Construction
Minnehaha Creek FEMA Repairs
Crews are repairing 10 sites on Minnehaha Creek in Minneapolis where sections of streambank and trails were eroded by high water in 2014. Seven of the sites are located downstream of Minnehaha Falls. The other three sites are east and west of I-35W.
FEMA granted an extension of the work through January 2020 as the remainder of restoration work at three sites below Minnehaha Falls is on hold due to high water flows in Minnehaha Creek. The few weeks of remaining work will resume after flows decrease enough to allow work to occur.
.This project is happening in conjunction with the MPRB's Minnehaha Parkway Trail master planning process. Please visit the project page for more information.
Minnehaha Park Area Regional Sewer Improvements Project
Construction is expected to begin in September 2019 and be completed in summer 2021. A robust temporary conveyance system will be in place during construction to direct wastewater around the work site. Some impacts to park users and residents may include: lights, noise, nuisance odor release, tree removals, construction vehicle traffic and equipment parking, lane shifts and temporary Hiawatha Avenue intersection closures, parking restrictions on Minnehaha Parkway, and a bike trail closure.
A section of Hiawatha Bicycle Trail between the Minnehaha Creek Trail and Minnehaha Parkway will be closed throughout construction to accommodate temporary wastewater conveyance piping. Bicycle traffic will be detoured to Minnehaha Creek Trail, 34th Avenue and Minnehaha Parkway. Protected bike lanes with temporary bollards will be created on sections of 34th Avenue crossing Minnehaha Creek and along east- and westbound Minnehaha Parkway.
Project Page: https://metrocouncil.org/sewerconstruction/minnehaha
The Latest: Erosion control and shoreline grading is nearing its end. Stormwater pipe replacement being done by the City Public Works Department is underway.
About this Project:
A Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage grant is funding restoration of almost 4,800 linear feet of shoreline along north and northeastern shore of Lake Nokomis. This area of shoreline was selected due to increased erosion that has occurred along much of this area.
This project was identified as part of the 2015 Nokomis-Hiawatha Master Plan, which calls for increasing naturalized areas to improve water quality, stabilize shorelines and increase habitat. New native vegetation will extend from the shoreline to within four feet of the walking path.
Shoreline enhancements will improve habitat for both aquatic and upland animal species. It will stabilize erosion, seek to remove invasive plants, and create a functional continuum of shoreline zones. Plantings will accommodate fluctuations in water level, allowing for resilience to changing water level conditions in the lake. Improvements will be constructed primarily along the north shoreline of the lake.
This project has received regulatory approval. The United States Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) and the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) have completed review of the Lake Nokomis Shoreline Enhancements project. SHPO concluded the proposed improvements have no adverse effects to the Grand Rounds Historic District and USACE permitted the project for proposed bank stabilization measures.
Project Design
The proposed design uses three different planting zones along the shoreline.
The Emergent Wetland Zone starts at the ordinary high-water level (OHWL) and extends into the lake. Once established, new aquatic plants will reduce wave energy to help reduce erosion. A temporary fence will be installed to help plants establish.
The Shoreline Buffer Zone lies between the OHWL and wetland boundary. It will be planted with a seed mix that's compatible with shoreline environmental elements.
The Upland Buffer Zone starts at the wetland boundary and extends away from the lake until four feet from the paved trail. It will be planted with a seed mix that's compatible with upland environmental elements. The four-foot strip will be mowed grass. Another temporary fence will also protect new planting areas and connect to the emergent wetland fence.
A variety of access points will still remain so park user can still access the lake.
Questions about this project can be sent to the project manager, Jon Duesman.
Subscribe to the project page to receive updates.
28th Avenue S Bridge Replacement
Construction began July 15, 2019, wet conditions have delayed this project. This project was originally slated to be done this year. Unfortunately, the project fell behind schedule due to record rainfall, an unexpected water main break, and issues working with private utilities. Now that freezing temperatures have arrived, the construction crews will need to hold off on pouring the concrete decking until spring when temperatures are warm enough to ensure it sets at the appropriate strength to safely support vehicle traffic. Thecrew finished up the work they could in December and installed a temporary walkway across the creek, adding lighting, keeping traffic control in place, and handling winter snow/ice maintenance. Before the spring thaw, crews will begin preparations for the concrete pouring so that it can be poured and re-opened as soon as possible. Public Works expects the bridge to be complete by mid-June. Notification on this delay was mailed out to surrounding residents.
As called for in the Nokomis-Hiawatha Master Plan, this project not only rebuilds the bridge over Minnehaha Creek, but also connects bicycle and pedestrian trails under the 28th Avenue bridge along Minnehaha Creek to allow for a safer crossing of 28th Avenue S.
Questions about the project should be directed to the city project manager: ahmed.omar@minneapolismn.gov
In 2016, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and the City of Minneapolis approved ordinances to reverse years of underfunding in neighborhood parks. The 20-Year Neighborhood Park Plan (NPP20) is a long-term initiative that will transform the neighborhood park system with the following measures:
- Protect current levels of MPRB funding.
- Dedicate an additional $11 million annually, through 2036, in NPP20 funds for increased maintenance, rehabilitation and capital investments in neighborhood parks.
- Allocate NPP20 funds using a data-driven, criteria-based system to help address racial and economic equity.
Although construction on a range of improvements at Phelps Park was originally planned to begin in June, the project is currently on hold.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) had opted to postpone the construction bidding process for this project and several others until late summer. Under this schedule, construction was planned to begin in the fall, with completion of the project next summer. Bids were not favorable to begin work this fall. The project will be rebid this winter with construction beginning in spring of 2020.
As a result, Phelps Park will remain open for the fall and winter. Watch for future announcements as the project proceeds.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will be replacing the playground and wading pool at Phelps Park in 2018/2019! Thank you to all who have participated in the Community input process by sharing your thoughts and opinions on the future of Phelps Park. The schematic drawings reflect the comments and preferences shared by park users and neighbors including the Boys and Girls Club, neighboring childcare centers, neighborhood residents and community organizers.
Final Schematic Design Concept [PDF]
Questions about this project should be directed to the project manager : Jon Duesman, jduesman@minneapolisparks.org.
Subscribe to the project page to receive updates.
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