Van Buren Street Greenway Concept

Overview:

The Van Buren Street neighborhood residents have petitioned the City of Anoka expressing their desire to turn existing Van Buren Street between 4th Avenue and 5th Avenue, which their homes currently front into a pedestrian greenway. The subject properties affected would access their property from the existing public alleyways.   Van Buren Street would remain a public right-of-way under City ownership. The street would become an extended landscaped boulevard area with a trail running through the neighborhood.

Highlights: 

Specific details regarding the greenway concept  include: 

• The Van Buren Street public right-of-way would not be vacated with this concept. 
• The trail and parking lot area would exist within the established Van Buren public right-of-way.
• A 12-foot trail would be constructed so it would support a fire department apparatus to maintain emergency services for Van Buren Street residents. When construction is complete the trail would appear to look like a 12-foot trail with grass cover up to the trails edge. This meets the concerns of  the Anoka/Champlin Fire Department Chief.
• Property owners will be responsible for mowing the grass within their property lines/boundaries up to the trails edge or parking lot area with this concept.
•  The City of Anoka would be responsible for maintenance of the public trail, public utilities, public parking lot area only.
•  The proposed Van Buren greenway concept would require that property owners have their property address listed on both the front and back of their property.
•  The public parking lot would be constructed on the west end of the established public right-of-way and serve the Law Office building Monday thru Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm. After 5:00 pm and on weekends the parking lot area would be available for neighborhood and public use.
•  All existing driveways with access to the Van Buren Street public right-of-way would be eliminated with this concept. Properties that front on Van Buren Street currently would have to access their property from existing alleys north of Van Buren or south of Van Buren using Golf Street.
• All existing sidewalks would be removed as part of concept. The trail will become the pedestrian focus for the neighborhood with the proposed concept.
• Raingardens would be included in the design to address stormwater management in the area and reduce infrastructure costs overall.

Process: 

Van Buren Street Greenway Conversion Concept “2017” The Van Buren Street neighborhood residents have shown interest in turning Van Buren Street, which their homes front on to a pedestrian boulevard. The idea is to access the affected houses and businesses from the existing public alleyway. Van Buren Street would remain a public right-of-way under City ownership. The street would become an extended landscaped boulevard area with a trail running through the neighborhood/boulevard. On August 15, 2017 the Planning Commission reviewed the concept and discussed it with the neighborhood; they determined that issues needed to be investigated and a framework would need to be developed to carry out a greenway street conversion concept. On September 11, 2017 a letter was sent to the neighborhood providing direction and criteria to move forward.

Neighborhood conversion in Minneapolis

History of the Minneapolis model known as “Milwaukee Railroad Historic District” A similar concept exists in Minneapolis and is known as the Milwaukee Historic District and has been referenced during discussions. Enclosed is some articles that provide some history and an understanding of how this neighborhood came to be and how it functions. This neighborhood was the first PUD in Minneapolis which included creating a Home Owners Association to manage the expense and maintenance of the neighborhoods greenway corridors and neighborhood park lots which serve the neighborhood.

Public Input

Greater Neighborhood Open House Informational Meeting
Thursday Sept 2, 2021
6pm Anoka City Hall
Council Chambers / Worksession Room (overflow)

Temporary Road Closure is planned for Sept 13 - Sept  30, 2021

Greater Neighborhood Open House Follow-up Meeting
Thursday October 7, 2021
6pm Anoka City Hall
Council Chambers / Worksession Room (overflow)

Public Comment Period will be available from Sept 13 - October 14, 2021.
Please submit comments here