Project Summary

Share your feedback on the interactive comment map!

Purpose and Need

17th Avenue is the lone concrete roadway in the City and its pavement is in poor condition. Underneath the roadway are public utilities in need of replacement, including a clay sanitary sewer pipe as well as an undersized cast iron watermain, both from 1950 and at the end of their useful lives. At the southern end of the corridor, 17th Avenue will be extended south of Excelsior Boulevard to the METRO Green Line Extension project’s Shady Oak Station. This new segment of 17th Avenue will include construction of a two-way bicycle lane along the west side of the roadway, “dead ending” at Excelsior Boulevard, and sidewalks along both sides. With no dedicated bicycle facilities along 17th Avenue north of Excelsior Boulevard, there exists a gap without suitable connection to the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail, just south of Highway 7. With the need for reconstruction for the 17th Avenue pavement and utilities between Excelsior Boulevard and Highway 7, the City sees an opportunity to consider improvements which will support users of all ages, abilities, and transportation modes.

With funding from Hennepin County in 2018, the City of Hopkins commissioned an initial feasibility study to analyze bicycle and pedestrian-friendly design concepts for 17th Avenue. The City is now seeking feedback on these concepts so it can identify a preferred solution and then pursue funding to make the preferred plan a reality.

Project Area Map

Shady Oak Station Map

Project Schedule

This project schedule is dependent on the receipt of outside funding and therefore the construction timeline is unconfirmed. Depending on timing of funding received, the project may be constructed between 2026 and 2030. Of course, the City will distribute information well in advance of construction to stakeholders. A schedule of near term project activities is below.

Summer/early fall 2023: public input on preliminary design concepts
September 2023:
- September 14: Presentation to the Hopkins Rotary
- September 16: Pop-Up Meeting at the Hopkins Farmer’s Market – Public Input Opportunity
- September 16: Pop-Up Meeting at 17^th Ave / Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail – Public Input Opportunity
- September 27: Open House for property owners along the corridor. Meeting will be held at City Hall from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
October 14: Pedestrian/bicycle improvements temporary installation
Late fall/winter 2023 – 2024: Confirm preferred preliminary design and apply for funding

We want your input!

The project team is seeking public input on the roadway design options from community members who live, work and travel on and around 17th Avenue. The input gathered will help the project team identify a preferred design concept for the corridor. Review the design concepts and share your feedback with the project team.