Missing Link Study Grand Rounds Planning and Design Introduction

June 19, 2007 Park and Recreation Board HNTB Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. Hess Roise

1 The Missing Link Study

• The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is conducting a study to prepare plans to complete the “Missing Link” in the Minneapolis Grand Rounds Parkway. • Study is to identify and evaluate parkway route alternatives and select a preferred parkway route. The study will also include plans for parks, recreation and trail improvements in SE and NE Minneapolis. • Study will be guided by a Technical Advisory Committee, Citizen Advisory Committee and public and stake holder input. • Study recommendations and plan will ultimately go to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board for action. • Study consultants are HNTB, Hoisington Koegler Group and Hess Roise.

The Missing Link • 3-mile gap in the 53 mile Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway loop around Minneapolis. • Gap is in NE and SE Minneapolis between St. Anthony Parkway and River Road. • Completing the Grand Rounds fulfills a community vision of a continuous “green necklace” of parks and open space established in the 1880’s. • The Missing Link Parkway segment will enhance mobility – recreation – nature – economics.

2 Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway – Missing Link Scenic 53 mile parkway loop (almost) through Minneapolis. Three mile gap in NE and SE Minneapolis (the Missing Link). The Nation’s largest urban scenic byway. Green “necklace” around the City. Grand Rounds envisioned in 1883. Built from 1900’s through today.

Grand Round St. Anthony Parkway Northeast Missing Link Minneapolis (the Gap)

Between St. Anthony Existing parkways Parkway and the St. Paul Downtown University of Minneapolis Minnesota

3 History

• Parkway loop conceived in 1883 by Landscape Architect HWS • Northeast link proposed by Theodore Wirth in 1910 • St. Anthony Parkway complete by 1918. • Remaining “Missing Link” section left out • 2006 – MPRB secures $250,000 in State funds to fund study for Master Plan of Missing Link • Hennepin County allocated $200,000 for study

Missing Link Study Objectives • Prepare and adopt a plan and design to complete the Grand Rounds Parkway “Missing Link”.

• Work with the community, stakeholders and officials to evaluate, select, plan and design the best parkway route.

• Plan parks, trails and recreation amenities to complement the preferred parkway route and serve the neighborhoods and community.

• Define the approach to implementation - long term strategy.

4 Grand Round St. Anthony Parkway Northeast Missing Link Minneapolis (the Gap)

Park service area gap

St. Paul Parkway and Park Downtown University of Minneapolis Service Area Gap Minnesota

Why complete the Grand Rounds Parkway? Benefits: • Continuous path, green space and scenic byway route around Minneapolis. • Revive natural resources and scenic beauty. • Add valuable resources to area neighborhoods. • Give NE and SE Minneapolis signature park and recreation resources. • Parks and parkway are amenities for livability and reinvestment.

5 The Grand Rounds • Nationally Recognized – only urban scenic byway in US. • +50 miles of scenic roadway, bikeway and walks link significant parks and recreation areas. • 15 million visits are made each year. • Grand Rounds helps make Minneapolis a unique, livable and picturesque city.

Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway Map

Missing Link

6 Minneapolis Grand Rounds Scenic Byway

Minneapolis Grand Rounds Scenic Byway

7 Minneapolis Grand Rounds Scenic Byway

Parkway Characteristics • Green scenic corridor • Vehicles, bike and pedestrians • Connects the City – Green Necklace

8 Local Parkway Examples

• Minnehaha Parkway • Victory Memorial Parkway • River Road • Summit Avenue • St. Anthony Parkway

Minnehaha Parkway

Images courtesy of Regents of the

9 Victory Memorial Parkway

Images courtesy of Regents of the University of Minnesota

River Road

Images courtesy of Regents of the University of Minnesota

10 Summit Avenue

Images courtesy of Regents of the University of Minnesota

St. Anthony Parkway

Images courtesy of Regents of the University of Minnesota

11 Grand Rounds History • 1883 Plan for Minneapolis Parks System, "The Grand Rounds" a grand vision for parks and parkways prepared by Landscape Architect Horace Cleveland. • 1888 – 1920’s Park System and Parkways acquired and constructed, except for gap in NE Minneapolis. • 1930’s Plans prepared for Missing Link Parkway by Theodore Wirth. • 1960’s-70’s The "Bicycle Grand Rounds" were developed to parallel parkways. • 1998 Grand Rounds is designated a National Scenic Byway. • 2007 Missing Link Parkway planning renewed.

Park System History

12 Park System History

Historic Missing Link Plans

Proposed Extensions – 1910

Note showing the general location of a proposed NE link to be planned in the near future. Proposed link connects East River Road, the University of Minnesota, Van Cleve Park, and Stinson Parkway.

13 Historic Missing Link Plans

Proposed Extensions – 1918

The NE Link has been constructed through St. Anthony to East Hennepin Ave. at the Minneapolis – St. Paul border. Stinson Blvd. is green landscaped parkway to Hennepin Ave.

Historic Missing Link Plans

Proposed Extensions – 1930

The note “Proposed Missing Link to Grand Rounds” is shown on the plan

14 1945 air photo Ridgeway Parkway Stinson Blvd.

gravel quarry

East Hennepin Ave.

Missing Link Study Area

15 Study Area Photos

Gross Golf Course Industrial Parkway

St. Anthony Parkway Stinson Blvd

Study Area Photos

Bridal Veil Falls Elm Street

Como Ave 15th Ave

16 Study Area Photos

UUniversity of M – View of Minnesota of downtown University of Minnesota

Oak St. – U of M East River Road – U of M

Destinations Northeast and Barriers Minneapolis

Downtown University of Minneapolis Minnesota

17 Existing Land Use

Transportation Network

18 Northeast Parks and Minneapolis Existing Bikeways

Southeast Minneapolis Downtown Minneapolis University of Minnesota

Missing Link Study Tasks

1. Project Initiation and Management 2. Discovery: Project Research and Analysis 3. Imagination: Identification and Alternatives 4. Interpretation: Selection of Preferred Alternative 5. Implementation: Master Plan Report

Study Process: May, 2007 – April, 2008

19 Project Information and Input Opportunities • Citizen Advisory Committee • Technical Advisory Committee • Community Public Meetings (3) • Stakeholder Meetings • MPRB Meetings • Web Project Information

Primary Study Activities (CAC, TAC and Public) • Define goals and criteria. • Identify and evaluate potential parkway routes. • Select routes for further analysis. • Identify park and recreation and trail needs. • Select preferred parkway route. • Prepare park, trail and recreation plan. • Prepare parkway plan. • Develop implementation strategy. • Present plan and recommendations to the MPRB for action.

20 Initial Study Activities

• Mapping and analysis • TAC and CAC Kick-off Meetings • Press Conference June 25th 10:30 AM • Study Area Tour • Finalize Goals and Criteria

Missing Link Study Contact

Nick Eoloff, Missing Link Project Manager Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board 2117 West River Road Minneapolis, MN 55411

[email protected]

(612) 230-6465

21 Complete the Grand Rounds Enhance the area and City Deliver the benefits Keep the promise

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