Johnson St NE Street Reconstruction
In 2021, the City of Minneapolis Public Works Department plans to reconstruct approximately one half-mile of Johnson St NE from 18th Ave NE to Lowry Ave NE.
Recommended conceptual design
Video presentation
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Public Works staff will not be attending in-person meetings to present the department’s recommended conceptual design for the Johnson St NE Reconstruction Project. To keep stakeholders informed, and to continue to meet the project timeline, Public Works recorded the planned in-person PowerPoint presentation as a narrated video of the slides.
Please watch the Johnson St NE Reconstruction 2021, Recommended Conceptual Layout - Video Presentation, which shares information about why Public Works is recommending the conceptual design, what the tradeoffs are, and an overview of the project’s design elements.
If you have questions after watching the video, staff will be holding ‘discussion hours’ during which we will be available by phone to connect with stakeholders one-on-one. You can also send questions via email – please see our contact information below.
Discussion hours
- Friday, April 3; 9:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 7; 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Contact Information
Liz Heyman, Senior Transportation Planner
- Phone: 612-759-3712
- Email: [email protected]
Alexander Kado, Transportation Planner
- Phone: 612-916-9045
- Email: [email protected]
If the phone is busy when you call, please leave a message and staff will return your call as soon as possible.
Next steps
The Policy & Government Oversight Committee (POGO) of the City Council approved the recommended conceptual design on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. The City Council then approved the recommended conceptual design on Friday, April 17, 2020. More details on this process can be found in the City legislation details for Johnson St NE (Note: the link works best in web-browser Google Chrome).
The recommended design
Public Works is recommending narrowing Johnson Street NE from 18th Avenue NE to Lowry Avenue NE, to calm traffic, improve safety, add space for greenery, and to include an off-street shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists. This recommendation will also maintain vehicle and commercial access throughout the corridor.
- See the recommended conceptual design in booklet format with further background on our approach.
- See a larger version of the recommended conceptual design.
The off-street shared-use path will operate like the existing shared-use path on 18th Ave NE.
Why is Public Works recommending this design?
Public Works is recommending this design to:
Provide a safer street
This section of Johnson St NE is on the City’s Vision Zero High Injury Street Network - the streets that have the highest amount of severe and fatal crashes in the city. Narrowing the street provides safer crossings for pedestrians and can help calm traffic speeds. These improvements are critical to reducing the existing traffic barrier and connecting Windom Park and Pillsbury Elementary School to the broader community.
Provide space for greenery
Throughout the planning process, Public Works consistently heard stakeholders ask for more greenery on Johnson St NE. The recommended design creates wide boulevards, which are necessary to support large healthy trees. Some species that are being considered for planting are Birch, Gingko, and Honey Locust.
Provide a safe bicycle connection
Providing an off-street shared-use path on Johnson St NE will connect a critical link in the City’s bicycle network that will be safe and attractive for bicyclists of all ages and abilities.
What are the tradeoffs?
To build a safer street with boulevards and an off-street shared-use path, parking was removed from most of the street. This tradeoff was made after Public Works observed that much of the parking on Johnson St NE was not used throughout most of the day. 17 on-street parking spots will be maintained near Johnson Street NE and 22nd Avenue NE. See our parking observations results.
Engagement summary
Public Works has held two rounds of engagement for the Johnson St NE Reconstruction project. The first round was focused on corridor visioning and the second round was focused on gathering feedback on a specific conceptual design proposal. A summary of this work can be found at the project website or at the link below.
Johnson St NE Street Reconstruction Engagement Summary Report
Background
This project is a full reconstruction, involving the entire right-of-way and will include the following:
- New signage and pavement markings as needed
- New sidewalks and ADA pedestrian ramps
- Consideration of bicycle accommodations
- Pavement, curb and gutter
- Utility improvements
Project timeline
Public Works project goals
- Improve pedestrian access and safety
- Improve bicycle connectivity
- Accommodate business deliveries and customer access
- Coordination with agency partner plans and projects (Metro Transit, MnDOT, Hennepin County, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board)
Existing conditions
Existing roadway
The existing roadway in this area currently has parking lanes and sidewalks on either side.
The project extends from Lowry Ave NE to 18th Ave NE in Northeast Minneapolis. See larger view of the existing conditions on Johnson St NE.
Existing parking
Public Works studied the existing parking availability and usage on and around Johnson St NE. See the results in the report below.
Assessments
Adjacent property owners will be assessed for this street reconstruction project. Additional details about the assessment for this project will become available after further design of the project, including a public hearing through the Transportation and Public Works Committee of the Minneapolis City Council.
See the City of Minneapolis Special Assessments page for more information.
Project documents
Johnson St NE Project Fact Sheet
Johnson St NE Conceptual Proposal Fact Sheet
Project meetings
Windom Park Citizens in Action (Neighborhood Association Meeting)
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Open House #2
Saturday, September 21, 2019, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Marino's Deli, parking lot
1946 Johnson St NE, Minneapolis
Open House #1 - Project Introduction
Monday, June 3, 2019, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Northeast Recreation Center
1530 Johnson St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Open House Informational Boards
Johnson St NE - Open House #1 Summary
Windom Park Citizens in Action (Neighborhood Association Meeting)
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Project updates
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Traffic impacts
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2021. During this period residents, businesses, and visitors may experience traffic detours, noise, vibration, and dust in work areas. In addition, temporary impacts such as lane restrictions, intersection reductions, parking restrictions and revised pedestrian and transit routes may occur. Property access will be maintained throughout the construction period. Further information will be posted here as the project nears the start of construction.
Contact
Liz Heyman, Senior Transportation Planner; 612-673-2460 or [email protected]
Alexander Kado, Associate Transportation Planner; 612-673-5192 or [email protected]
Last updated Apr 21, 2020
