MNDot Visual Quality Advisory Committee meets to Discuss Central Avenue

Written by: Josh Blanc

MNDoT has formed a Visual Quality Advisory Committee (VQAC) for the Central Ave reconstruction project (2028-2030). Through the efforts of the Arts District and businesses on Central Avenue to create the Central Ave Art Walk, an invitation was extended to have a representative of the Art Walk on the committee; Seth Stattmiller, owner of the Recovery Bike Shop, was selected to represent both Central Avenue and the Arts District. 

The VQAC welcome packet lists 15 government members. there were 7 community members in attendance at the meeting. Stattmiller said “it appeared more than half of the people in attendance were government employees” from Minneapolis, Hennepin County and Metro Transit. Also in the room were a dozen MNDoT project staff and consultants from Kimley-Horn. And to their credit, Seth said: “There was a lot of listening.”

For the Visual Quality Advisory Committee meetings, Seth’s said their priorities are:

– Safety. Reduce the threatening impact of cars. Slower speeds. Quieter traffic.

– Draw. Support the businesses and other organizations on Central Ave. Create a draw and activate the corridor with people, art, and green space to make it a safer, more inviting destination.

– Dwell. Give residents, workers, and visitors a reason to spend time on Central Ave. This will translate into customers for businesses, eyes on the street for safety concerns, and a place for community engagement.

The small group arrived at this for a Central Ave vision statement: Avenue as destination: a place, activated by people, that celebrates the Arts District, our local businesses, and the greater community.

Seth stated, “It is unclear if Art Walk is a priority for MNDot.”  The Northeast community has sent more than a thousand emails. Northeast (Central Ave’s) City Council members Elliott Payne and Michael Rainville have both signed on. Neighborhood associations are on board. The Hennepin County Active Transportation Committee wants an Art Walk.  But Seth says “MNDOT continues to be coy.” 

“The Art Walk would definitely be an excellent program to support their mission,” Seth states. 

According to the MNDot website their mission is: “Connect and serve all people through a safe, equitable and sustainable transportation system.”  MNDot’s Values also tie in well with the goals of an Art Walk, with collaboration, equity, and innovation being in great alignment with an art walk concept.

The following excerpt from the MnDot website: 

Our values guide how all MnDOT employees show up each day on behalf of Minnesotans.

• Safety: We recognize safety is core to our work and build it into everything we do.
• Service: We take pride in our work and hold ourselves to the highest standards.
• Equity: We actively remove barriers to create an inclusive transportation system that benefits all.
• Sustainability: We act today to contribute to a better transportation system of the future.
• Innovation: We search for new ideas, experiment to learn and grow, and create value for the public.
• Collaboration: We leverage the contributions of our team members and partners, acknowledging the impact we can have together.

“As this project pertains to the Arts District and Central Avenue,” Seth said, “we are advocating for an 11-foot-wide section from Central and 26th to Central and Broadway. We are requesting 2 1/2 feet more than what is currently being offered in the preliminary drawings. The current plan for Central Ave’s 100 feet of MNDoT right-of-way preserves 60 feet of pavement for cars (2 travel lanes, 1 turn lane, a bus lane, and the same amount of parking we have now. There is 40 feet left over for 2 sidewalks, 2 bike lanes, 2 boulevards, and various utility strips (signs and lights). Where does the Art Walk space come from? If MNDot would allow 2 1/2 more feet to be deducted from the car lanes. That’s 6 inches per car lane. Keeping the extra space of 2 1/2 feet on the west side boulevard, the community could have an Art Walk.”

There are three more meetings over the next few months. None are open to the public, Seth will keep everyone posted with any updates from the meetings.