with anticipated city cost participation of $6,740,240.

The committee vote follows presentations by city and county staff and a public hearing with business owners and residents who objected to elements of the design and to the special assessments. Allison Bell, senior project engineer in the Transportation Engineering and Design Division of Public Works, told the committee the project will include “full removal of the existing roadway, new pedestrian ramps, sidewalks, bike facility, new pavement, new curb and gutter, green infrastructure, street lighting, and utility improvements.” Jeff Hanlon, principal professional engineer with the city, explained the $1,252,652 assessment total is based on 2025 uniform assessment rates and the influence-area method and said assessments are payable over a 20-year period.

Why it matters: The…