Request for Committee Action
A briefing memo explaining the purpose, background, and impact of the requested action.
Amendment to Minneapolis Street Lighting Plan Map to re-classify nine street segments as a Pedestrian Street Lighting Corridors (RCA-2025-00549)
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT
To Committee(s)
| # | Committee Name | Meeting Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Climate & Infrastructure Committee | May 22, 2025 |
Action Item(s)
| # | File Type | Subcategory | Item Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Action | Street Lighting | Amending the 2022 Minneapolis Street Lighting Policy Figure 2 Map to re-classify the following roadway segments to Pedestrian Street Light Corridors:
|
Ward / Neighborhood / Address
| # | Ward | Neighborhood | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | All Wards |
Background Analysis
Background Analysis:
Minneapolis Street Lighting Policy (referred to herein as Policy) was adopted April 3, 2015 and updated December 1, 2022. The policy identified a select number of streets as Street Light Pedestrian Corridors (PSLC). The Policy also included a provision by which the corridor map could be updated. Public Works is following the established process and is recommending that an additional nine roadway segments be reclassified to PSLC making them eligible for City funded lighting enhancements.
Eligibility Review:
Public Works reviewed PSLC eligibility criteria in the City of Minneapolis Street Lighting Policy. Since 2020, 2 development projects of at least 50 units and 4 development projects of at least 100 units have been or are actively being constructed within the Dinkytown Marcy Holmes Neighborhood. These 6 high density development projects are on or within one block of the proposed reclassified street segments.
Existing Street Lighting:
Existing street lighting on these roadway segments are wood pole mounted lights. The wood pole mounted lights are owned and maintained by Xcel energy and typically attached to Xcel power distribution poles designed for two to four lights per block depending on block length.
Existing Street Lighting Policy:
The Policy designates a Minneapolis Street Lighting Plan for respective streets in the City. The Policy, primarily based upon City’s Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Action Plan, defines three street lighting areas: Residential, PSLC and Central Business District (CBD). These three areas are presented in the Policy’s Figure 2 map on page 9.
The Policy also includes a provision by which the corridor map could be updated and states on page 10:
“Land uses and associated pedestrian transportation patterns change over time. New designated pedestrian areas may be added to the map. The process for changing the Minneapolis Street Lighting Plan designations for street lighting areas or corridors is as follows:
Process is initiated by block, business, or neighborhood organization. The Department of Public Works or other City departments may also initiate the process. The group provides a written request to Department of Public Works requesting the street lighting designation change and providing rationale. The request is shared with the area council member(s) for initial feedback and comments. Other City departments are consulted for their input. The request is forwarded to the neighborhood and/or business association/group as appropriate for comments and support. If the street meets the place type characteristics, as defined above, the request is considered for recommendation by Public Works to the City Council Climate & Infrastructure committee for approval to change the area designation. The Minneapolis Street Lighting Plan (Attachment 2) is then updated accordingly.”Public Works Recommendation:
Public Works recommends and seeks City Council approval to designate these 9 roadway segments as Pedestrian Street Light Corridors. Key findings for road designation changes were:
1. 6 high density development projects constructed since 2020 have increased pedestrian use within this neighborhood Connects a high volume of pedestrians generated from
2. Bike facilities
a. Bollard buffered on street bike lanes on 15th Ave SE
b. Bollard buffered on street bike lane on 5th St SE
c. On street bike lane on 8th St SE
d. In progress protected bike lanes on 4th St as part of Hennepin County Project
e. In progress protected bike lanes on University Avenue as part of Hennepin County Project
3. Bus facilitiesa. Connection to improved Metro Transit bus platform at 10th Ave SE and 4th St SE
b. Connection to in progress Metro Transit bus platform at 11th Ave SE and University Ave SE
c. Connection to Metro Transit bus stop at 10th Ave SE and 5th St SE
4. Existing commercial notes should be supported with lightingFISCAL NOTE
- No fiscal impact anticipated