Community Outreach
Great Places 2019 Great Places in Minnesota Winner: Artery Hopkins
Hopkins, Minnesota, is a gritty, formerly industrial community located just west of Minneapolis. The community was adversely impacted by the intersection of Highway 169, which divided the city and cut off direct access to Mainstreet.
The city sought to bring its people together both physically and metaphorically. The answer was the Artery, a "pedestrian seductive" bike and walking connection between the historic downtown and the planned light rail transit station on busy Excelsior Boulevard. The plan would create a street to connect Hopkins residents to transit and support the business community by bringing new customers to Hopkins on the train.
The street has unique design elements such as canopy lighting, wayfinding, edible herb gardens, and a historic timeline etched in granite. Lining the Artery and the connecting streets are a mix of small businesses, housing developments (many of which are affordable), and attractions like the Hopkins Center for the Arts.
This section covers the following APA MN activities and initiatives:
- Chapter awards and recognition
- National Community Planning Month (October)
- Resources for elected and appointed officials
- Resources for citizen planners
- APA MN's Planning for People initiative
Chapter Awards
APA Minnesota Planning Awards provide an exciting opportunity to give credit to outstanding projects and people who have contributed to the planning profession over the previous year.