South Loop District Plan Section 3 Development Framework 3.3 Framework Components (continued) Section 3.3.2: Circulation and Movement Framework This framework proposes establishing a multi-modal network of complete streets that will facilitate the safe, efficient, and effective movement of Figure 3.26 people, goods and services as South Loop transitions into a more urban place. Comparison of Automobile Modal Share in 13 A complete street network focuses on all transportation modes: automobiles Metropolitan Centers and trucks, bicycles, pedestrians, and mass transit, while considering the effects of the adjacent Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Bloomington 89% 7-County Metro 87 Key objectives for establishing advantages that many other areas in Hennepin County 83 a sustainable circulation and the MSP metro region do not. St. Paul 80 movement system are to: Modal share is a major indicator South Loop 2030 75 • Satisfy the access needs for all of transportation sustainability. Minneapolis 71 transportation types in a safe It describes the distribution of Portland 71 Seattle 62 manner while limiting effects on the transportation trips between various Minneapolis 61 environment and natural resources; modes of travel. Changes in modal Downtown Chicago 61 share are affected by factors such as • Provide transportation alternatives Washington DC 43 fuel price and changes in commuting to increase non-automobile modal New York City 29 patterns. Providing transportation share; NYC Manhattan 9 options allows users to choose modes 0 20 40 80 60 • Operate the transportation system that use less energy, create less 100 in an affordable and efficient pollution, save money, and help ease Percentage of manner; Automobile congestion. Modal Share • Support a vibrant and diverse Reducing automobile mode share Source: U.S. Community Survey, 2009. economy and mix of land uses; is particularly critical in achieving • Promote energy efficiency and more sustainable transportation. As an area becomes more urban, reduce greenhouse gas emissions; 100 80 60 the automobile modal share often 40 and 20 0 BloomingtoMSP 7-HennepinCountynSouth Metr CoSuntyMinneapolis oLoop MinneapolisPo2030rtlandSeattleWaChicag DowntownshingtonNewoNY YoC Manhark DC City ttan decreases. See Figure 3.26 at right. Mode Share • Provide a flexible transportation Dense urban areas, like New York system able to adjust to changing City, approach an automobile modal needs. share as low as 9 percent. Given its adjacency to the MSP, Trips in suburban areas are 80-90 regional freeways, and light rail, percent via automobile. Today South Loop has transportation automobile share in South Loop is Development Framework: Circulation and Movement 3.49 City of Bloomington, Minnesota Figure 3.27 Transportation Advantages in the South Loop District MiMinneapolis-St.eapoeapp s St. PaPaulu Intternationalna oona AirA rporpoorrt I-494-494 I-494-49-4494 4 e Av e 34th LinLLindLindaudau LLaneaane Av A h LRL T Blueuee LLinLine The Minneapolis-St. Paul region 4th4 24th242 ranks high in a number of 7 congestion indexes for large urban 7 H 7 7 areas with similar population. THT 777 BRT Red Line KKillebrebrb eewwwD DrDrivvee Source: Texas Transportation SoSSouthoutu h LoLLoopoopo Institute Urban Mobility Report, 2010. DDistrsttrictcctt N N Source: City of Bloomington, 2012. 89 percent. Given the probability facilities and services significantly that the cost to purchase and different from those in other areas of operate automobiles will continue the region. to increase and with South Loop Another aspect that makes South projected to become more dense, Loop unique in the region is that it a goal has been set to reduce abuts MSP – the 12th busiest airport automobile modal share in South in the U.S. – and enjoys direct Loop to 75 percent by 2030. Given connections to regional freeways the existing excellent transit service, (I-494 and TH 77) and the LRT Blue including four light rail stations, and line (aka Hiawatha Line). See Figure proposed improvements in bicycle 3.27 above. MSP brings regional and facilities, this goal is reasonably global access to the doorstep of South attainable. Loop. However, this close proximity Regional Transportation also presents disadvantages, such as aircraft noise and building height Regional congestion is addressed Context restrictions, that must be mitigated. in the Metropolitan Council’s South Loop is located equidistant Regional Transportation Policy between the central business Congestion and inefficient mobility Plan, November 2010. districts of Minneapolis and St. Paul. in the regional system is a major Download the document at Due to its growth potential, the mobility concern affecting the region http://www.metrocouncil. Metropolitan Council included South and South Loop. Inefficient mobility org/planning/transportation/ Loop as one of four areas, along with and congestion contributes to: tpp/2010/index.htm. downtown Minneapolis, downtown • Loss of workforce productivity due to St. Paul and the University of added travel time (opportunity cost); Minnesota, requiring transportation 3.50 Development Framework: Circulation and Movement South Loop District Plan • Wasted fuel: aligned to divide existing mega- The City adopted a Complete Streets · Higher transportation costs, blocks into smaller, urban-scaled Policy in February 2012. The policy · Increased particulate air street blocks. is on the City’s website, www. pollution, The envisioned street network is ci.bloomington.mn.us, keywords: · Increased greenhouse gas shown in Figure 3.28, page 3.52. The Complete streets. emissions; proposed “fine-grained” street grid • Slower emergency response; pattern increases connectivity and • Increased driver stress; and efficiency by providing direct routes • Travel time unpredictability. that maximize movement choices Congestion on I-494 poses challenges and support modal alternatives. to South Loop’s regional accessibility. This grid pattern also helps achieve In particular, the bottleneck at the key objectives, including increased interchange with I-35W adds to the pedestrian and bicycle movement, relative seclusion of South Loop from providing short and long-term the employment and entrepreneurial parking alternatives, expanding Sustainable Complete Street base in the southwest metro areas service delivery options and Objectives of Edina, Eden Prairie, and west improving public transit access. Bloomington. Ensuring efficient In addition, smaller blocks and Movement Objectives access is essential to attract workers, active ground-level uses can entice • Increase connectivity, access, and visitors, and residents to South Loop. people to walk by making walking modal choices. Improvements to I-494 will facilitate trips more direct, interesting and • Reduce trip lengths. easier access to South Loop. In productive. addition, transit use should continue • Facilitates transit services. to be supported and promoted as a Complete Streets Environmental Objectives viable alternative and more-efficient A complete street is a transportation means of access to South Loop from facility that may serve pedestrians, • Reduce pollution by reducing throughout the region. transit users, bicyclists, motorists automobile modal share. and large trucks. Complete streets • Facilitate stormwater Street Infrastructure and Urban often serve multiple functions, management. Form from providing safe, and sometimes • Incorporate energy efficient The type, location, and alignment shared transportation space, to non- signals, lighting and transit of new streets in South Loop transportation functions such as facilities. relates to the access needs of future stormwater management through development. The circulation provision of infiltration features. • Increase tree canopy coverage. network must provide for multiple Complete streets play an essential travel modes to accommodate role in transforming the character Community Development Objectives people living, working, recreating, and density of South Loop from • Create attractive and multi- or shopping in South Loop. A suburban to urban. The fine-grained functional streetscape . related challenge will be making a and multi-modal street network • Increase pedestrian activities large-scale suburban environment envisioned for South Loop fits to encourage shopping and feel ‘smaller’ and more urban in hand-in-hand with Bloomington’s entertainment. character and form. Establishing Complete Streets Policy. an interconnected street grid is • Create value for adjoining There is no single model for fundamental to this transformation. properties. sustainable complete street design; New streets will be located and Development Framework: Circulation and Movement 3.51 City of Bloomington, Minnesota Figure 3.28 Circulation and Movement Framework I-49444994 ee ve v AAv Av e v Runway h AAv MMinnesotaesotesoo aaV Valleey 4 Protection 34334th National Wildlife Refuge 4 Zone AmerAAmericanc Blvdvd E 24th (MVNWR) Visitor Center AmerAAmericancanca BlB vdvd E LindauLindd Lane LRT d Legend 7 Mallll ofof 7 opee R AmerAmA ica Green Street TTH 777 E Old Shak Highway Arterial Street Collector Street Local Street Designated “Pedestrian Street Segment”* d E 86th8866 hSh StS Rd Potention Street Extension e e eee tyty ZoZ nne p t SafetySafaffee Zo opoopee Rd porppooorr LRT (Blue Line) and Station kok Airi h SSha BRT (Red Line) d ld O e EEO OOld Shak k Parks, Open Space, a L Green Street Connections w o Bluff (800’ contour) d a e M Note: Implementation of local roads and g parks