September 2008 - Cedar Avenue Restoration Project, Minneapolis, MN

The Cedar Avenue Restoration Project is a newly formed advocacy task force dedicated to making Cedar Avenue in South Minneapolis more livable for the residents of the communities that straddle the corridor. The long-term goals of the group are to Take South Minneapolis Back from the terrors of high speed, drive-through commuter automobiles. Cedar Avenue runs approximately 5 miles through turn of the century bungalow neighborhoods from Route 62 in Bloomington to Franklin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. Vehicular traffic has increased significantly in the last few years, bringing with it high levels of noise and increased risks to the safety of both bicyclists and pedestrians. The Project is now in the concept phase, diligently researching both law enforcement and traffic calming techniques that can remedy the hazards associated with the high level of automobile traffic.

Zehner Consulting is assisting with the formulation of work planning for the group, as well as putting together the initial pieces of a well developed advocacy campaign. It is understood that transforming Cedar Avenue back to its pedestrian friendly origins will be a long process with many incremental steps; however the Project has gotten off to a good start.