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Residents and business owners raise access and economic concerns over Central Ave rebuild
Summary
During a municipal consent public hearing, residents and local business owners urged caution about traffic congestion, access for large and emergency vehicles, potential economic impacts, and construction staging; city staff said additional public work sessions will follow and MnDOT will respond to questions.
Community members addressed the council during the public hearing, voicing concerns that lane reductions, new roundabouts and access changes could worsen congestion and complicate access for semis, large vehicles and emergency response. Business owners asked whether the city and MnDOT had completed comparative traffic and economic impact studies to predict real-world outcomes, and several speakers pressed for limits on the length and extent of full road closures during construction.
Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula and City Manager Aaron Chirpich told attendees there would be additional work sessions and council meetings for updates and further public input, and that MnDOT would provide answers to the questions raised at the hearing. "There would be additional work sessions and council meetings that residents could attend to stay informed regarding the status of the project and updates and opportunities for additional public input," they said. City staff and MnDOT committed to follow up with more detailed responses to the studies and staging plans requested by speakers.
