Nicollet Mall and downtown transit changes

The City is exploring changes to transit routes downtown. This work is part of re-envisioning the future of Nicollet Mall.

Re-envisioning the future of downtown transit

The City is moving transit routes off Nicollet Mall. We developed three options for transit changes in partnership with Metro Transit. The goal of this work is to make transit as good or better than transit on Nicollet Mall today.

We'll engage the community on:

  • Design and safety solutions
    • Sidewalk width
    • Bikeway design (if applicable)
    • Turn lanes
  • Transit speed and reliability improvements
  • Impacts on transit riders
  • Traffic impacts
  • Curbside use impacts
  • Property access and driveways

Learn more about this work and our three options

Residents and visitors enjoy Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis.

Why we're doing this work

Background

Nicollet Mall is the busiest transit corridor in the region. Yet, it has some of the slowest, least reliable transit services. Our goal is to improve transit on Nicollet Mall and downtown. The following efforts support this work.

Guiding City work

The City adopted the Transportation Action Plan in December 2020. To develop the plan, we asked the community about transportation needs. Improved reliability or better on-time performance of transit was a top theme. The plan includes an action to improve transit in downtown. It aims to speed up and make transit more reliable.

Read about the action to improve transit in downtown

Read the Transportation Action Plan

Vibrant Downtown Storefronts Workgroup

Mayor Jacob Frey created the Vibrant Downtown Storefronts Workgroup in December 2022. It was created because there was an increase in empty storefronts in the heart of downtown. Two suggestions from the group were about how people move downtown:

  • Explore the future of Nicollet Mall as a pedestrian zone.
  • Look at other options for transit service in downtown.

Read Mayor Jacob Frey's Vibrant Downtown Storefronts Workgroup report

Council Legislative Directive

City and Metro Transit staff presented to the City Council on this subject. This work was in response to a City Council legislative directive.

Read the Nicollet Mall Legislative Directive

Read the Nicollet Mall Legislative Directive Response

Community input

Share your thoughts on changes to Nicollet Mall and downtown transit. You can take part in surveys, an open house, and pop up events.
How you can get involved

Status at a glance

The initiative is currently in the community input phase.

Community input

Design

In progress

Complete

Exploring changes

Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) is exploring changes to Nicollet Mall, apart from this work. CPED and Public Works are teaming up to improve downtown and Nicollet Mall.
Contact CPED

Related resources

Information

Nicollet Mall and downtown transit changes overview

Nicollet Mall and downtown transit changes pop up boards

Nicollet Mall and downtown transit changes open house boards

Related work

Read Mayor Jacob Frey’s Vibrant Downtown Storefronts Workgroup report

Read Minneapolis Foundation’s Downtown Next report

Contact us

Jessica Hyink

Senior Transportation Planner
Public Works

Email Jessica Hyink

Phone

612-673-3596

Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED)

Contact CPED staff

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 320
Minneapolis, MN 55415