The City of Minneapolis asked HKGI to assist in urban design and public realm planning for the North Loop Neighborhood Master Plan. The portion of the work included analyzing the existing infrastructure and urban design characteristics throughout the neighborhood ranging from neighborhood features, parks and open space, and existing and proposed transportation improvements in the neighborhood. HKGI provided critical commendations for connectivity and pedestrian improvements throughout the neighborhood linking major destinations such as the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market, Downtown and the Mississippi Riverfront across major barriers for residents and visitors of the neighborhood. In addition to the infrastructure recommendations, HKGI help paint a vision planned for longer term redevelopment in key areas such as the lower North Loop and the Farmer's Market.

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These key areas support the long term potential for redevelopment and the expansion of the Farmer’s Market to a year round indoor marketplace directly associated with a future LRT station along Royalston Avenue, part of the Southwest Light Rail Line.

HKGI helped analyze and work with the planning, historic preservation and public works street department to formulate a solution to the historic streets within the core of the historically designated North Loop Warehouse District. The roadway and pedestrian realm design seeks to accommodate existing loading docks and truck traffic while providing ADA access on each of the streets. The proposed heritage street designation would provide further guidance for public works and the historic preservation to select appropriate materials and roadway dimensions to accommodate both existing industrial uses and recent residential redevelopment in the neighborhood.

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