Nicollet Avenue reconstruction in Bloomington

Thank you to all of you that shared your feedback with us and the City of Bloomington throughout 2025.

After hearing your feedback and doing technical and engineering analysis on the corridor, the project team has selected a shared-use path on the east side of Nicollet Avenue and a sidewalk on the west side (shown below) as the design concept.

The design concept for Nicollet Avenue (shown above looking north) includes one travel lane in each direction with a center lane for turning, with a sidewalk on the west side and a shared use path on the east side.

This design offers:

• A safe path for everyone, whether you walk, bike, or roll.
• Improved safety by separating bicycles from vehicle traffic
• Space for tree plantings and grass boulevards
• Fewer property impacts compared to other options we considered

How this project will affect property owners

The proposed project will require some permanent acquisition of private property along Nicollet Avenue. We also anticipate temporary easements on most properties adjacent to the project to create a safe area for construction crews to perform their work. Private property within the temporary easements will be restored before project completion to an equal or better condition than before the project started.

Hennepin County will compensate all property owners impacted by permanent and temporary easements.

Next steps

Over the coming months, the project team will:

• Refine the selected design based on community feedback
• Complete detailed engineering and environmental reviews
• Coordinate with businesses, residents, and utility partners
• Coordinate with property owners to assess impacts and determine compensation
• Survey and mark temporary and permanent easements

Questions?

Contact emily.goodell@hennepin.us or call 612-596-0402 if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.