Construction of Phase 4 of the transformational streetscape project continues in 2024 on Ingersoll Avenue.

A public meeting was held prior to construction to outline the project goals, timeline and impact for this season. Read a recap of the meeting here. To see graphics of the anticipated construction stages, click here.

Looking for up-to-date construction information? Visit this page for weekly updates: www.theavenuesdsm.com/moving-forward

Lauren Kollauf
The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand
director@theavenuesdsm.com

Phases 1 & 2: North half of Ingersoll Avenue from Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway to 28th Street

• Completed in 2020-2021

Phase 3: South half of Ingersoll Avenue from Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway to 28th Street

• Completed in 2022

• Reconstruction of existing streetscape happening in 2024
•  To see graphics of the anticipated construction stages, click HERE.

Phase 5: Ingersoll Avenue from 31st-35th Street

• Design of this phase is currently underway
• Construction tentatively scheduled for Spring 2026

Phase 6: Ingersoll Avenue from 35th-42nd Street

• Design and construction slated for TBD

How will parking change? 

The streetscape will create consistent on-street parallel parking throughout the entire corridor. Parking stalls will be defined by planter bump-outs and permeable parking pavers which absorb stormwater. Project engineers and the design teams made extensive efforts to maintain as much on-street parking as possible while bringing the project into alignment with ADA and sight distance standards.

Tell us about the improvements for pedestrians. Will there be more crossings for safety? What will that look like? How will Ingersoll be more accessible?

Improving walkability for the corridor was a main goal of this project.  The existing narrow sidewalks have been or will be replaced with larger sidewalks flanked by planters and the elevated bike lane. All of the improvements selected will create a more welcoming place for pedestrians, bicycles and transit riders.  These improvements are designed to calm traffic speeds and help make this a space people want to spend time walking around in.

Talk about the new ideas behind the elevated bike lanes.

The raised cycle track allows for the vertical separation of the bike lane from motor vehicle traffic.  It is buffered on one side by the landscaped planters, and on the other by parallel parking.  This layout is more attractive to a wider range of bicyclists than your standard on-street bike lane.  It also formally dedicates and protects space for bicyclists to improve comfort and safety.

How does this design bring more green to the streetscape? What will plantings look like? Is it sustainable?

The design team specifically focused on green sustainable designs for the streetscape.  We will be managing and treating stormwater runoff with permeable pavers in all of the parallel parking zones prior to any storm sewer intakes.  This will allow for the reduction of runoff and recharging of the groundwater table. The design team also added structural soil cells to all of the planter beds to allow for proper root growth of the trees and plants.  These cells contain loosely compacted rich soil for the trees to promote healthy growth without compromising the pavements above. All of these design features will allow the streetscape to be more friendly to the environment by reducing stormwater runoff, and reducing heat island by extensive plantings that can thrive.