Council approves Lyndale Avenue reconstruction after amendments to protect trees and businesses

Council President Elliot Payne presided over a heated debate July 16 before the Minneapolis City Council approved a resolution supporting the Lyndale Avenue reconstruction project, as amended to include measures aimed at protecting mature trees and minimizing disruption to local businesses.

The amendment package, led by Council member Jamal Stevenson, added language prioritizing preservation of existing mature trees, directing staff and corridor stakeholders to develop a construction‑phasing plan that minimizes business disruption, and requiring efforts to shorten the project's overall duration. The amendment also struck a line authorizing certain median design modifications so the county engineer and project staff could finalize operational details without losing critical safety elements.

Why it matters: Public‑works staff and council members stressed that the county’s federal funding deadline creates a narrow window for final plan approval. Fontaine Burris, senior transportation planner with Public Works, told the council that the county’s deadline for federal authorization is June 2027 and that delays could jeopardize roughly $9 million in federal funds — about 45% of the project’s cost. Several members said losing that funding would either force the city to find new dollars or imperil the reconstruction.

Opponents and proponents: Council member Schafer argued the plan, even amended, risks long construction timelines and serious harm to small businesses, likening potential impacts to previous reconstruction work on Hennepin Avenue. Schafer said the city must do more to provide concrete business supports, warning that two‑ to three‑year construction timelines can be “devastating” for small commercial corridors.

Supporters, including Council members Chowdhury and Stevenson, said Lyndale is overdue for reconstruction and emphasized safety improvements for people walking, biking and using transit. Stevenson described the package as a “compromise” that balances safety, tree preservation and business concerns while allowing the city to secure federal funds.

Vote and next steps: Council approved the amended resolution by roll call, 8 ayes to 4 nays. The resolution is a 30% plan direction to the county and city staff; substantial design changes would require further council review. Staff will coordinate with Hennepin County on final plan sets and provide follow‑up details on phasing and business‑mitigation measures.