After months of organized opposition to the removal of homes to make way for the Grand Rounds “missing link” project, Como residents cheered the mid-January decision to remove the “G-5” route from consideration. G-5, which would have run from East Hennepin Avenue along 27th Avenue South, would have required the taking of residential property and would have also affected adjacent University of Minnesota Student Family Housing. The U of M also opposed routes that would impact homes or its housing and facilities’ buildings in the area.

Three route proposals are still being considered. Route A would run down 29th Avenue Southeast from East Hennepin Avenue, turn west on Weeks Avenue and pass through an “underpass or tunnel” beneath the Burlington-Northern tracks, then continue west on Elm Street and then south on 24th Avenue Southeast to a bridge over the rail yard, connecting with the proposed Granary Road, 27th Avenue Southeast, finally linking with the existing Grand Rounds at East River Road.

Route B is similar, but it travels southeast from Weeks Avenue on 29th Avenue Southeast to the St. Paul border, then turns south under the Burlington-Northern line to Bridal Veil Pond before crossing the rail yard.

Route B-1 separates from 29th Avenue Southeast just north of East Hennepin Avenue and heads south/southeast along the St. Paul border to 29th Avenue Southeast where it rejoins Route B.

Route B-1 “would take considerable industrial property, providing as much as 83 acres of park and open space,” said Project Coordinator Tom Johnson, adding that businesses in the area’s industrial park — and the U of M — still oppose selling their property for parkway or park purposes. The project’s Citizen Advisory Committee will meet Feb. 7 and tentatively March 13, when a final decision is likely to be made on the route.
For more information, visit www.minneapolisparks.org and click on “Missing Link.”

last revised: February 28, 2008

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