May 15, 2025 Planning Commission/Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee Joint Meeting

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Public hearing for 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects

Review of the California Street Light Bike Trail project (BB06)

Review of the Downtown Transit Improvement / Nicollet Mall Pedestrianization project (PV189)

Areas of Interest (4)

City faces scrutiny over $20M Nicollet Mall pedestrianization project with no clear transit plan.
Residents and business owners protest removal of buses from Nicollet Mall, citing negative economic impact.
CLIC members defend opaque internal ranking process against public concerns regarding project transparency.
Potential tensions between City Council and Public Works over the prioritization of transit users in downtown development.

Votes (2)

Approval of the Planning Commission agenda

AdoptedVoice vote

Moved by Not stated · Seconded by Not stated

Approval of the CLIC agenda

CarriedVoice vote

Moved by Member · Seconded by Member

Notable Quotes (3)

The purpose of the public hearing is to receive public testimony on the capital budget requests as part of the 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Program.
— Madel Mota

Capital Improvement ProgramExplaining the purpose of the meeting.

I also have a little bit of pause of a 20 million dollar request coming to the Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee as council members are asking questions about what's the plan for transit.
— Commissioner Chowdhury

PV189Discussing the Nicollet Mall pedestrianization project.

When buses are blocked from going down Nicollet, businesses have tanked and I've had to send team members home.
— Melanie Mehee

Nicollet MallTestifying on the impact of bus route changes.

People (5)

Chris MeyerPresident of the Planning Commission

Presided over the joint session and planning commission agenda.

John BernsteinChair of the Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee (CLIC)

Managed CLIC proceedings and explained the capital budget ranking process.

Madel MotaStaff, Department of Community Planning and Economic Development

Explained the legal requirements for the joint public hearing and the CIP process.

Commissioner ChowdhuryCity Council Member

Raised concerns regarding transit user impacts and lack of clarity on the $20M Nicollet Mall request.

Melanie MeheeBusiness Owner

Testified against the removal of buses from Nicollet Mall, citing business impacts and transit utility.

Places Mentioned

Minneapolis, MN300 Nicollet Mall (Minneapolis Central Library)Nicollet Mall

Events & Meetings (3)

March 15, 2025 - Annual Joint Meeting
June 2, 2025 - Next CLIC Committee Meeting
June 5, 2025 - Planning Commission Committee of the Whole

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