City leaders celebrate grand opening of revitalized Peavey Plaza

July 18, 2019

City and community leaders celebrated the completion of the revitalized Peavey Plaza — a public space on Nicollet Mall in the heart of downtown Minneapolis that is now more vibrant and accessible for everyone to enjoy.

Peavey Plaza has reopened with restored fountains and water features, new trees and landscaping, enhanced lighting and improved accessibility. The water basin’s depth has been reduced from 10 inches to a quarter of an inch, making it an accessible and more inviting feature. The City partnered with the landscape architecture firm Coen+Partners, New History and Global Specialty Contractors for the rehabilitation work.

Built in 1975, the plaza on Nicollet Mall designed by landscape architect M. Paul Friedberg is a notable example of modernist architecture. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013. The revitalization project has been a public-private partnership with funding from the City of Minneapolis, State of Minnesota and private donations raised by the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Green Minneapolis, a not-for-profit multi-project conservancy.

 

Peavey Celebration

“Every world-class city needs a world-class downtown, and our new Peavey Plaza is a fitting capstone to Nicollet Mall’s redesign that helps advance that vision for Minneapolis,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “The upgrades will give downtown a more accessible, pedestrian friendly and vibrant space while honoring the historic features that make it an icon of modernist architecture.”

“The City had a vision to reactivate this magnificent space and to make it accessible for all people and more environmentally friendly,” said City Council Member Lisa Goodman. “Our goal has been achieved in a wonderful mix of old and new and I look forward to seeing the joy it brings to the residents and visitors of Minneapolis.”

“Green Minneapolis is proud to be the City’s partner on this historic revitalization of one of Minneapolis’ most important public spaces,” said David Wilson, board chair of Green Minneapolis. “Getting this project designed and built required genuine collaboration between many stakeholders, along with amazing generosity from our donors. Now that Peavey Plaza is open, Green Minneapolis is focusing on the most important part of the project – bringing the plaza to life each and every day – keeping it green, keeping it clean, making sure it is welcoming and vibrant for all to enjoy.”

“People who live, work and visit downtown Minneapolis are in for a treat when they see Peavey Plaza returned to its rightful status as a sparkling civic asset,” said Steve Cramer, president and CEO of the mpls downtown council. “The water features and greenery provide a great spot to gather with friends and colleagues, see an event or simply sit ‘away from it all’ but right in the heart of the city. It’s a great example of another public-private collaboration that moves our city forward in a positive direction.”

Highlights of the revitalization project include restoring the plaza’s fountains and water features, adding more durable and environmentally friendly paving materials, updating lighting and making design updates to ensure the plaza is compliant with the Americans with Disability Act. The City has a contract with the landscape architecture firm Coen+Partners and Global Specialty Contractors for the rehabilitation work.  

Construction on the plaza began in May 2018 and the grand opening is planned for July 2019 to coincide with the Minnesota Orchestra summer season. The project is funded with $4 million from the City of Minneapolis, $2 million from the State of Minnesota and $4 million in private donations raised by the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Green Minneapolis, a not-for-profit multi-project conservancy.

The Peavey Plaza revitalization project team held more than 50 meetings in the last year to gather feedback from a variety of stakeholders, including residents, safety specialists, historic preservationists and accessibility representatives, among others.

Please note: If you are interested in information about permits, please contact Mpls DID: https://www.mplsdid.com/peaveyplaza and peaveyplaza@mplsdid.com

Interpretive design development plan

The final deliverables for the Peavey Plaza mitigation plan were submitted to Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office on June 11, 2020. 

SHPO response to Interpretive Design Development Plan submittal: Letter 7-9-20

CPED response to Interpretive Design Development Plan submittal: Letter 7-8-20

City letter to SHPO with the response to comments: Letter 8-25-20

SHPO response to final City letter: Letter 10-5-20

Final Historic American Landscapes Survey

Final Operations and Maintenance Manual

June Submittals

SHPO Cover Letter

Peavey Historic American Landscapes Survey

Peavey Interpretive Plan

Peavey Operations and Maintenance Manual

Peavey Operations and Maintenance Manual Appendices

Construction updates

On May 14, 2018 City leaders celebrated the start of construction on Peavey Plaza.

On May 8, 2018 the City of Minneapolis entered into a contract with Global Specialty Contractors, Inc. to complete the rehabilitation work at Peavey Plaza. Work will start on the Plaza on Wednesday, May 9, 2018. Perimeter fencing will be put up for site management and safety and there will be pedestrian and traffic impacts on 12th Street. Work will continue throughout the construction season and updates will be posted on this page.

2017-18 Stakeholder meetings

Use the information below to review the information shared and discussed at the meetings.

Presentations

• February 22, 2017 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Presentation
• March 22, 2017 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. - Presentation
• March 22, 2017 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. - HSR Summary Table
• April19, 2017 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Presentation
• June 14, 2017 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.  - Presentation
• August 3, 2017 1:30 - 3:00pm - Presentation
• October 18, 2017 - Technical Team Presentation
• January 17, 2018 4:00 - 5:00pm - Presentation

30% Submittals

May 2017

30% Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office submittals

• Cover Letter
• Design Submittal
• SHPO Submission Drawings

July 2017

In the 30% Comments from SHPO, there was a recommendation for the City to host a consultation meeting with SHPO and interested consulting parties.
The City hosted two sessions on July 18 and August 3.

• July 18 - Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office Comments  and Meeting Minutes

August 2017

• August 3 - Presentation Meeting Minutes60% Submittals

60% Submittals

September 2017

60% Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office design submittals

• Design Submittal
• SHPO Submission Drawings
• September 27 - Lunch with Lisa Goodman Presentation

October 2017

October 18 - Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office Presentation Comments

90% Submittals

November 2017

90% Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office design submittal

• Design Submittal
• SHPO Submission Drawings

January 2018

Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office Comments

January 17 - Peavey Stakeholder Meeting Presentation