Transportation CommissionItem 5.aOutcome pendingYour input welcome
Penn Avenue Layout Recommendation
The Commission will consider recommending Hennepin County's preferred design layout for the full reconstruction of Penn Avenue (CSAH 32) from 75th Street to Highway 62 for City Council concurrence. The design includes roundabouts, new bikeways, pedestrian crossing improvements, and median changes developed through four phases of public engagement since August 2025, with roughly 577 interactions recorded in the final engagement phase; construction is slated to start in 2028. City Council concurrence is needed before the County can begin a 12-18 month right-of-way acquisition process.
final tally arrives with the minutes, expected ~Nov 4
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Part of an ongoing matter · 3 related discussions →
Potential benefit
The redesign adds dedicated bike lanes, new crosswalks, green infrastructure, and safety roundabouts along a corridor identified since a 2021 study as dangerous to walk and bike along.
Concern to consider
Closed medians at locations like 67th and 73rd Streets could reduce direct business access and on-street parking (e.g., proposed changes at 67th Street would cut parking from 25 to 22 stalls under one alternative), and some residents and the Fire/Police Departments have raised safety concerns about roundabouts and emergency vehicle access.
What happens next: If the Commission recommends the layout, it moves to the City Council for concurrence, which is required before Hennepin County begins its 12-18 month right-of-way acquisition process ahead of 2028 construction.
Sources: Transportation Commission agenda (city portal) ↗
Transportation CommissionItem 5.bOutcome pendingYour input welcome
69th Street Reconstruction: Open House 1 & 2 Discussion
The Commission will discuss outcomes from the first public open house on the proposed 69th Street reconstruction project, held August 13, 2026 at Jefferson Park, and prepare for a second open house scheduled for October 21, 2026, also at Jefferson Park. The project follows an existing conditions assessment presented to the Commission in August, including discussion of stop sign configurations and a potential bike connection into Edina.
final tally arrives with the minutes, expected ~Nov 4
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Potential benefit
Early public input from the August 13 open house is shaping design decisions, including stop sign layout and bike connectivity, before final design is set.
Concern to consider
Details on construction costs, timeline, and specific design changes remain undetermined at this early engagement stage.
What happens next: A second public open house will be held October 21, 2026 from 4-6pm at Jefferson Park, with further Commission discussion scheduled for the November 2026 meeting.
Sources: Transportation Commission agenda (city portal) ↗
Transportation CommissionItem 6Discussed
City Staff and Liaison Updates
City staff and Commission liaisons will provide updates on ongoing transportation projects and related initiatives, continuing from prior updates on the 73rd Street/Diagonal Boulevard sidewalk project, 64th Street sidewalk project, Nicollet Avenue construction, and 494 construction work.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
Keeps residents informed on the status of multiple active infrastructure projects around the city.
Concern to consider
Updates are informational only with no decisions or votes taken.
What happens next: Staff and liaisons will continue providing updates at future meetings as projects progress.
Sources: Transportation Commission agenda (city portal) ↗
Transportation CommissionItem 7Discussed
Future Agenda Items (November and December 2026)
The Commission will preview upcoming agenda topics, including a continued 69th Street discussion planned for November 2026 and a Winter Maintenance Overview paired with a Public Works building tour planned for December 2026, to be held at the Public Works Department.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
Gives residents advance notice of topics they may want to attend or comment on in future months.
Concern to consider
No decisions are made at this stage; it is purely scheduling.
What happens next: 69th Street will be discussed again in November 2026; a Winter Maintenance Overview and Public Works building tour will occur in December 2026 at the Public Works Department.
Sources: Transportation Commission agenda (city portal) ↗
Transportation CommissionItem 8Discussed
Upcoming Meetings Announcement
The Commission will note two upcoming public events: the 69th Street Open House #2 on October 21, 2026 from 4-6pm at Jefferson Park, and the next Transportation Commission Regular Meeting on November 4, 2026 at 7pm in the Bartholomew Conference Room.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
Provides residents clear dates and locations to participate in transportation planning discussions.
Concern to consider
No policy content; purely scheduling information.
What happens next: Residents can attend the listed events on October 21 and November 4, 2026.
Sources: Transportation Commission agenda (city portal) ↗
Transportation CommissionItem 9Discussed
Other Business
The Commission has reserved time for any additional business not otherwise listed on the October 7, 2026 agenda; no specific topics were identified in the agenda materials.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Part of an ongoing matter · 3 related discussions →
Potential benefit
Allows flexibility for Commissioners to raise unlisted topics.
Concern to consider
No specific impact identified since no topics were listed.
What happens next: Any topics raised will be addressed during the meeting or added to a future agenda.
Sources: Transportation Commission agenda (city portal) ↗