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09-24-2024 WS City Council Agenda
WORK SESSION RICHFIELD MUNICIPAL CENTER, BARTHOLOMEW ROOM SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 5:30 PM Call to order 1.Staff will provide an update to Council on the preliminary design process for Hennepin County's Nicollet Avenue reconstruction project—including the Preferred Concept recommended by the Transportation Commission and budget considerations—in advance of Council consideration of the concept. 2.Discuss a proposal regarding a small coffee shop with drive-thru service at Market Plaza. Adjournment Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. Requests must be made at least 96 hours in advance to the City Clerk at 612-861-9739. AGENDA SECTION:Work Session Items AGENDA ITEM #1. STAFF REPORT NO. 25 WORK SESSION 9/24/2024 REPORT PREPARED BY: Matt Hardegger, Transportation Engineer DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR REVIEW: Kristin Asher, Public Works Director 9/19/2024 OTHER DEPARTMENT REVIEW: CITY MANAGER REVIEW: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager 9/19/2024 ITEM FOR WORK SESSION: Staff will provide an update to Council on the preliminary design process for Hennepin County's Nicollet Avenue reconstruction project—including the Preferred Concept recommended by the Transportation Commission and budget considerations—in advance of Council consideration of the concept. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Hennepin County has planned a full reconstruction of County State Aid Highway 52 (Nicollet Avenue) for 2026. Public engagement and outreach began in August of 2023 and consisted of four phases of engagement following Richfield's Public Engagement Policy for Public Works projects. The project team also presented to the Transportation Commission five times over that period for feedback and direction. The Transportation Commission voted unanimously at their September 4th meeting to recommend the Preferred Concept. Staff received a cost estimate from the County team in mid-September and have included information on the City's anticipated cost share for discussion. DIRECTION NEEDED: Provide staff with direction about any desired changes to the concept or additional engagement needed prior to consideration of the Preferred Concept by the City Council at a future regular meeting. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: A.HISTORICAL CONTEXT Project Background Hennepin County has planned a full reconstruction of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 52 (Nicollet Avenue) from 77th Street to CSAH 53 (66th Street) in their Capital Improvement Plan for 2026 construction. The roadway and City-owned utilities have not been fully replaced since their original construction in the 1960s, when it was constructed as a four-lane roadway. The road has been milled and overlaid several times, most recently in 2014 when the road was also re-striped to a three lane configuration. The northbound lane of Nicollet Avenue was impacted by a gas transmission line project in 2018 and repaved by the private utility owner. Median refuges were added to 71st, 72nd, and 73rd Streets in 2020. Process Hennepin County has followed Richfield’s Public Engagement Policy to develop the preliminary design for this project. The County and their consultant team divided the project engagement into four phases. Phase 1 began with an open house at the Augsburg Park Library on August 22, 2023. During this phase, residents were asked about their concerns with the existing roadway in order to develop the project’s problem statement and goals for the subsequent phases. This phase included an in-person open house, an online survey, tabling events at both Richfield Penn Fest and the Richfield Farmers’ Market, and initial contacts with more than 10 community organizations. The project team interacted with approximately 350 people through the in-person events, with 58 online questionnaire responses. The key themes of comments received during Phase 1 were walking and biking safety, safety at intersections, vehicle speeds, vehicle operations, green infrastructure, and roundabouts. These results were then shared with the Richfield Transportation Commission to develop the project’s problem statement and goals. The identified problem statement for the project is: There is a need to improve safety and comfort for people who travel along and across Nicollet Avenue, including people walking, rolling, riding bicycles, taking the bus, and driving a personal vehicle. The dated corridor doesn’t address all modes equitably and needs modernization to serve the needs of the community for the next 50+ years. The corridor is uninviting, lacking in aesthetics, environmental sustainability, green space, vegetation, and street lighting. Finally, the pavement quality and ADA facilities do not meet Hennepin County or City of Richfield standards. The project goals are: Provide safer facilities and crossing opportunities for people walking, rolling, and biking Improve bus travel by creating comfortable stops and reliable travel experiences Create safe, secure, and comfortable places for everyone to travel, regardless of their age or ability Improve the look and feel of the corridor and foster environmental sustainability The problem statement and goals were presented for public feedback during Phase 2, along with general tools to address the items identified in Phase 1. Attendees were asked for their opinions about potential lane configurations (2 lane vs 3 lane), as well as bicycle trail locations, intersection pedestrian safety features, and intersection traffic control (signals vs roundabouts). Phase 2 included an in person open house at the Richfield Community Center on October 17, 2023, a virtual survey, contacts with more than 10 community organizations, and a pop-up table event at Richfield High School conferences. This phase reached approximately 35 people at the in person open house, 84 respondents online, and 10 families at the High School. Feedback from Phase 2 was again shared with the Transportation Commission to determine a preferred typical section for the roadway based on technical analysis and public input, resulting in a 3 lane section with 2 thru lanes and a center left-turn lane and off-street pedestrian bicycle facilities. Phase 3 asked residents for feedback on bikeway configuration (one-way vs two-way) and possible safety features at intersections along the road. The in-person open house at the Richfield Community Center on February 29, 2024 for this phase had approximately 100 attendees with 85 online respondents. There were also meetings with community organizations and stakeholder groups, but no pop-up table events for this phase. After Phase 3, the Transportation Commission and project team went intersection by intersection to determine a preferred intersection design for all locations along the corridor, again based on technical analysis and public input. The Commission also determined a preferred bikeway design: single direction separated bike paths on each side of the roadway (also known as cycle tracks and similar to the design on 66th Street). After discussing each intersection, the project team developed a full layout for the project area, which was presented to the Transportation Commission again prior to Phase 4. This layout review resulted in changes to add more pedestrian refuges and pedestrian flashing lights (RRFBs). The full layout was then presented to the public during Phase 4 for feedback. The in-person open house was held on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at the Richfield Community Center with approximately 75 people in attendance. 38 questionnaires were received online, with over 300 comments added to the project map either in person or online. Engagement summaries from all 4 phases, including all comments received through the process, are included as an attachment to this staff report. The Transportation Commission considered the feedback received during Phase 4 at their September 4, 2024 meeting, at which the Commission voted to recommend that the City Council approve the layout. Common Concerns Throughout the process, staff heard feedback about the project that contained mixed opinions about certain aspects of the project. Roundabouts Staff received split feedback about roundabouts at all phases of engagement. The most common comments received were about perceived safety issues for both vehicles and pedestrians, as well as traffic flow. The County’s consultant modeled traffic flow for both a signalized corridor and a corridor with roundabouts, and found that single-lane compact roundabouts at 76th, 73rd, 70th, and 67th Streets resulted in a lower travel time on average than a signalized road, even at peak hours and during event releases at the Academy of Holy Angels. Concerns about safety are frequently heard whenever roundabouts are considered, as drivers are more familiar with traditional traffic signals and stop signs. National research consistently verifies that roundabouts create positive safety outcomes by significantly reducing and nearly eliminating fatal and serious injury crashes at intersections. County consultant staff did a before/after comparison on several single lane roundabouts around the metro area near schools, and found an increase in safety conditions after the construction of the roundabout, even with a high number of younger drivers. While City staff receive occasional calls and emails about close call events at roundabouts, signals, and stop signs where either pedestrians or drivers feel a crash was narrowly averted, reported crash data shows that of the 33 reported crashes involving a pedestrian since 2019, 1 occurred at a roundabout and 0 occurred at a single-lane roundabout. There have been 41 reported crashes involving a cyclist in the same time period, 5 occurring at multi-lane roundabouts and 1 occurring at a single-lane roundabout. A recent study by the Local Road Research Board and MnDOT found that roundabouts can lower speeds by around 7 miles per hour on average near the intersection, as opposed to a stop or signal controlled intersection Right-in, right-out intersections Staff also heard concerns about neighborhood access due to proposed raised medians through the intersections with 74th, 71st, and 69th Streets, which would remove left-turn and thru access at these intersections. City Engineering staff met with City Emergency Services staff (Fire and Police), as well as Public Works Operations, and the group concluded that these medians would not negatively affect emergency response time or plow operations. Raised medians would directly affect a small number of trips which begin or end within 1 block east or west of Nicollet Avenue, while all other trips would be able to access Nicollet Avenue one block north or south of these streets. None of the streets that are proposed to have thru movements removed are through streets that cross the railroad tracks at Pleasant Avenue. B.EQUITABLE OR STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS OR IMPACTS Strategic Considerations: As proposed, the Preferred Concept for Nicollet Avenue is an example of infrastructure that meets the service needs of the community. Equity Considerations: The project will create a safer, more comfortable corridor for all users of Nicollet Avenue, whether they are walking, biking, rolling, driving a personal vehicle, or taking public transit. The proposed design emphasizes the safety of the roadway's most vulnerable users to reduce or eliminate crashes with pedestrians and bicyclists, and reduce the severity of vehicle crashes on the road. C.POLICIES (resolutions, ordinances, regulations, statutes, exc): Bicycle Master Plan (2012) This project aims to achieve all 3 Key Objectives of the plan Link Destinations Improve Safety Community Awareness Nicollet Avenue is identified as a primary bikeway corridor Pedestrian Master Plan (2018) The proposed design incorporates nearly all of the best practices for pedestrian safety identified in the 2018 plan Active Transportation Action Plan (2024) Proposed design achieves goal of "Centering active transportation users in the Nicollet Avenue redesign, prioritizing people walking, rolling, biking, and using transit, followed by other vehicles in design decisions." D.CRITICAL TIMING ISSUES: For project to be constructed in 2026, County staff needs to have final design plans completed by late 2025. If additional engagement with either the public, the Transportation Commission, or both is required, staff will need to complete this work in 2024. E.FINANCIAL IMPACT: The estimated cost breakdown for the project, per Hennepin County's Cost Participation Policy is: Roadway and storm sewer construction: $18 Million Hennepin County: $12.9 Million Richfield: $5.1 Million City of Richfield utility construction: $5.9 Million Sanitary Sewer: $2.9 Million Watermain: $3 Million Right of way acquisition: $1.95 Million Hennepin County: $975,000 Richfield: $975,000 All items listed above include a 25% contingency, as this is a preliminary estimate that will change as the design of the project progresses. Per the County's cost participation policy, Richfield is also responsible for 22% of the City's total construction subtotal for design engineering and construction administration costs. This is currently estimated at $2.4 Million with all work included. The current estimated total project cost for the Preferred Concept is approximately $28 million, with a total estimated City cost of approximately $14.4 million. The City's proposed 2026-2029 Capital Improvement Plan, in the 2025 proposed budget, includes an estimate of $10 million in cost contributions for the project ($5 million for roadway design and construction, and $5 million for utility design and construction). This estimate was based on the County's 2024 CIP, which included cost estimates that had been created prior to the project progressing far enough in the design phase for an estimate of the Preferred Concept. Staff are investigating possible project savings on the roadway improvements, but options for significant savings are limited. Staff are also exploring additional revenue options, including franchise fees. Initial estimates are a $150,000 increase in the debt levy for a $7.2M debt issue in 2026 compared to the original estimated debt issue of $5M. However, the increase is projected to be $50,000 higher than the average debt levy for the past several years due in part to lower interest rate assumptions. Also, franchise fees can pay the first year's debt service which will allow steady debt levy levels since it will better match the impact of the new debt with debt maturing in 2028. Staff are additionally investigating possible project savings for the City utility portions of the project and will include more information during the work session discussion. However, the utility design is still in an early preliminary phase, so final decisions in this area are not yet feasible. Finally, staff plan to recommend that the city continue to request funding for the project at $10M in the 2025 Legislative Platform. State funding could significantly reduce the financial impact on the debt levy and utility funds. F.LEGAL CONSIDERATION: ALTERNATIVE(S): PRINCIPAL PARTIES EXPECTED AT MEETING: Matt Huggins, PE - Project Manager, Hennepin County Jessa Trboyevich, PE - Design Division Director, Hennepin County ATTACHMENTS: Description Type Nicollet Avenue Preferred Concept Exhibit Nicollet Avenue Engagement Summaries Exhibit 2' CONC WALL MAILROCKROCKROCKMAILMAILMENARDS 7701 NICOLLET AVENUE GAS STATION SUPERAMERICA AVENUE 7720 NICOLLET ANDALE TAQUERIA & MERCADO 7700 NICOLLET AVENUE 760076087614 7620 76267638 76017609761376197623 76277633 76437645 75007508751475207526753275387544 750175077513 7519 7525 7531 75377543 74007408 741474207426743274387444 74017407 7413 741974257433 7437 7445 7344 7338 7332 7345 - 7343 7339 - 7337 7333 - 7331 7326 7327 - 7325 7320 7319 7311 - 7315 7309 7301 - 7303 7314 7308 7300 7244 7238 7232 7226 7220 7214 7208 7200 7245 7241 7237 7233 7229 7225 7221 7217 7213 7209 7201-7201 HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY 7100 NICOLLET AVENUE 7145 7141 7137 7133 7129 CHURCH INTERNATIONAL RESURRECTION POWER 7101 NICOLLET AVENUE 7045 AUGSBURG PARK CENTER COMMUNITY RICHFIELD 7000 NICOLLET AVE 7033 7029 7025 7021 7019 7015 7009 7005 7001 CHIROPRACTIC & MASSAGE BACK TO HEALTH 6944 NICOLLET AVENUE EARLY LEARNING CENTER SPANISH IMMERSION 6949 NICOLLET AVENUE & HOME LOANS REAL ESTATE SALES CORNERSTONE 6945 NICOLLET AVE 6936 6941 6920 6914 6908 6900 6937 6935 - 6933 6927 6921 6915 6909 6901 6844 6838 6832 6826 6802 - 6800 6810 - 6808 6816 - 6814 6822 - 6820 6829 6825 6819 6815 6811 6805 6803 CATHOLIC SCHOOL ST. PETER'S 6720 NICOLLET AVENUE 6744 6740 6745 6739 6733 6727 6721 6715 6711 6705 6701 HOLY ANGELS ACADEMY OF 6600 NICOLLET AVENUE 6641 6635 6633 6629 6625 BEST BUY MOBILE U.S. ARMY CAREER CENTER HOT COMICS & COLLECTABLES 6601 NICOLLET AVENUE 67TH E. 10 & 12 AUGSBURG PARK RICHFIELD 7000 NICOLLET AVE AUGSBURG PARK RICHFIELD 7000 NICOLLET AVE CHURCH INTERNATIONAL RESURRECTION POWER 7101 NICOLLET AVENUE CHURCH INTERNATIONAL RESURRECTION POWER 7101 NICOLLET AVENUE 7205 MENARDS MENARDSMENARDS7701 NICOLLET AVENUEHENNEPIN COUNTY 2.6 Penn Lake 4.4Oxboro Lake 2.5 Lake Meadow2.01.6 Long 1.0 Wood Lake1.71.1FORT SNELLING NATIONAL CEMETERY 2.5MINNEAPOLIS- ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 1.0 0.20.40.10.30.10.9 POP. Rich-fieldLake 1.21.1 Grass Lake 0.6 Mother L. 2.3 MINNEHAHA DEPOT HISTORIC SITE SOLDIERS HOME Lake Harriet 5.2Lake Hiawatha 4.8 RIVERT 27 NEAGAN T A RIVERT 28 NRARailInc.NOKOMIS- HIAWATHA PARK FORT SNELLING STATE Lake 24"20"16"NGN. N. G. CO.16"DiamondNG NG16"N. N. G. CO.16"NG31 29 25 REGIONAL LAKES REGIONAL PARK 1 35 9 11 13 7 15 17 23 27 29 33 35 9 11 13 15 17 1921 23 W.ST. E. Lake Snelling0.417 32 32 1 52 35 5 1 52 35 5 62 121 35W 62 31 17 22 21 21 53 44°50' 55' 77 42 5 6 7A 12B 34A 4B 5 52 46 48 152 32 31 53 2C 494 77 2A 46 35W 46 Lake Nokomis 204 205 WOLD-CHAMBERLAIN FIELD L.R.T.L.R.T. PKWY. 76TH 35,228 MINNESOTA VALLEY NWR PARK HISTORICALAVE.S.28THAVE.AVE.CEDARMINNEHAHA ST.46TH E.S.ST.LYNDALE50THS.W.AVE.XERXESW.54TH ST.S.DIAMOND S.LK.RD.S.E.60TH ST. E.34TH54TH ST.POS TRD.AVE.34THRD.SHAKOPEE12THPORTLAND90TH ST.AVE.AVE.AVE.AVE.ST.AVE.80TH 84TH ST. ST.PENN82ND LYNDALENICOLLETE. O LD ST. W. ST.90TH ST. SHAKOPEE W. W. ST.RD.94TH ST. STATEMINNEHAHA REGIO NAL PARK RICHFIELD 555 62 494 HENNEPIN COUNTY 52 0' SCALE 40''20 SIDEWALK 6' BIKE LANE 6' DRIVING LANE 10' CENTER TURN LANE 11'BIKE LANE 6' SIDEWALK 6' DRIVING LANE 10'BLVD 8' BLVD 8' GUTTER 2' GUTTER 2' PRELIMINARY - SUBJECT TO CHANGE CSAH 52 - Nicollet Avenue LOCATION PROJECT MINNESOTACURB & GUTTER BOULEVARD / BUFFER / LANDSCAPING SIDEWALK ROADWAY EXISTING RIGHT OF WAY BIKE LANE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE 9/10/2024 Hennepin County Project No. 2120800 RICHFIELD, MN LEGEND TYPICAL SECTION A-A METRO TRANSIT LOCAL ROUTE 18* TRAFFIC FLOW ARROW PARCEL LINE UNDER REVIEW FUTURE BIKE FACILITY CONNECTION EXISTING OR PLANNED BIKE FACILITY RETAINING WALL SYSTEM RAPID RECTANGULAR FLASHING BEACON UNDER REVIEW *FINAL BUS STOP LOCATIONS ARE CONCRETE MEDIANS / ISLANDS MnDOT 494 PROJECT. BE COORDINATED WITH 77TH ST CONNECTION TO EXISTING TRAFFIC SIGNAL SIDEWALK BIKE LANE BOULEVARD THRU/RT TURN LANE TWO-WAY LEFT TURN LANE THRU/RT TURN LANE BOULEVARD BIKE LANE SIDEWALK SIDEWALK BIKE LANE BOULEVARD THRU/RT TURN LANE TWO-WAY LEFT TURN LANE THRU/RT TURN LANE BOULEVARD BIKE LANE SIDEWALK SIDEWALK BIKE LANE BOULEVARD THRU/RT TURN LANE TWO-WAY LEFT TURN LANE THRU/RT TURN LANE BOULEVARD BIKE LANE SIDEWALK SIDEWALK BIKE LANE BOULEVARD THRU/RT TURN LANE TWO-WAY LEFT TURN LANE THRU/RT TURN LANE BOULEVARD BIKE LANE SIDEWALK SIDEWALK BIKE LANE BOULEVARD THRU/RT TURN LANE TWO-WAY LEFT TURN LANE THRU/RT TURN LANE BOULEVARD BIKE LANE SIDEWALK SIDEWALK BIKE LANE BOULEVARD THRU/RT TURN LANE TWO-WAY LEFT TURN LANE THRU/RT TURN LANE BOULEVARD BIKE LANE SIDEWALK SIDEWALK BIKE LANE BOULEVARD THRU LANE BOULEVARD BIKE LANE SIDEWALK THRU LANE SIDEWALK BIKE LANE BOULEVARD THRU/RT TURN LANE TWO-WAY LEFT TURN LANE THRU/RT TURN LANE BOULEVARD BIKE LANE SIDEWALK SIDEWALK BIKE LANE BOULEVARD THRU/RT TURN LANE TWO-WAY LEFT TURN LANE THRU/RT TURN LANE BOULEVARD BIKE LANE SIDEWALK SIDEWALK BIKE LANE BOULEVARD THRU/RT TURN LANE TWO-WAY LEFT TURN LANE THRU/RT TURN LANE BOULEVARD BIKE LANE SIDEWALK SIDEWALK BIKE LANE THRU LANE BIKE LANE SIDEWALK THRU LANE BOULEVARDW 77TH ST100'83'83'83'66'83'66'67'83'100'83'73'100'100'E 77TH STW 76TH STE 76TH STW 75TH STE 75TH STW 74TH STE 74TH STW 73RD STE 73RD STW 72ND STE 72ND STE 71ST STW 70TH STE 70TH STW 69TH STE 69TH STW 68TH STE 68TH STE 67TH STW 67TH STE 66TH STW 66TH STNICOLLET AVE NICOLLET AVE ADJACENT MNDOT PROJECT PROJECT LIMITS PROJECT LIMITS A A Nicollet Avenue reconstruction County Road 52 in Richfield Phase 1: Experiences | Engagement summary Project overview Hennepin County is planning to reconstruct CSAH 52 (Nicollet Avenue) between 66th Street and 77th Street in 2026-2027. As part of the design process for this project, the county is doing community and stakeholder engagement to inform project design in 2023 and 2024. Engagement for this phase included: • Open house and companion virtual open house • Pop-up event at Richfield Penn Fest • Pop-up event at Richfield Farmer’s Market • Initial contacts with 10+ community organizations The following is a summary of each of the community engagement activities included in phase 1. Open house On the afternoon of Tuesday, August 22, members of the project team hosted an open house to gather input from people who use the Nicollet Avenue corridor, which was attended by approximately 70 people. Public input was collected through a variety of methods: questionnaire handed out at the meeting, comments on a map via post-it notes, and direct conversations with project staff. In addition, input was collected virtually via an online survey and interactive project map. The following is a summary of the meeting, including key findings. A full listing of the comments received, as well as a tabulation of questionnaire results, are included as attachments to this document. Meeting purpose • Provide a project overview and establish project constraints • Share existing conditions data and mapping • Collect input on existing community experiences • Discuss next steps Date/time • August 22, 2023 from 4 – 7 p.m. • Augsburg Park Library, Meeting Room, 7100 Nicollet Avenue, Richfield, MN 55423 Meeting promotions • Postcard mailing to all of the physical addresses within one quarter mile of the corridor • Email invitation to those on the city and county project lists Open house participants completing the mapping activity NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page2 • Social media posts on city and county channels • Direct invitations via Richfield Transportation Commission members • Flyers hand delivered to retail businesses in the area • Flyers affixed to bicycles parked at the bicycle racks at the HUB shopping center • Yard signs and sidewalk decals placed outside in high activity areas Written comments received • Questionnaires submitted at meeting: 42 • Questionnaires submitted electronically: 58 • In-person map comments: 44 • Electronic map comments: 55 (plus 86 up votes and 24 down votes) Participant demographics Meeting participants were asked to self-select demographic characteristics via an interactive exercise at the meeting and a series of questions on the questionnaire form (both in person and online). The activity and questions were voluntary and not all respondents participated. Table 1 shows the results of that activity. The following are key findings: • 58% were age 55 and over • 85% identified as white and 3% identified as Black/African American or Hispanic/Latino, respectively • 58% used she/her pronouns • 7% had a disability • 94% spoke English and 6% spoke Spanish Key themes The following are key themes from the input collected at the meeting, including written comments on the map, comments submitted via the meeting questionnaire, and comments from conversations with project staff. Walking and biking safety: Many commented that walking and biking in the area feels unsafe and uncomfortable. People raised issues with traveling both along and across Nicollet Avenue. Common themes include poor sidewalks, no dedicated bicycle infrastructure, and difficulty crossing Nicollet Avenue. Safety for people walking across Nicollet Avenue was a specific concern with locations like the intersections near Augsburg Park, 66th Street, 73rd Street, 76th Street, and 77th Street being mentioned frequently. Safety at intersections: Several people commented that intersections along the corridor are unsafe. It can be difficult to cross or turn in a vehicle, particularly during peak periods. The most common locations mentioned were 73rd Street, 76th Street, and 66th Street. Some people also expressed concern over the existing pedestrian crossing medians with driver visibility of people walking across the street, and the Table 1: Participant demographics, open house and virtual open house Age 66+ 31% 55 - 64 27% 35 - 44 17% 25 - 34 9% 45 - 54 9% 18 - 24 4% Under 18 2% Race/Ethnicity White 85% Black or African American 3% Hispanic or Latino 3% Asian or Asian American 1% No response 9% Gender Woman 58% Man 36% Non-binary 1% Other 6% Do you have a disability? No 93% Yes 7% Languages English 94% Spanish 6% NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page3 ability of drivers to navigate around the medians as the most common issues. Others felt the existing three-lane section along Nicollet Avenue is not safe because the center turn lane allows vehicles to pass buses and other vehicles in an unsafe manner. Vehicle speeds: Some people felt that excessive vehicle speeds and reckless driving on Nicollet Avenue are a safety problem. Vehicle operations: There were a number of comments calling for traffic signals throughout the corridor and some comments saying there should not be any new traffic signals. Common locations mentioned include 73rd Street, 72nd Street, and 70th Street. Some people felt that traffic congestion at the 66th Street intersection is problematic, particularly during school arrival and dismal and other peak periods. Trees, plantings, and green infrastructure: Several people expressed support for increasing the amount of trees and greenspace along the corridor. The sentiment was that plantings improve aesthetics, can increase safety for people walking and biking, and are good for the environment. Roundabouts: People shared many opinions on roundabouts, both for and against. Some feel that they improve safety and efficiency and others don’t like them because they are hard to navigate. Some expressed a preference for single lane roundabouts over multilane. There were a number of comments about increasing education efforts around roundabout use and some comments about increasing education around traffic safety in general. Richfield Penn Fest On the afternoon of Sunday, September 17, members of the project team attended Richfield’s Penn Fest. Penn Fest is an “open streets” event, where Penn Avenue is closed from 62nd to 76th Street to motorized traffic and replaced with foot traffic, bicyclists and skateboarders. The project team collected input via one-on-one conversations and comments on a map using post- it notes, interacting with about 200 people in total. The team also used a spinwheel activity with Nicollet Avenue trivia to engage with both kids and adults. Project staff also directed participants to the website to participate in the virtual open house (i.e., survey and interactive map). Below is a summary of the event and key findings. A full listing of the comments received are included as attachments to this document. Event purpose • Provide a project overview and establish project constraints • Collect input on existing community experiences • Discuss next steps • Meet people where they are at Penn Fest participants talking with project staff NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page4 Date/time • September 17, 2023 from 1 – 5 p.m. • Penn Avenue in Richfield, close to the intersection of 69th Street West Meeting promotions • Penn Fest itself was promoted via a variety of methods, including an event website and Facebook page • Penn Fest was added to the project website and interactive site Written comments received • In-person map comments: 67 Participant demographics Meeting participants were asked to self-select demographic characteristics via an interactive exercise at the event. The activity and questions were voluntary and not all respondents participated. Table 2 shows the results of that activity. The following are key findings: • 42% were under 18 – The project team interacted with many families at this event. • Asian or Asian Americans (29%), multiracial (29%) and Hispanic/Latino (21%) were most represented • 61% used she/her pronouns • 20% had a disability • 50% spoke English and 27% spoke Spanish and 19% spoke Mandarin/Cantonese Key themes The following are key themes from the input collected at the event, including written comments on the map and comments from conversations with project staff. Walking and biking safety: Pedestrians mentioned they avoid walking on Nicollet Ave due to its infrastructure, how busy and unsafe the road is, and the lack of appeal. Bikers want at least one designated bike lane throughout Nicollet Ave. Many bikers mentioned wanting Nicollet Ave to replicate Portland Ave. Safety at intersections: The intersection of 71st Street and Nicollet Ave (between the Richfield Community Center and the Hennepin County Library) was mentioned often as a difficult place to cross. Some residents recommended a marked or signal-controlled crosswalk to increase safety and visibility of pedestrians and bikers. Traffic congestion: The main reason why some residents avoid Nicollet Ave is due to traffic congestion and difficulty of entering/exiting mall strips off 66th St and Nicollet Ave. Table 2: Demographics activity results, Penn Fest Age Under 18 42% 35 - 50 27% 50 - 65 15% 18 - 34 11% 66+ 4% Race/Ethnicity Asian or Asian American 29% More than one race 29% Hispanic or Latino 21% White 14% Black or African American 7% Pronouns She/Her 61% He/Him 28% They/Them 6% Other 6% Do you have a disability? No 80% Yes 20% Languages English 50% Spanish 27% Mandarin/Cantonese 19% Other 4% NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page5 Vehicle speeds: The speed of vehicles was a big concern for residents that live, bike or walk near or along the corridor, with a few suggesting speed traps to calm traffic. Trees, plantings, and green infrastructure: Some participants suggested adding greenery along the corridor, specifically native plants. Roundabouts: Some residents said they didn't mind the roundabout off of 66th St and Nicollet Ave but wished there was some consistency of having two-way lanes going north and southbound to match its east and westbound counterparts to alleviate congestion. Richfield Farmers Market The morning of Saturday, October 7, the project team attended the Richfield Farmers Market during “Active Aging Week.” The project team collected input via one-on-one conversations and comments on a map using post-it notes, interacting with about 80 people in total. The team also used a spinwheel activity with Nicollet Avenue trivia to engage with both kids and adults. Project staff also directed participants to the website to participate in the virtual open house (i.e., survey and interactive map). The following is a summary of the event and key findings. A full listing of the comments received are included as attachments to this document. Event purpose • Provide a project overview and establish project constraints • Collect input on existing community experiences • Discuss next steps • Meet people where they are at Date/time • October 7, 2023 from 8 a.m. – noon • Veterans Park in Richfield, just off Portland Avenue and 64th Street Meeting promotions • The farmers market itself was promoted via a variety of methods, including on the City’s website and Richfield Farmers Market Facebook page • The farmers market was added to the project website and interactive site Written comments received • In-person map comments: 35 NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page6 Participant demographics Meeting participants were asked to self-select demographic characteristics via an interactive exercise at the event. The activity and questions were voluntary and not all respondents participated. Table 3 shows the results of that activity. The following are key findings: • 75% were age 50 - 65 • White (50%) and Hispanic/Latino (50%) people were most represented • English (60%) Spanish (40%) were the most common languages Key themes The following are key themes from the input collected at the event, including written comments on the map and comments from conversations with project staff. Walking and biking safety: Bike lanes need to be wider and more protected from traffic. Safety at intersections: Menards parking lot and intersection is problematic due to congestion and needing a left turn light. Traffic congestion: Multiple people avoid 66th because it is too congested because of the roundabout. Roundabouts: People stated they avoid roundabouts because no one knows how to properly drive through them. People requested information on how to properly drive through a roundabout. Others stated they like roundabouts; they do what they are supposed to by slowing down traffic and helping with congestion. Inconsistent types of roundabouts (single lane vs. two lane) causes confusion. General: People stated they don’t want to see the same construction changes as they did to Portland Avenue. Questionnaire results The following is a summary of the questionnaire results, including those submitted both online and in- person. A complete tabulation of survey results is included as an attachment. • When asked how do you currently travel and how you would prefer to travel, people showed a desire to bike and take transit more and drive or use a rideshare less. Table 3: Demographic activity results, Farmers Market Age 50 – 65 75% 18 – 34 25% Race/Ethnicity Hispanic or Latino 50% White 50% Pronouns She/Her 50% He/Him 50% Do you have a disability? No 100% Yes 0% Languages English 60% Spanish 40% NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page7 • The most cited barriers to traveling along and across Nicollet Avenue were vehicle traffic delays when turning on and off of the corridor, traffic congestion when traveling along the corridor, and inadequate places to walk, roll, or bike. • When asked what should be improved on Nicollet Avenue, the most common responses were improve traffic flow, improve pedestrian crossings, and green infrastructure (trees and plantings). Next steps The next steps in the process for the project team are to consider the results of phase one engagement to develop a problem statement and a range of potential tools to address the problems identified. This information will be shared with community members during the second phase of community engagement, tentatively planned for October 2023. List of attachments Attachment 1: Transcript of open house comments Attachment 2: Transcript of Penn Fest comments Attachment 3: Transcript of Farmers Market Attachment 4: Questionnaire results People at the open house Attachment 1: Transcript of open house comments Locational comments from map activity: Location Comment 66th St Add elevated walking and biking paths on sidewalks similar to 66th St 66th St I feel safe at roundabouts on 66th St as a pedestrian using the flashing lights to cross 70th St Left turn signals NB and SB 73rd St Do not make 73rd a through street 73rd St Stop light on 73rd 73rd St Flashing lights to cross at 73rd, raise curb on sidewalk to improve pedestrian safety 76th St Left turn signals NB and SB 77th St Left turn signals NB and SB Augsburg Park Improve bike connections from Nicollet Ave to Augsburg Park Corridor- 69th St and 77th St We walk between 69th St and 77th St using the side streets, why not use alternative routes a block or two over for walking, rolling or biking? Corridor- NB Nicollet Ave from 76th St to 77th St Please be careful of how you reconfigure Nicollet between 77th and 76th St, as a driver I got honked at for not using the bike lane to turn Corridor- Nicollet Ave, Portland Ave, Lyndale Ave S Will not bike on Portland, Nicollet or Lyndale. Bike lane should be off the street as speeding and distracted drivers are scary! I use side streets instead Corridor- W 76th St to E 66th St One continuous bike lane connecting two streets Intersection- 72nd St and Nicollet Ave Need safety lights at the pedestrian crosswalks Intersection- 73rd St and Nicollet Ave Need safety lights at the pedestrian crosswalks Intersection- E 69th St and Portland Ave EB left turn from 69th St to Portland Ave doesn’t work Intersection- E 73rd St and Nicollet Ave Traffic lights Intersection- E 73rd St and Portland Ave Traffic lights Intersection- Nicollet Ave and 66th St The traffic usually moves pretty well, only bottleneck is rush hour at 66th roundabout on Nicollet Intersection- Nicollet Ave and 70th St I’d like a roundabout at Nicollet and 70th St, they help traffic flow, however please not at every intersection Intersection- Nicollet Ave and 73rd St Had a car accident at 73rd and Nicollet. Need roundabout at that intersection, we always go down to 74th and Nicollet to turn because there’s too much traffic at that intersection Intersection- Nicollet Ave and 76th St We live near this intersection and do NOT want a roundabout here NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page9 Intersection- Nicollet Ave and 77th St Need left turn lane or roundabout going SB on Nicollet Ave at 77th St Intersection- Nicollet Ave and 77th St NB and SB turn lanes at 77th to Nicollet, why only one way? Three lanes Intersection- Nicollet Ave and 77th St As a car, intersection on Nicollet by Menards does not offer safe left turns from all four directions; add a green arrow or a roundabout Intersection- Nicollet Ave and E 77th St Left turn lane onto 77th on left turn arrow by Menards Lyndale Ave S I currently bike Lyndale, 66th St or 75th St instead of biking Nicollet Ave Nicollet Ave Needs a right turn lane into the Academy of Holy Angels/St. Peters parking lot Nicollet Ave When turning onto Nicollet Ave from side streets, medians get in the way Nicollet Ave Will street parking on Nicollet on Sundays remain? It spills onto cross streets Nicollet Ave I don’t bike on Nicollet because the bike lane doesn’t feel safe Nicollet Ave Congestion on Nicollet due to garbage, buses, delivery vehicles Nicollet Ave Difficult to cross Nicollet as a pedestrian or cyclist, except at 70th, 66th and 76th Nicollet Ave I drive down Nicollet because other modes of transportation are not safe; biking isn’t safe and the sidewalks are slanted Nicollet Ave Current crosswalks on Nicollet Ave don’t feel safe to cross, cars fly by Nicollet Ave I’m happy with Nicollet as it is, I use it many times per week Nicollet Ave Please don’t add any more roundabouts Nicollet Ave Nicollet Ave needs an area for parking; garbage trucks and buses don’t have enough room for cars to get by, they have to wait and cause congestion Nicollet Ave bridge Would like a nice safe crossing over Nicollet Ave bridge Portland Ave Left turns onto Portland Ave are very tight. Could pedestrian refuge be moved a few feet closer to mid-block? Portland Ave Concerned it will be the same, passing on right observed on bike lane, bike ped facilities, too short left turn lane Richfield Community Center Add street parking for community center W 66th St Likes the bikeway, positive W 66th St Improve bike-safe options for bicyclists to turn right onto Nicollet General comments from map activity: Keyword Comment Add lane(s) There are three driveways on this block, why does it need a center turn lane? Add lane(s) Left turn lanes need to be long enough for two cars to wait to turn, there’s only room for one Add lane(s) Why so much money to redo these main roads to accommodate bikes when there are so few bikes using it? I miss two lanes of traffic, even having no left turn lane if NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page10 using the second lane to drive in. Any future weather emergencies, etc. would cause a total backup on all these one lane roads Add lane(s) Add dedicated left turn lanes at lights going NB and SB Add lane(s), traffic With 1 lane traffic in one direction, all traffic must stop and wait for all buses. With 2 lanes that didn’t happen. Also, people trying to go around stopped buses. I’ve noticed going into the oncoming traffic L turn lane- a recipe for an accident Biking Bikeway off street would support Biking Protected bike lanes are always nice Biking If bike lane is at sidewalk level (elevated), cars won’t park on the street Biking, add lane(s) Raise bike lanes separate from the streets Biking, add lane(s) Bike lane on each side of the street Biking, add lane(s) More bike lanes Biking, add lane(s) Put in bike lane, raised with sidewalk for safety; keep two lanes Biking, crossing Better transition from on-street bike lane to crossing at sidewalks Biking, ped Some people prefer to travel on quiet roads when walking and biking, but there is also a need to have direct routes on busier roads to reach destinations via walking and biking Biking, ped, safety Educational component for bikers, ped lights, stop signs Biking, roundabouts Bike lanes are positive, double lane roundabouts confusing Biking, safety Protect bike lane from street, elevating it to sidewalk levels Biking, safety Elevated bike lanes with on/off ramps to stay in the current footprint Bus I like the good bus stop access Crossing Raise all crosswalks to sidewalk level Crossing Safer crossing locations Crossing, ped Metered crossing for pedestrians with flashing lights Crossing, roundabouts Include raised crossing at roundabouts Crossing, safety Can crossings be moved south to improve safety and visibility? Crossing, safety Speed bumps for crosswalks, please Drive I usually drive on Nicollet, I don’t walk or bike it NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page11 Drive If most use autos, why make it more difficult for autos? Green Please don’t add trees to boulevards, the city and county have enough difficulty with simple maintenance of their roads, adding plantings like on 66th create more work and look unkept Green, visibility Blvd, trees, landscaping and lighting Median Do you want center median forcing right turn? Median Not a fan of median refuges Median, biking, ped, safety The medians are very important as many cyclists and walkers can’t get across two lanes without stopping Median, ped Continue to have median to help with pedestrian crossing Median, ped, crossing Keep median to aid pedestrian crossing Misc Please use design plans that are practical and not trendy or what Edina, Minneapolis or Bloomington are doing Misc Keep taxes down Misc How is this project being paid for? What are the City of Richfield’s responsibilities? Misc Trouble backing out of driveways Misc The room used for the open house was too small, there was bad sound, it was hard to hear and there was an echo Misc Will 494 construction affect anything? Misc Please try to coordinate projects so that taxes don’t keep going up and the streets aren’t always under construction Ped Better walking for kids to get to school Ped, crossing Please don’t use bump-outs or those very ugly white poles, find something more pleasant looking. What about yellow pedestrian crossing lights? Ped, medians Pedestrian design medians, too tight Ped, repair Expand the sidewalks Ped, safety Ped crossings are dangerous along the corridor Ped, safety Safer walking path Ramps, roundabouts, biking We need ramps on north side of roundabout for bicyclists NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page12 Repair Redo sidewalks Repair The sidewalks are terrible Repair Use of impervious material, especially on sidewalks and bike paths Repair Fix the sidewalks throughout wider/level accessible on both sides Repair Sidewalks are most necessary to improve Repair Would like more non-car mobility. Wider and flatter sidewalks that 2-4 people can use comfortably Repair, ped Widen sidewalks for pedestrians Roundabouts More roundabouts, save our tax dollars Roundabouts More roundabouts Roundabouts Love roundabouts Roundabouts Please no more roundabouts, and don’t paint the middle of existing roundabouts Roundabouts No more roundabouts Roundabouts No more roundabouts Roundabouts NO more roundabouts at all Roundabouts More roundabouts Roundabouts Roundabouts! Roundabouts NO more roundabouts, at all Roundabouts More roundabouts Roundabouts No more roundabouts, do not further narrow the car lanes Roundabouts Roundabouts are a must! Roundabouts Forget the roundabouts, like on Lyndale Roundabouts School buses now come down avenue, instead of roundabouts on Nicollet Roundabouts Roundabouts are good, but I don’t like double lane ones Roundabouts Roundabouts are largely positive Roundabouts No more roundabouts Roundabouts Roundabouts in moderation are effective NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page13 Roundabouts No more roundabouts. They destroyed Lyndale Roundabouts Educational classes and campaigns for roundabouts Roundabouts We love how roundabouts keep the traffic moving Roundabouts, green, biking Roundabouts, green blvd, bike lanes Roundabouts, safety, biking, ped Roundabouts- maintenance, not safe for bicyclists and pedestrians Roundabouts, traffic, green No more roundabouts, single lanes are causing long backups with cars idling and causing pollution Safety Focus on safety at high-crash intersections Safety Three lane center lane is used illegally for passing cars Safety Heated bus shelter for 6 to 8 blocks Safety, crossing Even the great crosswalks are dangerous when drivers ignore traffic safety laws Safety, ped Improve safety for pedestrians Speed Current speed limit is posted illegally (35 mph). Use bike lane speed exception to set speed at 25 mph Speed Develop method of reducing excessive speed passing for drivers Speed Institute street diet to slow down car speeds Speed Speed limits do not work Speed, roundabouts Slow down speeding cars, somehow add more stops and roundabouts Speed, traffic Want to see slower traffic Traffic Traffic during drop-off and pick-up Traffic We recognize that the more car traffic there is, we divert to other modalities like biking Traffic Need a stop light Traffic, safety Two lane roads of the past created fast traffic and unsafe routes for all other road users. Traffic calming is important for residents, and all road users to improve safety Visibility Lighting post Visibility Need more and better lighting, better than Portland Ave NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page14 Visibility Quality lighting at the pedestrian level Visibility Red bright flashing lights for roundabout Visibility Sight lines for future BRT electrical boxes Attachment 2: Transcript of Penn Fest comments Locational comments from map activity: Location Comment 66th St Does not like 66th St 66th St Separate bike lanes from walking lines on 66th St 71th St We had asked for those crossings for years and we finally have them! Please keep them and add crossing lights! 77th St Need a better signal at 77th St, no turn lane Corridor- Nicollet Ave from 67th St to 68th St, eastside Maintenance Corridor- Nicollet Ave to 67th St and Stevens Ave People are zipping through Nicollet to 67th St and Stevens in order to avoid the roundabout Hennepin County Library Yes! Keep the safe crossing at 71st St and 72nd St to get to the library! But no roundabouts! They are unsafe Hennepin County Library Keep safe crosswalks by library and park! Intersection- 60th St and 66th St Less friendly to ride BRT on Portland at 60th and 66th; bus rides, takes away bus stops, inconvenient, expensive to put in shelters, can’t trust the Met Council Intersection- 66th St and Nicollet Ave Speed has been kind of an issue off on 66th and Nicollet Intersection- 66th St and Nicollet Ave Add two lanes all the way through roundabout (X3) Intersection- 66th St and Nicollet Ave BMP maintenance, too many weeds Intersection- 66th St and Nicollet Ave Concerned about cut through traffic with new development at 1st and Stevens Intersection- 68th St and Nicollet Walk/driveway panel NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page16 Intersection- 70th St and Nicollet Ave Move bike lane to just one lane on 70th and Nicollet Intersection- 72nd St and Nicollet Ave Nice crosswalk options on 72nd and Nicollet Ave; add safety features like flashing lights Intersection- 72nd St and Nicollet Ave Add crosswalk with flashing lights! Intersection- 72nd St and Nicollet Ave Mailbox drop-off access/coordination with postal service Intersection- 73rd St and Nicollet Ave 73rd and Nicollet needs traffic control, but if it’s a roundabout do NOT make it like the Target one! Intersection- 73rd St and Nicollet Ave NOT Portland Ave! Intersection- 73rd St and Nicollet Ave Pedestrian crosswalk with lights at 73rd Intersection- 73rd St and Nicollet Ave Add roundabout with flashing lights for pedestrians at 73rd and Nicollet Intersection- 74th St and Nicollet Ave Improve sidewalks/add boulevards to make it safer and more comfortable for pedestrians Intersection- 75th St and Nicollet Ave Bad sidewalks Intersection- 76th St and Nicollet Ave Speeding is an issue Intersection- 76th St and Nicollet Ave Put parking bays where you have extra right-of-way, like this block Lyndale Ave Does not love the sidewalks and bike lanes on Lyndale; doesn’t like the roundabout Lyndale Ave Add more greenery Nicollet Ave Avoids Nicollet Ave Nicollet Ave Side roads are less busy than taking Nicollet Ave Nicollet Ave Add more designated bike lanes Nicollet Ave Safety issues walking on Nicollet; add biking lanes on both sides, add a crosswalk for 71st St Nicollet Ave Speed has been an issue overall; add speed traps NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page17 Nicollet Ave Like on-street no medians Nicollet Ave Striped buffer, no concrete Nicollet Ave More pedestrian crossings! Nicollet Ave Replace four-way stoplights with roundabouts! They are safer! And keep educating folks on how to use them Nicollet Ave Please build the Nicollet streetcar project! Even adding bus lanes would be great! Nicollet Ave If adding a roundabout, set lane designation signs back further so drivers have more time to react and get in the correct lane Nicollet Ave I don’t think Nicollet needs bikeway Nicollet Ave Don’t like single lane with median if emergency vehicles can’t get through. Does traffic calming work? Nicollet Ave I live on 1st Ave S. I used to live on Portland Ave S. I dislike Portland Ave and do not want it on Nicollet Ave. I prefer 4 lanes so cars and walkers can cross; maybe a crosswalk at the library where the light would flash so people would stop for walkers and bikers. PS the bright signs don’t work! Portland Ave Love the sidewalks and bike lanes on Portland Portland Ave Add more greenery Walgreens, by 66th St Congestion when coming in and out of Walgreens; having safety boundaries for bikers on roundabout would be helpful General comments from map activity: Keyword Comment Accessibility There have got to be more ways to get downtown Biking Likes on-street bike facility Biking Like on-street bike facility, no concrete Biking, add lane(s) More biking lanes would be nice to get to the library Biking, add lane(s) Add more biking lanes like on Portland Ave Green Add greenery Positive Loves all the turning lanes! NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page18 Repair Sidewalks between the community center and library could use some work Roundabout No roundabout needed Roundabout Add educational materials for roundabouts if considered Roundabout, biking, safety Bikes exiting the roundabout are in danger Roundabout, ped Pedestrian crossing in roundabouts Roundabout, ped Must have pedestrian lights at all roundabouts Safety People don’t take turns when merging Safety Two lanes of traffic is harder to cross Traffic, transit Give space for the buses to get off the road to keep traffic flowing please Traffic, transit Cars can wait for four buses an hour Transit Need more transit options Transit Don’t like the spaced out stops of the BRT lines Transit, accessibility BRT and local services need accessibility Visibility Visibility of other drivers Visibility Improve visibility for RDBT (beacons) NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page19 Attachment 3: Transcript of Penn Fest comments Locational comments from map activity: Location Comment 66th St Like the cross walk blinking lights 66th St Too congested, especially when school is out 66th St Buses can’t make the turns 66th St Don’t take 66th because of bus transit and roundabouts 66th St Snow storage, be mindful for pedestrians. Watch for bus needs at hub 67th St Roundabout, 2 lanes 67th St No roundabout 67th St Improvement of traffic 70th St Roundabout is good 70th St Visible cross walks 71st St Highly visible cross walks to the library 73rd St More stop lights 73rd St Level sidewalks, difficult for wheelchairs 77th St Menards parking lot is problematic, causes uncertainty and congestion 77th St Need turn light at left turn into Menards Portland exit by freeway Need stop sign for bike riders Diamond Lake & Nicollet Needs a turn signal south (left) General comments from map activity: Keyword Comment Biking Wide, protected bike lanes, it’s too dangerous for bicyclists Biking Don’t feel safe riding bikes Biking Cars drive in bike lane, need rules around what can ride in bike lane NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page20 Green No tall plants in roundabouts, hard to see over Positive Don’t change it, like it how it is Repair Improved sidewalks with separation from the street Repair, construction Construction should happen in consecutive phases along corridor Roundabout Too many and in unnecessary places Roundabout Too small Roundabout Prefer single lane, good with roundabouts if big enough Roundabout Need information available on how to use roundabout Roundabout Inconsistent roundabouts (1 lane vs. 2 lanes) causes confusion Safety Speed reduction Safety, roundabout Avoid roundabouts, people go too fast, worried about accidents Transit Bus stops easier/out of way of traffic Transit 10-foot lane is too narrow Transit Pull out lanes for public transit Transit Bump outs on curb where crossings are NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page21 Attachment 4: Questionnaire results Q1 - What is your relationship with the corridor? Check all that apply. Live within one block 39 Own a residential property 58 Own, manage or work at a business 9 Live in Richfield 78 Visit 18 Travel through 52 None of the above 0 Q2 - What is the zip code of your residence? 55420, 55423, 55424, 55431, 55434, 55105 Q3 - How often do you travel along/across Nicollet Avenue? Daily 74 Every few days 20 About once a week 5 Once a month or so 1 Less than once a month 0 Q4 - How do you travel along/across Nicollet Avenue? Please select your top 3. Walk/roll 54 Bike 33 Transit 15 Rideshare/taxi 10 Drive personal vehicle 91 Q5 - How would you like to travel along/across Nicollet Avenue? Please select your top 3. Walk/roll 54 Bike 44 Transit 22 Rideshare/taxi 5 Drive personal vehicle 81 Q6 - What barriers do you experience when traveling along/across Nicollet Avenue? Check all that apply. Inadequate places to walk, roll or bike 34 Lack of safe places to cross when walking/biking 32 Lack of bus stop waiting areas 16 Traffic congestion and delays 48 NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page22 Traffic delays when turning on to or off of Nicollet Avenue 55 Other 17 Q6 - What barriers do you experience when traveling along/across Nicollet Avenue? Other People driving too close behind me when I need to turn off of Nicollet Better cross walks, very lit up, very obvious to drivers. Lane restrictions due to the change to 3 lanes. Traffic congestion due to pedestrians jaywalking and cyclists disregarding traffic laws. All Lyndale traffic comes to Nicollet because of their roundabouts Sidewalks: Help. Congestion at 77th & 66th Walkers need a longer walk period on lights Sidewalks are uneven for walking All of these are only during rush hour, not a large issue, just minor annoyance When we walk from 69th to 77th, we use side streets-- very little traffic, no exhaust fumes, etc. Delays when garbage trucks, buses, delivery vans are stopped on Nicollet-- not enough room to get around. No. 2: safe spaces provided are great, however, many drivers ignore crosswalks. Nicollet and 77th is a poor design for Southbound turns from Nicollet onto Eastbound 77th St Traffic congestion at roundabouts during peak times due to peds crossing to change busses Parked vehicles on all sides blocking view. I get nervous walking with my kids because the sidewalk is so close to the road. Q7 - What would you like improved on Nicollet Avenue? Please select your top 3. Wider sidewalks 35 Improved bike options 29 Improved pedestrian crossings 48 Improved transit facilities 12 Improved traffic flow 52 Green infrastructure (plantings, trees, stormwater management) 42 Other(s) 30 Q7 - What would you like improved on Nicollet Avenue? Other Traffic light at 73rd - 73rd is a busy cross-street but it is hard to turn onto (especially a left turn) or cross Nicollet since it was changed from a 4-lane (2 in each direction) to a 3-lane road because there are fewer breaks on Nicollet Improved sidewalks (don’t think they need to be wider) that are not cracked or falling apart The roundabout at 66th and Nicollet is ridiculous. I appreciate the safety aspect but after 3:00 pm every day (I work at 6605 Nicollet), traffic is backed up for blocks. Richfield is ripping up every available roadway for the very few bike riders and walkers that come through. Let us have a couple of roads with 2 lanes in each direction. and i do not want nicollet to be like portland ave. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page23 Add roundabouts at 70th/Nicollet and 73rd/Nicollet. If both aren't possible, 73rd should be the priority. Return of Two lanes north and south! Prioritize vehicle traffic and remove the incompetently implemented "pedestrian islands" that constrict the roadway and cause unsafe conditions. Traffic lights!! I bike on side streets due to traffic and lack of appropriate bike lanes. I walk on side streets due to traffic and poor sidewalks. Improved traffic flow, Green infrastructure Green infrastructure Avoid area across from library due to transportation safety concerns Avoid Nicollet and 77-76 due to transportation safety concerns more shaded areas right hand turn lane onto 67th when heading south (into Holy Angels lot) Green infrastructure Improved transit facilities - covered bus stops? None of these-- it's fine the way it is. 73rd St flashing lights. Green infrastructure: Noooo! Current ones are not adequately cared for :( Others: Curbs & sidewalks could be raised. Left turn signals both north and south on 70th, 76th, and 77th. More car lanes Less traffic congestion Also Improved Traffic Flow Need to allow space for 2 cars in left turn lanes. Flashing lights on 72nd/Nicollet or stop sign! Also Improved Traffic Flow and Green Infrastructure Also Improved Traffic Flow and Green Infrastructure Also Improved Traffic Flow and Green Infrastructure Improved Traffic Flow: Not sure how you intend to do this! You've messed it up already! Limit the amount of cars parked right near the intersection. a left turn arrow for southbound traffic to help the flow and safety of drivers heading east / to Menards on 77th Street. Q9 - What other ideas do you have for improving Nicollet Avenue? Do not add another roundabout. Improve traffic flow at pick-up and drop-off at AHA. Connect sidewalk on Nicollet Avenue to sidewalk at AHA, so kids have to walk on road. Improve traffic flow in/out of Menards on 77th Street. Improve traffic flow in/out of Andale, which gets busy too. As I bicyclist, I would never use a street that is a heavily used traffic corridor. I do not want to share the road with cars, even with protected bike lanes - I don't want to breathe exhaust fumes, and these types of streets do not have the shade that less busy streets provide, making biking more comfortable in the summer months. I support having bike lanes on adjacent, parallel streets, where I feel safer. I would never bike down Nicollet even if there were new bike lanes. Allow for future expansion of tram or LRT light crossing by library so cars will stop so walkers and bikers can cross NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page24 More traffic circles More roundabouts slow traffic. more green. Don't do more roundabouts. Add roundabouts at 70th/Nicollet and 73rd/Nicollet. One at 73rd should be the priority. That intersection is dangerous and deadly. Consideration of passing emergency vehicles. Often times single lane roads create a hazard for emergency vehicles when vehicles/metro transit don’t have space to move out of the way Stop adding bike lanes to major arteries in the city. I very much approve of the rebuild that was done to Portland from about 66th to about 76th streets a couple years back. Only negative is that the double-long buses don't "fit" in the bus stops, they hang out into the street and stop the flow of traffic. Please consider this when doing the Nicollet Av redesign. left turn lanes need to be at each intersection since there is no place to drive around them. causes back-ups. people that have driveways on Nicollet have long waits to get on Nicollet The roundabout on 66th and Nicollet can be problematic during rush hour and when Holy Angels lets out school. Traffic is jammed. I also go to streets with a stoplight to get on Nicollet now as it’s dangerous and hard to get on to Nicollet from side streets because of heavy traffic with the single lane for cars. Really nothing more than stated. Heated bus stops and lots of them would improve the lives of a lot of people. More flowers, public art, and a fund for people to do landscaping to their yards I live right on Nicollet and I’m curious the impact of all these changes. Traffic signal priority for buses, add lots of street trees that will grow large and cover the street with shade, Make the drive lanes narrow (9-10 feet wide lanes help slow traffic and make the street safer.), create protected bike lanes, and create continuous sidewalks (Raising the sidewalk to cross side streets so that cars must go over the sidewalk, therefore becoming more aware of pedestrians). Avoid adding roundabouts. I don't actually think it's terrible now. I would hope to see increased focus on bikes, peds, plantings. Sidewalk improvements must be included. Roundabouts are a must! More round-abouts! They are safer and faster. As long as those who don't understand them stay away :) more shade GOOD/SAFE BIKE Lanes! - 76th & Nicollet - not safe left turns all 4 directions as vehicle - Crossing not at lights or roundabout as ped feels unsafe Avoid biking in busy roundabout at 66th. I get off and walk. I don't trust cars there. Nicollet Ave is great! 66th area approaching roundabout on bike is unsafe. Make it BRT-ready, make it designed for 25 mph. Protected bike lane. Parking for community center. It's hard to cross when walking at times. I avoid areas on Nicollet because of transportation related safety concerns. I'm fine with the way it is now. In future open houses, please have reps. available who know about the data collected and financial ramifications, including taxes. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page25 Please coordinate projects so that the streets in the city aren't under a constant state of construction. There are already backups at the major street roundabouts. Please-- no more! Consider that there will likely be more traffic on Nicollet after the 494 access closure. There are some areas on Nicollet Ave I avoid because of transportation related safety concerns. Elevate bike path to run along with walking/sidewalk-- see 66th Street! I avoid 66th and Nicollet because of Roundabout. Change it back to 4 lanes. No more roundabouts. Left turn arrow on lane by Menards. Mexican restaurant on 76th needs better in & out access. No more roundabouts! No more narrowing car lanes! Keep freeway ramps open from Nicollet to 494! I avoid crossing while walking when possible. I avoid biking north toward 66th, lose the bike lane. 72nd and Nicollet is unsafe-- need flashing lights! I need to cross here with my grandchildren-- park, library. Cars won't stop! Or almost hit us! More room on the sides for snow. It gets pushed up in my yard and gardens by snowplows. Green space on sides of season. I avoid the roundabouts Easier walking for wheelchairs and the elderly. I avoid Nicollet due to transportation safety related concerns when trying to cross while walking. I avoid 73rd and Nicollet due to transportation related safety concerns I will not bike or walk along Nicollet due to traffic safety. I walk and bike across Nicollet, but would like to be able to walk and bike along Nicollet. Traffic light at 73rd St I travel along Nicollet daily, multiple times. Since you took out two lanes, waiting to get on to Nicollet can be painful!! Bike lanes are RARELY used! You have made changes & more changes to Nicollet over the past 10 years! Why? This seems like a gigantic waste of taxpayer money. You don't want input-- you want acceptance of another water and more interruption of traffic. Why don't you just say that this project will be like Portland Ave? We DO NOT need more bike lanes! We do not need more fancy sidewalks & lighting Don't make it harder on cars Do not construct Nicollet Ave in the same manner as Portland Ave. Pedestrian lights for 73th, 72nd and 70th. These make it safe for pedestrians wanting to access the library and Augsburg. If having one at 73rd and 72nd is too close it may be a good idea to have one at 74th, so there is a place to cross for pedestrians near that area for those walking to the high school. Add crosswalks. Limit the number of people who can on the street to limit visibility restrictions. A dedicated left-turn arrow for Southbound traffic heading East on 77th Street would greatly improve the safety for cars attempting to turn left as well as for on-coming Northbound traffic. This intersection has been neglected for several years and has needed a left-turn signal added to the traffic light due to the high volume of traffic created by Menards, Assumption, My Credit Union, Apartment buildings and other various businesses on 77th Street from Nicollet to Cedar. Southbound Nicollet Ave needs to have a left turn light at 77th Street for traffic to better access Menards and other businesses. Sidewalks along Nicollet Avenue need to be redone as in the winter months they are full of ice as well NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 1 Summary Page26 as deep puddles when the ice and snow melt. Improved transit stops with lights/heat/shelter along Nicollet Ave. If the city wanted to build a brewery within walking distance of my house, maybe at 70th and Nicollet, it would be of great personal benefit to me. Nicollet Avenue reconstruction County Road 52 in Richfield Phase 2: Vision and tools | Engagement summary Project overview Hennepin County is planning to reconstruct CSAH 52 (Nicollet Avenue) between 66th Street and 77th Street in 2026-2027. As part of the design process for this project, the county is doing stakeholder engagement to inform project design. Engagement began in 2023 and will conclude in 2024. Engagement for phase 2 included the activities listed below. The following is a summary of each of the community engagement activities included in phase 2. • In-person open house and companion virtual open house • Contacts with 10+ community organizations • Pop-up at Richfield High School conferences Open house On the afternoon of Tuesday, October 17, the project team hosted an in-person open house to gather input from people who use the Nicollet Avenue corridor, which was attended by approximately 35 people. Input was collected through a variety of methods: a questionnaire handed out at the meeting, dot stickers on boards detailing potential design elements, a “build your own road” activity and direct conversations with project staff. Input was also collected via an online version of the meeting questionnaire as part of a virtual open house. The following is a summary of the meeting, including a summary of frequent comments. A full transcript of the comments received is included an attachment to this document. Meeting purpose • Share phase 1 results: present feedback to-date • Problem statement/goals: confirm the problem statement and project goals • Tools: solicit information on community preferences and priorities for tools • Next steps: share next steps Date/time • October 17, 2023, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. (virtual open house available Oct. 17 – Nov. 30) • Richfield Community Center, 7000 Nicollet Avenue, Richfield Figure 1: Project staff help an open house participant with the "build your own road" activity NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 2 Summary Page2 Meeting promotions • Postcard mailing to all of the physical addresses within one quarter mile of the corridor • Email invitation to those on the city and county email lists • Social media posts on city and county channels • Direct invitations via Richfield Transportation Commission members • Flyers hand delivered to retail businesses in the area • Yard signs and sidewalk decals placed outside in high activity areas along and adjacent/proximate to the corridor Written comments received • Questionnaires submitted at meeting: 20 • Questionnaire responses submitted electronically: 84 • In-person tools activity responses: 70+ responses across attendees • In-person project cross-section activity responses: 20 Participant demographics Meeting participants were asked to self-select demographic characteristics via an interactive exercise at the meeting and a series of questions on the questionnaire form (both in person and online). The activity and questions were voluntary and not all respondents participated. Table 1 shows the combined results of those activities, in aggregate. The following are key findings: • 81% were age 55 and over • 89% identified as white and 5% identified as Black/African American or Hispanic/Latino, respectively • 69% used she/her pronouns • 20% had a disability • All participants were English speakers Frequent themes and considerations The following is a summary of frequent themes and considerations from the input collected at the meeting, including results from the sticker activities, the meeting questionnaire and direct conversations between participants and project staff at the meeting. See Attachment 1 for the full data breakdown. Problem statement and goals: The majority of open house participants (75%) agreed that the problem statement and goals captured the overall concerns of the community, according to questionnaire results. Most participants (64%) also agreed that the themes from phase 1 engagement were accurately captured. Street layout configurations: The three-lane roadway (two-way with center turn lane) was the most popular street configuration for open house attendees with both the questionnaire (54%) and sticker activity (75%). Table 1: Demographic activity responses, open house and virtual open house Age 66+ 52% 50 – 65 29% 18 – 34 19% Under 18 0% 35 – 50 0% Race/Ethnicity White 89% Black or African American 5% Hispanic or Latino 5% Alaskan Native or American Indian 0% Asian 0% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0% More than one race 0% Pronouns She/Her 69% He/Him 31% They/Them 0% Other 0% Do you have a disability? No 80% Yes 20% Languages English 100% Spanish 0% Somali/Oromo 0% Russian 0% Karen 0% Thai 0% Hmong 0% Mandarin/Cantonese 0% Other 0% NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 2 Summary Page3 Some attendees said that this configuration allows residents to safely pull in and out of their properties and further allows delivery vehicles to make quick stops without interfering with traffic. Conversationally, multiple participants told staff that they avoid 73rd Street because of the existing pedestrian crossing median and therefore did not like the 2-lane divided (median) option. Some did express support for the 2-lane divided option citing the potential for aesthetic improvements and plantings. Pedestrian, bicycle and boulevard configurations: With the sticker activity at the open house, the cycle track was the most popular option (50%). Questionnaire respondents favored the sidewalks, both with the trail and boulevards (40%) and on-street bike lanes (32%). Some participants questioned why bike facilities are being considered given that there are barely any cyclists on the road today. A primary concern with incorporating bicycle and pedestrian facilities for some of them was related to potential loss of private property to accommodate these additional facilities. Intersection treatments: Pedestrian activated lights were the most popular option with the sticker activity (30%). A participant noted that they would like a flashing beacon near Augsburg Park Library on Nicollet Avenue at 71st Street. Others noted that it is important for flashing beacons to also have an audio component for folks with low vision. Compact roundabout was the most favored tool in the questionnaire (27%). Boulevard improvements: Based on the sticker activity, participants much preferred the enhanced improvements over the standard improvements. Some attendees noted that they would like to see more native plantings in the medians and boulevard. Richfield High School conferences pop-up The afternoon of Thursday, December 7, the project team attended Richfield High School conferences. The project team collected input via one-on-one conversations and comments on a map using post-it notes, interacting with about 10 families. The following is a summary of the event and key findings. A full listing of the comments received are included as attachments to this document. Event purpose • Connect with high school families • Provide a project overview and update on engagement • Collect input on existing community experiences • Discuss next steps • Meet people where they are at Date/time • December 7, 2023 from 4 – 6:30 p.m. • Richfield High School, 7001 Harriet Avenue Meeting promotions • Conferences were promoted via the high school’s channels Written comments received • In-person map comments: 12 Table 2: Sticker activity results, conferences pop-up How do you usually travel along or across Nicollet Avenue? I drive 3 I bike 1 I take the bus 1 I walk 1 I roll 0 Other 0 NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 2 Summary Page4 Participant demographics Demographic information was not collected at this event. Key themes The following are key themes from the input collected at the event, including written comments on the map and comments from conversations with project staff. Safety at intersections: The intersection of Nicollet Avenue and 71st, 72nd and 73rd streets are dangerous to cross, especially for pedestrians. Pedestrian treatments are desired, particularly flashing lights. Traffic congestion: Participants noted congestion at the roundabout on Nicollet Avenue and 66th Street. Roundabouts: Participants who mentioned roundabouts were in favor of more of them being added to Nicollet Avenue. Some concerns about roundabouts included pedestrian safety and loss of private land. Questionnaire results The following is a summary of the questionnaire results, including those submitted both online and in-person. A complete tabulation of survey results is included as an attachment. • Most (51%) respondents felt the common themes from phase 1 community engagement had been accurately captured. o Most of the additional comments pertained to people’s thoughts about roundabouts, both for and against. Many who do not like roundabouts cited Lyndale Avenue as an example. • Most (62%) respondents felt the problem statement captures the overall concerns of the community. o Of those who provided additional comments, many pertained to prioritizing motorists, prioritizing bicyclists and pedestrians or improving accessibility. • Most (76%) respondents favored the 3-lane roadway (two-way center turn lane). • The most popular pedestrian, bicycle and boulevard configurations were a two-way cycle track (47%), cycle track (47%) and sidewalk one side with trail on the other with boulevards (42%). • The most popular intersection treatments were pedestrian activated lights (78%) and traffic signal improvements (62%). Next steps The next steps in the process for the project team are to consider the results of phase two engagement to work toward preliminary concept alternatives to address the problem statement and goals identified. This information will be shared with community members during the third phase of community engagement, tentatively planned for February 2024. List of attachments Attachment 1: Transcript of open house comments Attachment 2: Transcript of conferences pop-up comments Attachment 3: Questionnaire results Attachment 1: Transcript of open house comments Problem statement and goals: Questionnaire: Do you agree that the problem statement captures the overall concerns of the community? Answer Count Percentage Yes 18 75% Not sure 6 25% No 0 0% Questionnaire: Have the common themes from phase 1 community engagement been accurately captured? Answer Count Percentage Yes 16 64% Not sure 6 24% No 3 12% Notes from attendees on post-it activity: Problem Statement: Nicollet is a major corridor for vehicles, walkers, rollers. It doesn’t need to be “environmentally sustainable” or have greenspace/vegetation. Street layout configurations: Sticker activity: Street layout configurations Count Percentage Notes 3-lane roadway (two-way center turn lane) 12 75% 3-lane roadway is the way to go! (Raised medians are dangerous) 2-lane undivided (no median) 3 19% 2-lane divided roadway (with raised median) 1 6% Questionnaire: Street layout configurations Yes - Count Yes - Percentage No - Count No - Percentage 3-lane roadway (two-way center turn lane) 15 54% 3 18% NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 2 Summary Page6 2-lane divided roadway (with raised median) 8 29% 7 41% 2-lane undivided (no median) 5 18% 7 41% Pedestrian, bicycle and boulevard configurations: Sticker activity: Pedestrian, bicycle and boulevard configurations Count Percentage Notes Cycle track 11 50% Sidewalk and trail with boulevards 5 23% Consider aesthetics of big asphalt path - Portland homeowner says it looks bad in front of house; Crash reduction signs on Nicollet before these intersections Two-way cycle track 5 23% Sidewalk and trail with boulevards plus on-street bike lanes 1 4% On-street buffered bike lanes 0 0% Questionnaire: Pedestrian, bicycle and boulevard configurations Yes - Count Yes - Percentage No - Count No - Percentage Sidewalk and trail with boulevards 15 40% 2 6% Sidewalk and trail with boulevards plus on-street bike lanes 12 32% 2 6% Cycle track 5 13% 9 25% Two-way cycle track 3 8% 11 31% On-street buffered bike lanes 2 5% 12 33% Intersection treatments: Sticker activity: Intersection treatments Count Percentage Notes Pedestrian activated lights 10 30% Compact roundabout 6 18% NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 2 Summary Page7 Traffic signal improvements 6 18% Pedestrian medians (open crossing) 6 18% Raised crossings/tabled intersections 4 12% Closed medians (right-in/right-out) 1 3% Bumpouts/curb-extensions 0 0% Do this on side streets where they meet Nicollet Questionnaire: Intersection treatments Yes – Count Yes – Percentage No – Count No - Percentage Compact roundabout 17 27% 2 4% Traffic signal improvements 10 16% 5 11% Closed medians (right-in/right-out) 10 16% 5 11% Pedestrian medians (open crossing) 10 16% 7 16% Raised crossings/tabled intersections 8 12% 6 14% Pedestrian activated lights 5 8% 9 20% Bumpouts/curb-extensions 4 6% 10 23% Boulevard improvements: Boulevard improvements Green dots – Count Green dots – Percentage Red dots – Count Red dots - Percentage Enhanced improvements 31 100% 0 0% Standard improvements 11 69% 5 31% Notes from attendees: • Sometimes trees block the view of bus riders and walkers because they are too tall • Green Space (boulevards): Blvds with flowers are wonderful as long as they are maintained. Most of what I see are filled with weeds and garbage and dead trees. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 2 Summary Page8 Attachment 2: Transcript of conferences pop-up comments Locational comments: • Nicollet Avenue and 66th Street: Weekend mornings there is traffic backed up in all directions at the roundabout. • Nicollet Avenue and 66th Street: Likes the pedestrian lights at the roundabout. • Nicollet Avenue, between 66th and 67th Streets: Often traffic backups here. • 70th Street: People tend to speed on this road, would like to see signs noting the school crossing (+1). • Nicollet Avenue and 71st Street: Would like to see blinking lights where the crosswalks are. Often waits up to 15 minutes for a break in traffic to cross the road. Many kids also cross here to get to the skate park. • Nicollet Avenue and 71st/72nd Street: Would like to see better pedestrian accommodations for those crossing Nicollet to get to the library, such as a raised crossing or flashing pedestrian lights. Often see children darting between cars on Nicollet. • Nicollet Avenue and 73rd Street: It is hard to get across this intersection, both as a driver and as a pedestrian, as there is heavy traffic coming from both directions. • Nicollet Avenue and 73rd Street: Don’t like crossing here as a pedestrian. Visibility is limited for drivers with the hill. • Nicollet Avenue and 76th Street: Would like to see a roundabout here, but don’t want private property taken away. General comments: • People use existing bike lanes as right turn lanes. • Would like to see consistency of all roundabouts or all stop lights with the reconstruction, preferably roundabouts. • It is scary to cross roundabouts as a pedestrian. Questions: • How do the changes to 4-94 impact Nicollet Avenue? • How is this construction different than what was just done on Nicollet? Attachment 3: Questionnaire results Q1 – Have the common themes from phase 1 community engagement been accurately captured? Answer Count Percentage Yes 39 51% Not sure 21 28% No 16 21% NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 2 Summary Page10 Q2 - Is there anything else you would like to share about the key themes from community engagement? • Over emphasis on feeling unsafe due to speed & amount of traffic. Work on Lyndale & Portland avenues temporary pushed more traffic on to Nicollet. Not every north / south street needs to have bike lanes. • Roundabouts are NOT the answer to everything. Bus Stops need a wider area so they don’t completely halt following traffic. • Make sure roundabouts have something in the circle, flowers, etc. as a distraction. Lyndale roundabouts are dangerous. • "stop lights are more effective than roundabouts. There is no ambiguity RE: meaning of RED light and GREEN light. There is excessive ambiguity when maneuvering a roundabout. • I object to any yard sizes being reduced. No house yards should be reduced for this project. • I disagree with the statement ""no dedicated bike paths"". Bicycle lanes exist on Nicollet Av. If the current bicycle lanes are not adequate, I recommend that the sidewalks be available for pedestrians and for bicyclists." • Wide, straight roadways send an unconscious signal to drivers that it's safe for them to drive at higher speeds. This puts all other travelers that are not in cars at greater risk of injury and death. To change people's driving behavior, we need drastic traffic calming measures that increase the complexity of the road by narrowing it with chicanes, pedestrian islands, street trees that are planted close to the road to help drivers understand their traveling speed, and we need convenient, accessible alternatives to operating a private vehicle to get around. • My understanding is that roundabouts can be improvements for cars/drivers/traffic, but they are often tougher to navigate for pedestrians and bikes. At 76th and Nicollet there are two bus stops, a bike trail, and sidewalks on all four corners. Please do not put a roundabout at this intersection (compact or otherwise). Left-turn arrows would mitigate some existing traffic issues. • "Richfield residents do not want another road of all roundabouts. Trucks, buses, etc cannot access the roundabouts on Lyndale - creating the same issue on Nicolett will be an issue. We need to have space for emergency vehicles, vehicles transporting goods to retail stores, buses, etc. There is too tight of space between each roundabout on Lyndale - don't create the same issue on Nicollet. • Additionally, there was just construction adding medians on Nicollet, why tear it up just a few years later. Nicolett just tore up the intersection at 70th this summer. Its a waste of tax dollars to redo work that was just done, especially in a time where we are all stretched thin, the city/county need to better plan their projects to not be duplicating efforts. It gives the perception that the city/county doesn't care about its residents and their ability to live - they just want our tax dollars to waste them. " • Roundabouts are great at reducing traffic speeds and accidents. We need highly visible pedestrian crossings at areas like the library, park, and bus stops. • More roundabouts and protected bike lanes please! • Ensuring strong bus lines continue and are able to integrate into this plan. • No round abouts on Nicollet !!!! • Too many stoplights on Nicollet. Add more roundabouts • "I like roundabouts!! Stop signs and lights are annoying and inefficient. • My only complaint is the compact roundabout is a little tough to navigate, and having 3+ in a row is a little tedious, but is good " • The path and roundabouts on Lyndale make walking/running along the street feel a lot safer. I'd love to see that on Nicollet. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 2 Summary Page11 • Excessive speed is not a problem. It is the Excessive SPEEDERS who are the problem. Roundabouts won't solve this personnel problem. Some of these roundabouts are too small to be anything more than a nuisance. Hire more cops for the City and don't build these stupid roundabouts which are dangerous (especially when ice covered in winter.) • Does anyone consider winter months when coming up with these plans? It’s already hard enough to get around when they changed the road the first time. • We don't need anymore roundabouts in Richfield. They don't make anything better and are a hazard for emergency vehicles. Leave the roads as they are. Don't waste anymore tax dollars on fixing non- issues. • not at this time • I like to take this route currently when I drive through the neighborhood because I do not like the roundabouts on Lyndale. When reconstruction is done, I would like to see the four way intersections done traditionally with lights regulating traffic. As someone who navigates primarily by car and bicycle, I find these intersections easier to navigate and maintain driving speed. • "I love roundabouts, they are safer for pedestrians and vehicles! The intersection for 73rd would be a good spot for one, lots of students walking and driving down 73rd to and from the high school. Bike lanes are great! • People just like to be mad about roundabouts, but they dont have the data to back up why a stoplight is better and safer on a road with a speed limit of 35! Its residential, expect to just take your time. " • Put in as many round about as possible. My kids are getting pretty good at navigating them on bikes and drivers seem to keep a better eye out for pedestrians and bikes. • No you make the round abt to small for larger vehicles....by the 3rd exot u r riding on the center circle......and people don't know how to use em • Leave the center turn lanes alone. The turn lanes on Portland are too short and only one car can get in while the cars behind have to wait until it turns because there isn't enough room to go by. Also, going North on Nicollet to the roundabout is too small too. All the other roads allow two cars to be in the same lane with one going straight while the other turns right. • I feel that round-a-bouts only tie u the flow of traffic. I have spent more time waiting to go at the one on 66th and Lyndale and the one on 66th and Nicollet than I ever spent with the lights. So I think ped crossing lights and bike lanes would be a better way to go. • I beg of you, please do not do the roundabout madness like Lyndale. I love roundabouts, but I do not love 4 roundabouts right together. The Portland revamp has been wonderful. Let's do that again! • Leave the roads alone! Cyclists and pedestrians are not the primary users the roads are intended for, motorists are. Quit botching up all of our roads. I drive Nicollet daily and rarely see either pedestrians or cyclists. I do however routinely have issues turning onto Nicollet due to continuous traffic going both directions. This is because the city has messed with all of the other major routes North/South, funneling traffic down Nicollet. • I don't think Richfield, particularly Nicolette Ave, need any more round about. The ones on Lyndale are ridiculous. • Need round-a-bouts at 70th. • More roundabouts are not desired. Pedestrian medians and raised crossings are a good idea. • there are too many roundabouts on lyndale between 66th and 77. please don’t make the same mistake on nicollet!!! • "The left turn lanes with concrete curbs like at 73rd street need to be longer. • The short lanes cause slow down for traffic following a car merging into this left turn lane because of how short it is." NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 2 Summary Page12 • Why is this street being torn up AGAIN and disrupting all who live and drive on Nicollet avenue? We have paid taxes at least twice for all of the latest turn lanes. I feel this is a waste of our tax money and should be left as is. This millions of dollars (probably) should be used for other things to make the city better. Roads don't always make the city. 66th st is the worst for traffic. Wait times to enter onto are horrendous. • I agree the sidewalks and curbs are in poor condition (at best), just like the ones on Lyndale before replacement. I also want to say I HATE roundabouts. I tolerate the not busy ones, buy do everything possible to avoid the busy ones, like Portland and 66th. • No roundabouts on Nicolle!!!!!!! • Don't do to Nicollet what was done to Portland. On Portland it is rare that cars go over 30 MPH. At some of the bus stops (northbound 73rd) when the bus is stopped cars can't get past. • Do not make Nicollet Avenue the same as Portland! Horrible idea! • Roundabouts have been so helpful on Lyndale (we live on Lyndale) and I think they would help with the speed and flow of traffic on Nicollet also. The smooth walking path and sidewalks on Lyndale are also a blessing. Nicollet sidewalks could use updating to make them friendlier for handicappeded users: my electric mobility scooter is challenged by the uneven sidewalks and driveway connections between 77th and 66th! And I haven't tried to go north of 66th with the scooter. Please install pedestrian activated crossing lights at crosswalk intersections! • Just please make sure that the lanes are wide enough for two vehicles each way. I have seen a car break down on 66th, which then precluded a bus from going around it and it backed up every car after that. I don’t know how long people were stuck for, but I avoid driving on 66th because I don’t want to get stuck behind a stranded vehicle until it is towed without the ability to drive around it. • Please leave the roundabout thoughts out of the reconstruction of Nicolett Ave. The ones on Lyndale and only served to force many more vehicles onto this street causing more congestion and safety issues for cross traffic and pedestrians. What is really needed (and I have been here for 30 years so know what I have seen) is a traffic light to allow the local people who use the street the ability to get across at 73rd. The neighbors have advocated for this for the whole time that I have lived here, however out county and city have not listened to the stake holders just the money angles. A light would not only increase safety in the 6 blocks but also slow down the drivers who have consistently increased their sped substantially above the marked 35 mph limit. • I wish you would leave Nic. Ave alone. Stop all this upheavel in the city. And I hate the round abouts. Especially on Lyndale. The one that stops access to Woodlake is not safe, a waste of taxpayer money. Richfield seems to be bent on spending money and fixing things that do not need fixing. Cynthia Wagar • it feels very unsafe to cross as a pedestrian • I drive a car. When I use the roundabouts, I have noticed that when there is a pedestrian crossing, only that area lights up (or indicator lights come on) but the other intersections do not (because there's nobody crossing). For the safety of drivers and pedestrians, I would like to see ALL intersections lighted (or yielded) when a pedestrian crosses no matter where they are crossing. I have watch way too many vehicles coming to a screeching halt. • Turn lanes are great but excessive roundabouts like Lyndale are ridiculous and a detriment to pedestrians • Find a way to incorporate safety elements without butchering the hollistic road design like Lyndale Avenue was from 64th to 72nd • Traffic on 66th Eastbound & Westbound bound flows faster. Some people may not be comfortable with roundabouts, but they will learn • I like the bicycle protected lane with striped buffer. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 2 Summary Page13 • No more roundabout. No bump outs. Plowing is hard enough in this wintry state keeping streets clean is even harder when they're obstructed with nonstraightened roads. Keep it simple. • Left turn signals needed but speed is fine. Keeping road straight so to make plowing simpler and safer for all types of road use. No bump outs, no round abouts and no mediums. This city is small and not that busy except at rush hour so only pedestrian buttons and flat ramps are necessary. Keep it simple. Q3 – Do you agree that the problem statement captures the overall concerns of the community? Answer Count Percentage Yes 31 62% No 11 22% Not sure 8 16% Q4 – Is there anything else you would like to share about the problem statement? • No • I disagree with the statement "There is a need to improve safety and comfort for people who travel along and across Nicollet Avenue, including people walking, rolling, riding bicycles, taking the bus, and driving a personal vehicle. " I do not believe that Nicollet Ave is unsafe nor uncomfortable. Safe pedestrian crossings can be addressed with stop lights. Stop lights are more definitive than roundabouts. Roundabouts allow for interpretation of when to proceed. Stop lights are not ambiguous. • The statements that the street improvements should provide an "acceptable level of traffic delay and queuing" and attempts to provide "reliable travel times for all vehicles" concerns me that we are still focused too much on prioritizing private motor vehicle travel when we should be sharply reducing the need for it. We should have dedicated bus lanes so that transit users do not get stuck in traffic, but folks who choose to drive a private car should be discouraged by the multiple other options that are made safer and more convenient than driving. We've already spent decades creating car-dependent infrastructure, and it's destroying the environment, creating unsustainable sprawl, and placing a monetary burden on the city to keep all that infrastructure maintained. Make biking and public transit the most appealing options so that we don't need parking everywhere, so that people feel safer exploring their city on foot, so that the air is cleaner and the car noise is only on the outskirts of the city. • "While I agree on enhancing pedestrian access, safety, and public transportation, I struggle with the metro area's fascination with bike travel. I live near the added bike lanes on 66th and drive regularly during rush hour. In my years of traveling the road (every work day) the number of bikes I've seen can be counted on one hand, and this is during the summer months. So on a good day we're not biking, but for 5-6 months a year, winter hits and the reasons we want to drive just compound. Comparing us to other bike-friendly countries usually ends up being a discussion about how people don't want to bike in the cold, but reality is far more complex. This country (and city) won't accept winter biking because frankly a) our century of car-culture and b) our government doesn't maintain infrastructure at the level Nordic bike-friendly countries do. Unless you're willing to spend enormous additional annual costs in maintaining the bike paths at a degree which encourages bike use (plowing at 1 inch, grooming the trails regularly, and getting out there before the roads are cleared), we will never get over our innate desire to ""just drive"". • Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of adding in roundabouts, making access to the bus lines easier and increasing the respectability in our walking spaces, but continuing to eat away road/property space which could be otherwise used for beautification for a service we not only don't use, but we also don't support on a governmental level is asinine." NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 2 Summary Page14 • Hire more law enforcement to catch and prosecute SPEEDERS. • I would like the city council to prioritize ensuring that automobile traffic is able to move as quick as possible through the corridor, even if it means making sacrifices on safety. • I agree with some of it but not all. People walking and biking need to take some responsibility for their actions also. Not always put blame on drivers • There is no need to change the road for the above reasons. That is other than the some foolish need to spend money making changes nobody really wants. • No • No. It’s fine now. Why fix it? • I don’t think necessarily adding roundabouts will solve the lack of safety. It can add on simply because too much reckless driving on the roundabouts and adds. Maybe lights with arrows. • I didn't realize the survey continued and listed these things in the previous box: Nicollet needs greater handicapped accessibility on sidewalks and crossings with activated crossing lights and crosswalks. • Didn’t the road get an upgrade a few years ago? Not in favor of anymore roundabouts.. I am avoiding the streets with all the roundabouts. I think the drivers are more of the problem than the roads. • Specially near park areas, this would be nice • I think of the best ways to be eco-friendly is to improve bike ability. This may mean wider bike lanes at the expense of greenery. The more comfortable people are biking places instead of driving the less car accidents, carbon emissions, and with people spending more time outside hopefully that makes them more open to green initiatives • Emphasize biking and walking safety. Pro roundabouts • Flat ADA ramping and pedestrian signal lighting is all that's necessary at corners. Planting sustainability as seen from prior projects is not stable due to salt use on the road from cars splashing and such. Keep it simple. • No roundabouts, no raised medians, no bump outs, no green median raised, no plantings. Just flat pedestrian crossings with pedestrian buttons. No bike lanes just sidewalks. Richfield is small and not needing all these specific lanes since traffic isn't an issue. Plowing is the issue and needs to be front and center and clearly easy to do. Salt usually kills all plants, greenery in boulevard's and mediums, so Stop plantings. Q5 – Considering the benefits and trade-offs, please indicate which of the following tools you support as an improvement on Nicollet Avenue Street layout configurations Yes - Count Yes - Percentage No - Count No - Percentage 3-lane roadway (two-way center turn lane) 44 76% 9 16% 2-lane divided roadway (with raised median) 27 47% 20 34% 2-lane undivided (no median) 12 21% 30 52% Q6 – Considering the benefits and trade-offs, please indicate which of the following tools you support as an improvement on Nicollet Avenue NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 2 Summary Page15 Pedestrian, bicycle and boulevard configurations Yes - Count Yes - Percentage No - Count No - Percentage Two-way cycle track 28 47% 22 37% Cycle track 28 47% 17 29% Sidewalk on one side and trail on the other, with boulevards 25 42% 23 39% Sidewalk and trail with boulevards plus on-street bike lanes 18 31% 30 51% On-street buffered bike lanes 15 25% 31 53% Q7 – Considering the benefits and trade-offs, please indicate which of the following tools you support as an improvement on Nicollet Avenue Intersection treatments Yes - Count Yes - Percentage No - Count No - Percentage Pedestrian activated lights 39 78% 7 14% Traffic signal improvements 31 62% 11 22% Pedestrian medians (open crossing, doesn’t limit vehicle turning) 25 50% 16 32% Raised crossings/tabled intersections 24 48% 18 36% Compact roundabout 23 46% 22 44% Bumpouts/curb-extensions 16 32% 23 46% Closed medians (limits vehicle turning to right-in/right-out only) 12 24% 29 58% Q8 – Are there any other comments you wish to share? • Follow the KISS rule: “Keep It Simple, Stupid!” The more inconsistent elements of design decrease the ability to quickly comprehend the proper actions to take. • I do not like Two lane roundabouts because, you can turn right from the right lane or right from the left lane or go left from the right lane or go left from the left lane, fix the roundabouts so you haft to turn right from the right lane and left from the left lane. Rich Schrupp • It would be helpful to be able to rate these. Some of these would be improvements but not to the same level of others, while some would be improvements only if paired with others. • How are these plans affected by the closing of the ramps on to 494 at Nicollet? Won’t traffic naturally decrease on that road once you no longer can use it to get on 494? Will you waste all this improving for the traffics to reduce and then turn around and have to redo Portland? I live between both Portland and Nicollet and don’t really want to deal with two crazy high traffic roads. • intersection treatments: parking bay • "I'm honestly okay with most of the options. I think whatever is safest is best. • I really like the idea of better sidewalks & bike lanes. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Open House 2 Summary Page16 • I'm less interested in more roundabouts. • Thanks so much for putting these open houses together!" • No yard space should be taken by the city for this project. No yard space should be taken for roundabouts. Bicycle and pedestrian traffic is minimal and should not dictate the project. Stop lights and pedestrian controlled signals are more effective than roundabouts. • I think any of these tools could be appropriate and useful for improving safety on Nicollet. Every possibility should be looked at so we can get a street that works for everyone. When evaluating the alternatives, please consider the impact on drainage and snowplowing operations for the street, sidewalk, and bike paths. • There are already enough bike lanes in Richfield. • Not at this time • I think it is a mistake to change so many north-south corridors to 2 or 3 lanes instead of 4. There is a high volume of traffic and forcing it down to 1 lane in each direction means very few breaks in traffic for people trying to go East-West or make turns from or onto the North-South roads. • Im a fan of roundabouts and the improved safety aspects they provide. However, they can be overused, as in the case of Lyndale south of 66th St. I think they should only be used at major intersections where necessary. To have 4 in a row within 4 blocks is total overkill, in my opinion. Please don’t repeat that on Nicollet. • Please don’t let this become a Bryant Avenue fiasco like in Minneapolis. Plan on lanes narrowing during the winter due to snow pile up. Also take into consideration that both Lyndale and Portland have dedicated bike lanes. Also recognize the impact of the houses on Nicollet and that you can’t take any more yard away from them, without it becoming intrusive. • Thank you for involving the community and not just "experts" who don't live here! • Please No More Roundabouts In Richfield!!!! We can prioritize safety with so many other alternatives, roundabouts may be the least convenient alternative for the pedestrian traffic that is said to be prioritized, take both Nicollet & Portland @ 66th. • This area is fine the way it is. Don't waste money fixing something that isn't broken. The only thing, and I mean the only thing, that could be helpful is the pedestrian activated crosswalk lights. Something like the one on Xerxes and ~64th St. Don't take away car lanes, don't narrow lanes, don't put in things that will make it impossible to plow. And add on street parking! At least on one side of the street! • It would be cool if nicollet road and Portland could coordinate so that one road prioritizes cycling, and the other for walking or other modes of traffic. The two roads are fairly close together to a point were advanced cyclists would choose the road that is better for them without much inconvenience. The other road could then be more general use or pedestrian specific. Otherwise it may be very challenging to satisfy everyone when the two roads both try to hit the "sweet spot" • Eliminate round abouts, bump outs, medians that are raised! We are in Minnesota which has plowing necessity and needs it easy and quick and safe to be cleaned off properly. Flat ramp crossings, pedestrian crossing buttons, no mediums in road raised or otherwise. Keep it simple and less difficult for plows! • Lots of trees on Nicollet would make the street better for everyone. The shade makes it better for walkers and bikers, they make drivers slow down, and they help out the planet. Nicollet Avenue reconstruction County Road 52 in Richfield Phase 3: Concept Alternatives | Engagement summary Project overview Hennepin County is planning to reconstruct CSAH 52 (Nicollet Avenue) between 66th Street and 77th Street in 2026-2027. As part of the design process for this project, the county is doing stakeholder engagement to inform project design. Engagement began in 2023 and will conclude in 2024. Engagement for phase 2 included the activities listed below. The following is a summary of each of the community engagement activities included in phase 3. • In-person open house • Contacts with 10+ community organizations • Ongoing meeting with stakeholder groups to discuss engagement opportunities Open house On the afternoon of Thursday, February 29, the project team hosted an in-person open house to gather input from people who use the Nicollet Avenue corridor which was attended by approximately 100 people. A total of 72 people signed in to the open house and approximately 30 did not sign in. Input was collected through a variety of methods: a questionnaire handed out at the meeting, dot stickers on display posters to prioritize potential design elements, and direct conversations with project staff. Input was also collected via an online version of the meeting questionnaire as part of a virtual open house. The following is a summary of the meeting, including a summary of frequent comments. A full transcript of the comments received is included as an attachment to this document. Meeting purpose • Share phase 2 results: present feedback to-date • Pedestrian and bikeway alternatives: present the three design options and solicit preferences • Intersection design concepts: present intersection design concepts and solicit preferences • Corridor design (layout) alternatives: present options and solicit feedback • Next steps: share next steps Figure 1: Project staff walk open house participants through the informational boards NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page2 Date/time • February 29, 2024, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. (virtual open house available Feb. 27 – Mar. 21) • Richfield Community Center, 7000 Nicollet Avenue, Richfield Meeting promotions • Postcard mailing to all of the physical addresses within one quarter mile of the corridor • Email invitation to those on the city and county email lists • Social media posts on city and county channels • Direct invitations via Richfield Transportation Commission members • Flyers hand delivered to retail businesses in the area Written comments received • Questionnaires submitted at meeting: 20 • Questionnaire responses submitted electronically: 85 • Demographic activity, dots placed: 88 • Ped. and bike activity, dots placed: 52 • Intersection activity, dots placed: 391 • Map comments: 42 Participant demographics Meeting participants were asked to self-select demographic characteristics via an interactive exercise at the meeting and a series of questions on the questionnaire form (both in person and online). The activity and questions were voluntary and not all respondents participated. Table 1 shows the combined results of those activities, in aggregate. The following are key findings: • 33% were age 50 and over • 87% identified as white and 5% identified as Hispanic/Latino • 63% identified as a man or using he/him pronouns • 14% had a disability • 92% spoke English and 5% spoke Spanish Frequent themes and considerations Sidewalk and bikeway options: The one-way cycle track ranked the highest at both the open house and in the questionnaire, followed by the two-way cycle track and sidewalk and sidepath. Roadway configuration: Most questionnaire respondents (82%) supported the 3-lane roadway configuration for Nicollet Avenue. Table 1: Demographic activity responses, open house and virtual open house Age 18 – 34 43% 35 – 50 24% 66+ 17% 50 – 65 16% Under 18 0% Race/Ethnicity White 87% Hispanic or Latino 5% More than one race 3% Black or African American 2% Asian 1% Other 1% Alaskan Native or American Indian 0% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0% Pronouns He/Him 63% She/Her 37% They/Them 0% Other 0% Do you have a disability? No 86% Yes 14% Languages English 92% Spanish 5% Other 3% Somali/Oromo 0% Russian 0% Karen 0% Thai 0% Hmong 0% Mandarin/Cantonese 0% NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page3 Intersection design options: Open house activities and questionnaire results largely corresponded for individual intersection treatments. These preferences are included in the table below: Table 2: Overall intersection design preferences Intersection Preference Notes 76th Street Roundabout 75th Street Bumpouts/curb extensions 74th Street Bumpouts/curb extensions 73rd Street Roundabout 72nd Street Median crossing (pedestrian refuge median) 71st Street 2-lane section with bumpouts/curb extensions 70th Street Roundabout Fairly close split at the open house, but clear preference in the questionnaire 69th Street Bumpouts/curb extensions 68th Street Bumpouts/curb extensions 67th Street Roundabout Fairly close split at the open house, but clear preference in the questionnaire Other key themes: • Some participants support roundabouts and medians for their safety and traffic flow benefits, others raise concerns about their impact on pedestrian crossings. • Mixed opinions exist regarding features like bumpouts and right-in/right-out medians, with some seeing them as beneficial for traffic calming while others question their effectiveness. • There was a focus on the need to prioritize safety for cyclists and pedestrians, with suggestions for improvements such as adding pedestrian lights and ensuring adequate space. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page4 Open house activity results summary At the open house, questions from the questionnaire were reflected in interactive activities to collect feedback. This included an optional demographic dot activity which received 88 answers; a dot activity asking about bike and pedestrian configurations, which received 52 answers; and a dot activity asking about intersection treatment priorities, which received 391 answers across all intersections. People could also leave sticky notes on the intersection activity map; 42 comments were placed in that format. The following is a summary of the open house activity results. A complete tabulation of survey results is included as an attachment. • When asked to place a sticker on their preferred options, the one-way cycle track received the most dots (62%). The two-way cycle track came in second (27%), and the sidewalk and sidepath option came in third (12%). o Overall, participants expressed preferences for one-way cycle tracks, while others prefer two-way tracks or side paths to minimize disruptions and prioritize safety. • For the 76th Street intersection, roundabouts were preferred (71%). • For the 75th Street intersection, bumpouts/curb extensions without the closed median were preferred (72%). • For the 74th Street intersection, bumpouts/curb extensions without the closed median were preferred (74%). • For the 73rd Street intersection, roundabouts received about half of the dots (51%). The rest of the answers were split between the median crossing (25%) and bumpouts/curb extensions (24%). • For the 72nd Street intersection, a median crossing (pedestrian refuge median) was preferred (79%). • For the 71st Street intersection, a 2-lane section with bumpouts/curb extensions was preferred (66%). • For the 70th Street intersection, roundabouts received slightly more dots (58%) than a traffic signal (42%). • For the 69th Street intersection, bumpouts/curb extensions without the closed median were preferred (66%). • For the 68th Street intersection, bumpouts/curb extensions without the closed median were preferred (65%). • For the 67th Street intersection, roundabouts (51%) and a traffic signal (49%) were almost evenly split. • Some common themes from written comments regarding intersection treatments include: o Some participants were supportive of roundabouts, finding them efficient and safe for reducing traffic, while others expressed concerns about traffic flow and pedestrian safety. o There were mixed opinions on bumpouts, with some participants okay with them if accompanied by flashing pedestrian crossing buttons, while others opposed them, particularly when combined with right-in-right-out configurations. o Concerns were raised about the design and functionality of median crossings, particularly regarding turning difficulty and lack of storage space for vehicles. o Suggestions included adding pedestrian lights at certain intersections and ensuring adequate space for cyclists and pedestrians. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page5 Questionnaire results summary The questionnaire was open from February 28 to March 21, 2024 and received about 85 responses, roughly 20 of which were from a printed version of the questionnaire at the in-person open house. The following is a summary of the questionnaire results, including those submitted both online and in-person. A complete tabulation of survey results is included as an attachment. • Most (82%) respondents supported the 3-lane roadway configuration for Nicollet Avenue. Some common themes from the written comments include: o Concerns about speeding and the need for traffic calming measures, such as narrower lanes, speed bumps, and curb extensions. o Emphasis on pedestrian safety, including safe crosswalks, protected bike lanes, and adequate infrastructure for walking and biking. o Suggestions for reducing the number of lanes, with preferences for two-lane configurations or boulevards to introduce green space. o Support for roundabouts with clear lines of sight and opposition to features like concrete medians and bump outs that may impede traffic flow or create safety hazards. o Advocacy for prioritizing alternative modes of transportation over single-occupancy vehicles, including one-way or two-way cycle tracks and lower speed limits. o Calls for considering the needs of all residents, including those who rely on vehicles for transportation, and ensuring continuity with existing infrastructure. • When ranking the options in order of preference from one to three, the one-way cycle track ranked highest on average (1.4), followed by the two-way cycle track (1.8). The sidewalk and sidepath option ranked lowest overall (2.7). o Those who supported the one-way cycle track cited its safety benefits, integration with existing infrastructure, and alignment with the direction of traffic flow on nearby streets like 66th Street. o Those who supported the two-way cycle track cited its social aspects, integration with existing trails like the Nine Mile Creek Trail, and potential to make biking more appealing in the community. o Those who opposed the sidepath expressed worries about safety, particularly at intersections. They argue that separated bike lanes are more conducive to smooth traffic flow. o A few commenters question the need for dedicated bike lanes, citing perceived low usage of existing paths and suggesting that people will use whichever side of the street is most convenient, regardless of designated lanes. o There were some general safety comments, noting that sidewalks, safe crossings, and adequate snow removal are also important to keeping pedestrians and cyclists safe. • For the 76th Street intersection, the roundabout ranked higher on average (1.2) than the traffic signal (1.6). • For the 75th Street intersection, bumpouts/curb extensions ranked slightly higher on average (1.3) than the option with a closed median (1.5). • For the 74th Street intersection, bumpouts/curb extensions ranked slightly higher on average (1.3) than the option with a closed median (1.5). • For the 73rd Street intersection, the roundabout ranked highest on average (1.4) followed by the median crossing (1.8). • For the 72nd Street intersection, the median crossing received more number one rankings (71%), but ranked only slightly higher (1.3) than bumpouts/curb extensions (1.4) on average. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page6 • For the 71st Street intersection, the 2-lane section with bumpouts/curb extensions ranked slightly higher on average (1.3) than the 3-lane section with closed medians (1.5). • For the 70th Street intersection, the roundabout ranked higher on average (1.2) than the traffic signal (1.7). • For the 69th Street intersection, bumpouts/curb extensions received more number one rankings (65%), but only ranked slightly higher on average (1.4) than the option with the closed median (1.5). • For the 68th Street intersection, bumpouts/curb extensions received more number one rankings (63%), but only ranked slightly higher on average (1.4) than the option with the closed median (1.5). • For the 67th Street intersection, the roundabout ranked higher on average (1.2) than the traffic signal (1.6). • Some common themes from written comments regarding intersection treatments include: o Some expressed support for roundabouts and medians, citing safety benefits and traffic flow improvements. However, concerns are raised about their impact on pedestrian crossings and accessibility. o There were mixed opinions about features like bumpouts, stoplights, and right-in/right-out medians. Some view them as beneficial for traffic calming and safety, while others express concerns about their effectiveness and impact on traffic flow. o There were many comments expressing the need to make intersections safer for bicyclists and pedestrians, and to incorporate traffic calming into the design. o Some additional suggestions included incorporating greenery, benches, and rest areas into the road design to enhance aesthetics and user experience. Next steps The next steps in the process for the project team are to consider the results of phase three engagement to work toward developing a recommended roadway design concept reflecting all of the community input received to-date and the related technical analysis. The recommended concept will be shared with community members during the forth phase of community engagement, tentatively planned for May 2024. List of attachments Attachment 1: Transcript of open house comments Attachment 2: Questionnaire results Attachment 1: Transcript of open house comments What we’ve learned: Have the common themes from phase 2 community engagement been accurately captured? Answer Count Percentage Yes 13 68% Not sure 6 32% No 0 0% Sidewalk and bikeway options: Answer Count Percentage One-way cycle track 32 62% Two-way cycle track 14 27% Sidewalk + side path 6 12% Intersection design options: 76th Street Intersection Answer Count Percentage Roundabout 35 71% Traffic signal 14 29% 75th Street Intersection Answer Count Percentage Bumpouts/curb extensions 26 72% Bumpouts/curb extensions and right-in/right-out (closed median) 10 28% 74th Street Intersection Answer Count Percentage Bumpouts/curb extensions 28 74% Bumpouts/curb extensions and right-in/right-out (closed median) 10 26% 73rd Street Intersection Answer Count Percentage Roundabout 26 51% Median crossing (pedestrian refuge median) 13 25% NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page8 Bumpouts/curb extensions 12 24% 72nd Street Intersection Answer Count Percentage Median crossing (pedestrian refuge median) 27 79% Bumpouts/curb extensions 7 21% 71st Street Intersection Answer Count Percentage 2-lane section with bumpouts/curb extensions 21 66% 3-lane section with right-in/right-out (closed median) 11 34% 70th Street Intersection Answer Count Percentage Roundabout 25 58% Traffic signal 18 42% 69th Street Intersection Answer Count Percentage Bumpouts/curb extensions 21 66% Bumpouts/curb extensions and right-in/right-out (closed median) 11 34% 68th Street Intersection Answer Count Percentage Bumpouts/curb extensions 24 65% Median crossing (pedestrian refuge median) 13 35% 67th Street Intersection Answer Count Percentage Roundabout 20 51% Traffic signal 19 49% Map comments: • [W 67th St] Sensors to automate RRFB’s? • [W 67th St roundabout] Roundabouts are the BEST! :) • [W 67th St roundabout] Concern over not enough car storage when peoples crossing. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page9 • [W 67th St roundabout] Roundabout 67th positive • [W 67th St signal] Keep semaphore! This esfexe [sp?] • [W 67th St signal] Like this • [W 68th St] As is [2 dots in agreement] • [W 68th St] I’m okay with bumpouts if there is a flashing pedestrian crossing button for the school & church. If there isn’t one, I would prefer a median crossing over bumpouts w/o flashing lights • [W 68th St bumpouts w/ right-in-right-out] No! • [W 69th St bumpouts w/ right-in-right out] No! • [W 69th St bumpouts w/ right-in-right out] No Do Not Like • [W 69th St bumpouts] OK • Roundabouts positive throughout corridor • [W 70th St] No more roundabouts closer than 3 blks apart • [W 70th St roundabout] Roundabouts are the best :) • [W 70th St roundabout] Roundabouts are cost effective and safe while reducing traffic • [W 70th St roundabout] No! • [W 70th St roundabout] No! • Mistake to have circle at 70th. Need traffic control. • [W 72nd St] Please move the postal box away from this intersection • [W 72nd St median crossings] Awkward for turning – medians • [W 72nd St median crossings] Design noses 3 signs don’t get hit; account for vehicles • [W 72nd St bumpouts] Add pedestrian lights at 72nd x2 • [W 73rd St] SB right turn, cars pass on the left • [W 73rd St roundabout] needs lights for peds! :) • [W 73rd St bumpouts] OK • Not a fan of median turn lanes at 72nd & 73rd makes hard to turn not enough storage. Not a fan of Right in Right out anywhere • Worse than today – 72nd (A), 73rd (A) • No need for a circle a 73rd • Remove Left turn islands @ 72 & 73 very awkward!! Too small! • [W 74th St bumpouts] OK • [W 75th St bumpouts] OK • [W 76th St roundabout] Roundabouts are a safe and efficient intersection treatment :) • [W 76th St roundabout] Roundabouts ALL DAY LONG • [W 76th St roundabout] NO!! • [One-way cycle track + sidewalks] OK • [One-way cycle track + sidewalks] Bike facilities positive – all. Preference one-way • [Two-way cycle track + sidewalks] KEEP BIKE TRACKS ON SIDEWALKS • [Two-way cycle track + sidewalks] 2-way is preference • [Side path + sidewalk] OK • [Side path + sidewalk] Choose the Side Path & Sidewalk option to minimize the need to minimize the need to take more yard space from existing residents & to lessen the numerous options distractions when driving other options would create. • No roundabout, must have Bus Pullout, No Stupid concrete Medians at a bus stop, Flashing lights for Crossing • Intersection Sight Lines (Bus Shelters) • The poster boards mention safer facilities for walking, rolling, and biking. Does running need to be called out also? Seems they would need a wide bearth to bob & weave around non-runners. I’m personally not a runner, so I may be making assumptions. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page10 • No bicycle track Demographic sticker activity Pronouns Answer Count Percentage She/Her 6 40% He/Him 9 60% They/Them 0 0% Other 0 0% Age Answer Count Percentage Under 18 0 0% 18-34 8 42% 35-50 3 16% 50-65 2 11% 66+ 6 32% Do you have a disability? Answer Count Percentage No 14 88% Yes 2 13% Race/Ethnicity Answer Count Percentage White and/or European descent 12 71% Hispanic or Latino 2 12% More than one race 1 6% Black or African American 1 6% Asian 1 6% Alaskan Native or American Indian 0 0% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0 0% Languages Answer Count Percentage English 18 86% Spanish 2 10% Other 1 5% Somali/Oromo 0 0% Russian 0 0% Karen 0 0% Thai 0 0% Hmong 0 0% Mandarin/Cantonese 0 0% NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page11 Attachment 2: Questionnaire results Q1 – Do you support the 3-lane roadway configuration for Nicollet Avenue? Answer Count Percentage Yes 68 82% No 15 18% Q2 - Is there anything else you would like to share about the recommended roadway configuration? • It should be far less open center turn lane. If it must be three-lane, the lane widths should be at the state minimum to control speeding. • I’d like to see us visit a two lane roadway or two lanes with a boulevard to introduce more green space. • Need safe crosswalks. Current crosswalks don't feel safe. Want protected bike lane. • Two lanes with left turn lanes only where needed. Three lanes is too wide and will encourage speeding. Design it like Lyndale Ave between 31st and Minnehaha Pkwy instead. • Priorities for me are pedestrian safety and public transportation. I live a half a block off of Nicollet and my child crosses it twice a day to get to school. • 3 lane is only necessary at intersections. Consider narrowing to 2 between intersections or even across lower-volume intersections with forced RIRO. Create a chicaning effect to calm traffic, similar to Lyndale through South Minneapolis. • Increasing traffic calming measures to reduce vehicles from driving over speed limit. • Traffic calming slow speed • need to go back to a 4 lane road • Would like to see more traffic calming measures put in place to reduce vehicle speed • Would be great to see two way multiple use trails added and/or two way cycle paths. • Bike infrastructure is critical - I would not support any plan that did not include safety for both bicyclists and pedestrians. As someone who involved in a ped (someone else) and bike (me) when the ped stepped directly in front of me, I was the most seriously injured due to speed/velocity, • Reduce vehicle speeds with traffic calming measures • Looks good • Having the driving lanes, and especially the center turning lane, be as narrow as possible (10' lane width, 8' center) would be great! • I'm not sure if I have seen a street that has a turn lane running the entire length of the street. I am wondering if it could increase the potential for accidents if people use it to pass slower drivers. • My support for this option hinges on providing adequate infrastructure for biking and walking. • "IF you have to put in round abouts, MAKE SURE they have clear lines of sight. The roundabout at Target in Richfield is a prime example of what NOT to do. Lines of sight are obstructed." • I definitely agree with the 3-lane roadway, it is commonly used throughout the metro area and doesn't require reeducating the user. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page12 • I would love to have separated bike lanes that are in both heading North and South alongside wider sidewalks and shade trees separating bike/ped with cars. I would be very disappointed to see paint that is considered a bike path. I would challenge project planners who are working on this and the folks who decide on the final design "If you have a kid would you let them bike on the path?". Thank you for asking for recommendations. • Median with turn lanes only at intersections (see 66th St). • I always will want less space for cars and more safe space for people to travel by bike, on foot, and by transit. We've given cars too much space in our city. • If there is to be no on-road provision for cyclists then the speed limits should be reduced. • Nope. Happy with the option! • Needs more traffic calming design. 2 lane with turns, fine, but full, unobstructed, 3 lane designs will do nothing to support traveling at the posted speeds. • Please make as many roundabouts with as many different traffic patterns as you can. We'd like to set the Guinness record. • I don’t see enough speed calming devices. Three lane roads are known to speed traffic compared to two lanes, increasing pedestrians injury and death. Therefore, more speed calming such as speed bumps and small curves to slow traffic are necessary. • I would like there to be 2-lane configuration as much as possible • Medians whenever possible. Discourage passing especially near PED crossings • No boulevards though, Portland's are too small and impossible to safely slow down and get into the turn lane. Roundabout needed at 73rd and Nicollet with crosswalks + lighted walk signals" • Medians where people crossing the street can pause in the middle. Example is 72 and Nicollet • I travel Nicollet Avenue often. My mode is typically by bicycle. My preference is to prioritize all modes except single occupancy vehicles. It will be MANY years until we have a chance to redo this road. Please strongly consider: - A one-way bikeway as the first choice and the safest option for pedestrians and cyclists; a two-way as the second choice. - Lower the targeted speed limit to 25 mph. - Narrow the lanes to help support traffic calming (currently shown wider than the minimum required). Narrowing lanes would also bring Option 1 more in line with Options 2 and 3 in terms of row width. - Ensure a high-quality bike/pedestrian crossing at every block. - Reduce the open left turn lane in locations where it is impossible to turn left anyway (e.g., add a median or other raised barrier adjacent to Augsburg Park). - Do everything you can to allow for street trees/shade. Thanks! • +1 for One Way Cycle track option. A vehicle driver turning at an intersection or driveway has best opportunity to see cyclists, as traveling in same direction as vehicle traffic. Avoids cyclists switching sides of street at ends of path. Design already proven on 66th St. • Please make sure parking is impacted in such a way to ensure clear vision for all users. • Will there be on street parking? I think that should be a priority. • Strongly prefer this configuration over choices that require U-turns • In order to make this a true 3-lane roadway, the concrete medians will need to be removed and no new roundabouts built. If this indeed is the preferred option, as stated, then make it so. If other "features" are involved, then don't call it a 3-lane roadway. Marked pedestrian crossings with flashing lights can be installed without additional "features". • -like the pedestrian activated lights! NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page13 -take away the Sunday parking on street -The traffic by Holy Angels with the roundabout gets really backed up. I think a double roundabout would be too much -larger/bigger curbs/sidewalks for strollers" • Follow Portland Avenue as a model where possible. • Looking forward to the time after the 494/Nicollet exists; entrances are closed so there will be less traffic! • Nicollet Avenue Open House Open House February 29, 2024 Please consider safety of bikes on Nicollet Avenue with one lane traffic each way. During certain times of day, morning, afternoon and evening there is considerable congestion and back up with the number of round-a-bouts already on Nicollet. A consideration might be to mirror the 66th Street design, where the bike lanes are located above the street, adjacent to the walking paths. If you drive around the non-major streets of Richfield, you would notice the number of cars per household has increased. Where it was 1 or 2, you now find 3 or 4, probably due to family households coming together to afford the purchase of a home in Richfield. Or, because the adult son or daughter cannot afford an apartment or house on their own. On our block alone, we have several households with 2 or more adult children living in the home with 1 or 2 parents. Additionally, we have 14 homes with 24 vehicles, all used on a daily basis for work or errands. I believe you will find this common in many areas. While the idea of encouraging people to walk or ride bikes or take public transportation is enticing, the reality is that most people will drive to stores, work, recreation areas such as the library, the community center and now playground, and parks, especially in the cold, winter months that take up a good part of the year. Whether older or younger adults, cars are still the most used vehicle in Richfield. People with walking issues, other disabilities, more than 1 child, grocery shopping, going to their faith community find using vehicles the best way to get around Richfield. Please consider the needs of the many, not what is trendy or looks good in newsprint or magazine articles, or is of use to only a small percentage of residents or people passing through the city. Last, please consider the expense to completely restructure an area that is not very old and whether the reconstructing best serves the needs at this time. Respectfully, thank you for this opportunity. • Nicollet Ave Open House Thursday, Feb 29 4:30-6:30 Bike lanes were already put in, and driving lanes were reduced. Being a frequent user of Nicollet, I rarely see a bike on this (or any) route. Please keep in mind those of us who use motor vehicles as a primary mode of transporting ourselves, children, groceries, and elderly - for near, medium, and far distances. Consider your constituency and the climate in which we live. There are reasons why the bike lanes are used so little in comparison with the motor vehicle lanes. Follow the numbers. A left-turn arrow on SB Nicollet at 77th St. has still not been installed. Such an easy way to make the intersection safer - which is the city's/county's declared goal. This is puzzling. • Safe cycling/ped on turns are key. I also like the 25 mph option to increase safety. • Yes without Bumpouts NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page14 Please remove the concrete from the roadway. If you must have it paint the Total end with retroreflective paint. I see all the tire marks from cars bouncing over them sometimes blowing low profile tires and damaging rims. Keep lanes straight for snow removal! • Not sure One way cycle tracks are safest option for cyclist. The other option create situations going against traffic. Drivers never look. I'm tired of coming close to being a hood ornament because drivers are unaware of the designs limitation and pull up to the intersection without looking both ways. • Please make whatever is decided bike & walk friendly and consider continuity with Nicollet North & South of this section • Keep speed limit at 35, or lower. Add medians like on Portland. • Bump outs make turns too sharp No Bump outs No extensions any semifores have L turn arrows Bike safety with No lane on Road • I'd like to see a focus on cycling, pedestrian, and traffic calming infrastructure. • No Roundabouts No medians • -Prefer Sidewalk & side path. -Prefer light at 67th -Agree that 73rd and 70th could benefit from a round-about. They need to be big enough to allow buses and semis to traverse. -76th should still be a traffic light -Bumpout intersections at 74th & 75th seem appropriate -Perhaps a flasher at 72nd pedestrian crossing? • Pedestrian crossings please! I hope the county considers more & better marked (w/ flashing lights) ped crossings. This crossing provides access to a park, the library, highschool, community center, day car center, AHA, etc. etc. Let's give the community (and our kids!) safe crossings. Love the bike paths too!! • I would like some traffic calming measures as well. The three-lane configuration without traffic calming will not meaningfully encourage drivers to use caution and makes crossing intersections more difficult for pedestrians and cyclists. Curb extensions and other traffic calming measures would be essential to making sure the road works for all modes of transport. • I would like more traffic calming measures to reduce vehicle speed Q3 – Considering the benefits and trade-offs, please rank the sidewalk and bikeway options in order of your preference One-way cycle track Average rank: 1.4 Rank Count Percentage 1 42 74% 2 10 18% 3 5 9% Two-way cycle track NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page15 Average rank: 1.8 Rank Count Percentage 1 10 19% 2 43 80% 3 1 2% Sidewalk and sidepath Average rank: 2.7 Rank Count Percentage 1 9 16% 2 1 2% 3 45 82% Q4 – Is there anything else you would like to share about the sidewalk and bikeway options? • I prefer 1-way both sides! • Why do bike lanes have to be on highest vehicle routes? Many streets & Ave's would be better suited! • If a bikeway is installed that goes against traffic such as the two way cycle path or sidewalk/sidepath and a car pulls in front of me causing a crash, can I sue the planners and gov't for selecting a bad design? Also, how many miles do designers ride every year? They need to ride. • Sidewalks maintained for safe walking. Very hazardous at night. Coordinate snow removal on sidewalks with street snow removal. Winter walking has forced pedestrians to walk in the street. Give bike lanes additional width. • My answers for this were in general, since they don't correspond with the options presented today. • I know it will take more right-of-way, but would it be safer to have a sidewalk on each side, & a bike lane on each side following the vehicle traffic direction? • 1 pedestrian walk on one side, 2-way biking on other & pedestrian? • The sidepath is not a bikeway option and should not have even been presented. This has been designated as a bike route for over a decade. • Either if the cycle tracks is fine for me. I bike and see that as important but there are other nearby options. Pedestrian ease and safety is most important. • I don't bike here now, but I will if you build the one-way cycle track. This is the best solution. We live in a climate crisis, and we have to make biking so much more appealing than it is now if we want our communities to reach our climate goals for the next decades. Safe and easy to understand bikeways, like this one-way design are critically important. • Sidewalk and side path would be a severe downgrade. • do a survey on how many bikes you see using this road and in the wintertime there are almost none using it you seem to favor bikes and pedestrians • Would be great to see two way multiple use trails added and/or two way cycle paths. This becomes an easy decision IMO when considering equal ROW and tree impacts of single lane. Removing opportunities to be killed by cars, through design change, is the best option. • Drop the side path option • I understand the one way cycle track may have the biggest ROW impact, but it provides the best, safest alternative for all road users. If something unexpected prevents using that option, the two NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page16 way cycle track would have the least (but still non-zero!) adverse impact. The multi-use path should not be considered as it represents the worst of these options. • I really like the one-way cycle track because it keeps cyclists on the correct side of the street and gives both pedestrians and cyclists the most dedicated space to minimize interference. • I'd love to see if there's a budget for a bike repair station somewhere along the route • I overlook the 66th & Lyndale roundabout and one-way cycle track on 66th street. This is the best option for both riders and walkers. Riders currently use the designated bike area to ride both ways (East and West) ... directional arrows do not influence people from using the bike path their chosen way. • Normally I am a fan of the Two-way, but the One-way pairs well with the rest of Richfield's bike network. • I live on Clinton Ave / 69th and use Nicollet as my main cycling North/South route. I am a relatively fast cyclist and the off-street paths add significant time to any trip and are far more dangerous. I've been hit by motorists twice within Richfield. Both times have been on dedicated cycle paths at intersections (additionally, I've had to slam on the brakes when I have the right of way to avoid a collision more times than I can count). Because they're set back from the street people don't look and/or don't see a faster moving cyclist. With Nicollet eventually becoming a bridge over 494 without exit ramps I was hoping we'd have on-street bike lane to be able to connect Bloomington and Minneapolis bike lanes through Richfield. Presumably the issue here is that Nicollet must be narrower than Portland or Lyndale - but those setups with a dedicated lane are ideal for anyone who rides faster than 10mph. • I don't think we need to go all out with the one-way option. I really like the idea of sidewalks on both sides, so as a walker, I won't need to cross the street to get out of the bike lane. • Majority of traffic is not Richfield traffic, most pedestrians are Richfield residents and good chunks of the road are residential or non-commercial. The road should serve and respect those who live here first and not simply be a thoroughfare. • Cycling is an inherently social form of transportation, and for that reason I really like the two way bike way. The nine mile creek trail that runs through richfield is a really nice feature and I would love to see more of that. That being said, the one way cycle track would likely integrate better with the existing one way design along 66th. • I really like using the one-way bikeways on 66th and how the sidewalk is separated. I like how if I need or want to merge into the thru-lane such as when snow removal hasn't been completed yet on parts of it, I can do so much easier than a two-way configuration or sidepath unless the sidepaths are on both sides of the street. • Multi use path is too confusing. Most assume striped path is for bicycles, inline skates, etc. One way bike paths plus sidewalk makes most sense and probably better for snow clearance • Consider moving bike path one block over. No bike path on Nicollet • I am an avid cyclist. I strongly prefer the two way cycle path option. • Love the path options! Will also spruce up the very poor sidewalks there... • I'd rather see on street bike lanes but if it has to be off street then please make sure all the curbs to ride up and down every intersection are smooth. 9 miles creek bike trail along 76th is ROUGH to ride because of all the abrupt up and down curb transitions • One way track already proven along 66th St. Best opportunity for vehicle drivers to see cyclists, as traveling in same direction and side as vehicle traffic. • As a confident cyclist, I'd have no issues just taking the road if I need it with a two way. Please also ensure that the start of this infrastructure is safe and easy to access. (Unlike Bryant and 31st.) NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page17 Finally, please make sure there is a true separation between bike and sidewalk to avoid pedestrians wandering into the bikelane. It creates safety issues and tension thst doesn't need to be there. • I think anytime you put all the traffic-separated bike lanes on one side of the road, you invite cyclists to be IN the road if they're going the opposite direction -- so I think the one-way cycle track is by far the safest for cyclists, and the least likely to increase conflicts between bikes and cars. This model also matches with what's in place on 66th St, so there is precedent in the community and people know how it works. The sidewalk & sidepath model is currently in place on 76th St and it is fine, but I think there is also FAR less traffic on 76th at Nicollet than in the corridor being planned. • I truly do not think that any of these is realistic. People will walk and ride on whichever side of the street is more convenient for them - not necessarily follow ""the plan"". There are very few bikers on Nicollet at any time of the year, so making premiere paths for that use should not necessarily be a priority. It would be good for the county and city planners of this project to take some lawn chairs and sit on the boulevard of Nicollet for a couple of hours to see just what happens on this major artery. I think that we all know that dedicated paths/sidewalks are, in reality, not used as such. Everyone will use whatever path or sidewalk there is however they wish. And with so little ""rolling"" on Nicollet, it works fine. Also - Nicollet Ave in Richfield is nothing like what is shown in the depictions. It is a mix of commercial/churches and schools, and older residential, along with one block of park. It would be nice if the developers of this project would have an accurate idea of how it would look. In addition, Richfield has had the tendency to plant trees along major roadways and then not care for them as needed, thereby having to remove them and replant others a few years later - at great expense. Why not just make the sidewalks/paths new, renewing the current curb-and-boulevard footprint? • I have found the two-way cycle path configuration to be very effective on nearby 66th Ave. Keeping pedestrians and cyclists on separate paths would be safest for both modes. It also makes bike travel more predictable for cars on the road. Q5 –Considering the benefits and trade-offs, please rank the improvement options in order of your preference. 76th Street intersection – Traffic signal Average rank: 1.6 Rank Count Percentage 1 21 38% 2 35 63% 76th Street intersection – Roundabout Average rank: 1.2 Rank Count Percentage 1 50 78% 2 14 22% 75th Street intersection – Bumpouts/curb extensions Average rank: 1.3 Rank Count Percentage 1 38 67% 2 19 33% NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page18 75th Street intersection – Bumpouts/curb extension and right-in/right-out (closed median) Average rank: 1.5 Rank Count Percentage 1 29 53% 2 26 47% 74th Street intersection – Bumpouts/curb extensions Average rank: 1.3 Rank Count Percentage 1 39 70% 2 17 30% 74th Street intersection – Bumpouts/curb extension and right-in/right-out (closed median) Average rank: 1.5 Rank Count Percentage 1 26 48% 2 28 52% 73rd Street intersection – Bumpouts/curb extensions Average rank: 2.5 Rank Count Percentage 1 5 10% 2 17 33% 3 29 57% 73rd Street intersection – Median crossing (pedestrian refuge median) Average rank: 1.8 Rank Count Percentage 1 15 30% 2 29 58% 3 6 12% 73rd Street intersection – Roundabout Average rank: 1.4 Rank Count Percentage 1 47 78% 2 3 5% -3 10 17% 72nd Street intersection – Bumpouts/curb extensions Average rank: 1.4 Rank Count Percentage 1 26 46% 2 31 54% NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page19 72nd Street intersection – Median crossing (pedestrian refuge median) Average rank: 1.3 Rank Count Percentage 1 42 71% 2 17 29% 71st Street intersection – 2-lane section with bumpouts/curb extensions Average rank: 1.3 Rank Count Percentage 1 41 69% 2 18 31% 72nd Street intersection – 3-lane section with closed medians (right-in/right-out) Average rank: 1.5 Rank Count Percentage 1 25 49% 2 26 51% 70th Street intersection – Traffic signal Average rank: 1.7 Rank Count Percentage 1 16 31% 2 35 69% 70th Street intersection – Roundabout Average rank: 1.2 Rank Count Percentage 1 53 80% 2 13 20% 69th Street intersection – Bumpouts/curb extensions Average rank: 1.4 Rank Count Percentage 1 39 65% 2 21 35% 69th Street intersection – Bumpouts/curb extension and right-in/right-out (closed median) Average rank: 1.5 Rank Count Percentage 1 26 52% 2 24 48% 68th Street intersection – Bumpouts/curb extensions Average rank: 1.4 Rank Count Percentage 1 35 63% NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page20 2 21 38% 68th Street intersection – Bumpouts/curb extension and right-in/right-out (closed median) Average rank: 1.5 Rank Count Percentage 1 27 54% 2 23 46% 67th Street intersection – Traffic signal Average rank: 1.6 Rank Count Percentage 1 18 36% 2 32 64% 67th Street intersection – Roundabout Average rank: 1.2 Rank Count Percentage 1 51 78% 2 14 22% Q6 –Is there anything else you would like to share about the intersection design options? • It would be nice to eliminate signals as much as possible. But please don't cheat the bikeway design to make a roundabout fit, as we did on Lyndale. We need adequate space to maintain a full bikeway design. I also love the idea of bumpouts but I am concerned about how pedestrians will get to the Nicollet sidewalks safely from the side streets. Could sidewalk stubs on both sides of side streets be added to connect to the wider part of the roadway? (ie, pedestrians and vehicles share the road, but as you get within 50 or 100' of Nicollet, you separate the two — providing sidewalks for peds and a narrower road space exclusively for vehicles) I am also unclear about the design shown for 71st & Nicollet. It makes sense to have it be two-lane there, but why can't the lanes shift around a median at 71st? Wouldn't it help speeding to make cars not go in a totally straight line. I want a two-lane design by Augsburg and a crossing median at 71st, please. • Every intersection should put high priority on protected bike lanes. Intersections are the most dangerous spot for bicyclists unless they are designed properly. • It’s great to see pedestrian safety being a priority for road design. Anything that can reduce vehicle travel and better manage “car brain” is a net positive. Hope at least some of these roadway design changes are implemented! • Looks good • Roundabouts and medians are great! Crossing multiple lanes without medians is unpleasant. Avoid using traffic lights. • I don't think I understand what a bump out is. I don't like closed medians because I think people should be able to turn in the direction they want to go. I am also not a fan of stoplights because they cause unnecessary delays and traffic backups. • Would love to see benches and places to rest if possible • My POV ... Due to the increase in vehicle chases and speeding, the safest option is the roundabout. It deters offenders from endangering the public by putting built in roadblocks into our streets that lead from city to city. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page21 • In my experience, drivers DO NOT drive slower and more carefully around the right-in, right-out pedestrian refuges. They fly through the area as if there's no traffic calming whatsoever. It is for this reason that I favor the roundabout bc at least the complexity of a roundabout and the fact that drivers have to try and pay attention to when they can enter the roundabout slows them down more. I still don't think it's great for pedestrians crossing near a roundabout bc drivers are paying more attention to other cars, not human bodies that they might slam into. • If medians are to be added/replaced, low lying greenery like native prairie plants should be placed instead of concrete. • None of these address cyclists on the road • I'm all for roundabouts and prefer them BUT the Lyndale design is SO clunky. Please please please don't go that route. It looks like so much concrete. There's no green. No pause moment to breath. I'd love to see a design that incorporates roundabouts but doesn't rely solely on them for long stretches of the road. Overall, I'm happy with the proposals. I LOVE the Portland update from a few years ago. The trees, the walking and biking spaces. It's great. Even a mix of Lyndale roundabouts and the Portland design would work! • At intersections with bumpouts, median pedestrian refuges, or right in right out, I would love to see the addition of raised crosswalks. • Consider the traffic speed goals. If it’s 25-30mph, you are not doing enough to slow traffic here. If it’s 30-40, you may be. If it’s more than 40mph, WHY?!? • Richfield did a great job with 66th and adding many of those features to nicollet would be a vast improvement • Def roundabout at 73rd. 67th keep as a light because of the current backups experienced going north on Nicollet to 66th roundabout. 2 roundabouts that close will be nearly impossible and people will be stuck in the 67th roundabout • Pedestrian / cyclist crossing lights at busy intersections • I really love the roundabout options at the noted intersections especially with the nearby playground (very popular), park, community center, library, and school. Although some drivers have trouble navigating them, the safety data is very compelling. Plus, when traffic is light, you can keep moving rather than stopping at a stop sign or light. Safety features like flashing lights are simple to use and make it feel safer to cross on foot or by bike. • I live near Nicollet and 76th and cross Nicollet regularly (by car, on foot, and by bike). I would FAR prefer a standard light (as the expectations are clear for everyone) at this intersection over a roundabout (a choice I deliberately didn't rank for this location because I so deeply DO NOT WANT IT). Similarly, I think it's silly to add a roundabout at 67th when one already exists at 66th. Pedestrian refuge medians are important in this corridor, but right-in/right-out medians create a situation where people have to make a u-turn or go around the block (sending traffic onto more residential streets). • Oh, for heaven's sake - STOP! Stop with the bump-outs, roundabouts, medians, plantings, etc. etc. These are roadways. Let them be roadways, and let us access them for whatever purpose - driving, walking, or ""rolling"" - as we know how to do. Traffic signals with left-turn arrows would be a great improvement. Roundabouts only complicate and make more dangerous a pedestrian's crossing of roadways - not to mention increased possibilities for crashes, as drivers must be alert for not only pedestrians, but also for traffic flow from the left and being aware of which vehicle(s) might dart in front of them as the circle is navigated. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page22 Bump-outs and medians will take away from the ""most popular"" proposed choice of a 3-lane road. Again - traffic signals with left-turn arrows, painted pedestrian crosswalks with flashing lights to turn on when needed are sufficient. Give people credit for knowing when to cross a street on foot. If something different has to be done, perhaps at 73rd Street, why not put in low speed-bumps near the intersection to call drivers' attention to the major crosswalk? And please NO to the concrete blockages from the side streets - the ""right in , right out"" option. Which would be yet another take-away from the 3-lane road. Get out your lawn chairs and see what Nicollet Ave is all about! • For 68th Street near the church & school, I am preferring no mention if there are flashing pedestrian lights (safer for kids). If there are no pedestrian lights, I prefer the median. • I generally prefer roundabouts when driving but find that they feel pretty unfriendly when on a bike. It should at least be easier to activate crossing signals when on a bike to increase safety but I would be interested in other options for improvement for biking and walking. Q7 – Which best describes your gender identity? Answer Count Percentage Man 44 60% Woman 25 34% I prefer not to respond 4 5% Nonbinary 0 0% Transgender 0 0% Other 0 0% Q8 – What is your age? Answer Count Percentage Under 18 0 0% 18-34 31 42% 35-50 19 26% 50-65 12 16% 66+ 9 12% I prefer not to respond 2 3% Q9 – Do you identify as someone with a disability? Answer Count Percentage No 57 80% Yes 10 14% I prefer not to respond 4 6% Q10 – How do you describe your race/ethnicity? Answer Count Percentage White and/or European descent 67 87% Hispanic, Latino/a/x, and/or indigenous to Central or South America 3 4% NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 3 Summary Page23 I prefer not to respond 3 4% More than one race 2 3% Black or African American 1 1% Other 1 1% Asian/Pacific American, Asian/Pacific Islander (API), and/or of API descent 0 0% American Indian, Native American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, and/or indigenous to North America 0 0% Q10 – What language(s) do you speak at home? Answer Count Percentage English 73 94% Spanish 3 4% Other language 2 3% Somali/Oromo 0 0% Russian 0 0% Karen 0 0% Thai 0 0% Hmong 0 0% Mandarin/Cantonese 0 0% Nicollet Avenue reconstruction County Road 52 in Richfield Phase 4: Recommendations | Engagement summary Project overview Hennepin County is planning to reconstruct CSAH 52 (Nicollet Avenue) between 66th Street and 77th Street in 2026-2027. As part of the design process for this project, the county is doing stakeholder engagement to inform project design. Engagement began in 2023 and concludes in 2024. Engagement for phase 4 included the activities listed below. The following is a summary of each of the community engagement activities included in phase 4. • In-person open house • Contacts with 10+ community organizations • Ongoing meeting with stakeholder groups to discuss engagement opportunities Open house On the afternoon of Wednesday, July 10, the project team hosted an in-person open house to gather input from people who use the Nicollet Avenue corridor, attended by about 75 people. A total of 39 people signed up for the open house and approximately 35 did not sign in. Input was collected through a variety of methods: a questionnaire handed out at the meeting, sticky notes on the initial design concept, and direct conversations with project staff. Input was also collected via an online version of the meeting questionnaire as part of a virtual open house. The following is a summary of the meeting, including a summary of frequent comments. A full transcript of the comments received is included in an attachment to this document. Meeting purpose • Present feedback to-date • Share the initial concept design • Solicit community input Figure 1: Project staff talk with open house participants NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page2 Date/time • July 10, 2024, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. (virtual open house available June 28 – July 31) • Richfield Community Center, 7000 Nicollet Avenue, Richfield Meeting promotions • Postcard mailing to all the physical addresses within one quarter mile of the corridor • Email invitation to those on the city and county email lists • Social media posts on city and county channels • Direct invitations via Richfield Transportation Commission members • Flyers hand delivered to retail businesses in the area Written comments received • Questionnaires submitted at meeting: 15 • Questionnaire responses submitted electronically: 38 • Demographic activity, dots placed: 149 • Map comments submitted at meeting: 76 • Map comments submitted electronically: 242 comments, 1304 reactions Participant demographics Meeting participants were asked to self-select demographic characteristics via an interactive exercise at the meeting and a series of questions on the questionnaire form (both in person and online). The activity and questions were voluntary and not all respondents participated. Table 1 shows the combined results of those activities, in aggregate. The following are key findings: • 50% were age 50 and over • 87% identified as white and 6% identified as Asian • Gender was nearly evenly split between men (49%) and women (47%) • 15% had a disability • 98% spoke English and 2% spoke Spanish Frequent themes and considerations Engagement participants had mixed opinions on the initial concept design. There was notable opposition to roundabouts due to perceived safety concerns. Concerns about medians include restricted access and potential maintenance issues. There was general support for pedestrian crossings, bike lanes, and green spaces, including native plants. Overall, some appreciate the safety and environmental benefits of the changes, while others are worried about traffic flow and access. Table 1: Demographic activity responses, open house and virtual open house Age 18 – 34 36% 66+ 29% 50 – 65 21% 35 – 50 13% Under 18 2% Race/Ethnicity White 87% Asian 6% Other 4% Black or African American 2% More than one race 2% Hispanic or Latino 0% Alaskan Native or American Indian 0% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0% Pronouns He/Him 49% She/Her 47% They/Them 4% Other 6% Do you have a disability? No 85% Yes 15% Languages English 98% Spanish 2% Mandarin/Cantonese 0% Somali/Oromo 0% Russian 0% Karen 0% Thai 0% Hmong 0% Other 0% NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page3 Open house activity results summary At the open house, some of the questions from the questionnaire were reflected in interactive activities to collect feedback. This included an optional demographic dot activity which received 149 answers; and a map of the initial concept design which received 76 post-it note comments. The following is a summary of the open house activity results. A complete tabulation of survey results is included as an attachment. Open house feedback highlights the need for balancing traffic flow improvements with pedestrian and cyclist safety, maintaining accessibility, and incorporating community-preferred landscaping and art. Roundabouts: • Opposition: Some residents find roundabouts unsafe, especially for pedestrians, and prefer stoplights. Concerns include issues with ice removal, visibility, and potential cyclist crashes. • Support: Some appreciate roundabouts for improving traffic flow and safety. Crossings: • Safety improvements: Strong demand for enhanced pedestrian crossings, including Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs). • Accessibility: Need for better accessibility for all users, including children and library visitors. Boulevards: • Preference for native plants: Many residents favor native and drought-resistant plants over sod. • Maintenance support: Requests for homeowner education and support on maintaining native plant boulevards. Bike lanes: • Mixed opinions: Some support two-way bike lanes on both sides of the street, while others disagree. • Safety and layout: General appreciation for the bike lane and sidewalk layout that separates cyclists from vehicles. Medians: • Access issues: Medians are controversial, with concerns about restricted access to neighborhood streets and difficulties for handicap vehicles. • Pedestrian safety: Some see medians as beneficial for pedestrian safety. Other infrastructure concerns: • Visibility and access: Issues with push button accessibility for cyclists, electric boxes obstructing views, and blocked emergency vehicle routes. • Community enhancements: Suggestions for incorporating community art, better ADA access, and preserving trees. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page4 Richfield Hub Pop Up On the afternoon of Tuesday, June 25, members of the project team held a pop-up event near the Richfield Hub shopping center, northwest of the Nicollet Avenue and 66th Street intersection. The project team collected input via one-on-one conversations and comments on a map using post-it notes, interacting with about 12 people in total. The team also used a Nicollet Avenue trivia board to engage with people. Project staff directed participants to the website to participate in the virtual open house (i.e., survey and interactive map). Below is a summary of the event and key findings. A full listing of the comments received are included as attachments to this document. Event purpose • Present feedback to-date • Share the initial concept design • Solicit community input • Meet people where they are at, particularly Hub shoppers, transit riders, and pedestrians and bicyclists at the busy intersection Date/time • June 25, 2024 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. • Richfield Hub, Nicollet Avenue and 66th Street Meeting promotions • Posted on the project webpage, URL was included on postcard mailer Written comments received • Participants mostly talked to project staff, who took their comments down on post-it notes • A full listing of the comments received are included as attachments to this document Participant demographics • Participants were asked to self-select demographic characteristics via an interactive exercise at the event, however no attendees disclosed their information. • Most participants were transit riders, bicyclists and pedestrians. • Based on appearance, most participants were diverse in terms of age and race. Key themes The following are key themes from the input collected at the event, based on conversations with project staff. • General support for the initial concept design • Support for bike improvements o Concern about bike lane/bus stop interactions Figure 2: Project staff engage with a pop up participant NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page5 Augsburg Park Library Pop Up On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 9, members of the project team held a pop up event at the Augsburg Park Library on Nicollet Avenue. The project team collected input via one-on-one conversations and comments on a map using post-it notes, interacting with about 12 people in total. Due to weather, the project team moved indoors with limited space, so the trivia board was not used. Project staff directed participants to the website to participate in the virtual open house (i.e., survey and interactive map) and encouraged people to come to the in person open house the following day. Below is a summary of the event and key findings. A full listing of the comments received are included as attachments to this document. Event purpose • Present feedback to-date • Share the initial concept design • Solicit community input • Meet people where they are at Date/time • July 9, 2024 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. • Augsburg Park Library, 7100 Nicollet Ave, Richfield, MN 55423 Meeting promotions • Posted on the project webpage, URL was included on postcard mailer Written comments received • Participants mostly talked to project staff, who took their comments down on post-it notes • A full listing of the comments received are included as attachments to this document Participant demographics • Participants were asked to self-select demographic characteristics via an interactive exercise at the event, however no attendees disclosed their information. • Most participants were drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists. • Based on appearance, most were white, mostly women, most of whom were older (60+) Key themes The following are key themes from the input collected at the event, based on conversations with project staff. • Mixed feelings about roundabouts o Biggest concern was pedestrian safety while crossing • A few requests for a pedestrian light by the library crosswalk • Support for raised crossings • Support for bike lanes, separated bicycle and pedestrian facilities • Concerns about right in/right out medians Figure 3: Pop up participants check out the initial concept design for Nicollet Avenue NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page6 Questionnaire results summary The questionnaire was open from June 28 to July 31, 2024 and received about 38 responses, roughly 15 of which were from a printed version of the questionnaire at the in-person open house. The following is a summary of the questionnaire results, including those submitted both online and in-person. A complete tabulation of survey results is included as an attachment. Most (52%) respondents felt the common themes from phase 3 had been accurately captured. 45% of respondents felt that the initial concept design will address the project goals and problem statement. When asked what they liked about the initial concept design, respondents largely answered improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists and the added green space. When asked what they’d change, respondents primarily cited the roundabouts and medians. Most (65%) of respondents thought that the initial concept design provides enough enhanced crossing locations. Most of those who provided additional context to their answer cited roundabouts not being safe for pedestrians. Most (55%) of respondents reported that the project communications and engagement strategies had been effective. Some of those who provided additional context to their answer noted Mailings and social media as helpful engagement tools. A few respondents stated that they do not feel their voices are being heard. Additional comments reflected mixed opinions on the initial design concept, particularly regarding roundabouts and bike lanes. Key points include: • Opposition to roundabouts: Concerns about increased risks and traffic complications. Calls for better enforcement of inattentive driving instead. • Support for safety improvements: Positive feedback on bike lanes, lower speed limits, and measures to enhance safety for cyclists and pedestrians. o Mixed reactions to bike lanes: Preference other kinds of bike lanes and questions about the connectivity of new paths. • Maintenance concerns: Need for better upkeep of new plantings and infrastructure. • General feedback: Appreciation for feedback opportunities but criticisms about costs and changes. Some residents feel ignored or frustrated. Comment map responses: The engagement site also included a comment map where participants could place icons on a map of the initial concept design, noting likes, dislikes and general comments. Participants placed 242 comments, 78 of which were noted as likes, 82 of which were noted as dislikes, and 82 of which were general comments. Across all comments, there were 813 upvotes and 491 downvotes. Below is a summary of the key themes. A complete tabulation of comments is included as an attachment. Overall, the map comment feedback highlights a need for balanced solutions prioritizing safety, environmental sustainability, efficient traffic management, and minimal disruption to the community. Safety concerns: • Emphasis on pedestrian safety with suggestions for marked crosswalks, flashing lights, and raised crosswalks. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page7 • Concerns about the safety of children and pedestrians in roundabouts, with some preferring traffic lights for better control. Environmental considerations: • Advocacy for more green spaces, native plants, trees, and landscaping for aesthetic and environmental benefits. • Suggestions for incorporating art in roundabouts. Traffic flow and congestion: • Mixed opinions on the effectiveness of roundabouts; some believe they improve traffic flow, while others fear increased congestion, especially during peak times or near schools. • Suggestions for keeping north/south lanes as two-lane roads to manage traffic better. Medians and access: • Some oppose green medians due to maintenance concerns and potential access restrictions from side streets. • Concerns about limited driveway access and the impact on emergency response times. Bicycle infrastructure: • General support for dedicated bike lanes with protective measures and additional safety features for cyclists. Roundabouts vs. traffic lights: • Some appreciate roundabouts for their efficiency, while others worry about pedestrian risks and prefer traffic lights for safer crossings. Community considerations: • Comments on the project's impact on local businesses and the overall community, with some opposing further changes to existing intersections. General feedback: • Calls for better planning and consideration of local traffic patterns and safety. • Mixed reactions to the overall project, with some praising the improvements and others strongly opposing specific elements like roundabouts and medians. • Emphasis on the need for more studies and observations to ensure proposed changes address real issues and effectively improve the community's infrastructure. Next steps The next steps in the process for the project team are to present the initial concept and feedback-to-date to the Richfield Transportation Commission and City Council. If approved, the concept will move forward to final design with anticipated construction in 2026. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page8 List of attachments Attachment 1: Transcript of open house comments Attachment 2: Transcript of Richfield Hub Pop Up comments Attachment 3: Transcript of Augsburg Park Library Pop Up comments Attachment 4: Questionnaire results Attachment 1: Transcript of open house comments Map comments: Location Theme Comment 66th Street intersection Roundabout Unsafe for pedestrians to cross! 66th Street intersection Roundabout Remove Roundabout. Bring Back Stop Light 66th Street intersection Crossings RFB's @ all ped x-ing plz 66th Street intersection Roundabout Remove roundabout 66th Street intersection Crossings These ramps are a great touch, thanks! 67th Street intersection Roundabout No Roundabout. 67th Street intersection Pedestrian lights Push buttons hard to access for cyclists (extend buttons) 67th Street intersection Roundabout I hate this light! The roundabout will be awesome! 67th Street intersection Boulevard Native plants on boulevard not sod 67th Street intersection Roundabout NO! more roundabouts 67th Street intersection Roundabout Drought resistant plants on boulevard and in round abouts 67th Street intersection Other Drainage issue / Garage widening 67th Street intersection Roundabout RFBs here please 67th Street intersection Roundabout Native plants in round about not cement 67th Street intersection Roundabout LOVE more roundabouts 68th Street intersection Bike lanes Make the bike lanes 2-way on both sides 68th Street intersection Bike lanes Disagree with 2-way bike lanes on same side see other note 68th Street intersection Bike lanes Like bike lanes/sidewalk layout 69th Street intersection Median Want access to neighborhood street -- dislike median NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page10 69th Street intersection Crossings Please put crossawlk on streets at all corners | People don't stop for pedestrians 69th Street intersection Median No closed medians which limit access 69th Street intersection Boulevard Native plants on boulevard not sod 70th Street intersection Roundabout Keep stop light No roundabout 70th Street intersection Roundabout We cross this intersection daily. I can't wait for the roundabout here! It will improve safety for everyone. 70th Street intersection Other Richfield High School and community ed 70th Street intersection Roundabout Keep stoplight, Remove roundabout 70th Street intersection Other Large crabapple tree saveable? 70th Street intersection Roundabout Native plants in round about not cement 70th Street intersection Other Trees block view for buss riders 71st Street intersection Crossings Would love crossing lights at this inersection. Not a fan of the proposed medians as a user of this intersection 71st Street intersection Crossings Kids + bus. - Need enhanced crossing (crosswalk) + Lights (71st St) 71st Street intersection Crossings Residents visiting the library will need to access via 72nd -- 72nd will need an updated crossing control 71st Street intersection Median Like the right in right out 71st Street intersection Other Skate park (expanded 2024) 71st Street intersection Crossings Why remove existing crosswalk marking? 71st Street intersection Crossings Don't like breaking intersections Between 71st St and 72nd St Other Incorporate community art along the corridor. Sidewalk art--decorative elect panels 72nd Street Intersection Median Make sure cars from 72nd can turn left around median nose 72nd Street Intersection Boulevard Native plans on boulevard Not sod 72nd Street Intersection Other Educate and support homeowners with maitenance of native plant boulevards 73rd Street intersection Roundabout Love the roundabout and can't wait to cross it in car and walking and biking. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page11 73rd Street intersection Roundabout No Roundabout 73rd Street intersection Roundabout Please. Stop. Roundabouts. 73rd Street intersection Other Electric boxes obstructing view while turning (ex. 73rd & Portland - avoid) going East 73rd Street intersection Roundabout Native plants in round about NOT cement 73rd Street intersection Roundabout Remove Roundabout (+1) 73rd Street intersection Roundabout Round about will help to see oncoming traffic at the bus stop. 73rd Street intersection Roundabout Ice removal. Could we have heated roundabout? Between 73rd St and 74th St Other What happens with all the bus stops and a car parade backinh up behind bus? Have to follow all the way down the avenue. Then…uh-oh…a fire truck needs to get by. Think practically. Common sense! 74th Street intersection Boulevard Love the boulevards blocking the turns. Will make it safer! 74th Street intersection Transit stop How will an emergency vehicle get through when a bus is stopped here? 74th Street intersection Median No needed blockage needed here for cars. 74th Street intersection Median This median seems nice! Great for walkers 74th Street intersection Median Very hard (impossible) to cross on 74th and Nic, Several handicap vehicles need to cross here 74th Street intersection Median Love right in right out 74th Street intersection Median Handicap vehicles can't get across here. This is crossed minimum many time a day. Only ped transfer can cross. 74th & Nic. 74th Street intersection Median This median looks great! Safe for pedestrians 75th Street intersection Median These concrete divisions are not good for our local traffic. Stop This NOW 75th Street intersection Boulevard Native plants on boulevard not sod 75th Street intersection Median Stop with the restrictions and concrete barriers that cause injuries 76th Street intersection Roundabout Love the roundabout for cars, walking, and biking!!! 76th Street intersection Roundabout Only roundabout that makes sense or put turn lanes NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page12 76th Street intersection Roundabout Research shows roundabouts can increase incidence of cycle crashes of a stoplight. Really concerned about safety here, given the multi use trail and this road's prominance in RPS Safe Routes to School 76th Street intersection Roundabout Like roundabouts 76th Street intersection Roundabout The only roundabout acceptible 76th Street intersection Roundabout Native plants in round about NOT cement 76th Street intersection Roundabout Agree! 76th Street intersection Roundabout Can a bike make this turn? Make sure there's a reasonable radius Between 76th St and 77th St Other Better ADA access to houses on Nicollet particularly on Sundays Between 76th St and 77th St Boulevards As a cyclist, I realy appreciate of the divisions between the bike and walk lanes and the driving lanes. I am also glad the gutter is not in the bike lane. Between 76th St and 77th St Boulevards LOVE the boulevards so the sidewalk isn't right next to all the cars! Between 76th St and 77th St Other Why are you building illegal turnarounds in row? 77th Street Intersection Other Where is the left turn signal going southbound? Past the 77th St intersection Other I think its good that the bike lanes are moved off the main pavement Past the 77th St intersection Other 2nd Ave Ped--could we get a rail to roll a bike up the stairs Past the 77th St intersection Curb This curb line looks silly? Notes from conversations: • Discussions were primarily focused on property issues, not necessarily comments on the project layout itself. • One comment, with accompanying research, vehemently against a roundabout at 76th Street due to a concern with pedestrian and bicycle safety (young children in particular). The same person did like the RRFBs proposed at 72nd Street in front of the library. • Chiropractor business owner had the following concerns: o Concerned that the roundabouts are going to back up and block his driveway entrances and think traffic signals are more efficient. o Concerned about traffic control and access to his property during construction. o Asked if any driveway access or parking stalls were permanently impacted. I communicated that the initial concept doesn’t show permanent impacts to parking nor driveway access. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page13 o Wanted to know what is going to happen with his sign and where it will be relocated. o Otherwise, no apparent opposition or support for the project. • Resident at 6701 Nicollet Avenue: o Concerned about compensation and proceedings to acquire their property. o They weren’t happy about the placement of the existing 67th Street traffic signal cabinet. o No opposition to the roundabout but were concerned about available parking along 67th Street. o Resident requested the construction of a two-stall wide driveway apron, but it was constructed in the wrong spot along 67th Street. o They mentioned that they experience flooding issues in 67th Street since the existing catch basin is within the gutter pan of their driveway. • Business owner at 6941 Nicollet Avenue: o Concerns with his decorative wall being impacted by the project. It’s something he paid for and has been maintaining. o Concerns with loss of parking with neighboring business owner. I communicated that the initial concept doesn’t impact existing parking for their business other than the elimination of Sunday parking. o Business owner doesn’t hold Sunday business hours and doesn’t experience a lot of customer traffic. Comments sent to Commissioner Goettel’s office: Q: “Will there be more roundabouts put in?” • A: Roundabouts are proposed at 76th, 73rd, 70th, and 67th Streets in the initial concept. Roundabouts are being considered because they control traffic in a safe and efficient manner, were the preferred alternative by the public over traffic signals during the previous phase of public engagement and were the recommended alternative by the Richfield Transportation Commission. Q: “Also, the initial concept is 78' wide, are they gonna be eating up people's lawns to accomplish this?” • A: The existing public right-of-way along Nicollet Avenue is 83’ wide but varies between 66’ and 100’ at several locations. Temporary or permanent acquisition of private property is anticipated with the initial concept but the extent of impact varies by parcel. Comments sent to Mayor Supple’s office: Mayor Supple, My name is Karen Fairbairn and I live in Richfield just off of 70th and Stevens Avenue. We met at the farmers market Saturday and briefly discussed the dangers of a roundabout at 70th St. So I write this letter to you with the request that you please share this with our council members and those involved in making the decisions on the redesign of Nicolett Avenue. I am concerned about the safety of having a roundabout in this location for drivers (inexperienced and elderly) as well as pedestrians and bikers. Most young people enjoy having roundabouts around town around because they don’t have to stop and wait for anything. And I will admit that at times it is very convenient. Although, there is a warning sign for reduced speed going through the roundabout, most young drivers see it as more of a challenge to not have to stop. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page14 We have a high school just blocks from 70th and Nicolett meaning that more inexperienced drivers will be driving through an intersection. Also, many elderly people do not enjoy trying to navigate a roundabout. Yet, our community center where many elderly people gather, is at the corner of 70th and Nicolett. As we age, our eyesight and reactions are not as keen and quick as they once were even when going slow. Through my conversations with elderly residents of Richfield, they do not enjoy trying to drive roundabouts and do their best to avoid those routes that have roundabouts. Yet! Now we are considering adding a roundabout to intersection leading to the community center library and park which will deter many from enjoying those amenities or it will force them into using the roundabout where they don’t feel comfortable driving. Although roundabouts decrease severe car accidents, there are more fender benders. Entering roundabout at an angle, puts the post holding the front windshield and driver door in line with the crosswalks and oncoming traffic. Often a car or pedestrian can be hidden by that post if entering at a similar speed to another making it dangerous. Although studies claim they roundabouts are safer, it is important to note it isn’t safer for everyone. It actually creates more risk for certain people such as elderly, bicyclists, pedestrians. A problem is that when a pedestrian is using the crosswalk someone within the roundabout may have to stop suddenly making it very dangerous. Getting rear ended from within the roundabout, can send a car into the pedestrian crossing. Add ice and snow to the roadway and more issues arise. Sun is another factor. Early mornings in the fall on the way to school the sun can be downright blinding. Using the pedestrian lights to cross a roundabout is only partially helpful. Often in the early mornings, the sunlight overpowers the flashing crosswalk lights, causing them not to be seen. I have myself experienced cars, not seeing the blinking cross walk light and not stopping. Crossing at the 66 street pool entrance is one of those areas. Cars do not always stop for the blinking pedestrian lights. While driving in a roundabout, I noticed it is difficult to spot a pedestrian with all the other activity going on in the roundabout. With 70th St. being a main biking and walking route for children to get to school, the park and Universal playground, the community center, and the library, it does not make sense to add the constant flow of traffic with roundabout at 70th street. Also, have you ever noticed how difficult it is to cross a street when traffic is never stopped by traffic lights? The cars just keep coming at a constant speed. I have experienced that it is difficult to turn left from 67th St. onto Portland Avenue and also difficult to turn left out of City Hall parking lot. Increasing constant flow of traffic is not helpful to navigating the streets of Richfield. I ask that you please share these statements with the city Council members, planners with the county, as well as with those planning the Nicollet Avenue reconstruction. I have lived in this vicinity for 25 years and have thought considerably on this reconstruction. I hope that the planners for this project can see that this intersection is not one that should have a roundabout. Thank you making sure we have safe passage to our schools, park and playground, community center and library. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page15 Push pin activity: Demographic sticker activity: Pronouns Answer Count Percentage He/Him 14 50% She/Her 13 46% They/Them 1 4% Other 0 0% Age Answer Count Percentage Under 18 1 3% 18-34 8 26% 35-50 5 16% 50-65 7 23% 66+ 10 32% Do you have a disability? Answer Count Percentage No 26 81% Yes 6 19% Race/Ethnicity NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page16 Answer Count Percentage White and/or European descent 26 90% Asian 1 3% More than one race 1 6% Black or African American 1 6% Hispanic or Latino 0 0% Alaskan Native or American Indian 0 0% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0 0% Languages Answer Count Percentage English 29 100% Spanish 0 0% Other 0 0% Somali/Oromo 0 0% Russian 0 0% Karen 0 0% Thai 0 0% Hmong 0 0% Mandarin/Cantonese 0 0% NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page17 Attachment 2: Transcript of Richfield Hub Pop Up comments How do you usually travel along or across Nicollet Avenue? I take the bus 3 I walk 1 I bike 1 I drive 1 Other 0 Notes from conversations: Theme Comment Roundabouts Like roundabouts to keep traffic moving Bike lanes Like bike lanes Hard for bus riders to get off bus into bike lane Bike safety improvements are needed Delineator posts Dislike delineator posts Don’t provide enough protection Always being damaged by vehicles Misc. It’s nice to know what’s going on! NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page18 Attachment 3: Transcript of Augsburg Park Library Pop Up comments How do you usually travel along or across Nicollet Avenue? I drive 3 I walk 2 I bike 1 I take the bus 0 Other 0 Notes from conversations: Theme Comment 66th Street The county purchased a home on 66th for some kind of stormwater infrastructure and it is now overtaken by weeds The new apartment building on 66th and Stevens is going to ruin the neighborhood It used to be too scary to walk down 66th but is better now after the improvements The pedestrian lights at the Nicollet and 66th roundabout are too high up, makes it difficult for drivers to see them 67th Street People will turn off of Nicollet to Stevens Avenue to avoid congestion on Nicollet and 67th Back ups are made worse by school events The light at 67th helps with school congestion 71st Street Need for a flashing pedestrian sign near the library Concern about cars stopping for pedestrians at 71st, need pedestrian lights 73rd Street Concern about high schoolers using roundabout at 73rd, a pedestrian was killed there 76th Street Concern about roundabout at 76th and impact it will have on the trail, safety of kids walking, route included in Safe Routes to School plan 77th Street There needs to be a left turn arrow on Nicollet and 77th Roundabouts It’s unsafe as a pedestrian or bicyclist to cross roundabouts Dislike roundabouts Love the roundabouts Feel safer having my daughter cross at a roundabout since the cars are slower and she’s more separated from traffic Need education for pedestrians and everyone about roundabouts Roundabouts are a safety issue, at least with a stoplight you get your turn to cross “Prioritizing traffic flow does nothing to help our community” Medians Like pedestrian medians, but not right in/right out medians Often take lefts at 69th, does not like median Raised crossings Like raised crossings Like raised crossings NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page19 Bike lanes Like that the sidewalk and bike lane are separated Love the bike lanes Likes separated bike and pedestrian lanes Transit Concern about transit being delayed if traffic is slowed on Nicollet Misc. West Richfield has more and better green spaces Inattentive driving is the issue People take Nicollet instead of Lyndale because it has a higher speed limit (35 mph) Like some but not all safety improvements, what is proposed is overkill Questions about expense Why do you all keep digging up Nicollet? Trees need to be trimmed so you can see the traffic lights Augsburg Park is the busiest park in Richfield NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page20 Attachment 4: Questionnaire results Q1 Have the common themes from phase 3 community engagement been accurately captured? Answer Count Percentage Yes 15 52% No 7 24% Not sure 7 24% Q2 Do you feel that the initial concept design will address the project goals and problem statement? Answer Count Percentage Yes 17 45% No 13 34% Partially 8 21% Q3 What do you like about the initial concept? • adsfadsf • I have lived on 73rd and Blaisdell for thirty years and can attest to the over-indexing of accidents on 73rd and Nicollet. Taking a left turn onto Nicollet when heading East on 73rd is really awkward with the new median. Crossing 73rd in either direction is treacherous during busy hours. I 100% agree with the decision to put a roundabout there and I'm frankly surprised the median was even built rather than just proceeding with the logical step. • Nothing • Love the safety (for all modalities)and walkable aspects of the design. • It keeps the same amount of lanes. • I love the grassy median boulevards. They create a sense of safety for bikers and pedestrians and add more green space. I also support the added roundabouts. I think they will help the traffic flow. • Nothing. Waste of time and money. • The clearly marked crosswalks are good, with the possible addition of flashing lights for the busier intersections. Having a bike/pedestrian path separated from the street. • roundabouts, one way bikeways, raised crossings, right in right out medians, protected median crossings, rapid flashing beacons • Hopefully the roundabouts will address some of the current issues with left turns because there are fewer breaks in traffic since Nicollet went down to one lane in each direction. • Roundabouts • Addition of dedicated bike lanes. Addition of green space. • Separated bike lanes and roundabouts are great improvements. Keep doing them! • Having the bike and pedestrian paths separated from the street. • I love the green medians (let’s plant trees) and the protected bike lanes and the roundabouts vs lights! • I like the boulevards so there is protected bike/pedestrian. I like the roundabouts. • Bikeway is awesome! Love the roundabouts and crossing medians. • I love the additional green space, protected bike lane and pedestrian lanes, and medians which close off some turns but not all. • Limited access to Nicollet NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page21 • Dedicated bike lanes, pedestrian crossings, added roundabouts • I really like the boulevard green spaces, so the sidewalks aren't RIGHT next to the cars. • looks good. all of it • Looks good design-wise • Nothing. I've lived in my home 44 years and always accepted the changes the city made. You are pushing your good tax paying residents to move. The expensive new condos will be passed over for other "more convenient" "old fashioned" suburbs. Good luck collecting the taxes to pay for your innovative ideas • Bike lanes! • This design feels very safe and human friendly. I would enjoy walking and biking on this street. I think this street will be much safer for drivers as well. • Not much - streets are for driving! Walking & biking have more lineal space then the cars/drivers • new curbs & sidewalks • I like that the bikes & pedestrians have a dedicated path away from traffic. • LOVE that more roundabouts are being added. I know a lot of folks hate roundabouts, but that's only because they don't know how to use them/drive too fast. Every change being made is going to make me feel safer biking & walking on Nicollet. Love the added space for trees/green space along the road. • Bike lane, sidewalk, some roundabouts • Too many roundabouts! Bike lanes Both ways?? Too many concrete dividers narrowing lanes and do cause backups and block traffic when emergency vehicles are coming. • The boulevard is LONG OVERDUE! The fact that the roadway wasn't narrowed when the 4-3 conversion happened still made walking along Niccolet so terrible • Wide Sidewalk and bike paths up at curb level with boulevard possibly. Q4 What would you change about the initial concept? • asdfads • I can't see everything, I just want to make sure there is a roundabout on 73rd. • Put it back the way it was before the last changes. • Nothing • We do not need a to switch to traffic circles at every intersection. Use the lights they are more effective. People are dumb when it comes to using the circles. • Stop the round abouts. The pedestrian lights are a joke they are in operatable as often on other round abouts they are flashing and there are no pedestrians anywhere. Don't put so many round abouts in. Traffic signals work... • Nothing. • Cancel it • Instead of roundabouts, which are more dangerous for pedestrians and bikers, just put stoplights with left-turn signals and "Walk" mode, so that everyone is clear on when they have right-of-way. The intersection at 77th Street is notorious for not having the left-turn signal for southbound traffic. Take out all the medians which impede access to Nicollet Avenue from the side streets. Do not have green medians! Richfield has neither the financial resources nor the manpower to maintain them. • Please do not change anything • There should NOT be intersections that are blocked from one or both directions of cross traffic/left turns (74th, 71st, 69th). NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page22 • For a biker to have to go up on the path and then down to the street at the intersections does not work well. 76th street has this. I generally use the bike lane on the street as it is easier to move and not have to go up and down at each intersection. Why does it only go to 66th and not to Crosstown? • More green spaces and native plant landscaping. Stormwater features such as rain gardens. There are a lot of residential homes and yards that could be incorporated into “greening” up the space. • Nothing • 1. No more roundabouts. 2. No medians which prohibit left turns from side streets. 3. Make sure that semaphores have left-turn arrows on all sides. 4. Have pedestrian crossings plainly marked and at main crossing points, have flashing lights. 5. While the raised bike and pedestrian paths across each intersection are interesting, they will add money to the project and likely cause challenges for street maintenance - just as the needless medians would. I think that walkers and rollers are capable and accustomed to crossing the intersections as they were just recently re-done to be. • I’d prefer removing even more of the center turn lane and placing green medians instead • I'm not sure how I feel about the right turn only sections. I'd like to know more (statistics on if it went thru are better). I'm not against it, but I don't feel like I have the background to fully support them. • I think where possible, more medians and on street parking should be added. The long continuous left turn lane is ugly and makes the road wider than necessary. Parking will help calm traffic and make the street feel more interactive and engaging. With the wide road profile and no parking, it just feels like a place to speed through. Also, at minor side streets, sidewalks ramps should be added so pedestrians walking in the street perpendicular to Nicollet have a safe way to get to the sidewalk. This is especially important since there are now bump outs (good!) that will force pedestrians to walk in traffic lanes when they arrive to Nicollet. • There has to be a balance between roundabouts & pedestrians traffic. These don’t really align well all the time and while I do prefer roundabouts they are not perfect. I’m a little concerned there might be too many roundabouts and that some are too close to each other. You tell me I’m not a city planner. But you MUST have native plantings, and better rainwater gardens along the street. Pheonix did some great plans for water and shade retention with rain gardens near gutters. Also I like raised crosswalks and raised bike/pedestrian paths, they slow speeding cars and make me feel safer biking close to traffic. • I don't love the raised center medians making it impossible to cross Nicollet (or limiting turns) at 69th, 71st, 74th • like it as it exists today • no roundabouts! • Everything. Apparently the problem is with the structure of Nicollet so instead of the cost effective trial fix, the city decided to make it prettier also. Waste of our taxpayers money • Should have native plantings instead of concrete and sod wherever possible. The goals of green space and sustainability fall short with this. • Add small sidewalks for peds that want to transition off Nicollet onto east-west streets like 71st St. • 5 roundabouts on Nicollet in one mile Ridiculous • to many roundabouts • No more roundabouts. Painted lines on streets for ped crossings. Flashing lights for intersections w/ heavy ped. crossing. No closed medians - they cut off neighborhoods from access and make NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page23 people drive further, creating more emissions. Closed medians are also a negative for emergency vehicles and snow plows. • I would love to see native & pollinator plants included in the planned green spaces if possible to help benefit our local ecosystem. • Don't block intersections it takes to long to go 2 blocks to come around if you live close • Remove Roundabouts. Initial proposal gave a European visiting theme. This proposal isn't changing the current street much. • Stop with all these restrictions to those that matter - the locals. You do not need all of these sill Round Abouts & concrete barriers such as 74th 75th & Nic. The dividers do exactly that - they divide communities, and long time neighbors. • I ride the 18 very frequently, in fact I am on it right now as I type this, and it desperately needs aBRT treatments. (I have been on many 18 busses coming out of downtown in rush hour packed like sardines, and very often 15+ minute delays) and we should be preparing for aBRT platforms right now, so that we don't have to tear the street up again in 5 years when it gets aBRT. This is incredibly important to me! • There needs to be space for the buses to pull over and get off the road. A turn lane needs to be more than one or two car lengths. Portland Avenue has this problem and it causes back ups or possible being rear-ended. A roundabout Or right turn only intersection at 70th St. is not helpful and can be dangerous For elderly and for children and parents trying to get over to the park and community center and library Q5 The initial concept includes enhanced crossings to make it easier to cross the street at locations with a high amount of crossing activity expected. This includes the Nicollet Avenue intersections with 67th Street, 70th Street, 72nd Street (north leg only), 73rd Street, and 76th Street. Do you think that the initial concept provides enough enhanced crossing locations? Answer Count Percentage Yes 24 65% No 13 35% Q6 If you answered "no" to the previous question, which additional locations do you think should be considered for enhanced crossings? • None. Leave them alone. • None • The path would be better to be continuous on the street. • I find the entrance/exit at the Augsburg library difficult to navigate. I encourage you to consider improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. • If by "enhanced", you mean stripes on the road and flashing lights, then yes - this is sufficient. If "enhanced" means roundabouts, in my opinion as a walker and driver, I believe these make pedestrian crossings more dangerous. • I’m not familiar enough with the level of detail on this street, but always want to see more pedestrian safety features! • Not sure - I think so...? Those are probably the busiest. Glad it includes 72nd b/c of all the kids walking to the high school. • none • People don't care about crossings; they will dash across where they are and not walk to the next crossing • 4 roundabouts! & 1 without NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page24 • Will there be a city council meeting we can attend and voice our opinion to the city because these Hennipin cty people don't care what we citizens of Richfield want • (without roundabouts - they make ped. crossing risky.) • With crossing lights flashing wherever possible for added safety • Creating dangerous crossings you mean?? Too many roundabouts. And blocking cross-traffic with concrete barriers. • too many • 72nd is inadequate for us pedestrians • Entering roundabout at an angle, puts the post holding the front windshield and driver door in line with the crosswalks and oncoming traffic. Often a car or pedestrian can be hidden by that post if entering at a similar speed to another making it dangerous. Although studies claim they roundabouts are safer, it is important to note it isn’t safer for everyone. It actually creates more risk for certain people such as elderly, bicyclists, pedestrians. A problem is that when a pedestrian is using the crosswalk someone within the roundabout may have to stop suddenly making it very dangerous. Getting rear ended from within the roundabout, can send a car into the pedestrian crossing. Add ice and snow to the roadway and more issues arise. Sun is another factor. Early mornings in the fall on the way to school the sun can be downright blinding. Using the pedestrian lights to cross a roundabout is only partially helpful. Often in the early mornings, the sunlight overpowers the flashing crosswalk lights, causing them not to be seen. Q7 Have the project communications and engagement strategies throughout this project been effective? Answer Count Percentage Yes 21 55% No 8 21% Sort of 9 24% Q8 Please provide additional context about your answer to question 6. • dsf • I get things in the mail which is a good heads up. That said, I wish the mailing had a map of the proposal, I had to dig up the map. • Roundabouts are terrible. Pedestrian crossings at roundabouts are almost suicidal. • Again. We do not need traffic circles, are you trying to set a damn record for the largest amount in the state???? • Recieved multiple notices. Signs have been up for years it seems like. • Waste of time and money • The events have been very informative and outreach publicizing them had been good. • I don't understand what you are asking here. Perhaps, making left hand turns out of the Augsburg parking lot enterence onto Nicollet is difficult. • If by "enhanced", you mean stripes on the road and flashing lights, then yes - the locations are sufficient. If "enhanced" means roundabouts, in my opinion as a walker and driver, I believe these make pedestrian crossings more dangerous. • If like more background on the pros and cons of the different street configurations. For example, in phase 3, we were asked what we liked best, but to inform my decision I would have liked to hear pros/cons from transportation engineers NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page25 • I've seen opportunities to provide feedback & learn more on multiple occasions & have still felt engaged & compelled to return to these events throughout the planning phase. • The announcements on social media are helpful, and I do appreciate this session as well! • I feel I have been kept up to date • project not necessary. use the funds for school lunches • Unless I missed it, I didn't see any city forums explaining it. Your walk around was clear but you don't really want to hear us; you've already started your remodel and we, your residents, have no say • I feel like I accurately understand the project, where its headed and how decisions are made. I have been given clear direction on when and where the open houses are. • I feel that you are going to do what you want to do! Nothing we drivers say will make a difference. You seem to not care about the 10's of thousands of vehicles travelling daily versus the 100's of pedestrians/bikers • I see you have included bike lanes and roundabouts. Where are the people that live on Nicollet suppose to park the cars on Sunday's when the have picnics & grad parties in there yards • I have seen notices in the mail & FaceBook. We have had opportunities at Open Houses & on-line to give opinions. The only doubt is: are they really heard? • I only heard about this open house through my husband who is on the transportation commission. I have seen the signs along Nicollet, but maybe more signage about the open houses on Nicollet itself would be helpful so the people who use it are also the ones being most informed about open houses/other public meetings. • Like bike lane, sidewalk, blvd, roundabouts • Majority of feedback notes on board are No roundabouts. People keep saying no to them. Yet that's all I see here. • The traffic in your greatly restricted narrows WILL slow and endanger the area mostly durring high traffic times. • I found out about this survey by a sign along the route. • I sent an email and never got any response to my concerns Q9 Please provide any additional comments in the space below. • NO MORE ROUNDABOUTS. • Thank you so much! • Nicollet, along with other thoroughfares in the city, were made to allow motor vehicles to move easily from Point A to Point B. Side streets, just one block over, can be used for safer walking and rolling. There's really no need to continually change up how the streets work by reducing lanes and speed limits and adding roundabouts. I dare say that inattentive driving is the main reason behind the perceived need to change the main streets in the city - not speed. If more enforcement of inattentive drivers occurred, things would work much more smoothly. For pedestrians, the marked crosswalks with possible flashing lights are of benefit, and are easily and economically added to the main streets. • This is a true vision zero road design. This design will save lives and serve as an example for future projects in the region and nationally. • What other path is this connecting to? It appears to be isolated from other paths. What is the purpose of adding this? • I am in favor of round-about, and partial (directional) round abouts. I am in favor of a 35mph speed limit - or keeping the speed the same as Portland Ave. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page26 The design of the Bryant Ave bike path works well for me, much better than the design of the 66th street bike path. I can't tell you why, but the Bryant ave bike path seems safer, faster and easier to navigate. • I really appreciate all the ways you are allowing for feedback. Your goals and problem statements are excellent. As a daily bike commuter this will improve my safety and of my family who are regular bikers. Please ensure that this section connects effectively with the bike lanes planned for Nicollet and 494 crossing. • Please keep adding more protected bike lanes. These projects are lifechanging for the cycling/bike community! • 1. One of the project's goals is stated to be to "provide safer vehicle movements". However, roundabouts create more risk for vehicles, bikers, and pedestrians alike. There is too much for drivers to be watching for. Inattentive driving needs to be addressed - not completely re-doing a main thoroughfare. 2. It is recognized in the project overview that the Metro Transit Route 18 busses make a high number of stops on Nicollet. This is very true. So how is having a 3-lane thoroughfare with medians so that the busses cannot be passed going to make for safe and efficient vehicle movement? It seems that there will be many long lines of frustrated drivers queued up behind the busses, some of them then taking the risk of trying to pass the busses in the turn lanes once the procession begins to move again. 3. Another stated goal is to provide a "quality experience" for driving. That ship sailed when Nicollet was made into a 3-lane road; and will diminish even further with more roundabouts and medians. 4. It is stated that there is "consistent support for making it safer and easier for people to walk across the street." And yet, several roundabouts are depicted in the plan, which make it more dangerous and difficult for pedestrians to cross. 5. Also noted is that people have said that they "do not want to see significant right-of-way impacts if they can be avoided". Why the roundabouts then? They take up more property. And bike-pedestrian paths on both sides will surely impact the neighborhood's right-of-ways, also. • Why isn't the intersection of 77th included? Will that be revised with the MnDot project? That intersection is an issue for safety for cats, peds, bikes. • Street should be designed and signed for 25 MPH traffic! • Thanks for trying to improve how we live and operate about town safely. • I like the idea of limiting the turning on and off of Nicollet AVE more busy streets should, Have limited turning on and off. • Bike lanes are a real plus. Boulevards & other green spaces should have native plantings to improve habitat - there are species that are low maintenance & short-growing. Those would really beautify this corridor. • Thank you for sharing all this info! The changes will ultimately be good, although hard to get used to. • -Who's paying for this debacle? -Already paid high taxes for previous pavement/design -This will encourage me to move -47 year Richfield resident - reliable taxpayer - modernization/change is not always an improvement -Closing 494/Nicollet ramps? Lyndale/Portland already congested. -We need a ""sit down"" meeting with the city council • Listen to your residents before you lose us. No residents, no traffic problems, no tax revenue NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page27 • Native plants :) Make it happen! Educate & support property owners with maintenance of native plants in boulevards. Sod is an ecological dead zone, and ugly! • Thank you for this wonderful design! You will save lives and enrich this community! • going east on 73rd to cross portland is so dangerous as the view is blocked and can't see if cars are coming south on portland. • A neighbor who wasn't able to come today asked that I express her concern about the right-turn only with the closed medians. (I agree with her!) Please keep in mind that people DO know how to cross streets. We don't have to have over-kill with so many "strategies" and "measures" for safety. Basic safety measures are good to have, no doubt. Inattentive driving should be addressed. That's the major cause of crashes. • Love pretty much everything about it! It will not only make me feel more comfortable to start biking on Nicollet (I tend to avoid it right now) but makes me at ease for my future children also using it to walk, bike, catch the bus, etc. Overall an extremely welcome & drastic improvement for everyone who uses AND lives on it. • trees block sight while waiting for a buss and walking • Our opinions are being ignored. Remove Roundabouts... people Still turn against traffic. (Happened last week). They are more dangerous for driving - especially for those obeying & same runs up - when peds are crossing • Poease don't leave us transit users behind! Route 18 is the most overcrowded route in the metro (I have done the math) • With 70th St. being a main biking and walking route for children to get to school, the park and Universal playground, the community center, and the library, it does not make sense to add the constant flow of traffic with roundabout at 70th street. Also, have you ever noticed how difficult it is to cross a street when traffic is never stopped by traffic lights? The cars just keep coming at a constant speed. I have experienced that it is difficult to turn left from 67th St. onto Portland Avenue and also difficult to turn left out of City Hall parking lot. Increasing constant flow of traffic is not helpful to navigating the streets of Richfield. And it is very frustrating that we can no longer turn left to go to Woodlake nature Center, but have to go further down and use a roundabout to get back to where we wanted to go. Please do not put that kind of blockage in front of 70th and Nicolette Smarter traffic lights and better pedestrian crossing lights are what we need with only two lanes to cross rather than four. • Round abouts can be very dangerous, especially for pedestrians. Cars do not see them and have to stop suddenly in the round about when they realize there is someone crossing. The abrupt stop can lead to collisions and potential of pushing the stopped car into the pedestrian. Please consider avoiding putting a round about in areas such as 70th street where children are crossing for school. (High school and stem and dual language schools are all along that route). Richfield public schools does not offer bussing to high schoolers that live under 2 miles and other students that live under a mile—that creates an expectation that many students will be walking that corridor. Secondly, if public bus transit is used on Nicollet, don’t make the mistake of not providing complete pullout areas (66th street and Portland—the buses block traffic and cause frustration for drivers). Third, if planting grass and plants along the street have a plan for caring for the said plants. Many property owners really don’t maintain the boulevards and leave them weedy and really unattractive (for something that the goal is to create attractive driving lanes through Richfield). Perhaps the city needs to mow and maintain those spaces along the boulevard or ticket property owners more frequently for tall WEEDS. And unmown grass. NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page28 Q10 Which best describes your gender identity? Answer Count Percentage Man 11 42% Woman 11 42% I prefer not to respond 3 12% Nonbinary 1 4% Transgender 0 0% Other 0 0% Q11 What is your age? Answer Count Percentage Under 18 0 0% 18-34 12 46% 35-50 2 8% 50-65 5 19% 66+ 6 23% I prefer not to respond 1 4% Q12 Do you identify as someone with a disability? Answer Count Percentage No 21 75% Yes 2 7% I prefer not to respond 5 18% Q13 How do you describe your race/ethnicity? Answer Count Percentage White and/or European descent 21 84% Asian/Pacific American, Asian/Pacific Islander (API), and/or of API descent 2 8% I prefer not to respond 2 8% More than one race 0 0% Black or African American 0 0% Hispanic, Latino/a/x, and/or indigenous to Central or South America 0 0% American Indian, Native American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, and/or indigenous to North America 0 0% Other 0 0% Q14 What language(s) do you speak at home? Answer Count Percentage English 27 96% Spanish 1 4% NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page29 Somali/Oromo 0 0% Russian 0 0% Karen 0 0% Thai 0 0% Hmong 0 0% Mandarin/Cantonese 0 0% Other 0 0% Screenshot of comment map: Comments from comment map: Type Comment Up Votes Down Votes Comment Where is the simple left-turn signal here for SB traffic on Nicollet? It would make this intersection so much safer. 12 0 Comment I'm not opposed to a roundabout here BUT is there anyway we can make it not a large, lump of cement? Lyndale is a great example of too much gray. I understand concerns with visibility, but anything to help not have so many mounds of cement would be great! 11 0 Comment Green medians should not be a part of this project, especially when they cut off access from the side streets. In addition, they require a maintenance budget and someone to keep them looking good - which doesn't happen in Richfield. 8 9 NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page30 Comment I like having a median here, but why not a grass or planted one? 8 0 Comment Why isn't this crossing marked on the pavement as well. Seems like a cheap way to improve pedestrian safety! 8 0 Comment Could these pedestrian crossings be marked on the street too? Unclear from this image if they are. 7 0 Comment Do we need a roundabout here? It's never felt congested or dangerous. I'd feel less safe as a pedestrian not having the dedicated light to walk here. 7 6 Comment I think the north/south bound lanes should remain two-lanes here. with carpool in/out of Holy Angels, I could see this intersection clogging up quickly. The narrowing of northbound Nicollet into the 66th street roundabout already creates congestion through the light. 7 0 Comment The dedicated bike lane looks beautiful here. I ride this street with my kids both ways and don't always feel 100% safe. 7 0 Comment This intersection feels dangerous for pedestrians due to the speed of traffic and width of the road, is there a way to add additional pedestrian crossing stripes or indicators? 7 0 Comment YEESSS!!! One of my least favorite stop lights still existing in Richfield. Love the roundabout here. 7 3 Comment Are the businesses on these corners going to have to pay for those cement poles to protect their businesses? Same with the Richfield community center. Even with a lowered speed limit, I think that having both a healthcare, childcare, and community center at risk for people going too fast around a roundabout is too high. 6 9 Comment I LOVE the idea of a roundabout here. It's always felt unnecessary to sit stopped at the light, much quicker and more efficient. Also, new drivers will learn how to use the roundabouts, it's almost like a beginner course right out of the HS parking lot. 6 3 Comment I understand roundabouts have great safety records, but I can't help but get nervous with pedestrians. And I know this area usually has folks hanging at benches or crossing at the light (myself included). I don't trust other drivers. With a stoplight, I can see cars stopped and waiting for me to cross. With a roundabout, I don't see that. I just hope they see me enough to slow down. I'm worried with a roundabout at this intersection. Will you add flashing lights for pedestrians? 6 2 Comment If this is the safest option for kids to be walking around I am for it. I get nervous people don't pay attention to kids in bike lanes around roundabouts. I would almost like to see a tunnel for peds and cyclists. 6 0 Comment with the 66th roundabout today, traffic already backs all the way up to the stop light, how is this roundabout not going to cause a lot of issues when school starts and ends. 6 0 Comment Can we close some of these medians? It seems unnecessary to have so many cross streets on a street being designed with bike infrastructure. 5 2 NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page31 Comment I agree with protecting the bike lanes. I would add that bikers and pedestrians have been shown in studies to feel much safer from cars (making them much more likely to continue to walk or bike and decrease car usage) when trees are planted between them and the street. Please choose native varieties and use native sedges/grasses/forbes to increase their chances of survival - they all help sequester water much deeper into the ground than turf and need less maintance. 5 0 Comment I'm not sure about having a roundabout here because it'd feel less safe for the kids walking to school. The combination of cars zipping through a roundabout and kids potentially not paying attention seems too risky. Better to keep our kids safe by having a dedicated light. 5 8 Comment It is currently so difficult and scary to continue east or west on 73rd street at this stop sign. A roundabout would make it MUCH easier for east/west traffic to get safely through the intersection!! (I use this route almost daily to get from my home on the west side of Lyndale to my kids school, RDLS.) 5 2 Comment There are so many people that cross as pedestrians & cyclists at this intersection. I know all the experts say that these are so safe, but I really don’t think it’s true. Even going slow & paying attention at our plethora of existing round about in high pedestrian traffic areas, I have seen many near misses of both pedestrians & vehicles. Someone also recommended adding this flashing lights to alert drivers, but the ones over on Portland are consistently broken, so people just ignore them. 5 0 Comment We need more trees, grasses, and native plants on sidewalk areas. 5 1 Comment Could we make these roundabouts more visually appealing with unique art pieces or statues? 4 0 Comment I concur with adding every bit of native greenery as possible into the design. 4 1 Comment I disagree. I feel like roundabouts help move traffic along better than lights. 4 0 Comment Maybe include some ways to increase pedestrian safety (walkway markers) so that neighbors coming from the south or east have a clear pathway? 4 0 Comment Pedestrian crossing should always be marked. 4 0 Comment Why do we need roundabouts at every intersection. It clogs up traffic more than anything. Stick with the lights. 4 13 Comment Am I missing something here? Doesn’t this also only allow access to the driveways from one direction? Won’t homeowners have to turn around somewhere to get access to their driveway? Couldn’t this also delay emergency response to these homes? 3 0 Comment Please plant a large canopy tree in the middle of the roundabout and plant native sedge/grasses/forbes here as well. They will do significantly bettet than the various kinds of plants on 66th. Attached is a restoration site in Bloomington. 3 0 NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page32 Comment Please! Include an abundance of native plants instead of sod along into the project, and landscaping for stormwater pollution management. Edina Promenade is a good example 3 0 Comment This cross walk should be painted so drivers are more aware that there is a cross walk here. A raised crosswalk would be even better for kids and families trying to access the park. 3 0 Comment A huge native planting on this hill would be incredible. More Oaks would help shade pedestrians and the sledding would be more interesting. 2 0 Comment Can we please add additional greenspace to our bus stops? Trees like Oak, native pollinator plants, or food forest items like raspberry, blackberry, blueberry or juneberry. Maybe even micro - community gardens for riders. 2 0 Comment I agree! I’m nervous about this one as it is such a popular crossing for families. Can you share research on cross walk safety at roundabouts. Also, data from current Richfield roundabouts? 2 0 Comment I think it would be nice to keep car passage to 71st 2 2 Comment I would love to see curb bumpouts or something to make cars take these corners more slowly, as well as very clearly marked crosswalks. 2 0 Comment why isn't this a roundabout? 2 1 Comment With there being a transit stop here, the cross walks should be marked at a minimum. Raised crosswalks would make for safer pedestrian access. 2 0 Comment Would really appreciate seeing some pedestrian signs and lights like is shown 76th Ave. 2 0 Comment Yes, totally agree! 2 0 Comment 100% agree 1 1 Comment Add RFBs to all ped crossings, especially near schools. 1 0 Comment Agreed! I don't want Nicollet to turn into another cement field like Lyndale is. :) 1 0 Comment Big trees, like Oak trees, planted in the middle of the roundabouts, surrounded by native sedges/grasses/forbes 1 0 Comment Can these houses only access their driveways from one direction? How is this not a public safety concern? 1 0 Comment Could we have more green median here? It seems sort of unsafe to allow conflicting left turns into church and library driveways anyway. Since library can also be accessed from 72nd, please continue median all the way to 72nd. 1 1 Comment Ever consider adding a public track for people and kids to run around? 1 0 Comment Great to see a green boulevard. Use all current forestry/soil knowledge to create as much space as possible for shade trees. Trees will make the space cooler in the hot summer and be more visually appealing. This comment applies to the entire corridor. 1 0 Comment Greenscaping is a great idea but please, no sod - plant trees & native grasses & perennials AND assign a regular maintenance and watering crew to maintain these plantings. 66th st & Lyndale Ave plantings are in desperate need of water & mulching. Richfield isn't maintaining what is 1 0 NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page33 already! And eliminating car access to Nicollet is a bad idea! SO MUCH of our money was wasted on the cement turnlanes installed recently. Rethink this plan and make it right the 1st time!!! Comment I agree that there should be greenery here. I wouod take it a step further and ask that it be native plants. It would be far less maintance as well. 1 0 Comment If you add a median here, make it green with native plants. 1 0 Comment It is unclear if there is a curb here or not, but I would ask that if possible, look into how to engineer green stormwater through bioswales and raingardens. Having the boulevard designed to capture runoff will drastically reduce pollution! (See attatched, use native plants to do this!) 1 0 Comment No left turn from nic to 74th? Not good. 1 0 Comment Now this is the one intersection that needs the most improvement and not one thing is even proposed? So, please add turn lanes in the north and south directions so cars can safely make turns east and west. Horrible intersection. Not being able to see if a car is coming from opposing lane is so bad and turning cars sit there in a lane waiting to turn causing a backup in an already busy intersection. Add turn lanes at the light to turn east and west please! 1 0 Comment Please plant a native tree that will get gigantic here and surround it with native grasses/sedges/forbes. Use the dirt you'll be moving around to create some berms to protect the tree from accidents. 1 0 Comment We cross here with our dog every day. While I support traffic flow for cars in a round-a-bout, it is worse for pedestrians because drivers don't see them soon enough. It makes me nervous! 1 0 Comment Wherever possible, please separate pedestrians/bikers from cars. A tunnel underneath crossings would be preferred in all cases. Even a T interesection here would.be preferred. 1 0 Comment Yes, definitely need a left turn signal southbound. 1 0 Comment Agree. The ones on Lyndale it appears people drive upon the round about in the middle. If they more definitive it may help. 0 0 Comment As long as the pedestrian lights are working.... 0 0 Comment Besides being out of the scope of the project, totally uncalled for. The market/restaurant is probably the most interesting and active destination in the area too. 0 0 Comment Given how this intersection is going to have peaks of traffic it's going to be a mess when games using holy angels end 0 0 Comment Good point. Add one here and lose the one at 67th and/or 70th. 0 0 Comment I agree with the flashing lights. It grabs attention. 0 0 Comment I agree with the idea of pedestrian tunnels here. 0 0 Comment I do worry about traffic from the 66th street intersection pushing down into this. Multiple times, I've noticed 10+ cars waiting in line to get through 66th street. Are there concerns waiting cars might clog up the roundabout at 67th? 0 0 NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page34 Comment I like the idea, but a large tree here will be someone’s location of death. 0 0 Comment I moved to Richfield from Uptown MPLS. The roundabouts took a little getting used to, but I really like them now. Unless I am mistaken, the flashing lights for pedestrians only flash are ineffective for controlling speed and driver awareness unless ALL THE LIGHTS flash any time a pedestrian crosses. I've seen cars almost rear-end the car in front of them because not all lights were flashing. 0 0 Comment I prefer no trees in the middle of roundabouts. I like to be able to see the road ahead, trees feel like they obstruct the field of vision. 0 0 Comment I think this could be a roundabout too. I'm a little worried about backups into the 76th Street roundabout with this busy traffic light so close. 0 2 Comment I’m concerned about snow removal with the added boulevard. It seems like we’d end up needing to shovel two loads of snow at the end of the driveway after plows come through. How would they get in between the bike lane and street? 0 2 Comment I'm fine with roundabouts, provided they are no larger than necessary 0 0 Comment No roundabout here, will back up traffic 0 0 Comment Or better yet, no RRFB--instead educate the Holy Angels campus (and the entire city) to respect crossings and who has priority. In fact, work with appropriate agencies to encourage walk/bike/transit for campus staff and students--then fewer cars! 0 0 Comment Tear down the dangerous and ghetto gas station and Mexican market. Those two stores are the main reason that intersection has so many problems. 0 4 Comment That doesn't make any sense, people have to be able to access the library and the church. Its safe now, it'll still be safe. 0 0 Comment This already gets really backed up here, and another series of roundabouts will only add to the problem. 0 2 Comment What does maintenance look like in the winter months? It seems like snow clearing will be more complicated and expensive. 0 0 Comment What does this mean for the property owners on Nicollet. Is the city reimbursing the owners for any loss of land? Are they reimbursing for any damage to existing driveways, sidewalks, etc ? 0 0 Comment Why don't the kids ride the bus? Then this intersection would not be an issue. 0 0 Comment Work closely with Bloomington and other partners to ensure clear, safe connections to the south for bike/walk in the future. Make sure phased opportunities are a possibility. 0 0 Dislike Don't block access to streets with medians, we have to be able to get around our community! 8 11 Dislike Absolutely no need for a median. Waste of money. 7 5 Dislike Absolutely pointless center median. Waste of money and space. 7 8 Dislike Don't block intersections with medians, we need to be able to get around our community. 7 11 NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page35 Dislike For all the people who clamor about safe pedestrian crossings, it seems like roundabouts are the most dangerous of all due to the continual flow of traffic. When I walk, I ACTIVELY avoid crossing at roundabouts because I don't want to cause/BE an accident. Lyndale and 66th are already loaded with roundabouts. Leave Nicollet alone with traditional light intersections! 6 8 Dislike NOT ANOTHER ROUNDABOUT 6 12 Dislike stop blocking off access to our community. 6 5 Dislike stop putting in medians that block access to getting around in our community. it requires people to go out of their way requiring more carbon emissions and encourages people to not go around Richfield and instead take the easy route out of community to shop and visit. 6 13 Dislike 🙄🙄 roundabouts 6 18 Dislike Absolutely no need for a median. Waste of money. 5 5 Dislike No more roundabouts! 5 17 Dislike NO MORE ROUNDABOUTS! 5 10 Dislike No need for a median. Don't force traffic to drive further than they have to to get to this street. 5 7 Dislike No need for a roundabout here... 5 5 Dislike Stop blocking left turns. There is no issue with left turns at this intersection. Don't force traffic to go to the next street. 5 7 Dislike The radius on these corners will encourage drivers to take them fast. The radius should be minimized to encourage slower right turns. 5 0 Dislike We don't need more roundabouts! 5 7 Dislike NO MORE ROUNDABOUTS! 4 5 Dislike These two roundabouts so close together are going to cause incredible backups. Roundabout at 66th already backs up past this light. Taking this down to one lane this far back is going to back traffic up too far. 4 2 Dislike This should be a roundabout with another huge native tree guild in the middle of it. There most of all would be the best location for any alternative way to have pedestrians go over or under the road crossings. Shaded and protected by more native plants. Pollution controlled and filtered by raingardens and bioswales. 4 1 Dislike What!! no passage to or from 69th Street? Only need one turn lane from Southbound Nicollet to East 69th and an open section to enter Southbound Nicollet from 69th. 4 5 Dislike Why so many medians? Totally cutting off traffic flow for this main thoroughfare. 4 6 Dislike Would appreciate some flashing lights for pedestrians. Cars rarely stop here to allow people to cross. 4 0 Dislike Keep the stop light but have a sensor when there are cars waiting. 3 7 Dislike Medians blocking turns creates more opportunity for unsafe deiving 3 7 NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page36 Dislike NO MORE ROUNDABOUTS! PLEASE JUST STOP! 3 6 Dislike No this needs a light. 3 5 Dislike Seriously, stop with all the unnecessary roundabouts... 3 9 Dislike These just reroute more traffic to smaller streets. Allow for easy access to main roads. Why direct more traffic to side streets with no sidewalks? 3 5 Dislike Too many roundabouts. People don't know how to drive in them. Just a nightmare. 3 9 Dislike What in the world is the purpose here? Seems like a waste. Again, rerouting more traffic to side streets with no sidewalks makes no sense. 3 5 Dislike What!! no passage to or from 74th Street? Only need one turn lane from Southbound Nicollet to East 74th and an open section to enter Southbound Nicollet from 74th. Do Firetruck's jump the median? 3 6 Dislike While I can see some degree of safety advantage for having a median to contain bike lanes, how is such a narrow strip going to get plowed? Is this now an additional type of plow needed? Are bikers going to also start paying some tax/registration fees that they are benefiting from so many road accommodations or are we just continuing to burden car drivers?... esp in MN when we're covered in snow and ice for the majority of the year? 3 6 Dislike Absolutely not. This intersection is a cluster as it is. Leave the light. 2 5 Dislike Bus stops on both sides. Priority should be to those not in a car--keep the cross walks (educate their use to ensure the walks are effective) 2 0 Dislike Don't cut off side streets from being able to access Nicollet. Medians have no benefit for those who use the avenue. Besides frustrating traffic, they will be a long-term cost to maintain. And if like others in the city, the medians will be weed-filled, and create more challenges for street maintenance as well. 2 7 Dislike I would be in favor of removing more of the center turn lane in this plan in favor of more green medians 2 1 Dislike Is the goal to divert traffic to Portland Ave in order to be able to go south? 2 10 Dislike Keep the stop light but have a sensor when there are cars waiting. 2 5 Dislike Please leave the light. 2 2 Dislike Restricting traffic flow for a largely unused bus stop is not the right choice. I like the safety and functionality for the bus and pedestrians, but it is not needed for this specific stop. 2 4 Dislike Stop medians 2 3 Dislike Stop with median. Looks like you can’t get around in the neighborhood and reroutes to side streets 2 6 Dislike There is no reason to block access, with the roundabouts, left turn lanes should be safe all along Nic. Keep the safe crosswalk, but don't block street access. 2 3 Dislike These medians that prevent left turns are a real jerk move that hinders our ability to get around our neighborhood. 2 1 NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page37 Dislike What in the world???! Please don't cut off neighborhood access to Nicollet. 2 5 Dislike What!! no passage to or from 71th Street? Only need one turn lane from Southbound Nicollet to East 71st and an open section to enter Southbound Nicollet from 71st. 2 7 Dislike Bikes do not weigh several tons and damage the road, which is what the majority of that money goes to. 1 0 Dislike Frustrating traffic is the idea, buckaroo 1 0 Dislike I hope you are fixing the roundabout a 66th street. Northbound from the South. There isn't a right turn lane if there to go East if a car is waiting to enter to go North or West. Also, don't make it like Portland where there isn't enough room to pass a car waiting to turn left in the little turn area. If they are sticking out or if there is more than one car turning, all traffic must wait. As Joe says " Come on man, you can do better" 1 1 Dislike I like green space however Richfield does not keep up with maintenance of the green areas 66th corridor was beautiful now it needs weeding, plant replacement, tree trimming etc. 1 0 Dislike I thought it was illegal to build turnarounds in the right-of-way? Why would you rebuild / build new turnarounds in the boulevard here? If the space is not needed for the street / sidewalks, it should be green space. People can build turnarounds on their own property. 1 0 Dislike Is Richfield trying to become a small town with the most roundabouts? Stop the madness. 1 1 Dislike Is Richfield trying to become a small town with the most roundabouts? Stop the madness. 1 3 Dislike No left turn into a neighborhood? Not good I use this all the time. 1 0 Dislike Roundabout dumb 1 16 Dislike The hub area needs to be completely raised and redeveloped. Ghetto, dangerous, and such an eye sore. 1 7 Dislike The protected crossing on the north side of 68th is sufficient. No need to have medians on both sides of the intersection. 1 4 Dislike These are very tight 90 degree turns for bicyclists trying to continue on Nicollet. Especially those with trailers or on cargo bikes. Attached is an example of a roundabout where bicyclists aren't forced to make 90 degree turns to continue going straight. 1 2 Dislike this is so true, we keep hearing about carbon emissions expect for when the city wants us to have to drive our car even further because they keep cutting off access to our local streets, it doesn't make sense. this also keeps people from access local businesses as it creates a burden to get there. 1 0 Dislike Too close to the other roundabouts. 1 3 Dislike We don't need all these roundabouts. But city leaders will do exactly what they want, not whatthe residents want. 1 1 NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page38 Dislike We walk our dog across this street everyday and I like having vehicles stopped so as to safely get across with a stoplight. Many elderly and kids through this intersection. 1 0 Dislike Why a full median? Why don’t we mimic Portland and still have a way to turn in both directions. This is not a busy bus stop so it is not a safety concern. 1 6 Dislike Bikes reduce taxes, Richfield already has the equipment to plow and uses it on 66th. We are all burdened by cars, not the other way round. It's fine. You're fine. Deep breaths. Oh wait, we can't because we're breathing in exhaust and getting killed by cars. Nevermind. 0 0 Dislike Car accident or emergency vehicle here = 2 blocks of stuck traffic 0 0 Dislike Changing speed limit to 25 was a terrible waste of tax payer money. 0 1 Dislike Greenscaping is a great idea but please, no sod - plant trees & native grasses & perennials AND assign a regular maintenance and watering crew to maintain these plantings. 66th st & Lyndale Ave plantings are in desperate need of water & mulching. Richfield isn't maintaining what is already! And eliminating car access to Nicollet is a bad idea! SO MUCH of our money was wasted on the cement turnlanes installed recently. Rethink this plan and make it right the 1st time!!! 0 0 Dislike I actually think the opposite is true, less opportunity for head on collisions as opposing cars attempt to turn left onto Nicollet 0 0 Dislike I don't think you realize how badly congested this area is in the morning during the school year. Do more studies. This is so backed up with it has to have traffic lights to control this. If you put in a roundabout no one will move at all, I guarantee it. Someone needs to observe what it is like trying to get on Nicollet anytime between 7am and 7:15 during the school year. Impossible without lights. 0 1 Dislike I turn left here all the time. It looks like I won't be able to. 0 0 Dislike If maintenance is lacking, don't avoid good solutions--figure out how to better mainbtain. Volunteers, once a quarter get together to spruce things up, scouts,... 0 0 Dislike Is Richfield trying to become a small town with the most roundabouts? Stop the madness. 0 0 Dislike Keep the roundabouts as small as possible--no double lanes (plan for future need if necessary--but not now) 0 0 Dislike Reduced access to 71st is not optimal. 0 0 Dislike Round abouts Don’t work for small streets. Please don’t. 0 3 Dislike These raised concrete medians at bus stops back up traffic since there is no room for the bus to stop and vehicles to get around it. There have been major back ups on Lyndale and Portland already because of this and it looks like you're trying to ruin Nicollet too. 0 1 Dislike This intersection needs a light. Just like on Lyndale . It is a dangerous intersection where there is a lot of accidents including fatal one. My self 0 3 NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page39 and family were almost taken out I was seriously injured. Also the number of kids crossing to go to the high school is high and they need a safe crossing with stop lights. Dislike Too many roundabouts 0 0 Dislike Unnecessary roundabout one block away from the 66th roundabout. It’s excessive. 0 1 Dislike Where is the bus pullout? 0 0 Dislike with the addition of roundabouts on 70th and 76th, this feels unnecessary. As someone who lives very close to this intersection, there doesn't feel like there's as much east/west traffic here, either, compared with 76th and 70th (which I think both make a lot of sense). 0 0 Like Good to have clearly marked crosswalks, with the busier intersections having flashing lights. 25 0 Like Roundabouts are a great way to keep traffic flowing! I think the more we can add the better. Saves on expensive technology of traffic lights as well. 24 1 Like In favor of the roundabouts. 19 3 Like It's great to see the pedestrian-crossing medians added here too. They make it much easier at 73rd and 72nd today. Every intersection should be safe to cross. 15 0 Like I really like the grassy medians that separate bike lanes from car traffic 14 0 Like This looks fantastic! Thank you for making nicollet a safe route for all modalities 13 0 Like In favor of roundabout 12 5 Like In favor of the roundabout. 12 2 Like In favor of the roundabouts. 12 4 Like Love the bike lanes - much better for getting to the library so I don't have to cut through the park! 12 0 Like Really appreciate having a curb-separated bike lane throughout the project area. 12 0 Like This would be great! To the maintenance concerns in othercomments: we should do better about our plantings, but I've never seen a planted median as ugly as plain old asphalt. Avoiding the median simply to avoid having to water some plants is ridiculous. 12 1 Like This would be so nice by the park! 71st is not a busy street at all, it seems like no problem to cut off the left turns here. This would be a safe, attractive crossing. 12 5 Like I LOVE this plan! I have often ridden my bike from home at 76th and Nicollet up to the paths around the lakes and this is always the hardest stretch. Thanks for making our community more user friendly! 11 0 Like LOVE to see separate bike and walking lanes! Great for family's and people trying to exercise!!! 11 0 Like Roundabouts make sense as long as the 77th intersection is timed better. The lights are so long now that it could cause backups 11 1 NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page40 Like I live on 76th and I see very few people using the bike lanes instead of the path, likely due to the increased danger of being next to cars. I like this split approach for an efficient and safe use of space 10 0 Like I will just add on to this comment here although it is applicable everywhere on this design: my daughter is very wary about biking anywhere without some protection from traffic. The protected green median is perfect to assure a sense of safety for our youngest bikers, or those that are less confident riding with traffic. 8 0 Like In favor of the roundabout. 8 3 Like Another closed median, and this one full of green space! What a great opportunity to slow traffic, plant some trees, and make this noisy street into a pleasant boulevard! 7 2 Like Thank you for adding these little ramps to get to the bike lane. Right now bikers have to use the pedestrian ramps and it confuses drivers. These should have been included with 66th Street. When will this section of Nicollet Ave north of 66th be rebuilt? 7 0 Like Every time I see a closed median, my opinion of this project goes up. Love to see this one closed, and I hope more are closed as this project develops! 6 3 Like In favor of roundabout 6 1 Like Love love love the idea of more green around our parks 6 1 Like Greatly in favor of these blocked medians, seems like a great way to streamline traffic and avoid opposing cars from dangerous left hand turns onto Nicollet 5 1 Like In favor of a roundabout here, no need to stop at a light, when traffic is usually minimal beyond school activities 5 0 Like Love a new roundabout! 5 1 Like So happy to see the median being closed here. I wish this design closed more medians to improve safety and comfort even more. 5 2 Like Thank God no roundabout. 5 5 Like This intersection is where a roundabout is needed most. So many accidents. 5 1 Like 74th is not a busy street so adding this median here will improve safety while not impacting many drivers. 4 2 Like A roundabout will make going East and West feel much safer here! 4 1 Like I agree that we need way more native foilage. I don't think we should use any sod at all. 4 0 Like I love that idea of creating some boulevards with trees to block peoples unkempt yards off a busy street 4 1 Like I would be nice to have city lights that light up ped areas but look pretty and market city events 4 0 Like In favor of roundabouts 4 2 Like Love the hardened center medians! Green space and slows down traffic! 4 2 NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page41 Like No roundabout! Yay! 4 4 Like Roundabouts are safer! Pedestrians need to use the crossing signals and cars need to follow the speed limit in roundabouts in order for them to be effective. They are not safe when people cruise through at 30 mph 4 0 Like This is great for improving pedestrian safety here. 4 0 Like I love all the medians on intersections with not much traffic. It will make the intersections so much safer for pedestrians and bicyclists not to have to worry about left turning cars. 3 2 Like In favor of a roundabout here to keep traffic moving, especially after school for students coming east down 72nd 3 0 Like Love roundabouts 3 2 Like MORE ROUNDABOUTS 😁😁😁😁😁😁 3 0 Like Roundabouts slow down traffic and add pedestrian refuges. Love it! 3 2 Like THANK YOU for these protected bike lanes! I usually avoid biking on Nicollet because the bike lanes are so exposed and drivers speed, but this redesign helps with both of those problems, and definitely makes me want to bike here a lot more often. 3 0 Like 73rd and Nicollet needs a roundabout - too hard to get across and it's been very dangerous 2 0 Like Appreciate the protected bike and pedestrian path 2 0 Like Appreciate the roundabout, which calms traffic and provides safe passage for the regional trail. 2 2 Like I'm a little worried about the efficiency of this roundabout, since Nicollet has so much more car traffic than 73rd. I feel like it might be unbalanced and lead to backups. 2 0 Like It is unclear if there is a curb here or not, but I would ask that if possible, look into how to engineer green stormwater through bioswales and raingardens. Having the boulevard designed to capture runoff will drastically reduce pollution! In addition, as others here have said, the boulevard makes pedestrians feel safe. Studies show that both trees planted between them and cars makes them safer, and whenever possible - the safest option is to have bikes/pedestrians go over or under it. 2 0 Like Love the roundabout! 2 2 Like Love these green medians! Let’s add some trees! 2 1 Like Roundabout good! 2 0 Like I like how the pedestrian crossings are further removed from the roundabout. 1 0 Like I like the bike lane/boulevard along the length of the street - I am a newer bike owner and get nervous on higher speed streets, and this would make me feel more comfortable on Nicollet. We also have a toddler, and I don't even love having the wagon/stroller on Nicollet because the cars feel 1 0 NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page42 really close. So I think this layout helps with the sidewalk not feeling so close as well. Like In favor of this roundabout. 1 1 Like Roundabout with a bit canopy tree. Lots of native plants. Bioswale/rain garden stormwater collection. Pedestrian crossing under or over the road here, not on it. Greener bus stops. 1 0 Like Yes! That's one of my concerns. At Nicollet and 66th, there's times with 10+ cars backed-up to go north into the roundabout. My worry with the traffic light at 77th is the timing. Will cars turning onto Nicollet get stuck waiting? 1 0 Like Agreed! I was thinking the same thing. We might actually bike to the library now if we don't have to worry about biking up Nicollet. 0 0 Like Attentive driving is the key. 0 0 Like But there are no traffic lights here to save money on? 0 0 Like Glad to see the bus pull out is still here 0 0 Like Good idea, this intersection is tricky. 0 1 Like How will this be maintained? Mowing in summer and snow in the winter? 0 0 Like I assume this will improve pedestrian safety and not a busy street 0 0 Like I mean 73rd… 0 0 Like I think a roundabout here makes a lot of sense, I would just be curious about signage/lights for pedestrians as that feels like it can be an issue sometimes at other roundabouts. 0 0 Like I think this roundabout makes a lot of sense for the amount of traffic coming from all directions. I also think it makes sense with the bike lane running east/west. 0 1 Like I would support a roundabout at 70th and Nicollet Ave. 0 0 Like I'm a fan of roundabouts, but I'm glad this isn't one. After seeing how people struggle with single lane roundabouts here, I don't think one would work here. 0 0 Like Love the median here adding safety by preventing left turns!! 0 1 Like Love the median here adding safety by preventing left turns!! 0 0 Like Love the roundabout here as someone who walks through this intersection daily with my children. This will dramatically improve our safety. 0 1 Like Love the roundabout! This intersection is terrible right now for cars, bikes, and walkers. This will be a huge improvement. 0 1 Like Love the roundabout!! This intersection is a huge waste of time today for everyone going through it. 0 0 Like Love this roundabout! This will improve safety for walkers, bikers, and drivers. There was a fatal crash at this intersection, and this roundabout will save lives. 0 0 NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION / Phase 4 Summary Page43 Like We do not need another round about. I already avoid Nicollet during the rush time of morning and afternoon. It is quite a backup now. 0 0 AGENDA SECTION:Work Session Items AGENDA ITEM #2. STAFF REPORT NO. 26 WORK SESSION 9/24/2024 REPORT PREPARED BY: Sam Crosby, Planner II DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR REVIEW: Melissa Poehlman, Community Development Director 9/17/2024 OTHER DEPARTMENT REVIEW: CITY MANAGER REVIEW: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager 9/18/2024 ITEM FOR WORK SESSION: Discuss a proposal regarding a small coffee shop with drive-thru service at Market Plaza. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: E.J. Plesko & Associates, Inc. (Property Owner) is in conversation with a major coffee chain regarding the creation of an outlot for a stand-alone coffee shop with drive-up service in the northeast corner of the property. The Property Owner has prepared the attached fit plan for the site that includes a 1,697 square foot coffee shop with approximately 260 feet (about 13 cars) of drive-up stacking. The subject property is located in the downtown area. Since the late 1990s, the City has identified this area as the community’s center – a place for people to gather. The Lakes at Lyndale Master Plan envisions the area as place where “cars are welcome, but we want to walk rather than drive.” The Comprehensive Plan guides this area as Mixed Use, with the intent of creating a vibrant, thriving city center that will serve as Richfield's downtown. The Comprehensive Plan states that the city center is to include a mix of residential, shopping, recreational, and business uses. In 2020, the City rezoned the property from PMR (Planned Multi-Family) to PMU (Planned Mixed Use) to accommodate the true mixed-use nature of the site. The MU-C (Mixed Use Community) regulations - which are base for the PMU zoning - codifies the City’s vision to discourage auto-oriented uses in favor of pedestrian friendly mixed-use, by restricting drive-up service windows, which must be at least 500 feet from each other and may not be located adjacent to a property with an existing drive-up window or teller service unless the applicant can demonstrate that the use will not be detrimental to pedestrian, bicycle or vehicle movements. In discussions with the Property Owner, staff was supportive of the coffee shop, but discouraged the drive-up component. We also highlighted the importance of having primary entrance oriented towards Lyndale, an active street presence (ie: patio seating) adjacent to the public street, and bike and pedestrian connections to the other stores. Very roughly, staff estimates about six deviations from the Zoning Code, three of which are separation requirements from other drive-thrus: Chase Bank, Wendy’s and Caribou. The Planned Unit Development (PUD) designation allows flexibility from the Zoning Code without the use of the variance procedure, in exchange for innovation in site and building design. The Property Owner is seeking feedback from policy makers in regards to amending the PUD to allow the drive-up service. DIRECTION NEEDED: The Property Owner and staff are looking to the City Council, and Planning Commission for feedback on the proposed plan. Would policymakers consider an amendment to the PUD to allow a drive-thru? Would the PUD amendment further the goals of the Comprehensive Plan? If a PUD amendment was pursued, are there issues or areas that the developer should address in the site plan? What would policy makers consider in exchange for the flexibility provided through the PUD? What if the project did not include ordering or menu boards, but was only a pick-up window for online orders? BACKGROUND INFORMATION: A.HISTORICAL CONTEXT Originally approved in 1984 and constructed in 1986, the subject property is located within the downtown and pedestrian orientation and connectivity is a priority. The property was significantly renovated and remodeled between 2016 & 2018, including the medical clinic, assisted living units, and improved building facades. In 2020, the City rezoned the property from PMR to PMU to accommodate the true mixed-use nature of the site, and approved a Major PUD Amendment to allow Chase bank with a drive-up ATM. B.EQUITABLE OR STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS OR IMPACTS Allowing auto-oriented uses in a pedestrian-oriented area perpetuates historic development patterns which prioritize those who own automobiles over those who do not. C.POLICIES (resolutions, ordinances, regulations, statutes, exc): PUDs are intended to encourage the efficient use of land and resources and to encourage innovation in planning and building. PUDs provide flexibility in the application of requirements if the proposed development is well-designed and can be successfully integrated into the neighborhood. Generally, in new and amended PUDs, the review criteria requires the Council to find that the proposal conforms to the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code without having undue adverse impacts on public health, safety and welfare. The 2013 Lakes at Lyndale Connectivity Plan (Connectivity Plan) provides guidance for the connections and improvements through the Lakes at Lyndale area to promote a more livable and thriving community. The Connectivity Plan supported the Comprehensive Plan goal of establishing a land use pattern and supporting infrastructure that creates a “walkable” environment. In September 2022, the City Council adopted the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, which placed a priority on Community Development and identified "a vibrant downtown" as a desired outcome. D.CRITICAL TIMING ISSUES: The Property Owner has been in discussions with a prospective new tenant about this stand-alone new-build project and is seeking feedback on whether or not such a proposal would be supported before proceeding with a formal development application. E.FINANCIAL IMPACT: None at this time. F.LEGAL CONSIDERATION: None at this time. ALTERNATIVE(S): Provide feedback as to whether or not policy makers would be supportive of land use approvals needed to construct a coffee shop with drive-up service at the proposed location. PRINCIPAL PARTIES EXPECTED AT MEETING: David Gevers, Executive Vice President & Director of Development, E.J. Plesko & Associates, Inc. (owners of market plaza). Julie Wolleat, Starbucks Senior Store Development Manager, Mid-America Store Development. ATTACHMENTS: Description Type Location and Comp Plan Map Backup Material Exterior Example 8-29-24, Stand Alone Coffee with Drive Thru Backup Material Concept Site Plan 8-29-24, Stand Alone Coffee with Drive Thru Backup Material 65TH ST W LY N D ALE AVES RAE DR RichfieldLake Wood Lake ± 2040 Comprehensive Plan & Location Map I:\GIS\Community Development\Case Maps\2024\Market Plaza - Coffee Concept.mxd 2040 Planned Land Use Mixed Use Community Commercial High Density Residential Medium Density Residential Low Density Residential Park Right-of-Way (ROW) Market Plaza - Coffee Concept 0 325 650162.5 ft Wendy's Proposed Location Chase Bank Caribou 66th Street T 3 4 5 2120 2024 Q1 PROTO DTPU-A BUILDING FOOTPRINT AREA: ±1,697 SF 6 7 89 11 10 13 12 5614 15 T 3 4 5 2120 2024 Q1 PROTO DTPU-A BUILDING FOOTPRINT AREA: ±1,697 SF 6 7 89 11 10 13 12 5614 15 8' PARKING SETBACK 25' BUILDING SETBACK A B D E F J H M 19'9'24'O K Q 24'L I A B 12'R20'R25' R25' R20' R15' R8' QP - P a s s e n g e r C a r 2 4 ' T LYNDALE AVE S3 45 2 166TH ST W 20 2024 Q1 P R O T O DTP U - A BUILDING FO O T P R INT AREA: ±1,697 S F678 911 1013 12 5 61415T LYNDALE AVE S3 45 2 166TH ST W 20 2024 Q1 P R O T O DTP U - A BUILDING FO O T P R INT AREA: ±1,697 S F678 911 1013 12 5 61415P - Passenger Car 0 GRAPHIC SCALE IN FEET 20 10 20 40 ZONING INFORMATION LOT SIZE BUILDING SIZE 1,697 SF ZONING EXISTING: PMR- PLANNED MULTI-FAMILY PROPOSED: C-2 GENERAL COMMERCIAL DRIVE-THROUGH FACILITY IS A CONDITIONAL USE ACCESS RIGHT-IN RIGHT-OUT FROM LYNDALE AVE S ACCESS AISLE 24' TWO-WAY 90° PARKING, 18' ONE-WAY 60° PARKING PARKING STALL DIMENSIONS 90° - 9' X 19' - STANDARD CAR 60° - 9' X 21' - STANDARD CAR 90° - 8' X 16' - COMPACT CAR DRIVE THRU STACKING NA DRIVE THRU BYPASS REQUIREMENTS NOT REQUIRED STARBUCKS QUEUE MIN: 17 MAX: 21 *ASSUMED REQUIRED BUILDING SETBACKS STREET/CORNER SIDE: 25' INTERIOR SIDE: 0' FRONT: 35' REAR: 5' FROM RESIDENTIAL ZONE: 15' REQUIRED PARKING SETBACKS STREET/CORNER SIDE: 8' INTERIOR SIDE: 5' FRONT: 8' FROM RESIDENTIAL ZONE: 15' REQUIRED ACCESSORY STRUCTURE SETBACKS STREET/CORNER SIDE: 25' INTERIOR SIDE: 0' FRONT: 35' REAR: 5' FROM RESIDENTIAL ZONE: 8' REQUIRED PARKING DRIVE IN RESTAURANTS: 17 SPACES /1,000 SF = 26 SPACES 4 BICYCLE PARKING SPACES PROVIDED PARKING 23 SPACES (INCLUDING 1 ADA STALL) LOSS OF 62 STALLS ON SITE SIGNAGE MAX. AREA: 1 SF/ 1 LF OF LOT FRONTAGE SETBACK: 5 FT FROM PROPERTY LINE MAX. HEIGHT: 20 FT TYPE RESTRICTION: MONUMENT OR PYLON SIGNAGE STORM WATER ALL NEW AND MODIFIED DEVELOPMENTS SHALL COMPLY WITH THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN AS ADMINISTERED THROUGH THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS OR RECEIVE A VARIANCE FROM THE APPROPRIATE WATER MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION AS NECESSARY LANDSCAPE THE MINIMUM SIZE OF A LANDSCAPED ISLAND IS 180 SQUARE FEET WITH A MINIMUM CURB-FACE-TO-CURB-FACE DIMENSION OF TEN (10) FEET VICINITY MAP NOT TO SCALE W 66TH ST AND LYNDALE AVE S | Concept Site Plan - 02 RICHFIELD, MN Project # 160924046.1 August 5, 2024 2024 KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC.© SCOPE OF WORK CLEARANCE BAR FOOTING & CONDUIT W/ BOLLARD (LL) SIGN (SB) PRE-MENU BOARD FOOTING & CONDUIT W/BOLLARD (LL) SIGN (SB) BOLLARD (LL) ORDER POINT CANOPY W/DIGITAL ORDER SCREEN & BOLLARD @ 7 CAR STACK - - INDICATES 120' FROM CENTER POINT OF DRIVE THRU WINDOW TO ORDER PONT FOOTING & CONDUIT WITH BOLLARD (LL) & CANOPY (SB) 5 PANEL MENU BOARD LOCATED AT 7 CAR STACK, FOOTING & CONDUIT (LL) SIGN (SB) PROPOSED DRIVE-THRU WINDOW, DT SHELF, TIMER LOOP & AIR CURTAIN (LL) CONCRETE WHEEL STOPS (LL) "THANK YOU / EXIT ONLY" SIGNAGE -- FOOTING & CONDUIT (LL) SIGN (SB) CONCRETE SURFACE APPLIED TO DT LANE (LL) STARTS 12' BEFORE ORDER CANOPY AND ENDS 12' AFTER CL OF DRIVE-THRU BUMPOUT TRANSFORMER - LL TO CONFIRM LOCATION (LL) GREASE INTERCEPTOR - LL TO CONFIRM LOCATION (LL) TRASH ENCLOSURE (TO BE WITHIN BUILDING) WITH 20' CONCRETE PAD AND 1 HOSE BIB (LL) PYLON SIGN LL TO VERIFY LOCATION (LL) "MOBILE ORDER PARKING ONLY" SIGN (LL) "DO NOT ENTER" SIGN (LL) LANDSCAPE SCREENING / BACK OF HOUSE SCREEN WALL (LL) PEDESTRIAN CURB RAMP (LL) A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q GENERAL NOTES: 1)PREPARED FOR TENANT PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY; NOT FOR THE PURPOSES OF JURISDICTIONAL SUBMITTAL 2)SEE ARCHITECTURAL PLANS FOR EXACT DIMENSIONS 3)DIMENSIONS ARE SHOWN TO FACE OF CURB UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED 4)ARROWS ARE SHOWN TO DEPICT TRAFFIC FLOW ONLY 5)BUILDING DIMENSIONS AND SIZE ARE TO INTERIOR WALL; EXTERNAL DIMENSIONS WILL VARY BASED ON BUILDING MATERIAL