Hiawatha Lake Underpass

The project added a big mural on the walls under the bridge. It made the Hi-Lake intersection more comfortable and safer.

Project details

Partner

Public Works, Minnesota Department of Transportation

Budget

$369,000

Status

Completed  2025.

About the project

The Hiawatha Avenue and Lake Street intersection is known as Hi-Lake.

This intersection includes:

  • Highway onramps
  • A bridge underpass
  • Bike paths
  • Sidewalks.

It was redesigned to a create a safer and more comfortable area for pedestrians. As part of this redesign, the City worked with an artist team.

The team included four artists. They designed and fabricated a 6,200 square foot mural on underpass walls. 

Learn about the artwork and its meaning

A mural of three people. A woman on the left rests her hand on a man’s shoulder. On his right is a woman holding a megaphone to her mouth.

Goals

The goals for the public art project were to:

  • Enhance the underpass walls through a bright, bold and detailed public artwork.
  • Create a welcoming and safe experience for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. 
  • Design a community engagement process that:
    • Is open and welcoming.
    • Develops a deep understanding of and celebrate the uniqueness of this place.
    • Engages the regular users of this space in the design and creation of the artwork.
  • Support connections:
    • The site as a gateway connection between the East and West Lake Street;
    • The site as connection of between people, places, and ideas, from the past, present and future. 

Artists

  • Natchez Beaulieu
  • Greta McLain
  • Pablo Kalaka
  • Daniela Bianchini

Contact us

Kirstin Wiegmann

Arts & Cultural Affairs

Email Kirstin Wiegmann

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 320
Minneapolis, MN 55415